Legislative News & Updates

July 2010

Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.
On July 7, 2010, the President signed into law the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.; The bill creates a national standard for formaldehyde use based on an existing California standard.; The bill sailed through the House and Senate with little fanfare and it was supported by those industries that had the most direct interest in formaldehyde use in composite wood products.

The formaldehyde standards are based on the regulations in place in California.; It establishes national technology-based limits (i.e., limits based on the technological feasibility of the standards) on formaldehyde emissions from most composite wood products.; It does so by requiring EPA to issue regulations, not later than January 1, 2013, to apply formaldehyde emissions standards that are equivalent to the California standards for hardwood plywood, medium density fiberboard, and particleboard that is sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured anywhere in the United States. EPA’s regulations must ensure compliance with the federal standard and must include provisions relating to labeling, chain of custody requirements, provisions for sale of products or finished goods that were manufactured before the compliance deadline but are allowed to continue to be sold within a specified time period after the deadline (or product ‘‘sell-through’’), third-party testing and certification, and other matters of implementation. Under the law, the new limits will go into effect 180 days after EPA issues its regulations.

November 2009

  • H.R. 748 – National Center for Campus Public Safety
    DHI met with staff members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to receive an update on H.R. 748. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting action with the Senate committee. DHI will be working to gather support on the Senate side for this bill.
  • S. 1121 – School Building Fairness Act of 2009
     DHI members; Barry Shovlin, Dale Garrett, AHC, FDHI, Jon Laing, Robert Maas, John W. Manes, DAHC/EHC, FDHI, Christopher S. Robinson, Richard Barnhard, DAHC/CDC, FDHI, Santford Johnson, AHC, Timothy Taylor, AIA and James Tartre, CDC and DHI staff met with the top education advisor for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to discuss the progress of S. 1121. This bill, sponsor by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) will provide monies for the construction and renovation of elementary and secondary schools. DHI will be reaching out to members of the various committees on both the Senate and House sides to gather support for this legislation.

July 2009

Foundation meets with the staff of Congressman Scott and Senate Judiciary Committee
The Foundation met with both the House sponsor of H. R. 748 and with staff members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Congressman Robert Scott (D-VA) is the House sponsor for H.R. 748. This legislation has passed the House and is presently with the Senate Judiciary Committee awaiting further action.

H. R. 748, Campus Safety Act of 2009, has passed the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.R. 748 is legislation which authorizes The Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety. Functions of the Center will include:

  • Providing quality education and training for campus public safety agencies of institutions of higher education and the agencies' collaborative partners, including campus mental health agencies.
  • Fostering quality research to strengthen the safety and security of institutions of higher education.

Providing education and creating awareness for the role this industry plays in providing safe school environments is a long process. However, it is a necessary piece of work to help educate members of Congress by positioning this industry as a resource for the knowledge and solutions when discussing school safety.

Foundation Meets with Congressman James Moran’s Staff
A meeting took place in Congressman James Moran’s (D-VA) office in late June 2009 to discuss the broad range of stimulus funding and specific school related security issues and appropriate funding mechanisms.

Discussed was the possibility of appropriations funding in the next fiscal year and a look at a variety of federal and state agencies that would enable The Foundation to implement some programs for colleges and K-12 schools.