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SHOOK, HARDY& BACON L.L.P REPORT ON RECENT ETS AND IAQ DEVELOPMENTS May 10, 1996 SHB

REPORT ON RECENT ETS AND IAQ DEVELOPMENTS - IN THIS ISSUE - IN THE UNITED STATES REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE 1VIATTERS • Statement published explaining law giving Congress power to review agency rules, p. 2. • Risk Commission report delayed, p. 3. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS _ ~ ' ~ '~ ' - ~-~--- ~- °--~---d ISSUE 123 SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL ITEMS • Meeting abstract concludes sidestream smoke produces lung tumors in mice, p. 15. • Study of elderly men and women shows no association between ETS exposure and pulmonary function decrements, p. 16. • Three studies on beta carotene and incidence of cancer, p. 18. • Wu paper concludes ETS is important source of heavy metals in indoor air, p. 19. IN EUROPE & AROUND THE WORLD I REGION 1-WESTERN EUROPE A r 1 V Z r

- TABLE OF CONTENTS - Issue 123 IN THE UNITED STATES May 10, 1996 REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS 104TH CONGRESS - _- - - - - - ------- - - -- - ~1 [1] Committee Files Report on TEAM Act ..................................................... ...... .......... 104TH CONGRESS: APPROPRIATIONS - [2] Labor Secretary Seeks Funding Increase for FY 1997 ............................................................... 1 104TH CONGRESS: REGULATORY REFORM [3] Statement Explains Congressional Review of Agency Rules ..................................................... 2 [4] Reform Initiatives Considered ...................................._. ..~,.......~........._.......: .:..,. . ..... ....... .2 WHITE HOUSE [5] Further Delay Announced in Release of Commission Report .................................................. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) [6] Forum Held on Cancer Risk Assessment Guidelines ...... ........................... .............. ~..~.~_..~_.3__ [7] NRDC Releases Study on Particulates and Mortality .............................................................. 3 [8] EPA Announces Availability of Particulate Matter Criteria Document; Meeting Scheduled on Committee Review of Staff Paper ........................................................4 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) - [9] OSHA Finalizes FY 1996 Goals and Objectives ......................................................... ............. 5 [10] NACOSH Meeting Announceu ............................ [11] . EPA Post-Hearing BriefCriticizes CRS Report and Industry Research; Agency Subsequently Requests To Withdraw Portion of Brief ............... .......... ........ .............. ..........._. 5. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) [12] NIOSH Research Agenda Formally Released .................... ............... ................... ._.......... ... ....6 [13] IAQStudy To Be Released in May.......... .._............. .....m..... ~.._ ~........._~. ~~ -~~ 6 - AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM) [14] IAQ Subcommittee Consioers ETS Sampling and Analysis Standard .................. .................. 6 - [15] Thirty-One U.S. Jurisdictions Have Privacy Laws; None Enacted Since 1993 .................. 7 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - REGION 1-NoRTHEAST-MA, ME, NH, RI, VT [16] Massachusetts IAQ Bill Pending ........................ ................... __._....... ,._._.....°. ........_.....R REGION 3-CIIESAPEAKE-DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA [17] Maryland County Proposes Restaurant and Bar Smoking Ban ........__ ..................... ............8-- REGION 6-SOUTHEAST-AL, FL, GA, MS, SC, TN [18] Florida School Smoking Bill Is Vehicle for Additional Antismoking Legislation ...................... 8 REGION H-MID\vFST-AR, KS, MO, NE, OK [19] Omaha Smoking Ban Placed on Hold ..... ...................n.___._ . ........._...._...__....___~__ ~8 REGION 10-WESrERN-AZ, CO, MT, ND, NM, SD, UT, WY [20] Colorado Springs Airporr To Allow Smoking in Designated Areas .......................................... 9 [211 Arizona Prisons To Prohibit Indoor Smoking in June .................................................. ........_ 9 [22] Boulder Smoking Law Could Be a Real Show Stopper ....... ....... n....... ..._._..._........................ ... 9- REGION 11-GALIFORNIAIHAWAII-CA, HI _ _ [23] Cal/EPA To Hold Ombudsman Forums .......... ........ ...v............. .._... . ............. .----°-r-.. _____-9

Contents Continued, Issue 123 ETS-RELATED LITIGATION AGAINST CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS __-___ - [24] Ramsey-Buckrngham: Argument Scheduled for May 9; Plaintiff Dies .................. ....._»......... -. 10 PRO SE LITIGATION - [25] Vrasic: Hearing Scheduled for May 17 ............ ................ •..... ......--_. ..----- ............ _»............. 10 - ETS/IAQ LITIGATION NOT INVOLVING CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS - WORKPLACE: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) [26] Muller v. Costello, 1996 WL 191977 (U.S. District Court, Northern District, New York) (decided April 16, 1996) ................................. ......... 10 WORKPLACE: DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION [27] McNeil v. Runyon, Postmaster General, 1996 WL 106383 (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) (decided March 7, 1996) ............................................................ 11 [28] Spiegel v. Browner, 1996 WL 134928 (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) (decided March 21, 1996) ................................... »_. ....» ................... I I WORKPLACE: IAQQ [29] Jensen v. County ofSanta Clara, No. 95-1421 (U.S. Supreme Court) (petition for certiorari denied April 22, 1996) ..........................»». ..._.»_..__...»_..»_ _ »................__ 1 I WORKPLACE: WORKERS' COMPENSATION [30] Employerr Copake- Taconic Hills Central School District, 1996 WL 172540 (New York Workers' Compensation Board) (decided April 3, 1996) ....................................................... 1 1 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) [31] Visiting Nurses Sued for Refusing to Accommodate Woman with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ............................................. ....-..-____ ......... _................... -• -. -_.-»»._12 IAQ [32] Homeowners Sue for Radon Test Tampering ........................................ -•---....... __..__...__- . 12 WRONGFUL DEATH [33] Student Dies Participating in Research Project ...................................................................... 12 PRISONER CASES [34] Young v. Scamahorn, 1996 WL 154471 (U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit) (decided April 1, 1996) ................. .............»...-.-.. -------» »»_ [35] Hatcher v. Evans, 1996 WL 187511 (U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit) (decided April 18, 1995) ......................... »..» »......... ............................... ....... _ ._ -1 OTHER DEVELOPMENTS [36] Toxic Fungus Uncovered in Department of Transportation Headquarters ............................ 13 [37] Smokeless Cigarette Test Marketed in Tennessee; Critics Express Concerns about Health Effects ................ .........- -°..... »..... ...»_~. - _..._...~.. 13 - [38] Study on Effects of Carpet Chemicals To Be Released.......... »....................... -................... _.. L3 [39] Shareholders Reject Request for Smoking Bans in Restaurants ............................ ......... 14 [40] Philip Morris Shareholders Reject Proposal To Stop Challenging Studies Linking ETS to Health Hazards .......... ............. -.....».-_ 14 ........ ~__ 14 [41] Dodgers Baseball Player's Cancer Blamed on ETS ............................... ».-..... [42] Recent Books on Cigarette Companies Mention ETS .......... ............ ».-.-...... ._--------- .---_»-..-. 14 SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL ITEMS UPCOMING SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS [43] Society for Epidemiological Research Annual Meeting, Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, June 12-15, 1996 .................. ».»__----___•..... ----•._14 [44] ASHRAE Annual Meeting, Marriott River Center, San Antonio, Texas, June 22-26, 1996 ......... 15 [45] Annual Summer Toxicology Forum, Given Bio-medical Institute, Aspen, Colorado, July 8-12, 1996 ..................... ................ ........ °......... 15 [46] 13th International Symposium on Contamination Control, The Hague, Netherlands, September 16-20, 1996 ............................. ...................... ____ ...... --..•................................. 15 LUNG CANCER [47] "Pulmonary Carcinogenicity ofCigarette Sidestream Smoke in A/J Mice," H.P. Witschi and K.E. Pinkerton, The Toxicologisr30(1, Part 2): 1036, 1996 [See Appendix A] ................ 15

Contents Continued, Issue 123 CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES - [48] "Cardiovascular Disease and Occupational Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke," D.M. Aviado, American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal57: 285-294, 1996 [See Appendix A] ........................... ....................................... .---- ._...-........-...... _............. -----_.15 [49] "Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease and Its Risk Factors in the Urban Population of South and North India," R. Begom and R.B. Singh, Acta Cardiologica L(3): 227-240, 1995 [See Appendix A] ...................... .........°°-°_.._ ........ _.._...-.__. 15 [50] "Characteristics of Leisure Time Physical Activity Associated With Decreased Risk of Premature All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Middle-Aged Men," N. Haapanen, S. Miilunpalo, I. Vuori, P. Oja, and M. Pasanen, American Journal of Epidemiology 143: 870-880, 1996 [See Appendix A] .................................................___ 15 [51] "Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins and Death from Coronary Heart Disease in Postmenopausal Women," L.H. Kushi, A.R. Folsom, R.J. Prineas, P.J. Mink, Y. Wu, and R.M. Bostick, New EnglandJournal ofMedicine 334: 1 156-1 162, 1996 [See Appendix A] .......................... 16 [52] "Cigarette Tar Does Not Promote Arteriosclerotic Plaque Development," A. Penn, K. Keller, L.C. Chen, A. Nadas, and C.A. Snyder, The Toxicologist30(1, Part 2): 1377, 1996 [See Appendix A] .................................................................................................... .....16 [53] "Randomised Controlled Trial of Vitamin E in Patients with Coronary Disease: Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS)," N.G. Stephens, A. Parsons, P.M. Schofield, F. Kelly, K. Cheeseman, M.J. Mitchinson, and M.J. Brown, The Lancet 347: 781-786, 1996 [See Appendix A] ............................................................ .._....» ~_-16 RESPIRATORY DISEASES AND CONDITIONS -- ADULTS [54] "EfFect ofActive and Passive Smoking on Ventilatory Function in Elderly Men and Women," C. Frette, E. Barrett-Connor, and J.L. Clausen, AmericanJournalofEpidemiology 143: 757-765, 1996 [See Appendix A] ................. ......... _...... ............ ._................................. 16 RESPIRATORY DISEASES AND CONDITIONS -- CHILDREN [55] "The Attack of Asthma," E. Friebele, Environmental Health Perspectives 104: 22-25, 1996 [See Appendix A] ......................................... ____ --- .-_........................................ -- 16 [56] "Fungus Spores, Air Pollutants, and Other Determinants of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Children," L.M. Neas, D.W. Dockery, H. Burge, P. Koutrakis, and F.E. Speizer, American Journal ofEpidemiol~ev 143: 797-807, 1996 [See Appendix A] .............................. 16 [57] "The Impact of Lung Development on Respiratory Disease Later in Life," L.I. Landau, Monaldi Archives ofChest Diseases 3: 167-169, 1995 [See Appendix Al ................................. 17 [58] "Breastfeeding as Prophylaxis Against Atopic Disease: Prospective Follow-Up Study Until 17 Years Old," U.M. Saarinen and M. Kajosaari, Lancet 346: 1065-1069, 1995 [See Appendix A] ................................................ _. ...... ..... ...........................°.... OTHER CANCER [59] "Relation ofBreast Cancer with Passive and Active Exposure toTobacco Smoke," A. Morabia, M. Bernstein, S. Heritier, and N. Khatchatrian, AmericanJournal of Epidemiology 143: 918-928, 1996 [See Appendix A] ............................................................. 17 [60] "Molecular Epidemiology: Insights into Cancer Susceptibility, Risk Assessment, and Prevention," F.P. Perera, Journal ofthe National Cancer Institute 88: 496-509, 1996 [See Appendix A] ........... .............................................._...r......_......,__._............................... .. 17 REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES _ [611 "Neuroendocrine Cell Expression in Fetal Lungs After Maternal Exposure to Aged and Diluted Sidestream Cigarette Smoke (ADSS)," K.P. Allamneni, C.G. Plopper, and K.E. Pinkerton, The Toxicologist30(1, Part 2): 235, 1996 [See Appendix A] ......................... 17 OTHE.Z HEALTH ISSUES [62] "Risk Factors for Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion in InE-tucy: Each Acute Otitis Media Episode Induces a High but Transient Risk,° O.P. Alho, H. Oja, M. Koivu, and M. Sorri, Archives ofOto4tryngology and Head-Neck Surgery 121: 839-843, 1995 [See Appendix A] ............ 17 [63] "Epidemiology in the Assessment of Small Risks," D. Coggon, Transactions ofthe Institution ofChemical Engineers73 (Part B, Suppl.): S36-S38, 1995 [See Appendix A] ........ 18 [64] "The Epidemiology ofHaemophilus inFluenzae Type b Disease in the Republic of Ireland," J. Fogarty, A.C. Moloney, and J.B. Newell, Epidemiology ofIrfctions 114: 451-463, 1995 [See Appendix A] ....... _........ . .____ ...... ..°n__.-_-n-n.--___.-._~ co d l h d l f " Inequality in Income an Morta ity in t e Unite States: Ana ysis o Mortality and [65] Potential Pathways," G.A. Kaplan, E.R. Pamuk, J.W. Lynch, R.D. Cohen, and J.L. Balfour, ~ 13ritish A9edical Journa1312: 999-1003, 1996 [See Appendix A] ............................. 18 - O N co Co _L

Contents Continued, Issue 123 [66] "Editorial: Understanding Sociodemographic Differences in Health -- The Role of Fundamental Social Causes," B.G. Link and J.C. Phelan, American Journa! ofPublic Health 86: 471-473, 1996 [See Appendix A] .................... ...................... ........ .......... ............ . 18 [67] "Lack of Effect of Long-Term Supplementation with Beta Carotene on the Incidence of Malignant Neoplasms and Cardiovascular Dise_a_se,"-C.H. Hennekens, J.E. Buring, J.E. Manson, M. Stampfer, B. Rosner, N.R. Cook, C. Belanger, F. L.iMorte, J.M. Gaziano, P.M. Ridker, W. Willett, and R. Peto, NewEnglandJournalofMedicine334: 1145-1149, 1996 [See Appendix A] ........ ................ ......... -........... __ ......:._..~ .. _.. _. ~_s._.R 18 [681 "Effects of a Combination of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A on Lung Cancer and Cardio- vascular Disease," G.S. Omenn, G.E. Goodman, M.D. Thornquist, J. Balmes, M.R. Cullen, A. Glass, J.P. Keogh, F.L. Meyskens, B. Valanis, J.H. Williams, S. Barnhart, and S. Hammar, NewEnglandJournalofMedicine334: 1150-1155, 1996 [See Appendix A] ..........................18 [69] "Antioxidant Vitamins, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease," E.R. Greenberg and M.B. Sporn, New EnglandJournalofMedicine 334: 1189-1190, 1996 [See Appendix A] ...... 18 GENOTOXICITY AND MUTAGENICITY [70] "Formation of Tobacco Smoke-Induced Hemoglobin Adducts in Rats," C.G. Gairola, S.R. Myers, M.T. Pinorini-Godly, and S. Subramaniam, The Toxicologist 30(1, Part 2): 503, 1996 [See Appendix A] ........... ..__---. _- .............-.-..... ~_...... _._ ......... ._.._-...v.19_ [71] "Formation of 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine in Heart, Liver, and Lung Tissue Due to Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure," D.J. Howard and C.A. Pritsos, The Toxicologist 30(1, Part 2): 357, 1996 [See AF^endix A] .................~._. _..~ ~ ........ -- ---.--- 19 INDOOR AIR QUALITY [72] "The Impact of Heavy Metals from Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Indoor Air Quality as Determined by Compton Suppression Neutron Activation Analysis," S. Landsberger and D. Wu, The Science ofthe Total Environment 173/174: 323-337, 1995 [See Appendix A] ............ ................____ ~ ~_..___-_..-__19 [73] "Separating the Impact of Exposure and Personality in Annoyance Response to Environmental Stressors, Particularly Odors," G. Winneke, M. Neuf, and B. Steinheider, Environment Interna- tional22: 73-81, 1996 [See Appendix A] .............................................................................. 19 SMOKING POLICIES AND RELATED ISSUES [74] "Cigarette Smoking in China• Prevalence, Characteristics, and Attitudes in Minhang District," Y.L. Gong, J.P. Koplan, W. Feng, C.H.C. Chen, P. Zheng, and J.R. Harris, Journal oftheAmerican Medical Association 274: 1232-1234, 1995 [See Appendix A] ........... 19 [75] "Resident Smoking in Long-Term Care Facilities -- Policies and Ethics," G. Kochersberger and E.C. Clipp, Public Health Reports IIL• 66-70, 1996 [See Appendix A] ........... ........... -----.. 19 STATISTICS AND RISK ASSESSMENT [76] "Who's Exaggerating?" A.M. Finkel, Discover May: -t8-51, 54, :?76 [See Appendix A] ........ 20 IN EUROPE & AROUND THE WORLD REGION 1-WFSTERN EUROPE REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [77] Hospital Food Outlets in Ireland Required To Reserve Nonsmoking Areas .......................... 20 ~..____~...~ ~20 [78] Smoking Ban Suspended in Housing for the Elderly .............. ............................. [79] European Commission Not Expected To Develop IAQ Legislative Proposals ......................-20 OTHER DEVELOPMENTS [80] Lancet Editorial Calls for Scrutiny of Discriminatory Treatment of Smokers ........................ 20 - [811 British and Australian Scientists Claim Link Between Radio Waves and Allergies ................. 20 [82] British Survey Results Support Nonsmoking Policy ................. ....... ........ ...---..... ..-.- ...._,_ _21 [83] North Yorkshire Policy To Give Nonsmokers Priority in Adopting and Fostering Children ........ 21 [84] French Passenger Indicted for Smoking During Flight ......... ............ -......------ .----- ------- _21- [85] European Parliament Approves "Leaders Against Tobacco" Program ..................... ........ __21 -

Contents Continued, Issue 123 REGION 2-AUSTRALIA REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [86] Woodford Prison Implements Smoking Ban ............ ............... ......_ ._................~-.._... . 22 REGION 3-JAPAN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS [871 Asahi Will Not Export "Smoklin" Fiber but Other Companies Move Ahead ......... 22 REGION 4-EASTERN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [88] Antismoking Law Takes Effect in Poland ..............................................................................22 [89] Iranian Parliament Withdraws Law Banning Smoking in Public Places ............................. _..22 REGION 5-CANADA REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [90] Vaughan To Provide Exemptions to Anti-Smoking Bylaw, While Oshawa and Kanata Consider More Restrictions ........ ........... ............................................ ............................. ___.23 [91] Soo Jail Order To Meet Clean Air Regulations Likely To Affect Other Jails in Ontario System .................................................................................................... ................. 23 REGION 6-LATIN AND SOUTH AMERICA REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [92] Brazil's Justice Tribunal NulliAes Sao Paulo Smoking Fines ..................................................23 REGION 7-ASIA IZEGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS [93] Punjab House of Representatives Urges Smoking Ban Legislation ......................................... 24 OTHER DEVELOPMENTS [94] Chinese Children's Army To Stop Smokers in Public Places ................................................. 24 WORLD AIRLINE NEWS [95] Air France Flights Feature "Smoker's Bar' .............................................................................24 APPENDIX A ....................................................... ...................................... . _..-..... .-..................... Article Summaries APPENDIX B .............................................. ...~....._._ ....... -_°. ~-.-°-~ Upcoming Scientific Meetings APPENDIX C ............................................................................................... ................................. State Privacy Laws

MAY 10, 1996 REPORT ON RECENT ETS_ AND IAQ DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS 104TH CONGRESS [1] Committee Files Report on TEAM Act On May 1, 1996, the Senate committee that ap- proved the "Teamwork for Employees and Management Act of 1995" (S. 295) filed its report. The TEAM Act, which was introduced by Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.), was approved along party lines by an 8-7 vote. According to a press report, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) has proposed coupling this bill with legislative proposals to repeal the gas tax and raise the minimum wage. Senate Democrats reportedly succeeded on May 8 in blocking a vote to cut the gas tax after Dole refused to increase the minimum wage without tying it to the TEAM Act. President Clinton, who has reportedly said that he would sign the gas tax measure and the mini- mum wage increase, has evidently characterized Dole's suggestion regarding addition of the TEAM Act provisions to the mix as a "poison pill that will under- mine workers' rights." The TEAM Act is intended to overturn a decision of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals finding that an employer had committed an unfair labor practice by forming a labor-management committee to consider such issues as a workplace smoking policy. If enacted, the bill would apparently permit the negotiation and establishment of workplace smoking policies without resort to the collective bargaining process. According to the majority report, the bill would create "a safe harbor in Federal labor law for a wide range of employee involvement initiatives. Supervisors and workers can discuss a myriad of issues that affect both the productive capacity of a company and the quality of work-life." 1 The minority report claims that the bill "proposes to unzlermine workplace democracy in a profound way. Employers would be free to create aiad control em- ployee committees, even those designed to represent employees regarding the most basic, pocketbook issues ofwages, retirements, and health benefits." The Democratic senators on the Labor and Human Re- sources Committee claim that the "real purpose" of the bill "is to impede union organizing." See CQ FaxReport, The Washington Post and Associated Press Online, May 8, 1996. 104TH CONGRESS: APPROPRIATIONS [2] Labor Secretary Seeks Funding Increase for FY 1997 According to a press report, Secretary of Labor Robert Reich testified before a House appropriations subcom- mi..ee on May 7, 1996, and was press- to justify his request for a 12 percent fi:nding increase for fiscal year (FY) 1997. Reich apparently stated that the request was about the same as the FY 1995 budget, taking inflation into consideration. Reich reportedly wants additional funds to expand job training programs, streamline OSHA and close sweatshops. Joseph Dear, assistant secretary of OSHA, testified on May 8, as hearings on labor department and OSHA appropriations continued. Dear defended OSHA's FY 1997 budget request of $341 million, an increase of nearly $36 million over the FY 1996 budget, stating that "new reinvention programs will be developed, and existing reinvention programs will be expanded, through a careful process of stakeholder involvement and pilot projects." See CQ FaxReport, May 7, 1996; Federal News Service, May 8, 1996. SHB

2 10 -l4TH CONGRESS: REGULATORY REFORM [3] Statement Explains Congressional Review of Agency Rules Co-sponsors of a law giving Congress the authority to disapprove major rules promulgated by any federal agency have submitted a statement to the Congressional Record to explain the law, which apparently generated some confusion when it was signed by the president on March 19, 1996. As enacted, the "Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996," P.L. 104-121, grants Congress 60 session days in which to review major rules prior to their effective date. Admin- istration officials were concerned that the law would allow Congress to invalidate rules in a subsequent session of Congress, if the current session did not have 60 days remaining. According to the statement submitted by Senators Don Nickles (R-Okla.), Harry Reid (R-Nev.) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), major rules subject to a joint congressional resolution of disapproval may take effect if the president vetoes the resolution and if Congress is not in session to override the veto or does not have sufficient time before the end of its session to override the veto. Congress would, however, have the option of introducing a second resolution of disapproval during a subsequent session. In addition, the statement indicates that courts may not stay or suspend the effectiveness of a rule beyond the review period, "simply because a joint resolution is pending before Congress." According to a press report, an administrator of the Office of Management and Budget has directed federal agencies to include "an appropriate transmittal letter" when they submit their rules to Congress. Apparently, some rules have been returned or held because the transmittal letter did not contain sufficient informa- tion. See Congressional Record, April 18, 1996; BNA Occupational Safety 6'Health Reporter, May 1, 1996. [4] Reform Initiatives Considered In recent weeks, the House has taken action on limited regulatory reform initiatives. According to a press report, the House unanimously approved the "Paperwork Elimination Act of 1996" (H.R. 2715), which would give small businesses opportunities to comply with federal paperwork requirements through ETS/IAQ REPORT, ISSUE 123 electronic means. The bill, which was approved on April 24, 1996, would direct federal regulatory agen- cies to offer electronic filing options to small businesses when the agencies propose new reporting, recordkeeping or information disclosure requirements. No companion legislation is apparently pending in the Senate. According to a Senate staffer, the Senate is likely to await results of a report on agency compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act before taking any action on the House proposal. On April 18, 1996, Representative Lamar Smith (R-Texas) introduced the "Regulatory Accountability Act of 1996" (H.R. 3277), which was jointly referred to two committees. The bill would prevent federal agencies from implementing regulations that would cost the private sector more than $100 million unless "the President issues a written finding that the regula- tion is necessary because of an emergency." The bill would require the director of the Office of Manage- ment and Budget to certify whether the regulatory mandate would exceed the limitation specified. On April 24, 1996, Representative George Gekas (R-Pa.) introduced the "Regulatory Fair Warning Act" (H.R. 3307), which would provide limits on the sanctions that could be imposed for violation of agency rules. No civil or criminal sanctions could be imposed if the defendant (i) did not receive "fair warning of the conduct that the rule prohibits or requires," (ii) "reasonably and in good faith determined" that the defendant was in compliance with or exempt from the rule, or (iii) reasonably relied "upon a written state- ment by a Federal or State official authorized to implement or ensure compliance with the rule," that the defendant was in compliance with or not subject to the rule. A hearing was held on H.R. 3307 on May 2 in the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee of the House Comm~ttee on the Judiciary. Testimony was received from U.S. assistant attorneys general, a George Washington University law professor, and representatives of industry and public interest organi- zations. See BNA Occupational Safety e~''' Health Reporter, May 1, 1996. (0 W SHB -(~- O W O W