[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7095-H7097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NOAA CHIEF SCIENTIST ACT
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3952) to strengthen the role of the Chief Scientist of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in order to promote
scientific integrity and advance the Administration's world-class
research and development portfolio.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3952
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 ``NOAA Chief Scientist Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 4 OF 1970
RELATING TO CHIEF SCIENTIST OF THE NATIONAL
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 2 of
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. App) is amended
to read as follows:
``(d)(1) There is in the Administration a Chief Scientist
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in
this subsection referred to as the `Chief Scientist'), who
shall be selected by the Administrator and compensated at the
rate now or hereafter provided for Level V of the Executive
Schedule pursuant to section 5316 of title 5, United States
Code. In selecting a Chief Scientist, the Administrator shall
give due consideration to any recommendations for candidates
which may be submitted by the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board, and other
widely recognized, reputable, and diverse United States
scientific or academic bodies, including minority serving
institutions or other such bodies representing
underrepresented populations. The Chief Scientist shall be
the principal scientific adviser to the Administrator on
science and technology policy and strategy, as well as
scientific integrity, and shall perform such other duties as
the Administrator may direct. The Chief Scientist shall be an
individual who is, by reason of scientific education and
experience, knowledgeable in the principles of scientific
disciplines associated with the work of the Administration,
and who has produced work of scientific merit through an
established record of distinguished service and achievement.
``(2) The Chief Scientist shall--
``(A) adhere to any agency or department scientific
integrity policy and--
``(i) provide written consent to all applicable scientific
integrity and other relevant science and technology policies
of the Administration prior to serving in such position, with
such written consent to be made available on a publicly
accessible website of the Administration;
``(ii) in conjunction with the Administrator and other
members of Administration leadership, undergo all applicable
training programs of the Administration which inform
employees of their rights and responsibilities regarding the
conduct of scientific research and communication with the
media and the public regarding scientific research; and
``(iii) in coordination with the Administrator and other
members of Administration leadership, make all practicable
efforts to ensure Administration employees and contractors
who are engaged in, supervise, or manage scientific
activities, analyze or communicate information resulting from
scientific activities, or use scientific information in
policy, management, or regulatory decisions, adhere to
established scientific integrity policies of the
Administration;
``(B) provide policy and program direction for science and
technology priorities of the Administration and facilitate
integration and coordination of research efforts across line
offices of the Administration, with other Federal agencies,
and with the external scientific community, including
through--
``(i) leading the development of a science and technology
strategy of the Administration and issuing policy guidance to
ensure that overarching Administration policy is aligned with
science and technology goals and objectives;
``(ii) chairing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Science Council and serving as a liaison to
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science
Advisory Board;
``(iii) providing oversight to ensure--
``(I) the Administration funds high priority and mission-
aligned science and technology development, including through
partnerships with the private sector, Cooperative Institutes,
academia, nongovernmental organizations, and other Federal
and non-Federal institutions; and
``(II) there is no unnecessary duplication of such science
and technology development;
``(iv) ensuring the Administration attracts, retains, and
promotes world class scientists and researchers from diverse
backgrounds, experiences, and expertise;
``(v) promoting the health and professional development of
the Administration's scientific workforce, including by
promoting efforts to reduce assault, harassment, and
discrimination that could hamper such health and development;
and
``(vi) ensuring coordination across the scientific
workforce and its conduct and application of science and
technology with the Administration's most recent Diversity
and Inclusion Strategic Plan;
``(C) under the direction of the Administrator, promote,
communicate, and advocate for the Administration's science
and technology portfolio and strategy to the broad domestic,
Tribal, and international communities and Congress, represent
the Administration in promoting and maintaining good public
and community relations, and provide the widest practical and
appropriate dissemination of science and technology
information concerning the full range of the Administration's
earth system authorities;
``(D) manage an Office of the Chief Scientist--
``(i) which shall be staffed by Federal employees of the
Administration detailed to the office on a rotating basis, in
a manner that promotes diversity of expertise, background,
and to the extent practicable, ensures that each line office
of the Administration is represented in the Office over time;
``(ii) in which there shall be a Deputy Chief Scientist, to
be designated by the Administrator or Acting Administrator
from among the Assistant Administrators on a rotational
basis, as appropriate to their backgrounds or expertise, who
shall advise and support the Chief Scientist and perform the
functions and duties of the Chief Scientist for not more than
one year in the event the Chief Scientist is unable to carry
out the duties of the Office, or in the event of a vacancy in
such position; and
``(iii) which may utilize contractors pursuant to
applicable laws and regulations, and offer opportunities to
fellows under existing programs; and
``(E) not less frequently than once each year, in
coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Science Council, produce and make publicly
available a report that--
``(i) describes the Administration's implementation of the
science and technology strategy and scientific
accomplishments from the past year;
``(ii) details progress toward goals and challenges faced
by the Administration's science and technology portfolio and
scientific workforce;
``(iii) provides a summary of Administration-funded
research, including--
``(I) the percentage of Administration-funded research that
is funded intramurally;
``(II) the percentage of Administration-funded research
that is funded extramurally, including the relative
proportion of extramural research that is carried out by--
``(aa) the private sector;
``(bb) Cooperative Institutes;
``(cc) academia;
``(dd) nongovernmental organizations; and
``(ee) other categories as necessary; and
``(III) a summary of Administration-funded research that is
transitioned to operations, applications, commercialization,
and utilization; and
``(iv) provides reporting on scientific integrity actions,
including by specifying the aggregate number of scientific
and research misconduct cases, the number of consultations
conducted, the number of allegations investigated, the number
of findings of misconduct, and a summary of actions in
response to such findings.
``(3) Nothing in this subsection may be construed as
impeding the ability of the Administrator to select any
person for the position of Chief Scientist the Administrator
determines is qualified to serve in such position.''.
(b) Saving Clause.--The individual serving as Chief
Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act may continue to so serve until such time as the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration selects such a Chief Scientist in accordance
with subsection (d) of section 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 4
of 1970 (5 U.S.C. App), as amended by subsection (a).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3952, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3952, the NOAA Chief
Scientist Act.
Scientific integrity is a critical component of scientific research.
NOAA supports the American public in a variety of ways but is well
known for its provision of civilian weather forecasts, watches, and
warnings. This is why it is important for the agency to
[[Page H7096]]
be considered a trusted scientific authority. The role of NOAA's chief
scientist is pivotal in this respect.
While this position is statutorily defined, prior to this bill, the
role lacked clear expectations and responsibilities or even
qualifications. This has led to inconsistencies in how the role has
been carried out historically.
This bill clarifies the role of the chief scientist to ensure that
they adhere to and uphold scientific integrity directives at NOAA.
This commitment to scientific integrity at the highest levels of
NOAA's leadership further underscores its importance to the agency's
mission. This bill also requires the NOAA administrator to consider
candidates with an established background of practice-led research and
scientific achievement in fields relevant to NOAA's mission. This
ensures the chief scientist will have pertinent experiences and
expertise to draw from while carrying out this role.
H.R. 3952 also establishes an Office of the Chief Scientist within
NOAA. Critically, this office will support the chief scientist's
efforts to foster an environment that would encourage the recruitment
and retention of a diverse scientific workforce. Diversity is a key
component of ensuring that all voices and research perspectives are
heard.
Attracting scientists with a diversity of backgrounds and expertise
will allow NOAA to approach research questions from new perspectives.
I also take a moment to acknowledge NOAA's recent appointment of Dr.
Sarah Kapnick as NOAA's chief scientist. Dr. Kapnick has a rich
background that includes experience as a physical scientist at NOAA and
more recently in the private sector. She embodies many of the qualities
identified for consideration in a chief scientist that this bill
requires, and I congratulate her on her selection.
I also thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill) and the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Feenstra) for working together to introduce
this bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill's
passage.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3952, the NOAA
Chief Scientist Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA to most
of us, has a broad mission that includes monitoring and conserving our
coasts, strengthening fisheries, forecasting severe weather, and
improving emergency management. That is just a small sample of what
they do.
Their work either involves directly conducting research or using
research to inform how they can provide the best services to American
industries and communities. That is why the position of chief scientist
at NOAA is so important. The chief scientist is tasked with advising
the NOAA administrator, providing direction for NOAA's science and
technology policies, and leading scientific integrity efforts.
This bill doesn't create a new role for the chief scientist at NOAA.
That position has been utilized by the agency for a long time now.
Instead, in recognition of how important it is for the agency to have a
chief scientist, this bill simply makes that role's existing
responsibilities into law.
It also ensures that the position will never be vacant for long by
creating a process for naming an acting chief scientist when the role
is empty. And having an office support staff for the chief scientist
will make sure critical activities don't slip through the cracks.
We rely on NOAA to perform critical R&D and to implement sound
scientific policies. Doing so requires capable scientific research, and
this bill ensures that NOAA will always have that. It is especially
timely, given that earlier this month Sarah Kapnick was named to the
role of chief scientist at NOAA. I wish her luck there. I hope she will
continue NOAA's long history of scientific excellence.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to close.
Madam Speaker, the NOAA Chief Scientist Act is smart legislation that
codifies an important existing role at NOAA.
A scientific agency needs scientific leadership, and H.R. 3952
ensures that NOAA will always have that in place.
I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), the chair of
our Environment Subcommittee, for introducing this bill. I also thank
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Feenstra), the ranking member of the
Research and Technology Subcommittee, for leading the Republican side.
Madam Speaker, this is a smart, simple bill, and I urge my colleagues
to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3952,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise I support of H.R. 3952,
the NOAA Chief Scientist Act, as amended. This bill takes measures to
better support and define the role of the Chief Scientist at the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
One of my great priorities as Chairwoman of the Science Committee has
been reinforcing the importance of scientific integrity across our
federal science agencies. The NOAA Chief Scientist Act prioritizes
scientific integrity at the highest levels of leadership at NOAA by
requiring the Chief Scientist to publicly acknowledge his or her
commitment to agency scientific integrity policies. Scientific
integrity and transparency are integral to ensuring federal agencies
can maintain their status as trusted resources to Americans.
This bill lays out qualifications for the Chief Scientist, as this
role should be held by someone with expertise and experience in the
field. This bill includes additional provisions that would support the
expanded role of the Chief Scientist and make the science and
technology activities of the agency transparent and accessible to the
public.
This bipartisan bill was introduced by Representative Sherrill of New
Jersey and Representative Feenstra from Iowa, who worked together on
its provisions. I am proud of the Science Committee's work this
Congress to develop scientifically sound, bipartisan legislation. I am
pleased to be a cosponsor of a bill that advances scientific integrity
at NOAA and urge my colleagues to support it.
I include in the Record an exchange of letters on H.R. 3952 sent
between the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the
Committee on Natural Resources.
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, May 24, 2022.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Longworth House
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing you concerning H.R.
3952, the ``NOAA Chief Scientist Act'' which was referred to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and
sequentially to the Committee on Natural Resources. I
appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
bill. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural
Resources. I acknowledge that you will waive further
consideration of H.R. 3952, that this action is not a waiver
of future jurisdictional claims by the Committee on Natural
Resources over this subject matter.
I will make sure to include a copy of our exchange of
letters in the Congressional Record and will support the
appointment of conferees from the Committee on Natural
Resources during any House-Senate conference involving this
legislation. Thank you for your cooperation on this
legislation.
Sincerely,
Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, May 24, 2022.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chair, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Johnson: In recognition of the goal of
expediting consideration of H.R. 3952, the ``NOAA Chief
Scientist Act,'' the Committee on Natural Resources agrees to
waive formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that
fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on
Natural Resources.
The Committee on Natural Resources takes this action with
the mutual understanding that, in doing so, we do not waive
any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or
similar legislation, and that the Committee will be
appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar
legislation moves forward so that we may address any
remaining issues within our jurisdiction. Our Committee also
reserves the right to seek appointment of conferees to any
House-Senate conference involving this or similar
legislation.
I also ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this
matter be included in the Congressional Record. I appreciate
your cooperation regarding this legislation and look
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forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves
through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Raul M. Grijalva,
Chair, House Natural Resources Committee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3952, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________