[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 33 (Monday, February 22, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H544-H546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE RULES


rules of the committee on science, space, and technology for the 117th 
                                congress

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                Washington, DC, February 22, 2021.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to clause (2)(a)(2) of House 
     Rule XI, I hereby submit the Rules of the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology for the 117th Congress for 
     publication in the Congressional Record. These Committee 
     Rules were adopted in an open meeting of the Committee on 
     February 18, 2021, by voice vote.
       Thank you for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,

                                        Eddie Bernice Johnson,

                                 Chairwoman, Committee on Science,
                                            Space, and Technology.


                            Rule I. General

       (a) Application of Rules.
       (1) The Rules of the House of Representatives (``House 
     Rules'') are the rules of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology and its Subcommittees with the specific 
     additions thereto contained in these rules.
       (2) Except where the term ``Subcommittee'' is specifically 
     referred to, the following rules shall apply to the Committee 
     and its Subcommittees as well as to the respective Chairs and 
     Ranking Minority Members.
       (b) Other Procedures. The Chair of the Committee, after 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the 
     Committee, may establish such other procedures and take such 
     actions as may be necessary to carry out these rules or to 
     facilitate the effective operation of the Committee.
       (c) Use of Hearing Rooms. In consultation with the Ranking 
     Minority Member, the Chair of the Committee shall establish 
     guidelines for the use of Committee hearing rooms.


           Rule II. Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings

       (a) Regular Meetings. The regular meeting day of the 
     Committee for the conduct of its business shall be on the 
     first Wednesday of each month, if the House is in session. If 
     the House is not in session on that day, then the Committee 
     shall meet on the next Wednesday of such month on which the 
     House is in session, or at another practicable time as 
     determined by the Chair.
       (1) A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed 
     with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for 
     the meeting.
       (2) The Chair may call and convene, when the Chair 
     considers it necessary and in accordance with the notice 
     requirements contained in these rules, additional meetings of 
     the Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution 
     pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other 
     Committee business.
       (b) Bills and Subjects to be Considered.
       (1) The Chair shall announce the date, place, and subject 
     matter of any Committee meeting, which may not commence 
     earlier than the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such a day) on which Members have notice thereof, 
     unless the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking 
     Minority Member, or the Committee by majority vote with a 
     quorum present for the transaction of business, determines 
     there is good cause to begin the meeting sooner, in which 
     case the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest 
     possible date.
       (2) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a 
     meeting for the markup of legislation (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, and legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such a day), the Chair shall cause the text of 
     such legislation to be made publicly available in electronic 
     form.
       (3) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a 
     measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or 
     electronically to the designee of both the Chair and Ranking 
     Minority Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration 
     of the measure or matter, and the Chair may oppose any 
     amendment not so submitted.
       (c) Open Meetings. Meetings for the transaction of business 
     and hearings of the Committee shall be open to the public or 
     closed in accordance with the House Rules.
       (d) Quorums. A majority of the Committee shall form a 
     quorum, except that two Members shall constitute a quorum for 
     taking testimony and receiving evidence, and one third of the 
     Members shall form a quorum for taking any action other than 
     for which the presence of a majority of the Committee is 
     otherwise required. If the Chair is not present at any 
     meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee, the Vice Chair on 
     the Committee who is present shall preside at the meeting, 
     unless another Member of the Committee is designated by the 
     Chair.
       (e) Postponement of Proceedings.
       (1) Pursuant to clause 2(h)(4) of House Rule XI, the Chair 
     may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is 
     ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or 
     on adopting an amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on 
     a postponed vote at any time after reasonable notice.
       (2) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, 
     notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous 
     question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to 
     further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the 
     question was postponed.
       (f) Time for Statements and Debate.
       (1) Insofar as is practicable, the Chair, after 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall limit 
     the total time of opening statements by Members at a 
     Committee meeting to no more than ten minutes, the time to be 
     divided equally between the Chair and Ranking Minority 
     Member, except in the case of joint Subcommittee hearings, in 
     which case the total time of opening statements by Members at 
     such joint hearing shall be no more than twenty minutes, the 
     time to be divided equally between the Chairs and Ranking 
     Minority Members. When requested, ex officio Members of any 
     Subcommittee shall also be recognized at a Subcommittee 
     hearing for five minutes each to present an opening 
     statement.
       (2) The time any one Member may address the Committee on 
     any bill, amendment, motion, or other matter under 
     consideration by the Committee will be limited to five 
     minutes, and then only when the Member has been recognized by 
     the Chair. This time limit may be waived by the Chair 
     pursuant to unanimous consent.
       (g) Requests for Recorded Vote. A record vote of the 
     Committee shall be provided on any question before the 
     Committee upon the request of three or more Members or, in 
     the apparent absence of a quorum, by any one Member.
       (h) Transcripts. Transcripts of markups shall be recorded 
     and may be published in the same manner as hearings before 
     the Committee, and shall be included as part of the 
     legislative report unless waived by the Chair of the 
     Committee.
       (i) Motion to Go to Conference. Without further action of 
     the Committee, the Chair is

[[Page H545]]

     authorized to offer a motion under clause 1 of House Rule 
     XXII whenever the Chair considers it appropriate.


                           Rule III. Hearings

       (a) Notice of Hearings.
       (1) The Chair shall publicly announce the date, place, and 
     subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the 
     Committee on any measure or matter at least one week before 
     the commencement of that hearing. If the Chair, with the 
     concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there 
     is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the 
     Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being 
     present for the transaction of business, the Chair shall make 
     the announcement at the earliest possible date.
       (2) The Chair shall publicly announce a list of witnesses 
     to testify at a hearing as soon as a complete list of 
     witnesses, including those to be called by the minority, is 
     compiled. When practicable, the Chair and the Ranking 
     Minority Member will seek to have a complete list of 
     witnesses compiled at, or as soon as practicable after, the 
     time that the hearing is publicly announced.
       (b) Witnesses.
       (1) Insofar as is practicable, no later than 48 hours in 
     advance of his or her appearance, each witness who is to 
     appear before the Committee shall file, in printed copy and 
     in electronic form, a written statement of his or her 
     proposed testimony and a curriculum vitae.
       (2) Each witness shall limit his or her presentation to a 
     five minute summary, however additional time may be granted 
     by the Chair when appropriate.
       (3) The Chair, or any Member of the Committee designated by 
     the Chair, may administer oaths to witnesses before the 
     Committee.
       (4) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the Committee on 
     any measure or matter, the Minority Members of the Committee 
     shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of 
     them before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses 
     selected by the Minority to testify with respect to the 
     measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
       (5) In the case of a witness appearing in a nongovernmental 
     capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony shall 
     include:
       a. A curriculum vitae;
       b. A disclosure of any Federal grants or contracts, or 
     contracts, grants, or payments originating with a foreign 
     government, received during the past 36 months by the witness 
     or by an entity represented by the witness and related to the 
     subject matter of the hearing; and,
       c. A disclosure of whether the witness is a fiduciary 
     (including, but not limited to, a director, officer, advisor, 
     or resident agent) of any organization or entity that has an 
     interest in the subject matter of the hearing.
       Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect the 
     privacy or security of the witness, shall be made publicly 
     available in electronic form 24 hours before the witness 
     appears to the extent practicable, but not later than one day 
     after the witness appears.
       (c) Questioning of Witnesses.
       (1) The right to interrogate a witness before the Committee 
     shall alternate between Majority and Minority Members of the 
     Committee. Each Member shall be limited to five minutes in 
     the interrogation of witnesses. No Member may be recognized 
     for a second period of interrogation until each Member 
     present, who wishes to be recognized, has been recognized at 
     least once.
       (2) Notwithstanding clause 1, upon a motion the Chair, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may:
       a. Designate a specified number of Members of the Committee 
     from each party to question a witness for a period of time 
     equally divided between the majority party and the minority 
     party, not to exceed one hour in the aggregate; or
       b. Designate staff from each party to question a witness 
     for a period of time equally divided between the majority 
     party and the minority party, not to exceed one hour in the 
     aggregate.
       (3) Members of the Committee have two weeks from the date 
     of a hearing to submit additional questions in writing for 
     the record to be answered by witnesses who have appeared 
     before the Committee. The letters of transmittal and any 
     responses thereto shall be included in the hearing record.
       (d) Claims of Privilege. Claims of common-law privileges 
     made by witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or 
     deponents in investigations or inquiries, are applicable only 
     at the discretion of the Chair, subject to appeal to the 
     Committee.
       (e) Publication of Transcripts. The transcripts of those 
     hearings conducted by the Committee, when it is decided they 
     will be printed, shall be published in substantially verbatim 
     form, with the material requested for the record inserted at 
     that place requested, or at the end of the record, as 
     appropriate. Individuals, including Members, whose comments 
     are to be published as part of a Committee document shall be 
     given the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the 
     transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by 
     those Members, staff, or witnesses to correct any errors 
     other than errors in the transcript, or disputed errors in 
     transcription, shall be appended to the record, and the 
     appropriate place where the change is requested will be 
     footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chair of hearings 
     conducted jointly with another Congressional Committee, a 
     memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which 
     incorporates an agreement for the publication of the 
     transcript.
       (f) Pertinence of Testimony. At the discretion of the 
     Committee, brief and pertinent statements may be submitted in 
     writing for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the 
     sole judge of the pertinence of testimony and evidence 
     adduced at its hearing.


                            Rule IV. Reports

       (a) Bills and resolutions approved by the Committee shall 
     be reported by the Chair pursuant to clauses 2-4 of House 
     Rule XIII.
       (b) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be 
     considered as read if it has been available to the Members of 
     the Committee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such days).
       (c) Every investigative or oversight report shall be 
     approved by a majority vote of the Committee at a meeting at 
     which a quorum is present. If at the time of approval of such 
     a report a Member of the Committee gives notice of intent to 
     file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views 
     that Member shall be entitled to file such views.
       (d) Only those investigative or oversight reports approved 
     by a majority vote of the Committee may be ordered printed, 
     unless otherwise required by House Rules.


                          Rule V. Broadcasting

       (a) Whenever a meeting for the transaction of business, 
     including the markup of legislation or a hearing is open to 
     the public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to coverage 
     by television, radio, and still photography in accordance 
     with clause 4 of House Rule XI.
       (b) To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall 
     provide audio and visual coverage of each hearing or meeting 
     for the transaction of business in a manner that allows the 
     public to easily listen to and view the proceedings, and 
     maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is 
     easily accessible to the public. Operation and use of any 
     Committee internet broadcast system shall be fair and 
     nonpartisan, and in accordance with clauses 4 (b) and (f) of 
     House Rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee 
     and the House.


                         Rule VI. Subcommittees

       (a) Committee Jurisdiction. The Committee shall have 
     jurisdiction over such matters as determined by the Chair.
       (b) Subcommittees and Jurisdiction. There shall be five 
     standing Subcommittees of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology, with jurisdictions as follows:
       (1) Subcommittee on Energy. Shall have jurisdiction over 
     the following subject matters: all matters relating to energy 
     research, development, and demonstration projects therefor; 
     commercial application of energy technology; Department of 
     Energy research, development, and demonstration programs; 
     Department of Energy laboratories; Department of Energy 
     science activities; Department of Energy international 
     research, development, and demonstration projects; energy 
     supply activities; nuclear, solar, and renewable energy, and 
     other advanced energy technologies; uranium supply and 
     enrichment, and Department of Energy waste management; 
     Department of Energy environmental management research, 
     development, and demonstration; fossil energy research and 
     development; clean coal technology; energy conservation 
     research and development, including building performance, 
     alternate fuels, distributed power systems, and industrial 
     process improvements; pipeline research, development, and 
     demonstration projects; energy standards; other appropriate 
     matters as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
       (2) Subcommittee on Environment. Shall have jurisdiction 
     over the following subject matters: all matters relating to 
     environmental research; Environmental Protection Agency 
     research and development; environmental standards; climate 
     change research and development; the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration, including all activities 
     related to weather, weather services, climate, the 
     atmosphere, marine fisheries, and oceanic research; risk 
     assessment activities; scientific issues related to 
     environmental policy, including climate change; other 
     appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and relevant 
     oversight.
       (3) Subcommittee on Research and Technology. Shall have 
     jurisdiction over the following subject matters: all matters 
     relating to science policy and science education; the Office 
     of Science and Technology Policy; all scientific research, 
     and scientific and engineering resources (including human 
     resources); all matters relating to science, technology, 
     engineering and mathematics education; intergovernmental 
     mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and 
     cross-cutting programs; international scientific cooperation; 
     National Science Foundation; university research policy, 
     including infrastructure and overhead; university research 
     partnerships, including those with industry; science 
     scholarships; computing, communications, networking, and 
     information technology; research and development relating to 
     health, biomedical, and nutritional programs; research, 
     development, and demonstration relating to nanoscience, 
     nanoengineering, and nanotechnology; agricultural, 
     geological, biological and life sciences research; materials 
     research, development, demonstration, and policy; all matters 
     relating to competitiveness, technology, standards, and 
     innovation; standardization of weights and measures, 
     including

[[Page H546]]

     technical standards, standardization, and conformity 
     assessment; measurement, including the metric system of 
     measurement; the Technology Administration of the Department 
     of Commerce; the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology; the National Technical Information Service; 
     competitiveness, including small business competitiveness; 
     tax, antitrust, regulatory and other legal and governmental 
     policies related to technological development and 
     commercialization; technology transfer, including civilian 
     use of defense technologies; patent and intellectual property 
     policy; international technology trade; research, 
     development, and demonstration activities of the Department 
     of Transportation; surface and water transportation research, 
     development, and demonstration programs; earthquake programs 
     and fire research programs, including those related to 
     wildfire proliferation research and prevention; biotechnology 
     policy; research, development, demonstration, and standards-
     related activities of the Department of Homeland Security; 
     Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer; 
     voting technologies and standards; other appropriate matters 
     as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
       (4) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Shall have 
     jurisdiction over the following subject matters: all matters 
     relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and 
     development; national space policy, including access to 
     space; sub-orbital access and applications; National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor and 
     government-operated labs; space commercialization, including 
     commercial space activities relating to the Department of 
     Transportation and the Department of Commerce; exploration 
     and use of outer space; international space cooperation; the 
     National Space Council; space applications, space 
     communications and related matters; Earth remote sensing 
     policy; civil aviation research, development, and 
     demonstration; research, development, and demonstration 
     programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; space law; 
     other appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and 
     relevant oversight.
       (5) Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Shall 
     have general and special investigative authority on all 
     matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee.
       (c) Composition of Subcommittees.
       (1) The Chair shall assign Members to the Subcommittees. 
     Minority party assignments shall be made only with the 
     concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member. The Chair shall 
     determine the ratio of Majority Members to Minority Members 
     of each Subcommittee; provided that the ratio of Majority 
     Members to Minority Members on each Subcommittee (excluding 
     any ex officio Member) shall be no less favorable to the 
     Majority party than the ratio for the Committee.
       (2) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 
     shall be ex officio Members of each Subcommittee and shall 
     have the right to vote and be counted as part of the quorum 
     and ratios on all matters before the Subcommittee.
       (d) Referral to Subcommittees. The Chair shall 
     expeditiously refer all legislation and other matters 
     referred to the Committee to the Subcommittee or 
     Subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction, unless the Chair 
     deems consideration is to be by the Committee. Subcommittee 
     Chairs may make requests for referral of specific matters to 
     their Subcommittee if they believe Subcommittee jurisdictions 
     so warrants.
       (e) Subcommittee Procedures and Reports.
       (1) Subcommittee Chairs shall set meeting dates with the 
     concurrence of the Chair and after consultation with the 
     other Subcommittee Chairs with a view toward avoiding 
     simultaneous scheduling of Subcommittee meetings or hearings 
     wherever possible. No Subcommittee may meet or hold a hearing 
     at the same time as a meeting or hearing of the Committee 
     without authorization from the Chair.
       (2) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, 
     receive testimony or evidence, mark up legislation, and 
     report to the Committee on all matters referred to it. For 
     matters within its jurisdiction, each Subcommittee is 
     authorized to conduct legislative, investigative, 
     forecasting, and general oversight hearings; to conduct 
     inquiries into the future; and to undertake budget impact 
     studies.
       (3) Each Subcommittee shall provide the Committee with 
     copies of such records of votes taken in the Subcommittee and 
     such other records with respect to the Subcommittee as the 
     Chair of the Committee deems necessary to ensure compliance 
     with the House Rules.
       (4) After ordering a measure or matter reported, a 
     Subcommittee shall issue a report in such form as the Chair 
     shall specify. To the maximum extent practicable, reports and 
     recommendations of a Subcommittee shall not be considered by 
     the Committee until after the intervention of 48 hours 
     (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except when 
     the House is in session on such a day) from the time the 
     report is submitted and made available to the Committee. 
     Printed hearings thereon shall be made available, if 
     feasible, to the Committee, except that this Rule may be 
     waived at the discretion of the Chair after consultation with 
     the Ranking Minority Member.
       (5) Any Member of the Committee may have the privilege of 
     sitting with any Subcommittee during its hearings or 
     deliberations and may participate in such hearings or 
     deliberations, but no Member who is not a Member of the 
     Subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such 
     Subcommittee, except as provided in Rule VI(c)(2).


                         Rule VII. Vice Chairs

       (a) The Chair of the Committee shall designate a Member of 
     the majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee, 
     and shall designate a Majority Member of each Subcommittee to 
     serve as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee. Vice Chairs of the 
     Committee and each Subcommittee serve at the pleasure of the 
     Chair, who may at any time terminate his designation of a 
     Member as Vice Chair and designate a different Member of the 
     majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee or 
     relevant Subcommittee.
       (b) The Chair may assign duties, privileges, and 
     responsibilities to the Vice Chairs of the Committee or the 
     various Subcommittees.


                Rule VIII. Oversight and Investigations

       (a) The Committee shall review and study, on a continuing 
     basis, the application, administration, execution, and 
     effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject 
     matter of which is within its jurisdiction, including all 
     laws, programs, and Government activities relating to 
     nonmilitary research and development in accordance with House 
     Rule X.
       (b) Not later than March 1st of the first session of the 
     117th Congress, the Chair, after consultation with the 
     Ranking Minority Member, shall submit the Committee's 
     oversight plan to the Committee on Oversight and the 
     Committee on House Administration in accordance with the 
     provisions of clause 2(d) of House Rule X.
       (c) Any investigation undertaken in the name of the 
     Committee shall be approved by the Chair. Nothing in this 
     subsection shall be interpreted to infringe on a 
     Subcommittee's authority to conduct general oversight of 
     matters within its jurisdiction, short of undertaking an 
     investigation.


                           Rule IX. Subpoenas

       The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to 
     the Chair as provided for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of House 
     Rule XI. The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member 
     prior to issuing any subpoena under such authority. To the 
     extent practicable, the Chair shall consult with the Ranking 
     Minority Member at least 24 hours in advance of a subpoena 
     being issued under such authority.


                      Rule X. Deposition Authority

       The Chair may authorize the staff of the Committee to 
     conduct depositions pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 
     8, 117th Congress, and subject to any regulations issued 
     pursuant thereto.


                       Rule XI. Committee Records

       (a) The records of the Committee at the National Archives 
     and Records Administration shall be made available for public 
     use in accordance with House Rule VII.
       (b) The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of 
     the Committee of any decision, pursuant to clauses 3(b)(3) or 
     4(b) of House Rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise 
     available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee 
     for a determination on the written request of any Member of 
     the Committee.


                  Rule XII. Official Committee Website

       The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for 
     the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and 
     oversight responsibilities, including communicating 
     information about the Committee's activities to Committee 
     Members and other Members of the House. The Ranking Minority 
     Member of the Committee may maintain a similar website for 
     the same purpose, including communicating information about 
     the activities of the minority to Committee Members and other 
     Members of the House.


                      Rule XIII. Committee Budget

       From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary 
     expense resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in 
     the 117th Congress, the Chair shall designate one-third of 
     the budget, after adjustment for the salaries of the shared 
     administrative functions for the Clerk, Printer and Financial 
     Administrator, under the direction of the Ranking Minority 
     Member for the purposes of minority staff, travel expenses of 
     minority staff and Members, and all other minority office 
     expenses.


                Rule XIV. Amendments to Committee Rules

       The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or 
     repealed, in the same manner and method as prescribed for the 
     adoption of committee rules in clause 2 of House Rule XI, but 
     only if written notice of the proposed change has been 
     provided to each such Member at least 3 days before the time 
     of the meeting at which the vote on the change occurs. Any 
     such change in the rules of the Committee shall be published 
     in the Congressional Record within 30 calendar days after 
     their approval.

                          ____________________