Congressional Record, Volume 162 Issue 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)

[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4641-H4645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2016

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5639) to update the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 5639

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Institute of
Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. STANDARDS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT.

Section 2 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``authorized to take'' and inserting ``authorized to serve as
the President's principal adviser on standards policy
pertaining to the Nation's technological competitiveness and
innovation ability and to take'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``compare standards'' and
all that follows through ``Federal Government'' and inserting
``facilitate standards-related information sharing and
cooperation between Federal agencies''; and
(C) in paragraph (13), by striking ``Federal, State, and
local'' and all that follows through ``private sector'' and
inserting ``technical standards activities and conformity
assessment activities of Federal, State, and local
governments with private sector''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (22), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (23) as paragraph (25); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (22) the following:
``(23) participate in and support scientific and technical
conferences;
``(24) perform pre-competitive measurement science and
technology research in partnership with institutions of
higher education and industry to promote United States
industrial competitiveness; and''.

SEC. 3. VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``15 members'' and inserting ``not fewer
than 11 members'';
(B) by striking ``at least 10'' and inserting ``at least
two-thirds''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ``The Committee may
consult with the National Research Council in making
recommendations regarding general policy for the
Institute.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``, including the
Program established under section 28,''.

SEC. 4. POLICE AND SECURITY AUTHORITY.

Section 15 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278e) is amended--
(1) by striking ``of the Government; and'' and inserting
``of the Government;''; and
(2) by striking ``United States Code.'' and inserting
``United States Code; and (i) the protection of Institute
buildings and other plant facilities, equipment, and
property, and of employees, associates, visitors, or other
persons located therein or associated therewith,
notwithstanding any other provision of law.''.

SEC. 5. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 18, 19,
and 19A and inserting the following:

``SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

``(a) In General.--The Director may support, promote, and
coordinate activities and efforts to enhance public awareness
and understanding of measurement sciences, standards, and
technology by the general public, industry, government, and
academia in support of the Institute's mission.
``(b) Research Fellowships.--
``(1) In general.--The Director may award research
fellowships and other forms of financial and logistical
assistance, including direct stipend awards, to--
``(A) students at institutions of higher education within
the United States who show promise as present or future
contributors to the mission of the Institute; and
``(B) United States citizens for research and technical
activities of the Institute.
``(2) Selection.--The Director shall select persons to
receive such fellowships and assistance on the basis of
ability and of the relevance of the proposed work to the
mission and programs of the Institute.
``(3) Definition.--For the purposes of this subsection,
financial and logistical assistance includes, notwithstanding
section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any contrary
provision of law, temporary housing and local transportation
to and from the Institute facilities.
``(c) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program.--The Director shall
establish and conduct a post-doctoral fellowship program,
subject to the availability of appropriations, that shall
include not fewer than 20 fellows per fiscal year. In
evaluating applications for fellowships under this
subsection, the Director shall give consideration to the goal
of promoting the participation of underrepresented students
in research areas supported by the Institute.''.

SEC. 6. PROGRAMMATIC PLANNING REPORT.

Section 23(d) of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278i(d)) is amended by adding at
the end the following: ``The 3-year programmatic planning
document shall also describe how the Director is addressing
recommendations from the Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology established under section 10.''.

SEC. 7. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.

(a) National Academy of Sciences Review.--Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences
to conduct a single, comprehensive review of the

[[Page H4642]]

Institute's laboratory programs. The review shall--
(1) assess the technical merits and scientific caliber of
the research conducted at the laboratories;
(2) examine the strengths and weaknesses of the 2010
laboratory reorganization on the Institute's ability to
fulfill its mission;
(3) evaluate how crosscutting research and development
activities are planned, coordinated, and executed across the
laboratories; and
(4) assess how the laboratories are engaging industry,
including the incorporation of industry need, into the
research goals and objectives of the Institute.
(b) Additional Assessments.--Section 24 of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278j) is
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 24. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.

``(a) In General.--The Institute shall contract with the
National Research Council to perform and report on
assessments of the technical quality and impact of the work
conducted at Institute laboratories.
``(b) Schedule.--Two laboratories shall be assessed under
subsection (a) each year, and each laboratory shall be
assessed at least once every 3 years.
``(c) Summary Report.--Beginning in the year after the
first assessment is conducted under subsection (a), and once
every 2 years thereafter, the Institute shall contract with
the National Research Council to prepare a report that
summarizes the findings common across the individual
assessment reports.
``(d) Additional Assessments.--The Institute, at the
discretion of the Director, also may contract with the
National Research Council to conduct additional assessments
of Institute programs and projects that involve collaboration
across the Institute laboratories and centers and assessments
of selected scientific and technical topics.
``(e) Consultation With Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology.--The National Research Council may consult with
the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology established
under section 10 in performing the assessments under this
section.
``(f) Reports.--Not later than 30 days after the completion
of each assessment, the Institute shall transmit the report
on such assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.''.

SEC. 8. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, through the Director and,
if appropriate, through other officials, shall provide
assistance for the creation and support of manufacturing
extension centers, to be known as the `Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Centers', for the transfer of manufacturing
technology and best business practices (in this Act referred
to as the `Centers'). The program under this section shall be
known as the `Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership'.
``(2) Affiliations.--Such Centers shall be affiliated with
any United States-based public or nonprofit institution or
organization, or group thereof, that applies for and is
awarded financial assistance under this section.
``(3) Objective.--The objective of the Centers is to
enhance competitiveness, productivity, and technological
performance in United States manufacturing through--
``(A) the transfer of manufacturing technology and
techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through
them, to manufacturing companies throughout the United
States;
``(B) the participation of individuals from industry,
institutions of higher education, State governments, other
Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in
cooperative technology transfer activities;
``(C) efforts to make new manufacturing technology and
processes usable by United States-based small- and medium-
sized companies;
``(D) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering,
technical, and management information about manufacturing to
industrial firms, including small- and medium-sized
manufacturing companies;
``(E) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise
and capability that exists in Federal laboratories other than
the Institute;
``(F) the provision to community colleges and area career
and technical education schools of information about the job
skills needed in small- and medium-sized manufacturing
businesses in the regions they serve; and
``(G) promoting and expanding certification systems offered
through industry, associations, and local colleges, when
appropriate.
``(b) Activities.--The activities of the Centers shall
include--
``(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems
and other advanced production technologies, based on
Institute-supported research, for the purpose of
demonstrations and technology transfer;
``(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research
findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies
and enterprises, particularly small- and medium-sized
manufacturers; and
``(3) the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships
between small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies and
community colleges and area career and technical education
schools to help such colleges and schools better understand
the specific needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers
better understand the skill sets that students learn in the
programs offered by such colleges and schools.
``(c) Operations.--
``(1) Financial support.--The Secretary may provide
financial support to any Center created under subsection (a).
The Secretary may not provide to a Center more than 50
percent of the capital and annual operating and maintenance
funds required to create and maintain such Center.
``(2) Regulations.--The Secretary shall implement, review,
and update the sections of the Code of Federal Regulations
related to this section at least once every 3 years.
``(3) Application.--
``(A) In general.--Any nonprofit institution, or consortium
thereof, or State or local government, may submit to the
Secretary an application for financial support under this
section, in accordance with the procedures established by the
Secretary.
``(B) Cost sharing.--In order to receive assistance under
this section, an applicant for financial assistance under
subparagraph (A) shall provide adequate assurances that non-
Federal assets obtained from the applicant and the
applicant's partnering organizations will be used as a
funding source to meet not less than 50 percent of the costs
incurred. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the costs
incurred means the costs incurred in connection with the
activities undertaken to improve the competitiveness,
management, productivity, and technological performance of
small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies.
``(C) Agreements with other entities.--In meeting the 50
percent requirement, it is anticipated that a Center will
enter into agreements with other entities such as private
industry, institutions of higher education, and State
governments to accomplish programmatic objectives and access
new and existing resources that will further the impact of
the Federal investment made on behalf of small- and medium-
sized manufacturing companies.
``(D) Legal rights.--Each applicant under subparagraph (A)
shall also submit a proposal for the allocation of the legal
rights associated with any invention which may result from
the proposed Center's activities.
``(4) Merit review.--The Secretary shall subject each such
application to merit review. In making a decision whether to
approve such application and provide financial support under
this section, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, the
following:
``(A) The merits of the application, particularly those
portions of the application regarding technology transfer,
training and education, and adaptation of manufacturing
technologies to the needs of particular industrial sectors.
``(B) The quality of service to be provided.
``(C) Geographical diversity and extent of service area.
``(D) The percentage of funding and amount of in-kind
commitment from other sources.
``(5) Evaluation.--
``(A) In general.--Each Center that receives financial
assistance under this section shall be evaluated during its
third year of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by
the Secretary.
``(B) Composition.--Each such evaluation panel shall be
composed of private experts, none of whom shall be connected
with the involved Center, and Federal officials.
``(C) Chair.--An official of the Institute shall chair the
panel.
``(D) Performance measurement.--Each evaluation panel shall
measure the involved Center's performance against the
objectives specified in this section.
``(E) Positive evaluation.--If the evaluation is positive,
the Secretary may provide continued funding through the sixth
year.
``(F) Probation.--The Secretary shall not provide funding
unless the Center has received a positive evaluation. A
Center that has not received a positive evaluation by the
evaluation panel shall be notified by the panel of the
deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on
probation for 1 year, after which time the panel shall
reevaluate the Center. If the Center has not addressed the
deficiencies identified by the panel, or shown a significant
improvement in its performance, the Director shall conduct a
new competition to select an operator for the Center or may
close the Center.
``(G) Additional financial support.--After the sixth year,
a Center may receive additional financial support under this
section if it has received a positive evaluation through an
independent review, under procedures established by the
Institute.
``(H) Eight-year review.--A Center shall undergo an
independent review in the eighth year of operation. Each
evaluation panel shall measure the Center's performance
against the objectives specified in this section. A Center
that has not received a positive evaluation as a result of an
independent review shall be notified by the Program of the
deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on
probation for 1 year, after which

[[Page H4643]]

time the Program shall reevaluate the Center. If the Center
has not addressed the deficiencies identified by the review,
or shown a significant improvement in its performance, the
Director shall conduct a new competition to select an
operator for the Center or may close the Center.
``(I) Recompetition.--If a recipient of a Center award has
received financial assistance for 10 consecutive years, the
Director shall conduct a new competition to select an
operator for the Center consistent with the plan required in
this Act. Incumbent Center operators in good standing shall
be eligible to compete for the new award.
``(J) Reports.--
``(i) Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Improvement Act of 2016, the Director shall
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan as
to how the Institute will conduct reviews, assessments, and
reapplication competitions under this paragraph.
``(ii) Independent assessment.--The Director shall contract
with an independent organization to perform an assessment of
the implementation of the reapplication competition process
under this paragraph within 3 years after the transmittal of
the report under clause (i). The organization conducting the
assessment under this clause may consult with the MEP
Advisory Board.
``(iii) Comparison of centers.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016, the
Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a report providing information on the first and second
years of operations for centers operating from new
competitions or recompetition as compared to longstanding
centers. The report shall provide detail on the engagement in
services provided by Centers and the characteristics of
services provided, including volume and type of services, so
that the Committees can evaluate whether the cost-sharing
ratio has an effect on the services provided at Centers.
``(6) Patent rights.--The provisions of chapter 18 of title
35, United States Code, shall apply, to the extent not
inconsistent with this section, to the promotion of
technology from research by Centers under this section except
for contracts for such specific technology extension or
transfer services as may be specified by statute or by the
Director.
``(7) Protection of center client confidential
information.--Section 552 of title 5, United States Code,
shall apply to the following information obtained by the
Federal Government on a confidential basis in connection with
the activities of any participant involved in the Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership:
``(A) Information on the business operation of any
participant in a Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership
program or of a client of a Center.
``(B) Trade secrets possessed by any client of a Center.
``(8) Advisory boards.--Each Center's advisory boards shall
institute a conflict of interest policy, approved by the
Director, that ensures the Board represents local small- and
medium-sized manufacturers in the Center's region. Board
Members may not serve as a vendor or provide services to the
Center, nor may they serve on more than one Center's
oversight board simultaneously.
``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to such sums as may be
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Secretary
and Director also may accept funds from other Federal
departments and agencies and, under section 2(c)(7), from the
private sector, to be available to the extent provided by
appropriations Acts, for the purpose of strengthening United
States manufacturing.
``(2) Allocation of funds.--
``(A) Funds accepted from other federal departments or
agencies.--The Director shall determine whether funds
accepted from other Federal departments or agencies shall be
counted in the calculation of the Federal share of capital
and annual operating and maintenance costs under subsection
(c).
``(B) Funds accepted from the private sector.--Funds
accepted from the private sector under section 2(c)(7), if
allocated to a Center, may not be considered in the
calculation of the Federal share under subsection (c) of this
section.
``(e) MEP Advisory Board.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory
Board (in this subsection referred to as the `MEP Advisory
Board').
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The MEP Advisory Board shall consist of
not fewer than 10 members broadly representative of
stakeholders, to be appointed by the Director. At least two
members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the
Centers, at least one member shall represent a community
college, and at least five other members shall be from United
States small businesses in the manufacturing sector. No
member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.
``(B) Term.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D),
the term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory Board
shall be 3 years.
``(C) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy
occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the
remainder of such term.
``(D) Serving consecutive terms.--Any person who has
completed two consecutive full terms of service on the MEP
Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment
during the 1-year period following the expiration of the
second such term.
``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less
than two times annually and shall provide to the Director--
``(A) advice on Hollings Manufacturing Extension
Partnership programs, plans, and policies;
``(B) assessments of the soundness of Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership plans and strategies; and
``(C) assessments of current performance against Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans.
``(4) Federal advisory committee act applicability.--
``(A) In general.--In discharging its duties under this
subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function solely in
an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
``(B) Exception.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act shall not apply to the MEP Advisory Board.
``(5) Report.--The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an
annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress
within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the
President's annual budget request in each year. Such report
shall address the status of the program established pursuant
to this section and comment on the relevant sections of the
programmatic planning document and updates thereto
transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c)
and (d) of section 23.
``(f) Competitive Grant Program.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within
the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, under this
section and section 26, a program of competitive awards among
participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes
described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under
this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such
Centers.
``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this
subsection is to add capabilities to the Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership, including the
development of projects to solve new or emerging
manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in
consultation with the Director of the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership program, the MEP Advisory Board, and
small- and medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for
the competition may be identified, which may vary from year
to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the
success of previous competitions. Centers may be reimbursed
for costs incurred under the program.
``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under this
subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time,
and containing such information as the Director shall
require, in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board.
``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection shall be
peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall
endeavor to have broad geographic diversity among selected
proposals. The Director shall select proposals to receive
awards that will--
``(A) improve the competitiveness of industries in the
region in which the Center or Centers are located;
``(B) create jobs or train newly hired employees; and
``(C) promote the transfer and commercialization of
research and technology from institutions of higher
education, national laboratories, and nonprofit research
institutes.
``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under
this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching
contribution.
``(7) Global marketplace projects.--In making awards under
this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the MEP
Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration
whether an application has significant potential for
enhancing the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized
United States manufacturers in the global marketplace.
``(8) Duration.--Awards under this subsection shall last no
longer than 3 years.
``(g) Evaluation of Obstacles Unique to Small
Manufacturers.--The Director shall--
``(1) evaluate obstacles that are unique to small
manufacturers that prevent such manufacturers from
effectively competing in the global market;
``(2) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Centers
to address such obstacles; and
``(3) facilitate improved communication between the Centers
to assist such manufacturers in implementing appropriate,
targeted solutions to such obstacles.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `area career and technical education school'
has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of
2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302); and

[[Page H4644]]

``(2) the term `community college' means an institution of
higher education (as defined under section 101(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) at which
the highest degree that is predominately awarded to students
is an associate's degree.''.

SEC. 9. ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE REPORTS.

Section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (g); and
(2) in subsection (k)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(B) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``; and'' at the end
and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking paragraph (5).

SEC. 10. MODIFICATIONS TO GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by striking ``The
total amount of any such grant or cooperative agreement may
not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the program.''.

SEC. 11. INFORMATION SYSTEMS STANDARDS CONSULTATION.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall not consult with
the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency in
contravention of section 20(c)(1) of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3(c)(1)).

SEC. 12. UNITED STATES-ISRAELI COOPERATION.

It is the Sense of Congress that--
(1) partnerships that facilitate basic scientific research
between the United States and Israel advance technology
development, innovation, and commercialization leading to
growth in various sectors, including manufacturing, and
creating benefits for both nations;
(2) joint research and development agreements carried out
through government organizations like the National Institute
of Standards and Technology support these efforts;
(3) partnerships between the United States and Israel that
further the basic scientific enterprise should be encouraged;
and
(4) the National Institute of Standards and Technology
should continue to facilitate scientific collaborations
between Israel and United States technical agencies working
in measurement science and standardization.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie
Bernice Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.

General Leave

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 5639, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Smith, the Science,
Space, and Technology Committee, and House leadership for their help in
bringing this legislation to the floor.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST,
Improvement Act of 2016 authorizes NIST to carry out its mission to
promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing
measurement science and technology.
NIST was founded in 1901, and it is recognized as an authority of
measurements and standards around the world. It is a vital partner for
America's technology and advanced industries that employ millions of
hardworking Americans with good-paying jobs.
The legislation before us today requires independent reviews of NIST
laboratory programs, makes changes to its educational and outreach
efforts, and improves its industrial technical services.
The improvements to industrial technical services, in particular,
will assist thousands of small manufacturers, including those in
Michigan's Fourth District, with the expertise and advice they need
when investing in new technologies crucial to the competitiveness of
Michigan companies and their workers.
Before yielding the floor, I also want to call my colleagues'
attention to NIST police and security issues in the NIST Campus
Security Act, which will be brought up later today.
Since last year, serious security incidents at NIST have raised
concerns about the safety and security of its facilities. These lapses
endanger thousands of NIST employees, visiting scientists, and the
hundreds of thousands of people who live near NIST campuses. The
Science, Space, and Technology Committee has held a number of hearings
about these incidents and has passed the NIST Campus Security Act,
which will be considered by the full House in a few minutes. This is a
first step toward ensuring adequate physical security at NIST campuses,
with more work still to be done.
But returning to the legislation before us now, I urge my colleagues
to support this reauthorization of NIST. NIST is the official
timekeeper of the U.S. Government. It maintains measures and standards
for the additives in our gasoline and helps us to develop a smarter,
more secure electric grid.
NIST conducts research that enhances our Nation's technology, our
economic security, and our quality of life.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5639, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016.
This bill was developed in a bipartisan manner and contains important
provisions supporting NIST's key role in increasing the productivity of
small- and medium-sized manufacturers, in training early career
scientists and promoting U.S. innovation across all sectors of our
economy.
NIST's core mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial
competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and
technology. Measurement science and standards ensure that technologies
and products we rely on daily in our homes, our workplace, and in every
mode of transportation are safe, effective, and reliable. U.S.
leadership and standards development also help U.S. businesses thrive
in the ever-growing global market.
In pursuit of its mission, NIST partners with the private sector and
with other government agencies in precompetitive research and
technology development in countless areas of national interest. This
little-known agency plays a critical role, and in many cases a
leadership role, in cybersecurity, forensic science, engineering
biology, disaster resilience, advanced manufacturing, and advanced
communications, just to name a few.
In the area of cybersecurity, NIST led the development of the widely
praised Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
and leads the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education. The
Framework is a voluntary guidance to help public and private owners of
critical infrastructure organizations better manage their cybersecurity
risk.
In forensic science, NIST does important measurement science and
facilitates standards development for forensic evidence. This week, I
will be reintroducing my Forensic Science and Standards Act because the
justice system must be just and fair for all, including the wrongfully
accused.
NIST is also at the forefront of engineering biology, an emerging
technology. Last year, I introduced the Engineering Biology Research
and Development Act of 2015 with my Science Committee colleague, Mr.
Sensenbrenner. This would establish a framework for greater
coordination of Federal investments in engineering biology research and
ensure U.S. leadership in applications of this research to energy,
manufacturing, agriculture, and health.
H.R. 5639 supports NIST's strong partnerships with the private
sector, other government agencies, and universities to develop and
apply the technology, measurements, and standards needed for new and
improved products and services. The bill includes measures to ensure
that NIST labs are best organized to meet the agency's mission needs,
that Federal agencies cooperate and share information on standards as
needed, that NIST helps train and attract our Nation's best and
brightest measurement scientists, and that even our Nation's smallest
manufacturers have access to NIST resources and expertise.
While I am supporting this bill, I do want to make a point about the
importance of authorizing funds for all of these activities I have just
described. As an authorizing committee, the

[[Page H4645]]

Science, Space, and Technology Committee should make an informed
recommendation for funding the agency's critical work and the human and
physical infrastructure that supports that work.
NIST's aging infrastructure is crumbling and creating safety issues.
NIST struggles to compete with the private sector in attracting top,
new technical talent. Congress continually expands the responsibilities
and authorities of this important agency. If we want the agency to be
successful, we must be willing to fund it.
I support this bill today for what it does to encourage NIST's public
and private collaborative efforts; however, I look forward to providing
funding recommendations in the near future for all of the important
work that NIST does to promote innovation and maintain U.S.
competitiveness.

I want to thank Representative Moolenaar for introducing this bill
and Chairman Smith for moving it to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas, the
ranking member, for her support and leadership on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Smith), chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. First of all, I want to thank the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), the vice chairman of the Research and
Technology Subcommittee, for introducing this important piece of
legislation.
I am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 5639, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016, to authorize the
policy and programs of this leading Department of Commerce technology
agency.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, supports
scientific and technical research and services that are critical to
American innovation and industrial competitiveness.
NIST helps maintain industrial and technical standards, manages
cybersecurity guidelines for Federal agencies, and promotes U.S.
innovation and international competitiveness that enhances economic
security and improves our quality of life.
In 2007, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the first
COMPETES Act, which implemented President Bush's major domestic
research policy priority, the American Competitiveness Initiative.
The centerpiece of the American Competitiveness Initiative was the
prioritization of basic research in the physical sciences and
engineering. Physical sciences research develops and advances
fundamental knowledge and foundational technologies that are used by
scientists in nearly every other field.
The American Competitiveness Initiative calls for strengthening
Federal investments in these areas by reallocating existing Federal
resources to the three major innovation-enabling basic research
agencies: the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's
Office of Science and its national labs, and NIST's core lab research
and facilities, which is the subject of the bill before us tonight.

{time} 1945

H.R. 5639 authorizes NIST's programs that contribute directly to U.S.
economic competitiveness, including NIST laboratory programs, education
and research initiatives for young scientists, and industrial technical
services.
Again, I want to thank Science Committee colleague, Vice Chairman
Moolenaar, for his efforts, and I again urge my colleagues to support
this bill.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I would encourage our colleagues to
support this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Weber of Texas). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5639, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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