[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4940 Engrossed in House (EH)]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4940

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
  To designate the museum operated by the Secretary of Energy in Oak 
Ridge, Tennessee, as the ``American Museum of Science and Energy'', and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

             TITLE I--AMERICAN MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ENERGY

SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF AMERICAN MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ENERGY.  

    (a) In General.--The Museum--
            (1) is designated as the ``American Museum of Science and 
        Energy''; and
            (2) shall be the official museum of science and energy of 
        the United States.
    (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, 
paper, or other record of the United States to the Museum is deemed to 
be a reference to the ``American Museum of Science and Energy''.
    (c) Property of the United States.--
            (1) In general.--The name ``American Museum of Science and 
        Energy'' is declared the property of the United States.
            (2) Injunction.--Whoever, except as authorized by the 
        Secretary, uses or reproduces the name ``American Museum of 
        Science and Energy'', or a facsimile or simulation of such name 
        in such manner as suggests ``American Museum of Science and 
        Energy'', may be enjoined from such use or reproduction at the 
        suit of the Attorney General upon complaint by the Secretary.
            (3) Effect on other rights.--This subsection shall not be 
        construed to conflict or interfere with established or vested 
        rights.

SEC. 102. AUTHORITY.

    To carry out the activities of the Museum, the Secretary may--
            (1) accept and dispose of any gift, devise, or bequest of 
        services or property, real or personal, that is--
                    (A) designated in a written document by the person 
                making the gift, devise, or bequest as intended for the 
                Museum; and
                    (B) determined by the Secretary to be suitable and 
                beneficial for use by the Museum;
            (2) operate a retail outlet on the premises of the Museum 
        for the purpose of selling or distributing items (including 
        mementos, food, educational materials, replicas, and 
        literature) that are--
                    (A) relevant to the contents of the Museum; and
                    (B) informative, educational, and tasteful;
            (3) collect reasonable fees where feasible and appropriate;
            (4) exhibit, perform, display, and publish materials and 
        information of or relating to the Museum in any media or place;
            (5) consistent with guidelines approved by the Secretary, 
        lease space on the premises of the Museum at reasonable rates 
        and for uses consistent with such guidelines; and
            (6) use the proceeds of activities authorized under this 
        section to pay the costs of the Museum.

SEC. 103. MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) Authority To Use Volunteers.--The Secretary may recruit, train, 
and accept the services of individuals or entities as volunteers for 
services or activities related to the Museum.
    (b) Status of Volunteers.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        service by a volunteer under subsection (a) shall not be 
        considered Federal employment.
            (2) Exceptions.--
                    (A) Federal tort claims act.--For purposes of 
                chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, a 
                volunteer under subsection (a) shall be treated as an 
                employee of the government (as defined in section 2671 
                of that title).
                    (B) Compensation for work injuries.--For purposes 
                of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States 
                Code, a volunteer described in subsection (a) shall be 
                treated as an employee (as defined in section 8101 of 
                title 5, United States Code).
    (c) Compensation.--A volunteer under subsection (a) shall serve 
without pay, but may receive nominal awards and reimbursement for 
incidental expenses, including expenses for a uniform or transportation 
in furtherance of Museum activities.

SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this title:
            (1) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the museum operated 
        by the Secretary of Energy and located at 300 South Tulane 
        Avenue in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy or a designated representative of the Secretary.

            TITLE II--NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development Act''.

SEC. 202. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Information technology will continue to change the way 
        Americans live, learn, and work. The information revolution 
        will improve the workplace and the quality and accessibility of 
        health care and education and make Government more responsible 
        and accessible. It is important that access to information 
        technology be available to all citizens, including elderly 
        Americans and Americans with disabilities.
            (2) Information technology is an imperative enabling 
        technology that contributes to scientific disciplines. Major 
        advances in biomedical research, public safety, engineering, 
        and other critical areas depend on further advances in 
        computing and communications.
            (3) The United States is the undisputed global leader in 
        information technology.
            (4) Information technology is recognized as a catalyst for 
        economic growth and prosperity.
            (5) Information technology represents one of the fastest 
        growing sectors of the United States economy, with electronic 
        commerce alone projected to become a trillion-dollar business 
        by 2005.
            (6) Businesses producing computers, semiconductors, 
        software, and communications equipment account for one-third of 
        the total growth in the United States economy since 1992.
            (7) According to the United States Census Bureau, between 
        1993 and 1997, the information technology sector grew an 
        average of 12.3 percent per year.
            (8) Fundamental research in information technology has 
        enabled the information revolution.
            (9) Fundamental research in information technology has 
        contributed to the creation of new industries and new, high-
        paying jobs.
            (10) Our Nation's well-being will depend on the 
        understanding, arising from fundamental research, of the social 
        and economic benefits and problems arising from the increasing 
        pace of information technology transformations.
            (11) Scientific and engineering research and the 
        availability of a skilled workforce are critical to continued 
        economic growth driven by information technology.
            (12) In 1997, private industry provided most of the funding 
        for research and development in the information technology 
        sector. The information technology sector now receives, in 
        absolute terms, one-third of all corporate spending on research 
        and development in the United States economy.
            (13) The private sector tends to focus its spending on 
        short-term, applied research.
            (14) The Federal Government is uniquely positioned to 
        support long-term fundamental research.
            (15) Federal applied research in information technology has 
        grown at almost twice the rate of Federal basic research since 
        1986.
            (16) Federal science and engineering programs must increase 
        their emphasis on long-term, high-risk research.
            (17) Current Federal programs and support for fundamental 
        research in information technology is inadequate if we are to 
        maintain the Nation's global leadership in information 
        technology.

SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) National Science Foundation.--Section 201(b) of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``From sums otherwise authorized to be 
        appropriated, there'' and inserting ``There'';
            (2) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        $580,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; $699,300,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $728,150,000 for fiscal year 2002; $801,550,000 for 
        fiscal year 2003; and $838,500,000 for fiscal year 2004. 
        Amounts authorized under this subsection shall be the 
total amounts authorized to the National Science Foundation for a 
fiscal year for the Program, and shall not be in addition to amounts 
previously authorized by law for the purposes of the Program.''.
    (b) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--Section 202(b) 
of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5522(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``From sums otherwise authorized to be 
        appropriated, there'' and inserting ``There'';
            (2) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        $164,400,000 for fiscal year 2000; $201,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $208,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; $224,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2003; and $231,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
    (c) Department of Energy.--Section 203(e)(1) of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5523(e)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        $119,500,000 for fiscal year 2000; $175,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $183,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; $193,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2003; and $203,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
    (d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--(1) Section 
204(d)(1) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5524(d)(1)) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (B) by striking ``1996; and'' and inserting ``1996; 
        $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; $9,500,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $10,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; $16,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 2003; and $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and''.
    (2) Section 204(d) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 
(15 U.S.C. 5524(d)) is amended by striking ``From sums otherwise 
authorized to be appropriated, there'' and inserting ``There''.
    (e) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--Section 
204(d)(2) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5524(d)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        $13,500,000 for fiscal year 2000; $13,900,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $14,300,000 for fiscal year 2002; $14,800,000 for fiscal 
        year 2003; and $15,200,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
    (f) Environmental Protection Agency.--Section 205(b) of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5525(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``From sums otherwise authorized to be 
        appropriated, there'' and inserting ``There'';
            (2) by striking ``1995; and'' and inserting ``1995;''; and
            (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        $4,200,000 for fiscal year 2000; $4,300,000 for fiscal year 
        2001; $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; $4,600,000 for fiscal 
        year 2003; and $4,700,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
    (g) National Institutes of Health.--Title II of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521 et seq.) is amended 
by inserting after section 205 the following new section:

``SEC. 205A. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program described 
in title I, the National Institutes of Health shall conduct research 
directed toward the advancement and dissemination of computational 
techniques and software tools in support of its mission of biomedical 
and behavioral research.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the 
purposes of the Program $223,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $233,000,000 
for fiscal year 2001, $242,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $250,000,000 
for fiscal year 2003, and $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.

SEC. 204. NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) National Science Foundation.--Section 201 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(c) Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development.--(1) Of the amounts authorized under subsection (b), 
$350,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $421,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, 
$442,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $486,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, 
and $515,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 shall be available for grants for 
long-term basic research on networking and information technology, with 
priority given to research that helps address issues related to high 
end computing and software; network stability, fragility, reliability, 
security (including privacy and counterinitiatives), and scalability; 
and the social and economic consequences (including the consequences 
for healthcare) of information technology.
    ``(2) In each of the fiscal years 2000 and 2001, the National 
Science Foundation shall award under this subsection up to 25 large 
grants of up to $1,000,000 each, and in each of the fiscal years 2002, 
2003, and 2004, the National Science Foundation shall award under this 
subsection up to 35 large grants of up to $1,000,000 each.
    ``(3)(A) Of the amounts described in paragraph (1), $40,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2000, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $50,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2002, $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, and $60,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2004 shall be available for grants of up to $5,000,000 each 
for Information Technology Research Centers.
    ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `Information 
Technology Research Centers' means groups of six or more researchers 
collaborating across scientific and engineering disciplines on large-
scale long-term research projects which will significantly advance the 
science supporting the development of information technology or the use 
of information technology in addressing scientific issues of national 
importance.
    ``(d) Major Research Equipment.--(1) In addition to the amounts 
authorized under subsection (b), there are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $70,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2000, $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $80,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2002, $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, and $85,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2004 for grants for the development of major research equipment to 
establish terascale computing capabilities at one or more sites and to 
promote diverse computing architectures. Awards made under this 
subsection shall provide for support for the operating expenses of 
facilities established to provide the terascale computing capabilities, 
with funding for such operating expenses derived from amounts available 
under subsection (b).
    ``(2) Grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded through 
an open, nationwide, peer-reviewed competition. Awardees may include 
consortia consisting of members from some or all of the following types 
of institutions:
            ``(A) Academic supercomputer centers.
            ``(B) State-supported supercomputer centers.
            ``(C) Supercomputer centers that are supported as part of 
        federally funded research and development centers.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regulation, or agency 
policy, a federally funded research and development center may apply 
for a grant under this subsection, and may compete on an equal basis 
with any other applicant for the awarding of such a grant.
    ``(3) As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, an 
awardee must agree--
            ``(A) to connect to the National Science Foundation's 
        Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure network;
            ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, to coordinate with 
        other federally funded large-scale computing and simulation 
        efforts; and
            ``(C) to provide open access to all grant recipients under 
        this subsection or subsection (c).
    ``(e) Information Technology Education and Training Grants.--
            ``(1) Information technology grants.--The National Science 
        Foundation shall provide grants under the Scientific and 
        Advanced Technology Act of 1992 for the purposes of section 
        3(a) and (b) of that Act, except that the activities supported 
        pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to improving 
        education in fields related to information technology. The 
        Foundation shall encourage institutions with a substantial 
        percentage of student enrollments from groups underrepresented 
        in information technology industries to participate in the 
        competition for grants provided under this paragraph.
            ``(2) Internship grants.--The National Science Foundation 
        shall provide--
                    ``(A) grants to institutions of higher education to 
                establish scientific internship programs in information 
                technology research at private sector companies; and
                    ``(B) supplementary awards to institutions funded 
                under the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority 
                Participation program for internships in information 
                technology research at private sector companies.
            ``(3) Matching funds.--Awards under paragraph (2) shall be 
        made on the condition that at least an equal amount of funding 
        for the internship shall be provided by the private sector 
        company at which the internship will take place.
            ``(4) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).
            ``(5) Availability of funds.--Of the amounts described in 
        subsection (c)(1), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, 
        $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2002, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, and $25,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2004 shall be available for carrying out this 
        subsection.
    ``(f) Educational Technology Research.--
            ``(1) Research program.--As part of its responsibilities 
        under subsection (a)(1), the National Science Foundation shall 
        establish a research program to develop, demonstrate, assess, 
        and disseminate effective applications of information and 
        computer technologies for elementary and secondary education. 
        Such program shall--
                    ``(A) support research projects, including 
                collaborative projects involving academic researchers 
                and elementary and secondary schools, to develop 
                innovative educational materials, including software, 
                and pedagogical approaches based on applications of 
                information and computer technology;
                    ``(B) support empirical studies to determine the 
                educational effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of 
                specific, promising educational approaches, techniques, 
                and materials that are based on applications of 
                information and computer technologies; and
                    ``(C) include provision for the widespread 
                dissemination of the results of the studies carried out 
                under subparagraphs (A) and (B), including maintenance 
                of electronic libraries of the best educational 
                materials identified accessible through the Internet.
            ``(2) Replication.--The research projects and empirical 
        studies carried out under paragraph (1)(A) and (B) shall 
        encompass a wide variety of educational settings in order to 
        identify approaches, techniques, and materials that have a high 
        potential for being successfully replicated throughout the 
        United States.
            ``(3) Availability of funds.--Of the amounts authorized 
        under subsection (b), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, 
        $10,500,000 for fiscal year 2001, $11,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2002, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, and $12,500,000 for 
        fiscal year 2004 shall be available for the purposes of this 
        subsection.
    ``(g) Peer Review.--All grants made under this section shall be 
made only after being subject to peer review by panels or groups having 
private sector representation.''.
    (b) Other Program Agencies.--
            (1) National aeronautics and space administration.--Section 
        202(a) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
        5522(a)) is amended by inserting ``, and may participate in or 
        support research described in section 201(c)(1)'' after ``and 
        experimentation''.
            (2) Department of energy.--Section 203(a) of the High-
        Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5523(a)) is 
        amended by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
        comma, and by adding after paragraph (4) the following:
``conduct an integrated program of research, development, and provision 
of facilities to develop and deploy to scientific and technical users 
the high performance computing and collaboration tools needed to 
fulfill the statutory mission of the Department of Energy, and may 
participate in or support research described in section 201(c)(1).''.
            (3) National institute of standards and technology.--
        Section 204(a)(1) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 
        (15 U.S.C. 5524(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``; and'' at the 
        end of subparagraph (C) and inserting a comma, and by adding 
        after subparagraph (C) the following:
        ``and may participate in or support research described in 
        section 201(c)(1); and''.
            (4) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--
        Section 204(a)(2) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 
        (15 U.S.C. 5524(a)(2)) is amended by inserting ``, and may 
        participate in or support research described in section 
        201(c)(1)'' after ``agency missions''.
            (5) Environmental protection agency.--Section 205(a) of the 
        High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5525(a)) is 
        amended by inserting ``, and may participate in or support 
        research described in section 201(c)(1)'' after ``dynamics 
        models''.
            (6) United states geological survey.--Title II of the High-
        Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521 et seq.) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating sections 207 and 208 as 
                sections 208 and 209, respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after section 206 the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 207. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

    ``The United States Geological Survey may participate in or support 
research described in section 201(c)(1).''.

SEC. 205. NEXT GENERATION INTERNET.

    (a) In General.--Section 103(d) of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``1999 and'' and inserting 
                ``1999,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 
                2001, and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2002'' after 
                ``fiscal year 2000'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, and $25,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2001 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2002'' after 
        ``Act of 1998'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``1999 and'' and inserting 
                ``1999,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
                2001, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2002'' after 
                ``fiscal year 2000''; and
            (4) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by striking ``1999 and'' and inserting 
                ``1999,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, $5,500,000 for fiscal year 
                2001, and $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2002'' after 
                ``fiscal year 2000''.
    (b) Rural Infrastructure.--Section 103 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513) is amended by adding at the end 
thereof the following:
    ``(e) Rural Infrastructure.--Out of appropriated amounts authorized 
by subsection (d), not less than 10 percent of the total amounts shall 
be made available to fund research grants for making high-speed 
connectivity more accessible to users in geographically remote areas. 
The research shall include investigations of wireless, hybrid, and 
satellite technologies. In awarding grants under this subsection, the 
administering agency shall give priority to qualified, post-secondary 
educational institutions that participate in the Experimental Program 
to Stimulate Competitive Research.''.
    (c) Minority and Small College Internet Access.--Section 103 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513), as amended by 
subsection (b), is further amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following:
    ``(f) Minority and Small College Internet Access.--Not less than 5 
percent of the amounts made available for research under subsection (d) 
shall be used for grants to institutions of higher education that are 
Hispanic-serving, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Native Alaskan, 
Historically Black, or small colleges and universities.''.
    (d) Digital Divide Study.--
            (1) In general.--The National Academy of Sciences shall 
        conduct a study to determine the extent to which the Internet 
        backbone and network infrastructure contribute to the uneven 
        ability to access to Internet-related technologies and services 
        by rural and low-income Americans. The study shall include--
                    (A) an assessment of the existing geographical 
                penalty (as defined in section 7(a)(1) of the Next 
                Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 (15 U.S.C. 
                5501 nt.)) and its impact on all users and their 
                ability to obtain secure and reliable Internet access;
                    (B) a review of all current federally funded 
                research to decrease the inequity of Internet access to 
                rural and low-income users; and
                    (C) an estimate of the potential impact of Next 
                Generation Internet research institutions acting as 
                aggregators and mentors for nearby smaller or 
                disadvantaged institutions.
            (2) Report.--The National Academy of Sciences shall 
        transmit a report containing the results of the study and 
        recommendations required by paragraph (1) to the House of 
        Representatives Committee on Science and the Senate Committee 
        on Commerce, Science, and Transportation within 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to the National Academy of Sciences such 
        sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.

SEC. 206. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
U.S.C. 5511) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``Advisory 
                Committee.--''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2) In addition to the duties outlined in paragraph (1), the 
advisory committee shall conduct periodic evaluations of the funding, 
management, implementation, and activities of the Program, the Next 
Generation Internet program, and the Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development program, and shall report not less 
frequently than once every 2 fiscal years to the Committee on Science 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on its findings and recommendations. 
The first report shall be due within 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Act.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)(A) and (2), by inserting ``, 
        including the Next Generation Internet program and the 
        Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
        program'' after ``Program'' each place it appears.

SEC. 207. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    Section 103 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
U.S.C. 5513), as amended by section 205 of this title, is further 
amended by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections 
(c), (d), and (e), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (a) 
the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--The Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall conduct a study of the issues described in 
        paragraph (3), and not later than 1 year after the date of the 
        enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research 
        and Development Act, shall transmit to the Congress a report 
        including recommendations to address those issues. Such report 
        shall be updated annually for 6 additional years.
            ``(2) Consultation.--In preparing the reports under 
        paragraph (1), the Director of the National Science Foundation 
        shall consult with the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration, the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology, and such other Federal agencies and educational 
        entities as the Director of the National Science Foundation 
        considers appropriate.
            ``(3) Issues.--The reports shall--
                    ``(A) identify the current status of high-speed, 
                large bandwidth capacity access to all public 
                elementary and secondary schools and libraries in the 
                United States;
                    ``(B) identify how high-speed, large bandwidth 
                capacity access to the Internet to such schools and 
                libraries can be effectively utilized within each 
                school and library;
                    ``(C) consider the effect that specific or regional 
                circumstances may have on the ability of such 
                institutions to acquire high-speed, large bandwidth 
                capacity access to achieve universal connectivity as an 
                effective tool in the education process; and
                    ``(D) include options and recommendations for the 
                various entities responsible for elementary and 
                secondary education to address the challenges and 
                issues identified in the reports.''.

SEC. 208. STUDY OF ACCESSIBILITY TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

    Section 201 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
U.S.C. 5524), as amended by sections 3(a) and 4(a) of this Act, is 
amended further by inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
subsection:
    ``(h) Study of Accessibility to Information Technology.--
            ``(1) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
        enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research 
        and Development Act, the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation, in consultation with the National Institute on 
        Disability and Rehabilitation Research, shall enter into an 
        arrangement with the National Research Council of the National 
        Academy of Sciences for that Council to conduct a study of 
        accessibility to information technologies by individuals who 
        are elderly, individuals who are elderly with a disability, and 
        individuals with disabilities.
            ``(2) Subjects.--The study shall address--
                    ``(A) current barriers to access to information 
                technologies by individuals who are elderly, 
                individuals who are elderly with a disability, and 
                individuals with disabilities;
                    ``(B) research and development needed to remove 
                those barriers;
                    ``(C) Federal legislative, policy, or regulatory 
                changes needed to remove those barriers; and
                    ``(D) other matters that the National Research 
                Council determines to be relevant to access to 
                information technologies by individuals who are 
                elderly, individuals who are elderly with a disability, 
                and individuals with disabilities.
            ``(3) Transmittal to congress.--The Director of the 
        National Science Foundation shall transmit to the Congress 
        within 2 years of the date of the enactment of the Networking 
        and Information Technology Research and Development Act a 
        report setting forth the findings, conclusions, and 
        recommendations of the National Research Council.
            ``(4) Federal agency cooperation.--Federal agencies shall 
        cooperate fully with the National Research Council in its 
        activities in carrying out the study under this subsection.
            ``(5) Availability of funds.--Funding for the study 
        described in this subsection shall be available, in the amount 
        of $700,000, from amounts described in subsection (c)(1).''.

SEC. 209. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a report on the 
results of a detailed study analyzing the effects of this title, and 
the amendments made by this title, on lower income families, 
minorities, and women.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 24, 2000.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
106th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 4940

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

  To designate the museum operated by the Secretary of Energy in Oak 
Ridge, Tennessee, as the ``American Museum of Science and Energy'', and 
                          for other purposes.