AsbestosAsbestos Legislation
Asbestos Bill/Legislation Timeline
April 2004:
S. 2290 (Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2004) introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch on April 7th. April 22nd - Senate rejected bid to force vote on the bill.
July 2003:
The "Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act," S.1125, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in. Under the bill, the federal government would establish a national trust fund privately financed by asbestos defendant companies and insurers. No taxpayer money would be involved.
May 2000:
Rep. Henry Hyde introduces H.R.4543 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide relief for payment of asbestos-related claims and was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
March 2000:
S. 758 is tabled until next session
March 1999:
Rep. Henry Hyde introduces Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1999 (H.R. 1283), that would create a formal procedure for federal asbestos cases. This was a companion bill to S. 758. The bill would establish the Office of Asbestos Compensation within the Department of Justice as well as authorize the formation of the Asbestos Compensation Fund that would provide payments to claimants under this act.
May 1998:
Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1998 (H.R. 3905) first introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde
1984:
Asbestos Workers' Recovery Act (AWRA) introduced
1983:
Occupational Disease Compensation Act introduced. Nationalized workers compensation for "toxic substance market participants".
1977-1981:
First asbestos-specific compensation bills introduced to Congress to create fund to pay compensation for asbestos-related diseases to which both asbestos and tobacco companies would be required to contribute. Another bill was also introduced establish standards for workers' compensation programs with regard to benefit levels for asbestos-related disability.
1970s:
Congress first becomes aware of asbestos injuries during debate on Black Lung Bill
