The Hazardous Materials Transparency Act requires the Secretary of Defense to establish new guidance for defense manufacturing facilities that work with hazardous materials, explosives, and other dangerous substances. Within one year of the law's passage, the Department of Defense must create rules requiring these facilities to coordinate with local emergency responders, designate a community liaison officer, notify residents of accidents or emergencies, and provide public information about safety procedures. The facilities must also allow community members to ask questions about operations and comply with existing environmental and safety laws including the Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The Secretary of Defense must report to Congress within 18 months and then annually for five years on how well these new requirements are being followed, what facilities are covered, any significant incidents that occur, and what corrective actions are taken. The law applies to all industrial facilities operated by defense contractors or their subcontractors that handle materials posing a significant risk of release, fire, or explosion to nearby communities.
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