Sponsor
Jeff Merkley
Senator · D-OR
Senator · D-OR
The bill coordinates federal research, funding, and practice changes to reduce 6PPD-driven aquatic toxicity and protect fisheries and communities, but it risks higher costs, potential safety or supply‑chain disruptions, and reduced advisory transparency in pursuit of faster solutions.
Residents of salmon-bearing waters (rural and urban communities), tribal communities, and commercial/recreational fishers would face reduced toxic runoff and fewer fish kills if 6PPD is replaced with non‑transforming alternatives, protecting ecosystems and livelihoods.
Researchers, universities, and regulators receive clearer definitions, a named Task Force, coordinated federal funding priorities, and an online repository, improving research coordination, data sharing, and regulatory clarity on 6PPD and its alternatives.
State, local, and tribal agencies gain technical assistance, best-practice guidance (e.g., street sweeping, stormwater treatment), and access to mitigation funding to reduce 6PPD runoff locally.
Consumers, taxpayers, and small businesses may face higher tire and vehicle costs because replacing 6PPD could increase development and manufacturing expenses.
Rushing replacement or pressuring expedited testing/adoption risks compromising tire durability or passenger safety and could produce unforeseen long‑term human or environmental harms if alternatives are insufficiently vetted.
Supply‑chain constraints or lack of clear substitutes could disrupt military and federal tire logistics and limit availability of approved alternatives, slowing adoption or reducing competition.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates an NAS‑led 6PPD Task Force to study 6PPD/6PPD‑quinone, coordinate data sharing, identify alternatives and funding, and publish reports and an online resource.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress April 16, 2026
Creates a National Academy of Sciences–led 6PPD Task Force to study the tire additive 6PPD and its oxidation product 6PPD‑quinone, improve federal and intergovernmental data sharing, identify and promote funding and safe alternatives, gather best practices and mitigation techniques, and maintain a public online repository. The Task Force will include federal agencies, Tribal representatives, private sector and academic members, meet at least three times a year, be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and must deliver an initial public report within 180 days and annual reports thereafter.