[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 196 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H9359-H9362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2051) to provide for Federal coordination of 
activities supporting sustainable chemistry, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2051

       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 ``Sustainable Chemistry 
     Research and Development Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Congress recognized the importance and value of 
     sustainable chemistry and the role of the Federal Government 
     in section 114 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness 
     Act (Public Law 114-329);
       (2) sustainable chemistry and materials transformation is a 
     key value contributor to business competitiveness across many 
     industrial and consumer sectors;
       (3) companies across hundreds of supply chains critical to 
     the American economy are seeking to reduce costs and open new 
     markets through innovations in manufacturing and materials, 
     and are in need of new innovations in chemistry, including 
     sustainable chemistry;
       (4) sustainable chemistry can improve the efficiency with 
     which natural resources are used to meet human needs for 
     chemical products while avoiding environmental harm, reduce 
     or eliminate the emissions of and exposures to hazardous 
     substances, minimize the use of resources, and benefit the 
     economy, people, and the environment; and
       (5) a recent report by the Government Accountability Office 
     (GAO-18-307) found that the Federal Government could play an 
     important role in helping realize the full innovation and 
     market potential of sustainable chemistry technologies, 
     including through a coordinated national effort on 
     sustainable chemistry and standardized tools and definitions 
     to support sustainable chemistry research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercialization.

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL COORDINATING ENTITY FOR SUSTAINABLE 
                   CHEMISTRY.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy shall convene an interagency 
     entity (referred to in this Act as the ``Entity'') under the 
     National Science and Technology Council with the 
     responsibility to coordinate Federal programs and activities 
     in support of sustainable chemistry, including those 
     described in sections 5 and 6.

[[Page H9360]]

       (b) Coordination With Existing Groups.--In convening the 
     Entity, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy shall consider overlap and possible coordination with 
     existing committees, subcommittees, or other groups of the 
     National Science and Technology Council, such as--
       (1) the Committee on Environment;
       (2) the Committee on Technology;
       (3) the Committee on Science; or
       (4) related groups or subcommittees.
       (c) Co-chairs.--The Entity shall be co-chaired by the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy and a representative 
     from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science 
     Foundation, or the Department of Energy, as selected by the 
     Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
       (d) Agency Participation.--The Entity shall include 
     representatives, including subject matter experts, from the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, 
     the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the 
     Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug 
     Administration, the Office of Management and Budget, and 
     other related Federal agencies, as appropriate.
       (e) Termination.--The Entity shall terminate on the date 
     that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

     SEC. 4. ROADMAP FOR SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY.

       (a) Roadmap.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Entity shall--
       (1) consult with relevant stakeholders including 
     representatives from industry, academia, the Federal 
     Government, and international entities to develop and update 
     as needed a consensus definition of ``sustainable chemistry'' 
     to guide the activities under this Act;
       (2) develop a working framework of attributes 
     characterizing and metrics for assessing sustainable 
     chemistry, as described in subsection (b);
       (3) assess the state of sustainable chemistry in the United 
     States as a key benchmark from which progress under the 
     activities described in this Act can be measured, including 
     assessing key sectors of the United States economy, key 
     technology platforms, commercial priorities, and barriers to 
     innovation;
       (4) coordinate and support Federal research, development, 
     demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, 
     education, and training efforts in sustainable chemistry, 
     including budget coordination and support for public-private 
     partnerships, as appropriate;
       (5) identify methods by which the Federal agencies can 
     facilitate the development of incentives for development, 
     consideration and use of sustainable chemistry processes and 
     products, including innovative financing mechanisms;
       (6) identify major scientific challenges, roadblocks, or 
     hurdles to transformational progress in improving the 
     sustainability of the chemical sciences; and
       (7) identify other opportunities for expanding Federal 
     efforts in support of sustainable chemistry.
       (b) Characterizing and Assessing Sustainable Chemistry.--
     The Entity shall develop a working framework of attributes 
     characterizing and metrics for assessing sustainable 
     chemistry for the purposes of carrying out the Act. In 
     developing this framework, the Entity shall--
       (1) seek advice and input from stakeholders as described in 
     subsection (c);
       (2) consider existing definitions of or frameworks 
     characterizing and metrics for assessing sustainable 
     chemistry already in use at Federal agencies;
       (3) consider existing definitions of or frameworks 
     characterizing and metrics for assessing sustainable 
     chemistry already in use by international organizations of 
     which the United States is a member, such as the Organisation 
     for Economic Co-operation and Development; and
       (4) consider any other appropriate existing definitions of 
     or frameworks characterizing and metrics for assessing 
     sustainable chemistry.
       (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties described in 
     subsections (a) and (b), the Entity shall consult with 
     stakeholders qualified to provide advice and information to 
     guide Federal activities related to sustainable chemistry 
     through workshops, requests for information, and other 
     mechanisms as necessary. The stakeholders shall include 
     representatives from--
       (1) business and industry (including trade associations and 
     small- and medium-sized enterprises from across the value 
     chain);
       (2) the scientific community (including the National 
     Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, scientific 
     professional societies, and academia);
       (3) the defense community;
       (4) State, tribal, and local governments, including 
     nonregulatory State or regional sustainable chemistry 
     programs, as appropriate;
       (5) nongovernmental organizations; and
       (6) other appropriate organizations.
       (d) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Entity shall submit a report to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives. In addition to the elements described in 
     subsections (a) and (b), the report shall include--
       (A) a summary of federally funded, sustainable chemistry 
     research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, 
     commercialization, education, and training activities;
       (B) a summary of the financial resources allocated to 
     sustainable chemistry initiatives;
       (C) an assessment of the current state of sustainable 
     chemistry in the United States, including the role that 
     Federal agencies are playing in supporting it;
       (D) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the 
     goals and priorities of this Act, and recommendations for 
     future program activities;
       (E) an assessment of the benefits of expanding existing, 
     federally supported, regional innovation and manufacturing 
     hubs, centers, and institutes to include sustainable 
     chemistry and the value of directing the creation of 1 or 
     more dedicated sustainable chemistry centers of excellence, 
     hubs, or institutes; and
       (F) an evaluation of steps taken and future strategies to 
     avoid duplication of efforts, streamline interagency 
     coordination, facilitate information sharing, and spread best 
     practices among participating agencies.
       (2) Submission to gao.--The Entity shall also submit the 
     report described in paragraph (1) to the Comptroller General 
     of the United States for consideration in future 
     Congressional inquiries.

     SEC. 5. AGENCY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABLE 
                   CHEMISTRY.

       (a) In General.--The agencies participating in the Entity 
     shall carry out activities in support of sustainable 
     chemistry, as appropriate to the specific mission and 
     programs of each agency.
       (b) Activities.--The activities described in subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) incorporate sustainable chemistry into existing 
     research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, 
     commercialization, education, and training programs, that the 
     agency determines to be relevant, including consideration 
     of--
       (A) merit-based competitive grants to individual 
     investigators and teams of investigators, including, to the 
     extent practicable, early career investigators for research 
     and development;
       (B) grants to fund collaborative research and development 
     partnerships among universities, industry, and nonprofit 
     organizations;
       (C) coordination of sustainable chemistry research, 
     development, demonstration, and technology transfer conducted 
     at Federal laboratories and agencies;
       (D) incentive prize competitions and challenges in 
     coordination with such existing Federal agency programs; and
       (E) grants, loans, and loan guarantees to aid in the 
     technology transfer and commercialization of sustainable 
     chemicals, materials, processes, and products;
       (2) collect and disseminate information on sustainable 
     chemistry research, development, technology transfer, and 
     commercialization, including information on accomplishments 
     and best practices;
       (3) raise awareness of sustainable chemistry concepts 
     through public outreach activities;
       (4) expand the education and training of students at all 
     levels of education, professional scientists and engineers, 
     and other professionals involved in all aspects of 
     sustainable chemistry and engineering appropriate to that 
     level of education and training, including through--
       (A) partnerships with industry as described in section 6;
       (B) support for the integration of sustainable chemistry 
     principles into elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and 
     graduate chemistry and chemical engineering curriculum and 
     research training, as appropriate to that level of education 
     and training; and
       (C) support for integration of sustainable chemistry 
     principles into existing or new professional development 
     opportunities for professionals including teachers, faculty, 
     and individuals involved in laboratory research, (product 
     development, materials specification and testing, life cycle 
     analysis, and management);
       (5) as relevant to an agency's programs, examine methods by 
     which the Federal agencies, in collaboration and consultation 
     with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, may 
     facilitate the development or recognition of validated, 
     standardized tools for performing sustainability assessments 
     of chemistry processes or products;
       (6) through programs identified by an agency, support 
     (including through technical assistance, participation, 
     financial support, communications tools, awards, or other 
     forms of support) outreach and dissemination of sustainable 
     chemistry advances such as non-Federal symposia, forums, 
     conferences, and publications in collaboration with, as 
     appropriate, industry, academia, scientific and professional 
     societies, and other relevant groups;
       (7) provide for public input and outreach to be integrated 
     into the activities described in

[[Page H9361]]

     this section by the convening of public discussions, through 
     mechanisms such as public meetings, consensus conferences, 
     and educational events, as appropriate;
       (8) within each agency, develop metrics to track the 
     outputs and outcomes of the programs supported by that 
     agency; and
       (9) incentivize or recognize actions that advance 
     sustainable chemistry products, processes, or initiatives, 
     including through the establishment of a nationally 
     recognized awards program through the Environmental 
     Protection Agency to identify, publicize, and celebrate 
     innovations in sustainable chemistry and chemical 
     technologies.
       (c) Limitations.--Financial support provided under this 
     section shall--
       (1) be available only for pre-competitive activities; and
       (2) not be used to promote the sale of a specific product, 
     process, or technology, or to disparage a specific product, 
     process, or technology.
       (d) Agency Budget Report.--For each of fiscal years 2021 
     through 2030, not later than 90 days after submission of the 
     President's annual budget request, the Entity shall prepare 
     and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives a report that includes a 
     summarized agency budget in support of the activities under 
     this Act for the fiscal year to which such budget request 
     applies, and for the then current fiscal year, including a 
     breakout of spending for each agency participating in such 
     activities.

     SEC. 6. PARTNERSHIPS IN SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY.

       (a) In General.--The agencies participating in the Entity 
     may facilitate and support, through financial, technical, or 
     other assistance, the creation of partnerships between 
     institutions of higher education, nongovernmental 
     organizations, consortia, or companies across the value chain 
     in the chemical industry, including small- and medium-sized 
     enterprises, to--
       (1) create collaborative sustainable chemistry research, 
     development, demonstration, technology transfer, and 
     commercialization programs; and
       (2) train students and retrain professional scientists, 
     engineers, and others involved in materials specification on 
     the use of sustainable chemistry concepts and strategies by 
     methods, including--
       (A) developing or recognizing curricular materials and 
     courses for undergraduate and graduate levels and for the 
     professional development of scientists, engineers, and others 
     involved in materials specification; and
       (B) publicizing the availability of professional 
     development courses in sustainable chemistry and recruiting 
     professionals to pursue such courses.
       (b) Private Sector Participation.--To be eligible for 
     support under this section, a partnership in sustainable 
     chemistry shall include at least one private sector 
     organization.
       (c) Selection of Partnerships.--In selecting partnerships 
     for support under this section, the agencies participating in 
     the Entity shall also consider the extent to which the 
     applicants are willing and able to demonstrate evidence of 
     support for, and commitment to, the goals outlined in the 
     roadmap and report described in section 4.
       (d) Prohibited Use of Funds.--Financial support provided 
     under this section may not be used--
       (1) to support or expand a regulatory chemical management 
     program at an implementing agency under a State law;
       (2) to construct or renovate a building or structure; or
       (3) to promote the sale of a specific product, process, or 
     technology, or to disparage a specific product, process, or 
     technology.

     SEC. 7. PRIORITIZATION.

       In carrying out this Act, the Entity shall focus its 
     support for sustainable chemistry activities on those that 
     achieve, to the highest extent practicable, the goals 
     outlined in the Act.

     SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter or amend 
     any State law or action with regard to sustainable chemistry, 
     as defined by the State.

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


                             General Leave

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous materials on H.R. 2051, the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2051, the Sustainable Chemistry Research 
and Development Act of 2019.
  I want to thank Representatives Lipinski and Moolenaar for 
introducing this good, bipartisan bill.
  Chemistry touches every aspect of modern society. As the chemical 
industry continues to innovate to make our lives easier, we must do 
more to minimize the risks to the environment and to public health. 
Sustainable chemistry practices and principles, once widely adopted, 
will provide the private sector with tools to meet societal needs while 
mitigating negative impacts on the health and safety of future 
generations.
  Unfortunately, progress in adopting this approach has been slow. As 
we learned during the Science Committee hearing on this topic earlier 
this year, the key challenges include a lack of research, a lack of 
Federal coordination, a lack of consensus regarding how sustainability 
should be measured and assessed, and a need for improved sustainable 
chemistry education.
  This legislation establishes the framework for Federal leadership to 
advance sustainable chemistry. Specifically, the bill provides for 
improved coordination of Federal activities, including research and 
development of more sustainable chemicals, processes, and systems.
  The bill also supports improved education in sustainable chemistry 
and expands opportunities for the Federal Government to partner with 
industry to bring innovations to market.
  When the Federal science agencies support our Nation's scientists and 
engineers to come up with better solutions to real-world problems, our 
brightest minds will always rise to the challenge.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2051, the Sustainable Chemistry Research 
and Development Act of 2019.
  H.R. 2051 provides for Federal coordination of research and 
development for new innovations in chemistry, manufacturing, and 
materials. This bill continues the Science Committee's bipartisan 
commitment to prioritizing fundamental research that leads to new 
technologies that will drive the American economy into the future.
  Chemistry is essential to our economy and plays a vital role in 
helping solve the biggest challenges facing the Nation and our world. 
From farming to medicine, chemical manufacturing touches our lives 
every day.
  There is market demand for chemical products that use resources more 
efficiently and are safer for both humans and the environment. 
Consumers also want these products to be just as effective, or more 
effective, than the traditional chemical products. H.R. 2051 will help 
support the research, training, and standards needed to meet these 
demands.
  It is rare that a bill has the fundamental endorsement of both 
chemical companies and environmental advocates.
  I thank the bill's sponsors, Representative  Dan Lipinski and 
Representative   John Moolenaar, for their leadership on this issue and 
for developing a good consensus bill. I encourage my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), who has been a pleasure to work with, both on 
scientific matters and on a variety of financial service interests, 
too.
  Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman  Dan Lipinski 
for his leadership on this legislation. As always, I have enjoyed 
working with him and serving with him as the founding co-chair of the 
bipartisan Congressional Chemistry Caucus here in the House.
  Chemistry has improved the daily lives of every American, and I want 
to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their 
leadership working together to bring the Sustainable Chemistry Research 
and Development Act of 2019 to the floor this year. This legislation 
will further the incredible progress chemistry has already

[[Page H9362]]

made in the daily lives of people around the world, with new and 
exciting products and lifesaving cures and innovations.
  Chemistry also employs hundreds of thousands of people in good-paying 
jobs and has made the country the world leader in an endless list of 
industries and fields. Today's legislation will help that progress 
continue by directing the Federal Government to improve its 
coordination of sustainable chemistry research.
  The Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2019 will 
bring together the Federal Government, the private sector, and the 
scientific community to support groundbreaking research in chemistry 
and keep our Nation at the forefront of innovation.
  I thank my colleagues for their support.

                              {time}  1530

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, to ensure the continued leadership of the United States 
in science and technology, we must invest in research that will lead to 
the industries of the future. The Sustainable Chemistry Act of 2019 
will keep our country at the forefront of chemistry innovation and help 
create new products that will benefit all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2051, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I simply wish to thank our authors 
and our staff, and I urge passage of this bill. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2051, 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.

                          ____________________