[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7408-7482]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              AMERICA COMPETES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 1806.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Denham). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 271 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 1806.
  The Chair appoints the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Yoder) to preside 
over the Committee of the Whole.

                              {time}  1519


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 1806) to provide for technological innovation through the 
prioritization of Federal investment in basic research, fundamental 
scientific discovery, and development to improve the competitiveness of 
the United States, and for other purposes, with Mr. Yoder in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2015, a pro-science, fiscally responsible bill 
that sets America on a path to remain the world's leader in innovation.
  This bill reauthorizes civilian research programs at the National 
Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
the Department of Energy, and the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. H.R. 1806 prioritizes basic research and development, while 
staying within the caps set by the Budget Control Act.
  America's businesses rely on government support for basic research to 
produce the scientific breakthroughs that spur technological 
innovation, jump-start new industries, and spur economic growth. Title 
I of the bill reauthorizes the National Science Foundation for 2 years 
and provides a 4.3 percent increase for research and related 
activities.
  The bill prioritizes funding for the Directorates of Biological 
Sciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, 
Engineering, and Mathematics and Physical Sciences and recognizes the 
need to make strategic investments in basic R&D for the U.S. to remain 
the global leader in science and innovation. The bill reprioritizes 
research spending at NSF by cutting funding for the Directorate for 
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences and the Directorate for 
Geosciences.
  Federal budget restraints require all taxpayers' dollars to be spent 
on high-value science in the national interest. Unfortunately, NSF has 
funded a number of projects that do not meet the highest standards of 
scientific merit, from climate change musicals, to evaluating animal 
photographs in National Geographic, to studying human-set fires in New 
Zealand in the 1800s. There are dozens of other examples.
  The bill ensures accountability by restoring the original intent of 
the 1950 NSF Act and requiring that all grants serve the ``national 
interest.'' The NSF has endorsed this goal.
  Title II represents the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's 
commitment to enhancing STEM education programs. A healthy and viable 
STEM workforce is critical to American industries and ensures our 
future economic prosperity.
  The definition of STEM is expanded to include computer science, which 
connects all STEM subjects. The bill also creates an advisory panel on 
STEM education to ensure outside stakeholders have a role in assessing 
the Federal STEM education portfolio.
  Title III includes three bipartisan bills the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee approved in March. Those bills, H.R. 1119, the 
Research and Development Efficiency Act; H.R. 1156, the International 
Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2015; and H.R. 1162, the 
Science Prize Competitions Act, passed the committee by voice vote. Two 
of these were sponsored by the Democrats.
  Title IV supports the important measurement, standards, and 
technology work taking place at the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology laboratories, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
program, and the recently authorized Network for Manufacturing 
Innovation.
  Measurement science conducted at NIST contributes to industrial 
competitiveness by supporting the technical infrastructure and 
advancements for nanotechnology, global positioning systems, material 
sciences, cybersecurity, health information technology, and a variety 
of other fields.
  Title V reauthorizes the Department of Energy Office of Science for 2 
years, at a 5.4 percent increase over fiscal year 2015. It prioritizes 
basic research that enables researchers in all 50 States to have access 
to world-class user facilities, including supercomputers and high-
intensity light sources.
  This bill also prevents duplication and requires DOE to certify that 
its climate science work is unique and not being undertaken by another 
Federal agency.
  Title VI reauthorizes the DOE applied research and development 
programs and activities for fiscal year 2016 and 2017. They include the 
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the Office of 
Nuclear Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
the Office of Fossil

[[Page 7409]]

Energy, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.
  H.R. 1806 refocuses some spending on late-stage commercialization 
efforts within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to 
research and development efforts.
  The bill requires DOE to provide a regular strategic analysis of 
science and technology activities within the Department, identifying 
key areas for collaboration across science and applied research 
programs.
  Title VII proposes to cut red tape and bureaucracy in the DOE 
technology transfer process. It allows contractor-operators at DOE 
national laboratories to work with the private sector more efficiently 
by delegating signature authority to the directors of the labs 
themselves, rather than to DOE contracting officers, for cooperative 
agreements valued at less than $1 million.
  This title also requires DOE to assess its capability to authorize, 
host, and oversee privately funded fusion research and the next 
generation fission reactor prototypes. Currently, the private sector 
has little incentive to build reactor prototypes due to regulatory 
uncertainty from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
  In summary, Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1806 sets the right priorities for 
Federal civilian research, which enhances innovation and U.S. 
competitiveness without adding to the Federal deficit and debt.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Today, I must unfortunately rise in opposition to the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act. It is unfortunate because I was a strong 
supporter of both the original COMPETES Act, as well as the 2010 
reauthorization.
  Both of those bills passed with bipartisan support, and both bills 
reflected the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences' 
groundbreaking 2005 report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.''
  It is worth reflecting on what the National Academy's panel found and 
why they made the recommendations they did.
  First, the panel that wrote the report was composed of a 
distinguished group of individuals from industry, academia, and 
science; and it was headed by the former Lockheed CEO Norm Augustine.
  The panel noted that much of America's economic growth and success in 
the decades following World War II was the direct result of our 
Nation's sustained investment in research and development. However, 
they noted that a gathering storm was approaching. America's economic 
and military competitors around the world had begun to catch up with 
our Nation's technological lead.
  Moreover, research and development budgets in the United States were 
stagnating. The panel determined that America was sorely in need of a 
recommitment to research and development in order to maintain our 
competitive edge.
  The Augustine panel gave specific recommendations that we increase 
R&D spending, revitalize STEM education across the country, and also 
create and support a new ARPA-E for breakthrough energy research 
modeled on the renowned DARPA program at the Department of Defense.
  The original COMPETES Act implemented these recommendations across 
the board. Supporting this bill was one of the highlights of my two 
decades of service here in Congress.
  I have highlighted this history because it is important to understand 
what we are doing here today and why these issues are so important. 
Since 2010, when we passed the last COMPETES reauthorization, R&D 
spending in America has begun to stagnate again and, by some measures, 
even declined.
  In the meantime, our economic competitors have doubled down on their 
investments in research and development. Over the past decade, China 
has averaged a 23 percent increase in R&D spending each year. Perhaps, 
not surprisingly, in 2014, China overtook the United States to become 
the world's largest economic power.
  The crisis that the Augustine committee warned us about in 2005 has 
now arrived.

                              {time}  1530

  What is the response of our majority to this crisis? Absolutely 
nothing. That is what is in H.R. 1806: absolutely nothing.
  H.R. 1806 completely abandons the recommendations of the Augustine 
committee and the original COMPETES Act. It abandons the legacy of 
COMPETES by flat-funding R&D investments. It abandons the legacy by 
slashing funding for the very ARPA-E program envisioned by this 
committee, the Augustine committee. It abandons that legacy by 
politicizing the scientific grant-making process and pitting different 
research disciplines against each other.
  I want to be clear about what it is that this majority is abandoning. 
They are abandoning our future.
  America is the greatest nation on Earth, but our greatness is not 
guaranteed. We have to work for it. We have to do the things that are 
necessary to ensure a bright future for our country. That means making 
the same kinds of investments in science and technology that previous 
generations made. Our predecessors understood what was at stake. They 
made a commitment to invest in research and development and science 
education, and we still benefit from those past investments today.
  The world is not standing still. If we do not recommit to our 
investments in science education, research, and development, we will be 
surpassed.
  The bill before us fails to secure our Nation's future, and for that 
reason, I must strenuously oppose it.
  I am not alone in my opposition. We have received more than 40 
letters or statements of concern or outright opposition from over 70 
different groups, including the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, the Association of American Universities, the 
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Business Council 
for Sustainable Energy, the Coalition for National Science Funding, the 
STEM Education Coalition, the Truman National Security Project, and 
many, many others. I will put the full list of these organizations in 
the Record at this time.


   75 organizations in opposition to h.r. 1806, the america competes 
                      reauthorization act of 2015

       1. Alliance to Save Energy
       2. American Academy of Political and Social Science
       3. American Anthropological Association
       4. American Association for the Advancement of Science
       5. American Association of Petroleum Geologists
       6. American Association of Physics Teachers
       7. American Educational Research Association
       8. American Geophysical Union
       9. American Geosciences Institute
       10. American Institute of Biological Sciences
       11. American Institute of Physics
       12. American Meteorological Society
       13. American Physical Society
       14. American Political Science Association
       15. American Psychological Association
       16. American Society for Microbiology
       17. American Sociological Association
       18. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
       19. Association for the Sciences of Limnology and 
     Oceanography
       20. Association of American Universities
       21. Association of Population Centers
       22. Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
       23. AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and 
     Processing
       24. Biophysical Society
       25. Business Council for Sustainable Energy
       26. Center for Small Business and the Environment
       27. Clay Minerals Society
       28. Coalition for National Science Funding
       29. Computing Research Association
       30. Consortium for Ocean Leadership
       31. Consortium of Social Science Associations
       32. Council of Undergraduate Research
       33. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
       34. Earth Day Network
       35. Ecological Society of America
       36. Energy Sciences Coalition
       37. Environment America
       38. Environment and Energy Study Institute
       39. Environmental Defense Fund
       40. Federation of American Societies for Experimental 
     Biology

[[Page 7410]]


       41. Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain 
     Sciences
       42. Geological Society of America
       43. Incorporated Institutions for Seismology
       44. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
       45. Law and Society Association
       46. League of Conservation Voters
       47. Learning and Education Academic Research Network
       48. Michigan State University
       49. National Association of Geoscience Teachers
       50. National Association of Marine Laboratories
       51. National Cave and Karst Research Institute
       52. National Ground Water Association
       53. Natural Resources Defense Council
       54. Nobel Laureates
       55. Ohio State University
       56. Paleontological Research Institution
       57. Pew
       58. Population Association of America
       59. Princeton University
       60. Research!America
       61. Seismological Society of America
       62. Sierra Club
       63. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.
       64. Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists
       65. Soil Science Society of America
       66. STEM Education Coalition
       67. Taskforce on American Innovation
       68. The Optical Society
       69. Truman National Security Project--Operation Free
       70. Union of Concerned Scientists
       71. United States Permafrost Association
       72. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
       73. University of Colorado at Boulder
       74. University of Michigan
       75. Wayne State University.

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Again, I strongly, strongly 
oppose this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Weber), who is the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee 
of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. I thank Chairman Smith for yielding me time to 
speak on this important legislation that is on the floor today.
  Mr. Chair, H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
2015, authorizes the science and energy research programs at the 
Department of Energy, providing funding for research and development 
conducted in our universities and national labs across the country.
  DOE is the largest Federal supporter of basic research in the 
physical sciences and provides user facilities for over 31,000 
scientific researchers each year.
  The America COMPETES Act prioritizes funding for the Office of 
Science, which conducts critical research in high energy physics, 
advanced scientific computing, biological and environmental research, 
nuclear physics, fusion energy sciences, and basic energy sciences.
  This basic R&D has broad applications for our economy and for our 
national security, providing tools and user facilities for researchers 
in all energy fields.
  The America COMPETES Act also reauthorizes the Department's applied 
energy programs in nuclear energy, fossil energy, energy efficiency and 
renewable energy, and electricity research and development.
  By prioritizing research and development in these programs, we can 
maximize Federal dollars and leave commercialization and deployment to 
the private sector, Mr. Chairman, which has the most incentive to bring 
new, cost-effective, and efficient technologies to market.
  This legislation is fiscally responsible and cuts funding to lower-
priority and duplicative programs like EERE, which has grown by almost 
60 percent in the last decade. With our national debt of $18 trillion 
and rising, Congress must prioritize fundamental research to lay the 
foundation for the next technological breakthrough.
  We simply cannot afford to spend limited Federal dollars on promoting 
today's technology. This is so yesterday when we do that. Instead of 
duplicating work that could be done in the private sector, the America 
COMPETES Act prioritizes basic research and development with broad 
application to all forms of energy and energy efficiencies.
  Mr. Chairman, over the past 5 months, the Science Committee has held 
hearings on the Department of Energy research and development for 
advanced nuclear reactors, high-performance computing, energy 
efficiency and renewable energy, energy storage, and the Department of 
Energy budget proposal. With limited time, this Science Committee in 
this Congress has conducted five hearings in support of this 
legislation, prioritizing oversight of the DOE programs authorized in 
this bill.
  By supporting the America COMPETES Act, Congress can promote 
fundamental research, build a foundation for the private sector to 
bring innovative new technologies to market, and grow the American 
economy.
  I urge my colleagues to support the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I now yield 3 
minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, it is actually quite disappointing that we 
are here at this point today. And I join the ranking member and our 
colleagues on this side of the aisle in opposing this harmful 
antiscience bill, H.R. 1806.
  When I first came into Congress, I was excited because we were 
actually working on reauthorizing the COMPETES Act. We were making 
investments in important research and development and technologies for 
the 21st century. And we were doing that in a bipartisan fashion based 
on bipartisan scientific and research-based recommendations. But that 
is not where we are today.
  H.R. 1806 contains severe funding cuts to the Department of Energy, 
including cutting close to one-third of the budget of the Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and half the budget of ARPA-E. 
In fact, you could argue that this is not an investment in the 21st 
century at all: it is a throwback bill to the 20th century.
  These cuts are going to cripple our Nation's research into high-
impact technologies to generate, store, and use energy and will harm 
our ability to compete successfully with other countries.
  The bill also contains many harmful provisions restricting the 
Department of Energy, such as a provision preventing the results of any 
Department of Energy-supported fossil fuel energy research and 
development from being ``used for regulatory assessments or 
determinations by Federal regulatory authorities.'' That would 
essentially bar the EPA or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
from using the most current research results when they set rules to 
protect our air, our land, and our water.
  How unfortunate that this antiscience bill also includes a misguided 
attempt to impose a level of political review on the National Science 
Foundation's gold-standard merit review system.
  This is the National Science Foundation, not a political 
organization.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield the gentlewoman an 
additional 1 minute.
  Ms. EDWARDS. This is a dangerous proposal that would stifle the kind 
of high-risk, outside-the-box thinking that has put the United States 
on the cutting edge of scientific research.
  If this bill were to become law, it would eliminate valuable and 
scientifically sound research on climate change within the Department 
of Energy under the guise of a cost-cutting measure.
  After all, Mr. Chairman, isn't that what this is about? It is about 
the other side just not believing in climate change, despite the 
science.
  In addition to all of the dangerous and harmful things that this bill 
does do, it lacks any substantively helpful provisions in a number of 
areas.
  I actually proposed an amendment that would simply look at our 21st 
century workforce by supporting research at minority-serving 
institutions, growing STEM fields for young people who we know have to 
go into the 21st century workforce. It flat-funds the education 
directorate at the National Science Foundation.

[[Page 7411]]

  I can't think of anything more harmful than doing a COMPETES 
legislation that is, at its core, the most anticompetitive legislation 
that could be put on this floor. It is a danger to the 21st century.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to 
the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), who is the majority whip.
  Mr. SCALISE. I thank my colleague, the chairman from Texas, for 
yielding and for his leadership in bringing the America COMPETES Act to 
the floor.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the America COMPETES Act. 
If you look at what we are trying to do here, we want America to 
maintain our competitive edge, to create good-paying jobs here at home. 
But to do that, we need to invest wisely and responsibly in basic 
scientific research.
  After years of overspending and the administration expanding programs 
way beyond the core missions of the National Science Foundation and the 
Department of Energy, the COMPETES Act prioritizes taxpayer dollars to 
support basic research in biology, chemistry, math, engineering, and 
computer science. American taxpayers' dollars are being spent on 
programs that do not meet the national interest or help invest in our 
future.
  I want to point out some of the wasteful spending that is being 
eliminated by this legislation, the America COMPETES Act.
  Mr. Chairman, $340,000 of taxpayer money is being spent to study 
human-set fires in New Zealand in the 1800s--taxpayer dollars here in 
America are being spent on that; $50,000 to study civil lawsuits in 
Peru from 1600 to 1700; $487,000 to study textiles and gender in 
Iceland from 874-1800, during the Viking era; $697,000 for ``The Great 
Immensity,'' a musical about climate change.
  This is what taxpayer dollars are being spent on, Mr. Chairman, at a 
time when Americans are tightening their belts and are looking to 
Washington to do what they are doing in being fiscally responsible.
  This refocuses what we are supposed to be trying to do to promote 
science, to promote computer science, as a computer scientist, the 
things that are going to help American workers be successful--not all 
of this foolishness that is wasting taxpayer money. It is a great bill 
that actually prioritizes the taxpayer dollars of this country. I urge 
my colleagues to pass it.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act, which is an attempt to disinvest, in my view, in research, 
innovation, and education at a time when we ought to be investing in 
those areas even more greatly.
  This bill places our competitiveness at a serious risk over the long 
term. The public must be awfully confused, I understand, by both sides 
claiming that they are enhancing research. Many interest groups, 
however, disagree with our Republican friends.
  I had hoped that this year's COMPETES legislation would have been 
written so that we could continue the tradition of the strong 
bipartisan support that it received in 2007 and 2010. Overwhelmingly, 
Republicans voted for these bills initially and the reauthorization.
  Unfortunately, the severe cuts and partisan policy changes it makes 
preclude that from happening. The Republicans who wrote this 
legislation have decided that they know better than America's 
scientists and innovators. They arbitrarily pick and choose research 
programs they like at the expense of those they ideologically oppose--
in other words, not peer review but political review. And they cut key 
areas of research far below the levels appropriated for fiscal year 
2015, including the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program and R&D 
for renewable energy technologies.
  How ironic that we have an R&D bill on the floor and they are cutting 
R&D technology here.
  Furthermore, this bill would slash our investments in the cutting 
edge ARPA-E program by 50 percent, which funds high-risk and high-
reward research in energy technologies that might not otherwise be 
pursued.
  Now, of course, if global warming is not an issue, who cares.
  This bill, though called the America COMPETES Act, really ought to be 
titled the Everyone Else Competes Act because it will cause us to fall 
farther and farther behind our overseas competitors, who are already 
far outpacing us in how much they invest in science and technology 
research.
  Alongside this bill today, the House also is considering a bill that 
tries to do something many of us agree ought to be done but it does it 
in a fiscally irresponsible way. I am opposing and urge my colleagues 
to oppose making the R&D tax credit permanent because we ought to pay 
for it, Mr. Chairman--not make our children and grandchildren pay for 
it.
  Over and over and over again, the Republicans claim that the tax cuts 
that they are passing will pay for themselves. I came here in 1981. 
That was the claim. Under President Reagan, we increased the debt 189 
percent.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield the gentleman from 
Maryland an additional 1 minute.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. HOYER. Now, Bush did better after 2001 and 2003. He only 
increased the deficit 87 percent, or almost three times that increased 
under President Clinton; and none of the tax cuts ended up paying for 
themselves, and Greenspan said so.
  Since the beginning of this Congress, Republicans have brought to the 
floor and passed nine tax cuts. It is so easy to vote for tax cuts. It 
is so hard to pay for what we are buying. And that is why we have a 
deficit, because we do not pay for what we buy.
  Today the House is being asked to vote on another unpaid-for tax 
extender that, on its own, would increase the deficit by $182 billion. 
That is a total of $586 billion--over half a trillion dollars--that 
Republicans are proposing to add to the deficit this year.
  We have heard Republicans argue that making the R&D tax credit 
permanent would benefit the economy.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield the 
gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. HOYER. They are right about that, and I support the R&D being 
made permanent--if we pay for it. That is a principle the American 
public expects us to pursue. Many Democrats agree as well.
  However, what will be an even greater benefit to the economy is for 
Congress to set aside the misguided mantra that tax cuts pay for 
themselves and, instead, put America's fiscal house in order. Let's 
start a real conversation about fixing our broken Tax Code in a 
fiscally sustainable way. Passing this R&D tax credit will undermine 
that effort.
  I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who care deeply 
about fiscal sustainability, about tax reform, and about economic 
competitiveness to oppose these bills.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Knight), an active member of the Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the America COMPETES 
Act, and I would like to thank the chair for his leadership in this 
field.
  Mr. Chairman, today the Federal Government spends about $3 billion 
across STEM education efforts. This bill creates a new STEM education 
advisory panel to provide feedback and advise the President and Federal 
agencies with STEM programs to better inform plans and budgets. The 
bill directs that STEM education efforts are to be coordinated across 
the Federal Government to limit duplication. Industry also recognizes 
the benefits of STEM. This is evidenced by its support of various STEM 
programs with equipment, facilities, and volunteers.

[[Page 7412]]

  In my district alone, aerospace thrives with high-technical, high-
paying jobs. Without STEM, without reaching out with STEM education, we 
don't get those folks to jump in there. We have to talk about other 
things like visas and bringing people in for these types of jobs 
instead of working with our kids to get them educated and moving toward 
a good career.
  This bill provides for grants for research on STEM programming that 
engages underrepresented students. Again, in my district, we have the 
Lancaster Robotics Team. It started more than 10 years ago. When it 
started, it was about 2 percent women, or 2 percent girls; today it is 
over 40 percent. Forty percent of the Lancaster Robotics Team is girls 
working towards a STEM degree, working towards an engineering degree, a 
mathematics degree, and a computer science degree. Again, aerospace 
brings many of the highest paying and most technical jobs not just to 
my district, but to this country.
  Mr. Chairman, STEM education is not just a buzzword; it is something 
that actually works. STEM education is the lifeblood for what we do in 
a high technical society. If we don't do it, someone else will. We 
should do it right here in America. I ask for an ``aye'' vote.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).
  Mr. TONKO. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1806, the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act. The original COMPETES Act was visionary 
in its commitment to increased R&D funding, and I strongly believe we 
should continue to increase funding for worthwhile investments in our 
Nation's future. However, I have serious concerns with this bill that 
the majority has offered.
  In 2010, as a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 
I had the opportunity to work on a truly bipartisan reauthorization of 
COMPETES. We worked together and chose to make certain that we innovate 
and we made certain that we would compete.
  This year I returned to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 
excited to again work on a smart and targeted COMPETES reauthorization. 
Unfortunately, there was no bipartisan process, and the result is a 
bill that does not live up to the original COMPETES vision. It would be 
more appropriately named the ``America Concedes'' bill. Why? Because at 
a time when the rest of the world is taking extraordinary steps to 
innovate, this bill would have America do the opposite. Its efforts are 
misguided, at the least. Major areas of research are not adequately 
funded, and the policy changes would take us in the wrong direction.
  Mr. Chair, I am concerned by the majority's fixation on allocating 
funding for NSF by directorate. This creates a dangerous precedent in 
denying NSF adequate flexibility and instead places political whims 
ahead of the need to independently foster true innovative research. I 
am also concerned by the effort to impose political review on NSF's 
gold-standard merit review system. The scientific community in our 
Nation and around the world agrees that NSF's review system works, and 
works very well. So why would we make it more difficult to encourage 
high risk, high rewards research?
  Instead, we should be increasing research funding, providing NSF the 
appropriate flexibility to fund innovative research, and we should be 
investing in a sustained commitment to STEM education. My district 
needs and deserves STEM as an education process. It doesn't want simple 
buzzwords. It wants a real STEM education effort.
  As a nation, we are woefully underproducing scientists and engineers. 
In order to remain a competitive global economic power in the 21st 
century, we must place a strong focus on STEM education. Instead, this 
bill provides flat funding for STEM education along with increased 
administrative burdens. That is not a commitment to STEM education. In 
practical terms, it is a decrease in funding.
  I am also concerned by the cuts in funding for the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program and by the strike in funding for the 
National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, or NNMI. These 
initiatives are smart investments and opportunities for our Nation to 
truly collaborate, to compete, and to be truly cutting-edge. This bill 
denies our American pioneer spirit.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield the 
gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. TONKO. This bill also makes huge cuts to funding for Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy research and development as well as the 
funding for ARPA-E. These cuts ignore the reality that a modern society 
needs energy, and the only way we are going to meet our energy 
challenge is through smart investments in research and development.
  Energy is essential to our economy, and if we pull back resources and 
do not invest, we will put our economic and national security at risk. 
We will also not meet the energy challenge if we blindly ignore 
existing research and refuse to access the most up-to-date information.
  We also cannot solve our budget deficit with these types of cuts. In 
fact, they are more likely to make the problem worse. The best way to 
reduce our budget deficit is by fostering new businesses and industries 
that generate economic wealth, revenue, and jobs, and the fuel for that 
task is research and development. We are missing a golden opportunity 
with this measure. For these reasons I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this bill does not touch merit 
review.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Babin), who is a valuable member of the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1806, 
the America COMPETES Act.
  Mr. Chairman, when the American people pay their taxes, they expect 
their tax dollars to be spent effectively and efficiently. Too often 
that has not been the case across government, and there is nothing 
worse than seeing taxes taken out of their paychecks and wasted. Not 
only is that fiscally irresponsible, it is insulting to the taxpayers.
  The bill before us is fiscally responsible and takes important steps 
to cut wasteful spending. Traditionally, when the National Science 
Foundation was mentioned, Americans thought of hard sciences--basic 
research, advanced technologies in biology, engineering, mathematics, 
and the physical sciences. It is investments in these fields that 
advance American technology and help the United States maintain its 
competitive edge.
  Unfortunately, some recent National Science Foundation expenditures 
have brought widespread criticism to the NSF and its priorities. There 
was the expenditure, for example, of $856,000 on a grant to teach three 
captive mountain lions how to use a treadmill. NSF spent another 
$387,000 on a mechanical device that simulates Swedish massages for 
rabbits. This is unquestionably a waste of taxpayer money, particularly 
when we are over $18 trillion in debt.
  Our bill cuts spending on lower priority government social and 
behavioral programs at the National Science Foundation by 45 percent, 
saving taxpayer dollars and setting a higher priority on the harder 
sciences. The American people want Washington to be responsible with 
their money, and when Federal agencies get out of hand, they need to be 
reined in, and our bill does just that.
  I want to thank Chairman Smith and his staff for their hard work and 
leadership on this bill, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting it.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman 
from Texas for yielding.
  Bentley University is a renowned business school in my district, and

[[Page 7413]]

when a class from Bentley visited me just a few weeks ago, they were 
advocating for a critical underpinning of our economy. These students 
came to discuss the importance of funding the geosciences in the NSF. 
Why? Because it is good business.
  These students and the business community understand the critical 
role that geoscience has in disaster resilience, helping us to address 
drought, looking at solar storms that can cripple our electric grid, 
impacts on fisheries and ocean health, and in maintaining agriculture 
and in healthy soil.
  Business leaders know that extreme weather like hurricanes, droughts, 
tornadoes, and landslides result in billions of dollars in damage, and 
by using what we learn from geoscience, we can identify ways to 
mitigate these costs and save us money. Business leaders understand 
this connection, so why doesn't Congress?
  Rather than support investment in geoscience research, this 
legislation specifically targets it for drastic cuts in funding. 
Climate change is real. Human activity contributes to it, and it is bad 
for the bottom line. It is irresponsible for us to cut funding for 
research that helps us understand what is happening and how to address 
it.
  Adequately funding geoscience research is critical to protecting and 
growing our economy and to the security of the American people. Let's 
vote for our economy, let's vote for our security, and let's reject 
this bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Mr. Chairman, as set forth in the report that accompanied the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee approval of the America 
COMPETES Act, NSF will maintain full funding for research in the hard 
science areas of geoscience like deep-ocean drilling and geological 
research to find new energy resources. What our bill does do is reduce 
funds that have been used by NSF to fund low priorities like a survey 
of Norwegian tourism, teaching TV meteorologists about climate change, 
and creating climate change video games.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
McCaul), my colleague and the chairman of the Homeland Security 
Committee.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of reauthorization 
of the America COMPETES Act. In this tough budget environment, I 
applaud Chairman Smith and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee 
for crafting a bill that provides for much-needed investments in 
scientific research in a fiscally responsible manner. By setting 
priorities and eliminating duplicative activities, we are actually able 
to increase funding for new and promising research while keeping 
overall spending constant.
  This bill is designed to secure America's premier status in 
scientific and technological advancement in several ways. First, it 
improves our STEM education programs by adding computer sciences to the 
definition of STEM education, which will allow these programs to be 
used to train the next generation of high-tech workers and 
cybersecurity professionals. As our high-tech sector continues to 
expand in places like my hometown of Austin, it is important to make 
sure that we are producing enough qualified workers to fill these jobs.
  Second, this bill also helps researchers at our national labs 
commercialize their discoveries by removing bureaucratic obstacles. 
This will bring innovative new products to market faster, encouraging 
job creation and private sector investment.
  Most importantly, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act provides a 
substantial increase in funding for research activities at the National 
Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
and the Department of Energy. This will allow the scientists at our 
universities, such as the University of Texas, to advance our 
understanding of the physical world and provide the foundation for 
future innovations by business and new entrepreneurs.
  I urge strong support of this bill.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Chairman. I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ted Lieu).
  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to oppose the 
America COMPETES Act in part because it cuts over $62 million of 
funding to the hard science of studying the effects of climate change.
  The effects of climate change are not a partisan issue. We know that 
our sea levels have risen by over 6.7 inches in the last century, and 
they have accelerated in the last decade. Rising sea levels affect not 
just Democratic districts; it also affects Republican districts.
  We can measure with precision that we have had, over 20 years, the 
hottest records in terms of temperatures in recorded history having 
occurred since 1980. We know that, in 2012, over 19 States broke the 
hottest records in their States. More extreme weather events and more 
weather uncertainty affect not just red States and blue States and 
purple States, it affects all of America. And that is why, last month, 
former Reagan Secretary of State George Shultz wrote an op-ed in The 
Washington Post saying: Climate change is happening. We need to take 
action on it, and we need to ensure our future against climate change. 
He called it the Reagan way. He said that is what President Reagan 
would have done.
  As you know, this America COMPETES Act, the funding for the hard 
science of the effects of climate change, was put in place under 
President Bush in 2007. Just today, our President announced what the 
U.S. military is saying about climate change.
  I served on Active Duty in the United States Air Force. I am now 19 
years in with the Reserves. One of the amazing strengths of America is 
that our military is nonpartisan, nonideological; and our military 
takes the world as it is, not as they hope it to be. Our military does 
not live in a fantasy world, and they understand that climate change is 
happening. They know it is a national security threat. They are telling 
the American public we need to act on climate change now because we 
can't have flooding of our bases; we can't have droughts and more 
severe weather events that cause conflicts in all the parts of the 
world.
  So I ask the American public to trust former Reagan Secretary of 
State George Shultz, trust President Bush, trust our United States 
military who are saying climate change is a problem. Keep in mind, our 
military relies on hard science and technology and all that makes this 
world possible. So trust our military, and trust everyone who has 
looked at it. Please reject the America COMPETES Act because we need to 
deal with climate change. We need to deal with it now.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), who is a member of the Science Committee 
and also a vice chairman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee.
  Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Chairman, the America COMPETES Act is good 
legislation that will help build a better future for our country. The 
COMPETES Act expands the definition of STEM education to include 
computer science.
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for every computer 
science graduate between 2013 and 2023, there will be two jobs 
available. That is why programs in my district like Go IT, offered free 
of charge to middle and high school students, are so important to 
creating career awareness in computer science and other STEM fields.
  This legislation increases government accountability. It requires the 
National Science Foundation grants meet a national interest standard 
and to publicly justify why they should receive taxpayer dollars. 
Requiring government agencies to prioritize the national interest is 
common sense. It enhances accountability to the American people.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of the America COMPETES Act, and I urge 
my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chair, I have no other speakers at this time 
as

[[Page 7414]]

well, so I will reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Chair, I have no further requests for 
speaking.
  I just urge everyone to vote ``no'' on this bill, and I yield back 
the balance of time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle today would have you 
believe that the only way you can be pro-science is to spend more 
taxpayer money than the Budget Control Act allows. That is 
irresponsible.
  If everything is a priority, then nothing is. Real priorities require 
making real choices.
  If synthetic biology research at NSF is a priority, we should stop 
using the American people's tax dollars to fund reviews of animal 
photographs in National Geographic magazine. If robotics and batteries 
are priorities, we should not continue to spend taxpayer dollars on 
climate change musicals.
  H.R. 1806 proves that we can set priorities, make tough choices, and 
still invest more in breakthrough research and innovation.
  I thank the members of the Science Committee who provided valuable 
input into H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015; 
and that includes the cosponsors of the bill: Committee Vice Chairman 
Frank Lucas; all of our subcommittee chairs, Barbara Comstock, Randy 
Weber, Barry Loudermilk, and Jim Bridenstine; as well as 
Representatives Steve Palazzo, Randy Hultgren, Steve Knight, Brian 
Babin, and John Moolenaar.
  I urge the adoption of this pro-science, fiscally responsible bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to enter into the Record an exchange of 
letters between the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the 
Committees on Education and the Workforce, Oversight and Government 
Reform, and Energy and Commerce.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the 
           Workforce
                                      Washington, DC, May 4, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House 
         of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to confirm our mutual 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015. Thank you for consulting with 
     the Committee on Education and the Workforce with regard to 
     H.R. 1806 on those matters within the Committee's 
     jurisdiction.
       In the interest of expediting the House's consideration of 
     H.R. 1806, the Committee on Education and the Workforce will 
     forgo further consideration of this bill. However, I do so 
     only with the understanding this procedural route will not be 
     construed to prejudice my Committee's jurisdictional interest 
     and prerogatives on this bill or any other similar 
     legislation and will not be considered as precedent for 
     consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to my 
     Committee in the future.
       I respectfully request your support for the appointment of 
     outside conferees from the Committee on Education and the 
     Workforce should this bill or a similar bill be considered in 
     a conference with the Senate. I also request you include our 
     exchange of letters on this matter in the Committee Report on 
     H.R. 1806 and in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of this bill on the house Floor. Thank you for 
     your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                       John Kline,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                      Washington, DC, May 4, 2015.
     Hon. John Kline,
     Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, Rayburn 
         House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce's jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 1806, the ``America COMPETES Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015,'' and your willingness to forego consideration 
     of H.R. 1806 by your committee.
       I agree that the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
     has a valid jurisdictional interest in certain provisions of 
     H.R. 1806, and that the Committee's jurisdiction will not be 
     adversely affected by your decision to forego consideration 
     of H.R. 1806. As you have requested, I will support your 
     request for an appropriate appointment of outside conferees 
     from your Committee in the event of a House-Senate conference 
     on this or similar legislation should such a conference be 
     convened.
       Finally, I will include a copy of your letter and this 
     response in the Committee Report and in the Congressional 
     Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you 
     again for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and 
           Government Reform,
                                      Washington, DC, May 4, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith, 
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning H.R. 1806, the 
     America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. As you know, 
     the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology received an 
     original referral and the Committee on Oversight and 
     Government Reform a secondary referral when the bill was 
     introduced on April 15, 2015. I recognize and appreciate your 
     desire to bring this legislation before the House of 
     Representatives in an expeditious manner, and accordingly, 
     the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will forego 
     action on the bill.
       The Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 1806 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation. Further, I 
     request your support for the appointment of conferees from 
     the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during any 
     House-Senate conference convened on this or related 
     legislation.
       Finally, I would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters 
     on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, as well as in 
     the Congressional Record during floor consideration, to 
     memorialize our understanding.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Jason Chaffetz,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                      Washington, DC, May 4, 2015.
     Hon. Jason Chaffetz, 
     Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding the 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 1806, the ``America COMPETES Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015,'' and your willingness to forego consideration 
     of H.R. 1806 by your committee.
       I agree that the Committee on Oversight and Government 
     Reform has a valid jurisdictional interest in certain 
     provisions of H.R. 1806, and that the Committee's 
     jurisdiction will not be adversely affected by your decision 
     to forego consideration of H.R. 1806. As you have requested, 
     I will support your request for an appropriate appointment of 
     outside conferees from your Committee in the event of a 
     House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation should 
     such a conference be convened.
       Finally, I will include a copy of your letter and this 
     response in the Committee Report and in the Congressional 
     Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you 
     again for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman,
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2015.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interest in 
     H.R. 1806, the ``America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
     2015,'' and your willingness to forego consideration of H.R. 
     1806 by your committee.
       I agree that the Committee on Energy and Commerce has a 
     valid jurisdictional interest in certain provisions of H.R. 
     1806, and that the Committee's jurisdiction will not be 
     adversely affected by your decision to forego consideration 
     of H.R. 1806. As you have requested, I will support your 
     request for an appropriate appointment of outside conferees 
     from your Committee in the event of a House-Senate conference 
     on this or similar legislation should such a conference be 
     convened.
       Finally, I will include a copy of your letter and this 
     response in the Committee Report and in the Congressional 
     Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you 
     again for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
                                                         Chairman.

[[Page 7415]]

     
                                  ____
         House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and 
           Commerce,
                                     Washington, DC, May 11, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: I write in regard to H.R. 1806, 
     America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. As you are 
     aware, the bill was referred to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology, but the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce has a jurisdictional interest in the bill. I wanted 
     to notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will 
     forgo requesting a sequential referral on the bill so that it 
     may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for 
     consideration.
       This is done with the understanding that the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interests over this and 
     similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In 
     addition, the Committee reserves the right to seek conferees 
     on H.R. 1806 and requests your support when such a request is 
     made.
       I would appreciate your response confirming this 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 1806 and ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chair, I would like to submit for the Record my 
strong opposition to H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act of 2015.
  This harmful bill undermines key investments in science and 
innovation, as well as our nation's commitment to world class research, 
including the research that is taking place in my congressional 
district on the Central Coast of California.
  Specifically, this bill cuts several important programs at NSF, 
including research and development related to climate science, natural 
hazards, and renewable energy.
  Furthermore, H.R. 1806 cripples support for international research 
collaborations--an instrumental tool at UC Santa Barbara, which has led 
to groundbreaking research and produced multiple Nobel Prize winners.
  As we move to affirm our nation's leadership in science and 
technology, we should be working in a bipartisan manner to strengthen 
our investments in scientific research--not weaken them.
  This bill is sadly a step backward for American innovation, and I 
urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 1806.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, in 2007, following reports that the United 
States could lose its competitive edge in the global economy, Congress 
came together on a bipartisan basis to boost federal research, spur 
American innovation, and maintain our strength in scientific and 
technological discovery. We reauthorized that bill, again on a 
bipartisan basis, in 2010.
  Unfortunately, today we have a bill on the floor that abandons those 
bipartisan efforts, shortchanges critical research, and unacceptably 
interferes in decision-making at our scientific institutions. It makes 
particularly egregious cuts to climate change research and efforts to 
develop new energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for a 
cleaner energy future. Climate change is real and we are already seeing 
its impacts across the country. But it also provides economic 
opportunity, if we invest in R&D to develop new renewable sources and 
efficiency technologies. This bill would jeopardize American innovation 
in this critical area.
  Today's bill also meddles in decision-making at our federal research 
institutions, decreasing funding at certain directorates at the 
National Science Foundation and imposing new requirements in the grant-
making process. Our science agencies have a robust review process in 
place to fund the most critical research. Politics should have no part 
in that process.
  Unlike earlier America COMPETES bills that were built on broad 
consensus, HR 1806 is opposed by the vast majority of our nation's 
scientific community. I urge my colleagues to listen to these 
scientists and bring forward a bill that invests in American innovation 
and supports the cutting-edge research necessary to maintain our 
leadership in the world.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Poe of Texas). All time for general debate has 
expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment 
under the 5-minute rule.
  In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, printed in the bill, 
it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of 
amendment under the 5-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 114-15. That 
amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read.
  The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as 
follows:

                               H.R. 1806

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America 
     COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

                  TITLE I--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Findings.
Sec. 103. Policy objectives.
Sec. 104. Definitions.
Sec. 105. Accountability and transparency.
Sec. 106. Greater accountability in Federal funding for research.
Sec. 107. Obligation of major research equipment and facilities 
              construction funds.
Sec. 108. Management and oversight of large facilities.
Sec. 109. Whistleblower education.
Sec. 110. Graduate student support.
Sec. 111. Permissible support.
Sec. 112. Expanding STEM opportunities.
Sec. 113. Review of education programs.
Sec. 114. Recompetition of awards.
Sec. 115. Sense of the Congress regarding industry investment in STEM 
              education.
Sec. 116. Misrepresentation of research results.
Sec. 117. Research reproducibility and replication.
Sec. 118. Research grant conditions.
Sec. 119. Computing resources study.
Sec. 120. Scientific breakthrough prizes.
Sec. 121. Rotating personnel.
Sec. 122. Sense of Congress regarding Innovation Corps.
Sec. 123. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies 
              Initiative.
Sec. 124. Noyce scholarship program amendments.
Sec. 125. Informal STEM education.
Sec. 126. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.

      TITLE II--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

Sec. 201. Findings; sense of Congress.
Sec. 202. STEM Education Advisory Panel.
Sec. 203. Committee on STEM Education.
Sec. 204. STEM Education Coordinating Office.

           TITLE III--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 302. Regulatory efficiency.
Sec. 303. Coordination of international science and technology 
              partnerships.
Sec. 304. Alternative research funding models.
Sec. 305. Amendments to prize competitions.
Sec. 306. United States Chief Technology Officer.
Sec. 307. National Research Council study on technology for emergency 
              notifications on university campuses.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Standards and conformity assessment.
Sec. 403. Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.
Sec. 404. Police and security authority.
Sec. 405. Education and outreach.
Sec. 406. Programmatic planning report.
Sec. 407. Assessments by the National Research Council.
Sec. 408. Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Sec. 409. Elimination of obsolete reports.
Sec. 410. Modifications to grants and cooperative agreements.
Sec. 411. Information systems standards consultation.
Sec. 412. United States-Israeli cooperation.

                 TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCIENCE

Sec. 501. Mission.
Sec. 502. Basic energy sciences.
Sec. 503. Advanced scientific computing research.
Sec. 504. High energy physics.
Sec. 505. Biological and environmental research.
Sec. 506. Fusion energy.
Sec. 507. Nuclear physics.
Sec. 508. Science laboratories infrastructure program.
Sec. 509. Domestic manufacturing.
Sec. 510. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 511. Definitions.

    TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

           Subtitle A--Crosscutting Research and Development

Sec. 601. Crosscutting research and development.
Sec. 602. Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan.

[[Page 7416]]

Sec. 603. Strategy for facilities and infrastructure.

 Subtitle B--Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Research and 
                              Development

Sec. 611. Distributed energy and electric energy systems.
Sec. 612. Electric transmission and distribution research and 
              development.

          Subtitle C--Nuclear Energy Research and Development

Sec. 621. Objectives.
Sec. 622. Program objectives study.
Sec. 623. Nuclear energy research and development programs.
Sec. 624. Small modular reactor program.
Sec. 625. Fuel cycle research and development.
Sec. 626. Nuclear energy enabling technologies program.
Sec. 627. Technical standards collaboration.
Sec. 628. Available facilities database.
Sec. 629. Nuclear waste disposal.

    Subtitle D--Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research and 
                              Development

Sec. 641. Energy efficiency.
Sec. 642. Next Generation Lighting Initiative.
Sec. 643. Building standards.
Sec. 644. Secondary electric vehicle battery use program.
Sec. 645. Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program.
Sec. 646. Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers.
Sec. 647. Renewable energy.
Sec. 648. Bioenergy program.
Sec. 649. Concentrating solar power research program.
Sec. 650. Renewable energy in public buildings.

           Subtitle E--Fossil Energy Research and Development

Sec. 661. Fossil energy.
Sec. 662. Coal research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
              application programs.
Sec. 663. High efficiency gas turbines research and development.

          Subtitle F--Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy

Sec. 671. ARPA-E amendments.

              Subtitle G--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 681. Authorization of appropriations.

                        Subtitle H--Definitions

Sec. 691. Definitions.

          TITLE VII--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

                         Subtitle A--In General

Sec. 701. Definitions.
Sec. 702. Savings clause.

       Subtitle B--Innovation Management at Department of Energy

Sec. 711. Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
Sec. 712. Technology transfer and transitions assessment.
Sec. 713. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 714. Nuclear energy innovation.

    Subtitle C--Cross-Sector Partnerships and Grant Competitiveness

Sec. 721. Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program.
Sec. 722. Public-private partnerships for commercialization.
Sec. 723. Inclusion of early-stage technology demonstration in 
              authorized technology transfer activities.
Sec. 724. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education 
              and other nonprofit institutions.
Sec. 725. Participation in the Innovation Corps program.

                    Subtitle D--Assessment of Impact

Sec. 731. Report by Government Accountability Office.

                     TITLE VIII--SENSE OF CONGRESS

Sec. 801. Sense of Congress.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``STEM'' means the subjects of science, 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics;
       (2) the term ``STEM education'' means education in the 
     subjects of STEM, including computer science; and
       (3) the term ``Committee on STEM Education'' means the 
     Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
     Mathematics Education established under section 101 of the 
     America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
     6621).

                  TITLE I--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

     SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $7,597,140,000 for fiscal year 2016.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $6,186,300,000 shall be made available to carry out 
     research and related activities, including--
       (i) $834,800,000 for the Biological Science Directorate;
       (ii) $1,050,000,000 for the Computer and Information 
     Science and Engineering Directorate;
       (iii) $1,034,000,000 for the Engineering Directorate;
       (iv) $1,200,000,000 for the Geosciences Directorate;
       (v) $1,500,000,000 for the Mathematical and Physical 
     Science Directorate;
       (vi) $150,000,000 for the Social, Behavioral, and Economics 
     Directorate, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the National 
     Center for Science and Engineering Statistics;
       (vii) $38,520,000 for the Office of International Science 
     and Engineering;
       (viii) $377,500,000 for Integrative Activities; and
       (ix) $1,480,000 for the United States Arctic Commission;
       (B) $866,000,000 shall be made available for education and 
     human resources;
       (C) $200,310,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $325,000,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,370,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board; and
       (F) $15,160,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $7,597,140,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $6,186,300,000 shall be made available to carry out 
     research and related activities, including--
       (i) $834,800,000 for the Biological Science Directorate;
       (ii) $1,050,000,000 for the Computer and Information 
     Science and Engineering Directorate;
       (iii) $1,034,000,000 for the Engineering Directorate;
       (iv) $1,200,000,000 for the Geosciences Directorate;
       (v) $1,500,000,000 for the Mathematical and Physical 
     Science Directorate;
       (vi) $150,000,000 for the Social, Behavioral, and Economics 
     Directorate, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the National 
     Center for Science and Engineering Statistics;
       (vii) $38,520,000 for the Office of International Science 
     and Engineering;
       (viii) $377,500,000 for Integrative Activities; and
       (ix) $1,480,000 for the United States Arctic Commission;
       (B) $866,000,000 shall be made available for education and 
     human resources;
       (C) $200,310,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $325,000,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,370,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board; and
       (F) $15,160,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.

     SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Taxpayer-supported research investments administered by 
     the Foundation should serve the national interest.
       (2) The Foundation has made major contributions for more 
     than 60 years to strengthen and sustain the Nation's academic 
     research enterprise.
       (3) The economic strength and national security of the 
     United States, and the quality of life of all Americans, are 
     grounded in the Nation's scientific and technological 
     capabilities.
       (4) Providing support for basic research is an investment 
     in our Nation's future security and economic prosperity.
       (5) Congress applauds the Foundation's recognition that 
     wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars is necessary to maintain 
     and ensure the public's trust for funding of fundamental 
     scientific and engineering research.
       (6) Other nations are increasing their public investments 
     in basic research in the physical sciences in order to boost 
     long-term economic growth.
       (7) Longstanding United States leadership in 
     supercomputing, genomics, nanoscience, photonics, quantum 
     physics, and other key technological areas is jeopardized if 
     United States investments in basic research in the natural 
     sciences do not keep pace.
       (8) Redundant regulations and reporting requirements 
     imposed by Federal agencies on research institutions and 
     researchers increase costs by tens of millions of dollars 
     annually.
       (9) The Foundation carries out important functions by 
     supporting basic research in all science and engineering 
     disciplines and in supporting STEM education at all levels.
       (10) The research and education activities of the 
     Foundation promote the discovery, integration, dissemination, 
     and application of new knowledge in service to society and 
     prepare future generations of scientists, mathematicians, and 
     engineers who will be necessary to ensure America's 
     leadership in the global marketplace.
       (11) Many of the complex problems and challenges facing the 
     Nation increasingly require the collaboration of multiple 
     scientific disciplines. The Foundation should continue to 
     emphasize cross-directorate research collaboration and 
     activities to address these issues and encourage 
     interdisciplinary research.
       (12) The Foundation should meet the highest standards of 
     efficiency, transparency, and accountability in its 
     stewardship of public funds.
       (13) The Foundation is charged with the responsibilities--
       (A) to develop and encourage the pursuit of a national 
     policy for the promotion of basic research and education in 
     the sciences;
       (B) to initiate, support, and conduct basic scientific 
     research and to appraise the impact of research on industrial 
     development and the general welfare;

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       (C) to initiate, support, and conduct scientific research 
     activities in connection with matters relating to the 
     national defense, at the request of the Secretary of Defense;
       (D) to award scholarships and graduate fellowships in the 
     sciences;
       (E) to foster the interchange of scientific information 
     among scientists and across scientific disciplines;
       (F) to evaluate scientific research programs undertaken by 
     agencies of the Federal Government, and to correlate the 
     Foundation's scientific research with that undertaken by 
     individuals and by public and private research groups;
       (G) to communicate effectively to American citizens the 
     relevance of public investments in scientific discovery and 
     technological innovation to the Nation's security, 
     prosperity, and welfare; and
       (H) to establish such special commissions as the Board 
     considers necessary.
       (14) The emerging global economic, scientific, and 
     technical environment challenges long standing assumptions 
     about domestic and international policy, requiring the 
     Foundation to play a more proactive role in sustaining the 
     competitive advantage of the United States through superior 
     research capabilities.

     SEC. 103. POLICY OBJECTIVES.

       In allocating resources made available under this title, 
     the Foundation shall have the following policy objectives:
       (1) To renew and maintain the Nation's international 
     leadership in science and technology by--
       (A) increasing the national investment in basic scientific 
     research and increasing interdisciplinary investment in 
     strategic areas vital to the national interest;
       (B) balancing the Nation's research portfolio among the 
     life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences, computer 
     and information science, geosciences, engineering, and 
     social, behavioral, and economic sciences, all of which are 
     important for the continued development of enabling 
     technologies necessary for sustained economic 
     competitiveness;
       (C) encouraging investments in potentially transformative 
     scientific research to benefit our Nation and its citizens;
       (D) expanding the pool of scientists and engineers in the 
     United States, including among segments of the population 
     that have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields; 
     and
       (E) modernizing the Nation's research infrastructure and 
     establishing and maintaining cooperative international 
     relationships with premier research institutions.
       (2) To increase overall workforce skills by--
       (A) improving the quality of STEM education and tools 
     provided both inside and outside of the classroom, including 
     in kindergarten through grade 12; and
       (B) expanding STEM training opportunities at institutions 
     of higher education.
       (3) To strengthen innovation by expanding the focus of 
     competitiveness and innovation at the regional and local 
     level.

     SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Science 
     Board.
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Foundation.
       (3) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
     Science Foundation established under section 2 of the 
     National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
       (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means one of the several 
     States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
     Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other 
     territory or possession of the United States.
       (6) United states.--The term ``United States'' means the 
     several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
     territory or possession of the United States.

     SEC. 105. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) sustained, predictable Federal funding is essential to 
     United States leadership in science and technology;
       (2) building understanding of and confidence in investments 
     in basic research are essential to public support for 
     sustained, predictable Federal funding; and
       (3) the Foundation should commit itself fully to 
     transparency and accountability and to clear, consistent 
     public communication regarding the national interest for each 
     Foundation-awarded grant and cooperative agreement.

     SEC. 106. GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR 
                   RESEARCH.

       (a) Standard for Award of Grants.--The Foundation shall 
     award Federal funding for basic research and education in the 
     sciences through a new research grant or cooperative 
     agreement only if an affirmative determination is made by the 
     Foundation under subsection (b) and written justification 
     relating thereto is published under subsection (c).
       (b) Determination.--A determination referred to in 
     subsection (a) is a justification by the responsible 
     Foundation official as to how the research grant or 
     cooperative agreement promotes the progress of science in the 
     United States, consistent with the Foundation mission as 
     established in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 
     (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), and further--
       (1) is worthy of Federal funding; and
       (2) is in the national interest, as indicated by having the 
     potential to achieve--
       (A) increased economic competitiveness in the United 
     States;
       (B) advancement of the health and welfare of the American 
     public;
       (C) development of an American STEM workforce that is 
     globally competitive;
       (D) increased public scientific literacy and public 
     engagement with science and technology in the United States;
       (E) increased partnerships between academia and industry in 
     the United States;
       (F) support for the national defense of the United States; 
     or
       (G) promotion of the progress of science in the United 
     States.
       (c) Written Justification.--Public announcement of each 
     award of Federal funding described in subsection (a) shall 
     include a written justification from the responsible 
     Foundation official as to how a grant or cooperative 
     agreement meets the requirements of subsection (b).
       (d) Implementation.--A determination under subsection (b) 
     shall be made after a research grant or cooperative agreement 
     proposal has satisfied the Foundation's reviews for Merit and 
     Broader Impacts. Nothing in this section shall be construed 
     as altering the Foundation's intellectual merit or broader 
     impacts criteria for evaluating grant applications.

     SEC. 107. OBLIGATION OF MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND 
                   FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.

       No funds may be obligated for a fiscal year for a 
     construction project for the Foundation that has not 
     commenced before the date of enactment of this Act until 30 
     days after the report required with respect to each such 
     fiscal year under section 14(a)(2) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-
     4(a)(2)) is transmitted to the Congress.

     SEC. 108. MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF LARGE FACILITIES.

       (a) Large Facilities Office.--The Director shall maintain a 
     Large Facilities Office within the Office of the Director. 
     The functions of the Large Facilities Office shall be to 
     support the research directorates in the development, 
     implementation, and assessment of major multi-user research 
     facilities, including by--
       (1) serving as the Foundation's primary resource for all 
     policy or process issues related to the development and 
     implementation of major multi-user research facilities;
       (2) serving as a Foundation-wide resource on project 
     management, including providing expert assistance on 
     nonscientific and nontechnical aspects of project planning, 
     budgeting, implementation, management, and oversight;
       (3) coordinating and collaborating with research 
     directorates to share best management practices and lessons 
     learned from prior projects; and
       (4) assessing projects during preconstruction and 
     construction phases for cost and schedule risk.
       (b) Oversight of Large Facilities.--The Director shall 
     appoint a senior agency official within the Office of the 
     Director whose primary responsibility is oversight of major 
     multi-user research facilities. The duties of this official 
     shall include--
       (1) oversight of the development, construction, and 
     operation of major multi-user research facilities across the 
     Foundation;
       (2) in collaboration with the directors of the research 
     directorates and other senior agency officials as 
     appropriate, ensuring that the requirements of section 14(a) 
     of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 
     are satisfied;
       (3) serving as a liaison to the National Science Board for 
     approval and oversight of major multi-user research 
     facilities; and
       (4) periodically reviewing and updating as necessary 
     Foundation policies and guidelines for the development and 
     construction of major multi-user research facilities.
       (c) Policies for Large Facility Costs.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall ensure that the 
     Foundation's policies for developing and managing major 
     multi-user research facility construction costs are 
     consistent with the best practices described in the March 
     2009 Government Accountability Office Report GAO-09-3SP, or 
     any successor report thereto.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress 
     the results of a study and a report reforming the 
     Foundation's policies on financial management of major multi-
     user research facilities, including a description of any 
     aspects of the policies that diverge from the best practices 
     recommended in Government Accountability Office Report GAO-
     09-3SP and the Uniform Guidance in 2 C.F.R. Part 200.
       (3) Management fees.--
       (A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term ``management 
     fee'' means a portion of an award made by the Foundation for 
     the purpose of covering ordinary and necessary business 
     expenses necessary to maintain operational stability which 
     are not otherwise allowable under Cost Principles Uniform 
     Guidance in 2 C.F.R. part 200, Subpart E, , or any successor 
     regulation thereto.
       (B) Limitation.--The Foundation may provide management fees 
     under an award only if the awardee has demonstrated that it 
     has limited or no other financial resources for covering

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     the expenses for which the management fees are sought.
       (C) Financial information.--The Foundation shall require 
     award applicants to provide income and financial information 
     covering a period of no less than three prior years (or in 
     the case of an entity established less than three years prior 
     to the entity's application date, the period beginning on the 
     date of establishment and ending on the application date), 
     including cash on hand and net asset information, in support 
     of a request for management fees. The Foundation shall also 
     require awardees to report to the Foundation, within 30 days 
     of receipt, any sources of non-Federal funds received in 
     excess of $50,000 during the award period.
       (D) Expense reporting.--The Foundation shall require 
     awardees to track and report to the Foundation annually all 
     expenses reimbursed or otherwise paid for with management fee 
     funds, in accordance with Federal accounting practices as 
     established in Government Accountability Office Report GAO-
     12-331G, or any successor report thereto.
       (E) Audits.--The Inspector General of the Foundation may 
     audit any Foundation award for compliance with this 
     paragraph.
       (F) Prohibited uses.--An awardee may not use management 
     fees for--
       (i) costs allowable under Cost Principles Uniform Guidance 
     in 2 C.F.R. part 200, Subpart E, or any successor regulation 
     thereto;
       (ii) alcoholic beverages;
       (iii) tickets to concerts, or sporting and other 
     entertainment events;
       (iv) vacation or other travel for nonbusiness purposes;
       (v) charitable contributions;
       (vi) social or sporting club memberships;
       (vii) meals for nonbusiness purposes;
       (viii) luxury or personal items;
       (ix) lobbying, as described in the Uniform Guidance at 2 
     C.F.R. 200.450; or
       (x) any other purpose the Foundation determines is 
     inappropriate.
       (G) Review.--The Foundation shall review management fee 
     usage under each Foundation award on at least an annual basis 
     for compliance with this paragraph and the Foundation's Large 
     Facilities Manual.
       (4) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress 
     a report describing the Foundation's policies for developing 
     and managing major multi-user research facility construction 
     costs, including a description of any aspects of the policies 
     that diverge from the best practices recommended in 
     Government Accountability Office Report GAO-09-3SP, or any 
     successor report thereto, and the Uniform Guidance in 2 
     C.F.R. part 200.

     SEC. 109. WHISTLEBLOWER EDUCATION.

       (a) In General.--The Foundation shall be subject to section 
     4712 of title 41, United States Code.
       (b) Education and Training.--The Foundation shall provide 
     education and training for Foundation managers and staff on 
     the requirements of such section 4712, and provide 
     information on the law to all grantees, contractors, and 
     employees of such grantees and contractors.

     SEC. 110. GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the essential elements of the NSF Research Traineeship 
     Program, formerly the Integrative Graduate Education and 
     Research Traineeship program, (or any successor thereto) 
     should be maintained, including--
       (1) collaborative research that transcends traditional 
     disciplinary boundaries to solve large and complex research 
     problems of significant scientific and societal importance; 
     and
       (2) providing students the opportunity to become leaders in 
     the science and engineering of the future.
       (b) Models for Support.--The Director shall enter into an 
     agreement with the National Research Council to convene a 
     workshop or roundtable to examine models of Federal support 
     for STEM graduate students, including the Foundation's 
     Graduate Research Fellowship program and comparable 
     fellowship programs at other agencies, traineeship programs, 
     and the research assistant model.
       (c) Purpose.--The purpose of the workshop or roundtable 
     shall be to compare and evaluate the extent to which each of 
     these models helps to prepare graduate students for diverse 
     careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at diverse types of 
     institutions of higher education, in industry, and at 
     government agencies and research laboratories, and to make 
     recommendations regarding--
       (1) how current Federal programs and models, including 
     programs and models at the Foundation, can be improved;
       (2) the appropriateness of the current distribution of 
     funding among the different models at the Foundation and 
     across the agencies; and
       (3) the appropriateness of creating a new education and 
     training program for graduate students distinct from programs 
     that provide direct financial support, including the grants 
     authorized in section 527 of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-15).
       (d) Criteria.--At a minimum, in comparing programs and 
     models, the workshop or roundtable participants shall 
     consider the capacity of such programs or models to provide 
     students with knowledge and skills--
       (1) to become independent, creative, successful 
     researchers;
       (2) to participate in large interdisciplinary research 
     projects, including in an international context;
       (3) to adhere to the highest standards for research ethics;
       (4) to become high-quality teachers utilizing the most 
     currently available evidence-based pedagogy;
       (5) in oral and written communication, to both technical 
     and nontechnical audiences;
       (6) in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ethics; 
     and
       (7) in program management.
       (e) Graduate Student Input.--The participants in the 
     workshop or roundtable shall include current or recent STEM 
     graduate students.
       (f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Research Council shall 
     submit to Congress a summary report of the findings and 
     recommendations of the workshop or roundtable convened under 
     this section.

     SEC. 111. PERMISSIBLE SUPPORT.

       A grant made by the Education and Human Resources 
     Directorate to support informal education may be used--
       (1) to support the participation of underrepresented 
     students in nonprofit competitions, out-of-school activities, 
     and field experiences related to STEM subjects (such as 
     robotics, science research, invention, mathematics, and 
     technology competitions), including--
       (A) the purchase of parts and supplies needed to 
     participate in such competitions; and
       (B) incentives and stipends for teachers and instructional 
     leaders who are involved in assisting students and preparing 
     students for such competitions, if such activities fall 
     outside the regular duties and responsibilities of such 
     teachers and instructional leaders; and
       (2) to broaden underrepresented secondary school students' 
     access to, and interest in, careers that require academic 
     preparation in STEM subjects.

     SEC. 112. EXPANDING STEM OPPORTUNITIES.

       (a) In General.--Within the Directorate for Education and 
     Human Resources (or any successor thereto), under existing 
     programs targeting broadening participation, the Director 
     shall provide grants on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis 
     for research on programming that engages underrepresented 
     students in grades kindergarten through 8 in STEM.
       (b) Use of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Grants awarded under this section shall be 
     used for research to advance the engagement of 
     underrepresented students in grades kindergarten through 8 in 
     STEM through the development and implementation of innovative 
     before-school, after-school, out-of-school, or summer 
     activities, including programs (if applicable to the target 
     population) provided in a single-gender environment, that are 
     designed to encourage interest, engagement, and skills 
     development of underrepresented students in STEM. Such 
     research shall be conducted in learning environments that 
     actively provide programming to underrepresented students in 
     grades kindergarten through 8 in STEM.
       (2) Permitted activities.--Such activities may include--
       (A) the development and implementation of programming 
     described in subsection (a) for the purpose of research;
       (B) the use of a variety of engagement methods, including 
     cooperative and hands-on learning;
       (C) exposure of underrepresented youth to role models in 
     the fields of STEM, including researchers in the National 
     Laboratories, and nearpeer mentors;
       (D) training of informal learning educators and youth-
     serving professionals using evidence-based methods consistent 
     with the target student population being served;
       (E) education of students on the relevance and significance 
     of STEM careers, provision of academic advice and assistance, 
     and activities designed to help students make real-world 
     connections to STEM content activities;
       (F) the attendance of underrepresented youth at events, 
     competitions, and academic programs to provide content 
     expertise and encourage career exposure in STEM;
       (G) activities designed to engage parents of 
     underrepresented youth;
       (H) innovative strategies to engage underrepresented youth, 
     such as using leadership skill outcome measures to encourage 
     youth with the confidence to pursue STEM coursework and 
     academic study;
       (I) coordination with STEM-rich environments, including 
     other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, classroom and 
     out-of-classroom settings, institutions of higher education, 
     vocational facilities, corporations, museums, National 
     Laboratories, or science centers; and
       (J) the acquisition of instructional materials or 
     technology-based tools to conduct applicable grant activity.
       (c) Application.--An applicant seeking funding under the 
     section shall submit an application at such time, in such 
     manner, and containing such information as may be required. 
     The application shall include, at a minimum, the following:
       (1) A description of the target audience to be served by 
     the program.
       (2) A description of the process for recruitment and 
     selection of students, as appropriate.
       (3) A description of how such research activity may inform 
     programming that engages underrepresented students in grades 
     kindergarten through 8 in STEM.
       (4) A description of how such research activity may inform 
     programming that promotes student academic achievement in 
     STEM.
       (5) An evaluation plan that includes, at a minimum, the use 
     of outcome-oriented measures to determine the impact and 
     efficacy of activities being researched.

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       (d) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall give priority to applicants which, for the 
     purpose of grant activity, include or partner with a 
     nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that has extensive 
     experience and expertise in increasing the participation of 
     underrepresented students in STEM.
       (e) Accountability and Dissemination.--
       (1) Evaluation required.--Not later than 5 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall evaluate 
     the grants provided under this section. In addition to 
     evaluating the effectiveness of the grant activities, such 
     evaluation shall--
       (A) use a common set of benchmarks and assessment tools to 
     identify best practices and materials developed or 
     demonstrated by the research; and
       (B) to the extent practicable, combine the research 
     resulting from the grant activity with the current research 
     on serving underrepresented students in grades kindergarten 
     through 8.
       (2) Report on evaluations.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), the 
     Director shall submit to Congress and make widely available 
     to the public a report that includes--
       (A) the results of the evaluation; and
       (B) any recommendations for administrative and legislative 
     action that could optimize the effectiveness of the program.
       (f) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Director shall consult, cooperate, and coordinate, to enhance 
     program effectiveness and to avoid duplication, with the 
     programs and policies of other relevant Federal agencies.

     SEC. 113. REVIEW OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--The Director shall review the education 
     programs of the Foundation that are in operation as of the 
     date of enactment of this Act to determine--
       (1) whether any of such programs duplicate target groups, 
     services provided, fields of focus, or objectives; and
       (2) how those programs are being evaluated and assessed for 
     outcome-oriented effectiveness.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter as part of the 
     annual budget submission to Congress, the Director shall 
     complete a report on the review carried out under this 
     section and shall submit the report to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and shall make the 
     report widely available to the public.

     SEC. 114. RECOMPETITION OF AWARDS.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
       (1) the merit-reviewed competition of grant and award 
     proposals is a hallmark of the Foundation grant and award 
     making process;
       (2) the majority of Foundation-funded multi-user research 
     facilities have transitioned to five-year cooperative 
     agreements, and every five years the program officer 
     responsible for the facility makes a recommendation to the 
     National Science Board as to the renewal, recompetition, or 
     termination of support for the facility; and
       (3) requiring the recompetition of expiring awards is based 
     on the conviction that competition is most likely to ensure 
     the effective stewardship of Foundation funds for supporting 
     research and education.
       (b) Recompetition.--The Director shall ensure that the 
     system for recompetition of Maintenance and Operations of 
     facilities, equipment and instrumentation is fair, 
     consistent, and transparent and is applied in a manner that 
     renews grants and awards in a timely manner. The Director 
     shall periodically evaluate whether the criteria of the 
     system are being applied in a manner that is transparent, 
     reliable, and valid.

     SEC. 115. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING INDUSTRY INVESTMENT 
                   IN STEM EDUCATION.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) in order to bolster the STEM workforce pipeline, many 
     industry sectors are becoming involved in K-12 initiatives 
     and supporting undergraduate and graduate work in STEM 
     subject areas and fields;
       (2) partnerships with education providers, STEM focused 
     competitions, and other opportunities have become important 
     aspects of private sector efforts to strengthen the STEM 
     workforce;
       (3) understanding the work that private sector 
     organizations are undertaking in STEM fields should inform 
     the Federal Government's role in STEM education; and
       (4) successful private sector STEM initiatives, as 
     reflected by measurements of relevant outcomes, should be 
     encouraged and supported by the Foundation.

     SEC. 116. MISREPRESENTATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS.

       (a) Prohibition.--The findings and conclusions of any 
     article authored by a principal investigator receiving a 
     research grant from the Foundation, using the results of the 
     research conducted under the grant, that is published in a 
     peer-reviewed publication, otherwise made publicly available, 
     or incorporated in an application for a research grant or 
     grant extension from the Foundation may not contain any 
     falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism, as established in 
     the Foundation's Research Misconduct regulation (45 C.F.R. 
     689).
       (b) Publication.--The Director shall make publicly 
     available any finding that research misconduct (as defined in 
     45 C.F.R. 689) has been committed, including the name of the 
     principal investigator, within 30 days of the final 
     administration action of the Foundation.

     SEC. 117. RESEARCH REPRODUCIBILITY AND REPLICATION.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the gold standard of good science is the ability of a 
     researcher or research lab to reproduce a published method 
     and finding;
       (2) there is growing concern that some published research 
     findings cannot be reproduced or replicated, which can 
     negatively affect the public's trust in science;
       (3) there are a complex set of factors affecting 
     reproducibility and replication; and
       (4) the increasing interdisciplinary nature and complexity 
     of scientific research may be a contributing factor to issues 
     with research reproducibility and replication.
       (b) Report.--The Director shall--
       (1) not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, enter into an agreement with the National Research 
     Council to provide, within 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, a report to assess research and data 
     reproducibility and replicability issues in interdisciplinary 
     research and to make recommendations on how to improve rigor 
     and transparency in scientific research; and
       (2) not later than 60 days after receiving the results of 
     the assessment under paragraph (1), submit a report to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate on the findings of the 
     assessment, together with the agreement or disagreement of 
     the Director and Board with each of its findings and 
     recommendations.

     SEC. 118. RESEARCH GRANT CONDITIONS.

       The Foundation shall establish procedures to ensure that--
       (1) a research grant awarded by the Foundation to a 
     principal investigator supports a scope of work not otherwise 
     being directly funded by grants provided by other Federal 
     agencies;
       (2) a principal investigator includes in any application 
     for a research grant awarded by the Foundation a list of all 
     Federal research funding received by the principal 
     investigator, as well as any funding that is being requested 
     as of that time;
       (3) unpublished research results used to support a grant 
     proposal made to the Foundation do not include any knowing 
     misrepresentations of data;
       (4) principal investigators who receive Foundation research 
     grant funding under more than one grant at the same time have 
     sufficient resources to conduct the proposed research under 
     each of those grants appropriately under the terms of the 
     grant; and
       (5) barriers to early career and new investigator 
     applicants are addressed, including taking into account the 
     broader accomplishments and potential of the individual 
     investigator in addition to the potential impact of the 
     project.

     SEC. 119. COMPUTING RESOURCES STUDY.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a 
     report detailing the results of a study on the use of 
     scientific computing resources funded by the Foundation at 
     institutions of higher education. Such study shall assess--
       (1) efficiencies that can be achieved by using shared 
     scientific computing resources for projects that have similar 
     scientific computing requirements or projects where 
     specialized software solutions could be shared with other 
     practitioners in the scientific community;
       (2) efficiencies that can be achieved by using shared 
     hardware that can be cost effectively procured from cloud 
     computing services;
       (3) efficiencies that can be achieved by using shared 
     software from an open source repository or platform; and
       (4) cost savings that could be achieved by potential 
     sharing of scientific computing resources across all 
     Foundation grants.

     SEC. 120. SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH PRIZES.

       The Director shall place a high priority on designing and 
     administering pilot programs for scientific breakthrough 
     prizes, in conjunction with private entities, that are 
     consistent with Office of Science and Technology Policy 
     guidelines. Breakthrough prizes shall center around 
     technological breakthroughs that are of strategic importance 
     to the Nation, and have the capacity to spur new economic 
     growth.

     SEC. 121. ROTATING PERSONNEL.

       In order to control the costs to the Foundation of 
     individuals employed pursuant to the Intergovernmental 
     Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 note)--
       (1) the Foundation shall provide to Congress a written 
     justification and waiver by the Deputy Director in instances 
     in which such an individual is to be paid at a rate that 
     exceeds the maximum rate of pay for the Senior Executive 
     Service, including, if applicable, adjustment for the 
     certified Senior Executive Service Performance Appraisal 
     System;
       (2) the Foundation shall provide to Congress a written 
     justification and waiver by the Director in instances in 
     which such an individual is to be paid at a rate that exceeds 
     the annual salary rate of the Vice President of the United 
     States; and
       (3) the Foundation shall provide an annual report to 
     Congress on the costs to the Foundation of employing such 
     individuals, including--
       (A) the timeliness and completeness of Foundation actions 
     in response to recommendations and findings from the Office 
     of Inspector General related to the employment of such 
     individuals;

[[Page 7420]]

       (B) actions taken by the Foundation to reduce the cost to 
     the Foundation of the employment of such individuals at pay 
     levels that exceed the threshold described in paragraph (1);
       (C) the value to the Foundation of employing individuals 
     pursuant to the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 
     U.S.C. 4701 note) whose pay is set below the threshold 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (D) the value to the Foundation of employing individuals 
     who are not permanent employees whose pay requires a 
     justification and waiver under paragraph (1) or (2).

     SEC. 122. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING INNOVATION CORPS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) was 
     established to foster a national innovation ecosystem by 
     encouraging institutions, scientists, engineers, and 
     entrepreneurs to identify and explore the innovation and 
     commercial potential of Foundation-funded research well 
     beyond the laboratory;
       (2) the Foundation's I-Corps includes investment in 
     entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, 
     and mentoring, ultimately leading to the practical deployment 
     of technologies, products, processes, and services that 
     improve the Nation's competitiveness, promote economic 
     growth, and benefit society; and
       (3) by building networks of entrepreneurs, educators, 
     mentors, institutions, and collaborations, and supporting 
     specialized education and training, I-Corps is at the leading 
     edge of a strong, lasting foundation for an American 
     innovation ecosystem.

     SEC. 123. BRAIN RESEARCH THROUGH ADVANCING INNOVATIVE 
                   NEUROTECHNOLOGIES INITIATIVE.

       The Foundation shall support research activities related to 
     the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative 
     Neurotechnologies Initiative. The Foundation is encouraged to 
     work in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on 
     Neuroscience (IWGN) to determine how to use the data 
     infrastructure of the Foundation and other applicable 
     agencies to help neuroscientists collect, standardize, 
     manage, and analyze the large amounts of data that will 
     result from research attempting to understand how the brain 
     functions.

     SEC. 124. NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 10A of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n--1a) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by inserting ``or bachelor's'' 
     after ``master's'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2)(B);
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by inserting ``for teachers with master's degrees in 
     their field'' after ``Teaching Fellowships''; and
       (ii) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) in the case of National Science Foundation Master 
     Teaching Fellowships for teachers with bachelor's degrees in 
     their field and working toward a master's degree--
       ``(A) offering academic courses leading to a master's 
     degree and leadership training to prepare individuals to 
     become master teachers in elementary and secondary schools; 
     and
       ``(B) offering programs both during and after matriculation 
     in the program for which the fellowship is received to enable 
     fellows to become highly effective mathematics and science 
     teachers, including mentoring, training, induction, and 
     professional development activities, to fulfill the service 
     requirements of this section, including the requirements of 
     subsection (e), and to exchange ideas with others in their 
     fields.'';
       (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection (g)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (h)'';
       (4) by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as 
     subsections (h) through (j), respectively; and
       (5) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(g) Support for Master Teaching Fellows While Enrolled in 
     a Master's Degree Program.--A National Science Foundation 
     Master Teacher Fellow may receive a maximum of 1 year of 
     fellowship support while enrolled in a master's degree 
     program as described in subsection (c)(4)(A), except that if 
     such fellow is enrolled in a part-time program, such amount 
     shall be prorated according to the length of the program.''.
       (b) Definition.--Section 10(i)(5) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n--
     1(i)(5)) is amended by inserting ``computer science,'' after 
     ``means a science,''.

     SEC. 125. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION.

       (a) Grants.--The Director, through the Directorate for 
     Education and Human Resources, shall continue to award 
     competitive, merit-reviewed grants to support--
       (1) research and development of innovative out-of-school 
     STEM learning and emerging STEM learning environments in 
     order to improve STEM learning outcomes and engagement in 
     STEM; and
       (2) research that advances the field of informal STEM 
     education.
       (b) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
     this section may encompass a single STEM discipline, multiple 
     STEM disciplines, or integrative STEM initiatives and shall 
     include--
       (1) research and development that improves our 
     understanding of learning and engagement in informal 
     environments, including the role of informal environments in 
     broadening participation in STEM; and
       (2) design and testing of innovative STEM learning models, 
     programs, and other resources for informal learning 
     environments to improve STEM learning outcomes and increase 
     engagement for K-12 students, K-12 teachers, and the general 
     public, including design and testing of the scalability of 
     models, programs, and other resources.

     SEC. 126. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 
                   RESEARCH.

        The Foundation shall continue to operate a robust 
     Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
     (EPSCoR). The EPSCoR program helps ensure that academic 
     research institutions in more than half the States develop a 
     strong research infrastructure and participate fully in 
     federally funded research activities. The program should be a 
     high priority for the Foundation.

      TITLE II--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) According to the National Science Board's Science and 
     Engineering Indicators, the science and engineering workforce 
     has shown sustained growth for more than half a century, and 
     workers with science and engineering degrees tend to earn 
     more than comparable workers in other fields.
       (2) According to the Program for International Student 
     Assessment 2012 results, America lags behind many other 
     nations in STEM education. American students rank 21st in 
     science and 26th in mathematics.
       (3) Junior Achievement USA and ING found a decrease of 25 
     percent in the percentage of teenage students interested in 
     STEM careers.
       (4) According to a 2007 report from the Department of 
     Labor, industries and firms dependent on a strong science and 
     mathematics workforce have launched a variety of programs 
     that target K-12 students and undergraduate and graduate 
     students in STEM fields.
       (5) The Federal Government spends nearly $3 billion 
     annually on STEM education related program and activities, 
     but encouraging STEM education activities beyond the scope of 
     the Federal Government, including privately sponsored 
     competitions and programs in our schools, is crucial to the 
     future technical and economic competitiveness of the United 
     States.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) more effective coordination and adoption of performance 
     measurement based on objective outcomes for federally 
     supported STEM programs is needed;
       (2) leveraging private and nonprofit investments in STEM 
     education will be essential to strengthening the Federal STEM 
     portfolio;
       (3) strengthening the Federal STEM portfolio may require 
     program consolidations and terminations, but such changes 
     should be based on evidence with stakeholder input;
       (4) coordinating STEM programs and activities across the 
     Federal Government in order to limit duplication and engage 
     stakeholders in STEM programs and related activities for 
     which objective outcomes can be measured will bolster results 
     of Federal STEM education programs, improve the return on 
     taxpayers' investments in STEM education programs, and in 
     turn strengthen the United States economy; and
       (5) as the Committee on STEM Education implements the 5-
     year Strategic Plan for Federal STEM education required under 
     section 101(b)(5) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act 
     of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)(5)), STEM education stakeholders 
     must be engaged and outcome-based evaluation metrics should 
     be considered in the coordination and consolidation efforts 
     for the Federal STEM portfolio.

     SEC. 202. STEM EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL.

       (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish or 
     designate a STEM Education Advisory Panel that incorporates 
     key stakeholders from the education and industry sectors. The 
     co-chairs shall be members of the President's Council of 
     Advisors on Science and Technology.
       (b) Qualifications.--The Advisory Panel established or 
     designated by the President under subsection (a) shall 
     consist primarily of members from academic institutions, 
     nonprofit organizations, and industry and shall include in-
     school, out-of-school, and informal educational 
     practitioners. Members of the Advisory Panel shall be 
     qualified to provide advice and information on STEM education 
     research, development, training, implementation, 
     interventions, professional development, or workforce needs 
     or concerns. In selecting or designating an Advisory Panel, 
     the President may also seek and give consideration to 
     recommendations from the Congress, industry, the scientific 
     community (including the National Academy of Sciences, 
     scientific professional societies, and academia), State and 
     local governments, and other appropriate organizations.
       (c) Duties.--The Advisory Panel shall advise the President, 
     the Committee on STEM Education, and the STEM Education 
     Coordinating Office established under section 204 on matters 
     relating to STEM education, and shall each year provide 
     general guidance to every Federal agency with STEM education 
     programs or activities, including in the preparation of 
     requests for appropriations for activities related to STEM 
     education. The Advisory Panel shall also assess and develop 
     recommendations for--
       (1) progress made in implementing the STEM education 
     Strategic Plan required under section

[[Page 7421]]

     101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
     U.S.C. 6621), and any needs or opportunities to update the 
     strategic plan;
       (2) the management, coordination, and implementation of 
     STEM education programs and activities across the Federal 
     Government;
       (3) the appropriateness of criteria used by Federal 
     agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal STEM 
     education programs and activities;
       (4) ways to leverage private and nonprofit STEM investments 
     and encourage public-private partnerships to strengthen STEM 
     education and help build the STEM workforce pipeline;
       (5) ways to incorporate workforce needs into Federal STEM 
     education programs, particularly for specific fields of 
     national interest and areas experiencing high unemployment 
     rates;
       (6) ways to better vertically and horizontally integrate 
     Federal STEM programs and activities from pre-K through 
     graduate study and the workforce, and from in-school to out-
     of-school in order to improve transitions for students moving 
     through the STEM pipeline;
       (7) whether societal and workforce concerns are adequately 
     addressed by current Federal STEM education programs and 
     activities;
       (8) the extent to which Federal STEM education programs and 
     activities are contributing to recruitment and retention of 
     women and underrepresented students in the STEM education and 
     workforce pipeline; and
       (9) ways to encourage geographic diversity in STEM 
     education and the workforce pipeline.
       (d) Reports.--The Advisory Panel shall report, not less 
     frequently than once every 3 fiscal years, to the President 
     and Congress on its assessments under subsection (c) and its 
     recommendations for ways to improve Federal STEM education 
     programs. The first report under this subsection shall be 
     submitted within 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (e) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal 
     members of the Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of 
     the Advisory Panel or while otherwise serving at the request 
     of the head of the Advisory Panel away from their homes or 
     regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
     section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals 
     in the Government serving without pay. Nothing in this 
     subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the 
     Advisory Panel who are officers or employees of the United 
     States from being allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
     in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with existing law.

     SEC. 203. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION.

       Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
     2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended--
       (1) in the first subsection (b)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively;
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(3) collaborate with the STEM Education Advisory Panel 
     established under section 202 of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015 and other outside stakeholders to 
     ensure the engagement of the STEM education community;
       ``(4) review evaluation measures used for Federal STEM 
     education programs;''; and
       (C) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated by subparagraph 
     (A) of this paragraph, by striking ``, periodically 
     update,''; and
       (2) in the second subsection (b) and in subsection (c), by 
     striking ``subsection (b)(5)'' and inserting ``subsection 
     (b)(7)''.

     SEC. 204. STEM EDUCATION COORDINATING OFFICE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall establish within the Directorate for 
     Education and Human Resources a STEM Education Coordinating 
     Office, which shall have a Director and staff that shall 
     include career employees detailed from Federal agencies that 
     fund STEM education programs and activities.
       (b) Responsibilities.--The STEM Education Coordinating 
     Office shall--
       (1) provide technical and administrative support to--
       (A) the Committee on STEM Education, especially in its 
     coordination of Federal STEM programs and strategic planning 
     responsibilities;
       (B) the Advisory Panel established under section 202; and
       (C) Federal agencies with STEM education programs;
       (2) periodically update and maintain the inventory of 
     federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities 
     established under section 101(b)(8) of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621); and
       (3) provide for dissemination of information on Federal 
     STEM education programs and activities, as appropriate, to 
     stakeholders in academia, industry, nonprofit organizations 
     with expertise in STEM education, State and local educational 
     agencies, and other STEM stakeholders.
       (c) Report.--The Director of the STEM Education 
     Coordinating Office shall transmit a report annually to 
     Congress not later than 60 days after the submission of the 
     President's budget request. The annual report shall include--
       (1) any updates to the inventory required under subsection 
     (b)(2);
       (2) a description of all consolidations and terminations of 
     Federal STEM education programs implemented in the previous 
     fiscal year, including an explanation of the reasons for 
     consolidations and terminations;
       (3) recommendations for consolidations and terminations of 
     STEM education programs or activities in the upcoming fiscal 
     year;
       (4) a description of any significant new STEM Education 
     public-private partnerships; and
       (5) description of the progress made in carrying out the 
     strategic plan required under section 101 of the America 
     COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621), 
     including a description of the outcome of any program 
     assessments completed in the previous year.
       (d) Responsibilities of NSF.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall encourage and monitor the efforts of 
     the STEM Education Coordinating Office to ensure that the 
     Coordinating Office is carrying out its responsibilities 
     under subsection (b) appropriately.

           TITLE III--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

     SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated for the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy--
       (1) $4,550,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       (2) $4,550,000 for fiscal year 2017.

     SEC. 302. REGULATORY EFFICIENCY.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) high and increasing administrative burdens and costs in 
     Federal research administration, particularly in the higher 
     education sector where most federally sponsored research is 
     performed, are eroding funds available to carry out basic 
     scientific research;
       (2) progress has been made over the last decade in 
     streamlining the pre-award grant application process through 
     Grants.gov, the Federal Government's website portal;
       (3) post-award administrative costs have grown as Federal 
     research agencies have continued to impose agency-unique 
     compliance and reporting requirements on researchers and 
     research institutions;
       (4) facilities and administration costs at research 
     universities can exceed 50 percent of the total value of 
     Federal research grants, and it is estimated that nearly 30 
     percent of the funds invested annually in federally funded 
     research is consumed by paperwork and other administrative 
     processes required by Federal agencies; and
       (5) it is a matter of critical importance to American 
     competitiveness that administrative costs of federally funded 
     research be streamlined so that a higher proportion of 
     taxpayer dollars flow into direct research activities.
       (b) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy shall establish a working group under the 
     authority of the National Science and Technology Council, to 
     include the Office of Management and Budget. The working 
     group shall be responsible for reviewing Federal regulations 
     affecting research and research universities and making 
     recommendations on how to--
       (1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative 
     Federal regulations and reporting requirements;
       (2) minimize the regulatory burden on United States 
     institutions of higher education performing federally funded 
     research while maintaining accountability for Federal tax 
     dollars; and
       (3) identify and update specific regulations to refocus on 
     performance-based goals rather than on process while still 
     meeting the desired outcome.
       (c) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out the 
     responsibilities under subsection (b), the working group 
     shall take into account input and recommendations from non-
     Federal stakeholders, including federally funded and 
     nonfederally funded researchers, institutions of higher 
     education, scientific disciplinary societies and 
     associations, nonprofit research institutions, industry, 
     including small businesses, federally funded research and 
     development centers, and others with a stake in ensuring 
     effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the 
     performance of scientific research.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, 
     the Director shall report to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate on what steps have been taken to carry out the 
     recommendations of the working group established under 
     subsection (b).

     SEC. 303. COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND 
                   TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall establish a body under the 
     National Science and Technology Council with the 
     responsibility to identify and coordinate international 
     science and technology cooperation that can strengthen the 
     United States science and technology enterprise, improve 
     economic and national security, and support United States 
     foreign policy goals.
       (b) NSTC Body Leadership.--The body established under 
     subsection (a) shall be co-chaired by senior level officials 
     from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the 
     Department of State.
       (c) Responsibilities.--The body established under 
     subsection (a) shall--
       (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science 
     and technology cooperative research and training activities 
     and partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies and 
     work with other National Science and Technology Council 
     committees to help plan and coordinate the international 
     component of national science and technology priorities;
       (2) establish Federal priorities and policies for aligning, 
     as appropriate, international science

[[Page 7422]]

     and technology cooperative research and training activities 
     and partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies 
     with the foreign policy goals of the United States;
       (3) identify opportunities for new international science 
     and technology cooperative research and training partnerships 
     that advance both the science and technology and the foreign 
     policy priorities of the United States;
       (4) in carrying out paragraph (3), solicit input and 
     recommendations from non-Federal science and technology 
     stakeholders, including universities, scientific and 
     professional societies, industry, and relevant organizations 
     and institutions; and
       (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of 
     United States scientists and engineers to collaborate with 
     foreign counterparts, including barriers to collaboration and 
     access to scientific information.
       (d) Report to Congress.--The Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a report, to be 
     updated every 2 years, to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate. The report shall also be made 
     available to the public on the reporting agency's website. 
     The report shall contain a description of--
       (1) the priorities and policies established under 
     subsection (c)(2);
       (2) the ongoing and new partnerships established since the 
     last update to the report;
       (3) the means by which stakeholder input was received, as 
     well as summary views of stakeholder input; and
       (4) the issues influencing the ability of United States 
     scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign 
     counterparts.
       (e) Additional Reports to Congress.--The Director of the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit, not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act 
     and annually thereafter, to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate, a report that lists and describes 
     all foreign travel by Office of Science and Technology Policy 
     staff and detailees. Each report shall specify the dates of 
     each trip, the purpose of the trip, Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy participants on the trip, total Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy costs associated with the trip, 
     and details of all international meetings, including meeting 
     participants and topics addressed.

     SEC. 304. ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH FUNDING MODELS.

       (a) Pilot Program Authority.--The heads of Federal science 
     agencies, in consultation with the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy, shall conduct appropriate 
     pilot programs to validate alternative research funding 
     models, including--
       (1) scientific breakthrough prize programs that are of 
     strategic importance to the Nation and have the capacity to 
     spur new economic growth; and
       (2) novel mechanisms of funding including obtaining non-
     Federal funds through crowd source funding.
       (b) Non-Federal Partners.--A pilot program may be conducted 
     under this section through an agreement, grant, or 
     contractual relationship with a non-Federal entity regarding 
     the design, administration, and funding of the program.
       (c) Prize Competition Judges.--
       (1) Requirements.--Judges for a prize competition carried 
     out under this section shall not be required to be Federal 
     employees. An individual who serves as a judge for a prize 
     competition carried out under this section who is not a 
     Federal employee shall be required to sign an agreement, 
     developed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
     with respect to nondisclosure, conflict of interest, and 
     judging code of conduct requirements.
       (2) Disclosure of personal financial interests.--A judge 
     for a prize competition with a total purse of $10,000 or 
     more, or for an aggregate of prize competitions with a total 
     purse of $50,000 or more, shall be required to disclose all 
     personal financial interests.
       (3) Report to congress.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy completes development 
     of an agreement under paragraph (1), it shall transmit a 
     report to Congress describing the requirements of such 
     agreement.
       (d) Public Notice.--The heads of Federal science agencies 
     shall widely advertise prize competitions to be conducted 
     under this section to ensure maximum participation.
       (e) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``Federal science agency'' means--
       (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
       (2) the National Science Foundation;
       (3) the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and
       (4) the National Weather Service.
       (f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter as 
     part of the annual budget submission to Congress, the 
     Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
     transmit to the Congress a report on programs identified and 
     conducted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 305. AMENDMENTS TO PRIZE COMPETITIONS.

       Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by inserting ``competition'' after ``section, a 
     prize'';
       (B) by inserting ``types'' after ``following''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prizes'' and inserting 
     ``prize competitions'';
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking ``in the Federal Register'' and inserting 
     ``on a publicly accessible Government website, such as 
     www.challenge.gov,''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prize'' and inserting 
     ``cash prize purse'';
       (3) in subsection (g), by striking ``prize'' and inserting 
     ``cash prize purse'';
       (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'' both places it appears;
       (5) in subsection (i)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'' both places it appears;
       (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) Waiver.--An agency may waive the requirement under 
     paragraph (2). The annual report under subsection (p) shall 
     include a list of such waivers granted during the preceding 
     fiscal year, along with a detailed explanation of the reasons 
     for granting the waivers.'';
       (6) in subsection (k)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competitions'' both places it appears;
       (7) in subsection (l), by striking all after ``may enter 
     into'' and inserting ``a grant, contract, cooperative 
     agreement, or other agreement with a private sector for-
     profit or nonprofit entity to administer the prize 
     competition, subject to the provisions of this section.'';
       (8) in subsection (m)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--Support for a prize competition under 
     this section, including financial support for the design and 
     administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash 
     prize purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and 
     funds provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit 
     entities. The head of an agency may accept funds from other 
     Federal agencies, private sector for-profit entities, and 
     nonprofit entities to support such prize competitions. The 
     head of an agency may not give any special consideration to 
     any private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity in return 
     for a donation.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prize awards'' and 
     inserting ``cash prize purses'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)(A)--
       (i) by striking ``No prize'' and inserting ``No prize 
     competition''; and
       (ii) by striking ``the prize'' and inserting ``the cash 
     prize purse'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``a prize'' and 
     inserting ``a cash prize purse'';
       (E) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting ``competition'' 
     after ``prize'';
       (F) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``a prize'' and 
     inserting ``a cash prize purse''; and
       (G) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``cash prizes'' and 
     inserting ``cash prize purses'';
       (9) in subsection (n), by inserting ``for both for-profit 
     and nonprofit entities,'' after ``contract vehicle'';
       (10) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``or providing a 
     prize'' and insert ``a prize competition or providing a cash 
     prize purse''; and
       (11) in subsection (p)(2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``cash prizes'' both 
     places it occurs and inserting ``cash prize purses''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) Plan.--A description of crosscutting topical areas 
     and agency-specific mission needs that may be the strongest 
     opportunities for prize competitions during the upcoming 2 
     fiscal years.''.

     SEC. 306. UNITED STATES CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.

       Title II of the National Science and Technology Policy, 
     Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6611 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:


                ``united states chief technology officer

       ``Sec. 210.  (a) Appointment.--The President may appoint a 
     United States Chief Technology Officer. Not later than 1 year 
     after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, such officer shall be one of the 
     Associate Directors of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy.
       ``(b) Duties.--The duties of the United States Chief 
     Technology Officer should include--
       ``(1) advising the President and the Director of the Office 
     of Science and Technology Policy on Federal information 
     systems, technology, data, and innovation policies and 
     initiatives;
       ``(2) promoting an improved exchange of information among 
     the Federal Government, the public, and Congress;
       ``(3) promoting the use of innovative technological 
     approaches across the Federal Government to ensure a modern 
     information technology infrastructure;
       ``(4) working with the Chief Technology Officers and Chief 
     Information Officers of all Federal agencies to ensure the 
     use of best technologies and security practices for 
     information systems;

[[Page 7423]]

       ``(5) establishing a working group with such Officers to 
     exchange best practices about information systems;
       ``(6) promoting transparency and accountability across the 
     Federal Government for all technological implementation by 
     working with agencies to ensure that each arm of the Federal 
     Government, including the executive branch, makes its records 
     open and accessible;
       ``(7) promoting security and privacy protection policies 
     for all Federal information technology systems that are 
     consistent with Federal law, regulations, and current best 
     practices;
       ``(8) promoting technological interoperability of key 
     Government functions;
       ``(9) in consultation with the Office of Management and 
     Budget, providing an annual report to the President, the 
     Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and 
     Congress on the current state of information systems of all 
     Federal agencies, including--
       ``(A) the status of information systems, including 
     potential technology and security concerns about these 
     information systems in all Federal agencies;
       ``(B) a review of all Federal websites with third-party 
     embedded tools that--
       ``(i) identifies each embedded tool, who it belongs to, and 
     the data it collects; and
       ``(ii) addresses effects on cybersecurity and consumer 
     privacy, including whether each website provides prominent 
     notice to consumers about the presence of the tool and 
     whether the consumer may opt-out of the tool;
       ``(C) the amount of money being spent on various 
     technologies; and
       ``(D) technology recommendations and best practices; and
       ``(10) such other functions and activities as the President 
     and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
     may assign.
       ``(c) Report.--In the absence of a United States Chief 
     Technology Officer, the Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy shall be responsible for providing the 
     report required under subsection (b)(9).''.

     SEC. 307. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY FOR 
                   EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall enter into an arrangement with 
     the National Research Council to conduct and complete a study 
     to identify and review technologies employed at institutions 
     of higher education to provide notifications to students, 
     faculty, and other personnel during emergency situations in 
     accordance with the requirements of existing law. The study 
     shall address--
       (1) the timeliness of notifications during emergency 
     situations provided by various technologies;
       (2) the durability of such technologies in delivering such 
     notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel; and
       (3) the limitations exhibited by such technologies to 
     successfully deliver notifications not more than 30 seconds 
     after the institution of higher education transmits such 
     notifications.
       (b) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     on which the National Research Council enters into the 
     arrangement required by subsection (a), the Director of the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the study conducted under such 
     subsection.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

     SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $933,700,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2016.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $744,700,000 shall be for scientific and technical 
     research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $59,000,000 shall be for the construction and 
     maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $130,000,000 shall be for industrial technology 
     services activities, of which $125,000,000 shall be for the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 
     and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278I) and $5,000,000 shall be for the 
     Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program under section 34 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
     U.S.C. 278s).
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $933,700,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2017.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $744,700,000 shall be for scientific and technical 
     research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $59,000,000 shall be for the construction and 
     maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $130,000,000 shall be for industrial technology 
     services activities, of which $125,000,000 shall be for the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 
     and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278I) and $5,000,000 shall be for the 
     Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program under section 34 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
     U.S.C. 278s).

     SEC. 402. 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. 403. 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. 404. 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. 405. 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, 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. 406. 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. 407. 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

[[Page 7424]]

     Academy of Sciences to conduct a single, comprehensive review 
     of the 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 cross-cutting 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 two 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. 408. 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 one 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 8th 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 one year, after which 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

[[Page 7425]]

     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 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
     2015, 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 America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, 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 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 2 
     members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the 
     Centers, at least 1 member shall represent a community 
     college, and at least 5 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 one-year period following the expiration of the 
     second such term.
       ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less 
     than 2 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
       ``(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. 409. 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).

[[Page 7426]]



     SEC. 410. 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. 411. INFORMATION SYSTEMS STANDARDS CONSULTATION.

       Section 20(c)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g--3(c)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``the National Security Agency,''.

     SEC. 412. 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.

                 TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCIENCE

     SEC. 501. MISSION.

       Section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 7139) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(c) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Science shall 
     be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and 
     major scientific tools to transform the understanding of 
     nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national 
     security of the United States. In support of this mission, 
     the Director shall carry out programs on basic energy 
     sciences, advanced scientific computing research, high energy 
     physics, biological and environmental research, fusion energy 
     sciences, and nuclear physics, including as provided under 
     subtitle A of title V of the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015, through activities focused on--
       ``(1) fundamental scientific discoveries through the study 
     of matter and energy;
       ``(2) science in the national interest, including--
       ``(A) advancing an agenda for American energy security 
     through research on energy production, storage, transmission, 
     efficiency, and use; and
       ``(B) advancing our understanding of the Earth's climate 
     through research in atmospheric and environmental sciences; 
     and
       ``(3) National Scientific User Facilities to deliver the 
     21st century tools of science, engineering, and technology 
     and provide the Nation's researchers with the most advanced 
     tools of modern science including accelerators, colliders, 
     supercomputers, light sources and neutron sources, and 
     facilities for studying materials science.
       ``(d) Coordination With Other Department of Energy 
     Programs.--The Under Secretary for Science and Energy shall 
     ensure the coordination of Office of Science activities and 
     programs with other activities of the Department.''.

     SEC. 502. BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program in 
     basic energy sciences, including materials sciences and 
     engineering, chemical sciences, physical biosciences, and 
     geosciences, for the purpose of providing the scientific 
     foundations for new energy technologies.
       (b) Mission.--The mission of the program described in 
     subsection (a) shall be to support fundamental research to 
     understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy 
     at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to 
     provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to 
     support Department missions in energy, environment, and 
     national security.
       (c) Basic Energy Sciences User Facilities.--The Director 
     shall carry out a subprogram for the development, 
     construction, operation, and maintenance of national user 
     facilities to support the program under this section. As 
     practicable, these facilities shall serve the needs of the 
     Department, industry, the academic community, and other 
     relevant entities to create and examine new materials and 
     chemical processes for the purposes of advancing new energy 
     technologies and improving the competitiveness of the United 
     States. These facilities shall include--
       (1) x-ray light sources;
       (2) neutron sources;
       (3) nanoscale science research centers; and
       (4) other facilities the Director considers appropriate, 
     consistent with section 209 of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139).
       (d) Light Source Leadership Initiative.--
       (1) Establishment.--In support of the subprogram authorized 
     in subsection (c), the Director shall establish an initiative 
     to sustain and advance global leadership of light source user 
     facilities.
       (2) Leadership strategy.--Not later than 9 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the 
     Director shall prepare, in consultation with relevant 
     stakeholders, and submit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
     light source leadership strategy that--
       (A) identifies, prioritizes, and describes plans for the 
     development, construction, and operation of light sources 
     over the next decade;
       (B) describes plans for optimizing management and use of 
     existing light source facilities; and
       (C) assesses the international outlook for light source 
     user facilities and describes plans for United States 
     cooperation in such projects.
       (3) Advisory committee feedback and recommendations.--Not 
     later than 45 days after submission of the strategy described 
     in paragraph (2), the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory 
     Committee shall provide the Director, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report of the Advisory Committee's 
     analyses, findings, and recommendations for improving the 
     strategy, including a review of the most recent budget 
     request for the initiative.
       (4) Proposed budget.--The Director shall transmit annually 
     to Congress a proposed budget corresponding to the activities 
     identified in the strategy.
       (e) Accelerator Research and Development.--The Director 
     shall carry out research and development on advanced 
     accelerator and storage ring technologies relevant to the 
     development of Basic Energy Sciences user facilities, in 
     consultation with the Office of Science's High Energy Physics 
     and Nuclear Physics programs.
       (f) Energy Frontier Research Centers.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program to 
     provide awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to 
     multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate 
     entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy 
     research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
       (2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award 
     under this subsection may include multiple types of 
     institutions and private sector entities.
       (3) Selection and duration.--
       (A) In general.--A collaboration under this subsection 
     shall be selected for a period of 5 years. An Energy Frontier 
     Research Center already in existence and supported by the 
     Director on the date of enactment of this Act may continue to 
     receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date 
     of establishment of that center.
       (B) Reapplication.--After the end of the period described 
     in subparagraph (A), an awardee may reapply for selection for 
     a second period of 5 years on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
     basis.
       (C) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Director may terminate an 
     underperforming center for cause during the performance 
     period.
       (4) No funding for construction.--No funding provided 
     pursuant to this subsection may be used for the construction 
     of new buildings or facilities.

     SEC. 503. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a research, 
     development, and demonstration program to advance 
     computational and networking capabilities to analyze, model, 
     simulate, and predict complex phenomena relevant to the 
     development of new energy technologies and the 
     competitiveness of the United States.
       (b) Facilities.--The Director, as part of the program 
     described in subsection (a), shall develop and maintain 
     world-class computing and network facilities for science and 
     deliver critical research in applied mathematics, computer 
     science, and advanced networking to support the Department's 
     missions.
       (c) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Department of Energy 
     High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 
     5541) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) Co-design.--The term `co-design' means the joint 
     development of application algorithms, models, and codes with 
     computer technology architectures and operating systems to 
     maximize effective use of high-end computing systems.
       ``(2) Department.--The term `Department' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       ``(3) Exascale.--The term `exascale' means computing system 
     performance at or near 10 to the 18th power floating point 
     operations per second.
       ``(4) High-end computing system.--The term `high-end 
     computing system' means a computing system with performance 
     that substantially exceeds that of systems that are commonly 
     available for advanced scientific and engineering 
     applications.
       ``(5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     15801).
       ``(6) Leadership system.--The term `leadership system' 
     means a high-end computing system that is among the most 
     advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving 
     scientific and engineering problems.
       ``(7) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory' 
     means any one of the seventeen laboratories owned by the 
     Department.
       ``(8) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       ``(9) Software technology.--The term `software technology' 
     includes optimal algorithms, programming environments, tools, 
     languages, and operating systems for high-end computing 
     systems.''.
       (d) Department of Energy High-end Computing Research and 
     Development Program.--Section 3 of the Department of Energy 
     High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 
     5542) is amended--

[[Page 7427]]

       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``program'' and inserting 
     ``coordinated program across the Department'';
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and 
     industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the 
     technology developed in this program to other challenges in 
     science, engineering, medicine, and industry.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``vector'' and all 
     that follows through ``architectures'' and inserting 
     ``computer technologies that show promise of substantial 
     reductions in power requirements and substantial gains in 
     parallelism of multicore processors, concurrency, memory and 
     storage, bandwidth, and reliability''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Exascale Computing Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
     coordinated research program to develop exascale computing 
     systems to advance the missions of the Department.
       ``(2) Execution.--The Secretary shall, through competitive 
     merit review, establish two or more National Laboratory-
     industry-university partnerships to conduct integrated 
     research, development, and engineering of multiple exascale 
     architectures, and--
       ``(A) conduct mission-related co-design activities in 
     developing such exascale platforms;
       ``(B) develop those advancements in hardware and software 
     technology required to fully realize the potential of an 
     exascale production system in addressing Department target 
     applications and solving scientific problems involving 
     predictive modeling and simulation and large-scale data 
     analytics and management; and
       ``(C) explore the use of exascale computing technologies to 
     advance a broad range of science and engineering.
       ``(3) Administration.--In carrying out this program, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(A) provide, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, 
     access for researchers in United States industry, 
     institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, and 
     other Federal agencies to these exascale systems, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(B) conduct outreach programs to increase the readiness 
     for the use of such platforms by domestic industries, 
     including manufacturers.
       ``(4) Reports.--
       ``(A) Integrated strategy and program management plan.--The 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, a report outlining an integrated 
     strategy and program management plan, including target dates 
     for prototypical and production exascale platforms, interim 
     milestones to reaching these targets, functional 
     requirements, roles and responsibilities of National 
     Laboratories and industry, acquisition strategy, and 
     estimated resources required, to achieve this exascale system 
     capability. The report shall include the Secretary's plan for 
     Departmental organization to manage and execute the Exascale 
     Computing Program, including definition of the roles and 
     responsibilities within the Department to ensure an 
     integrated program across the Department. The report shall 
     also include a plan for ensuring balance and prioritizing 
     across ASCR subprograms in a flat or slow-growth budget 
     environment.
       ``(B) Status reports.--At the time of the budget submission 
     of the Department for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     submit a report to Congress that describes the status of 
     milestones and costs in achieving the objectives of the 
     exascale computing program.
       ``(C) Exascale merit report.--At least 18 months prior to 
     the initiation of construction or installation of any 
     exascale-class computing facility, the Secretary shall 
     transmit a plan to the Congress detailing--
       ``(i) the proposed facility's cost projections and 
     capabilities to significantly accelerate the development of 
     new energy technologies;
       ``(ii) technical risks and challenges that must be overcome 
     to achieve successful completion and operation of the 
     facility; and
       ``(iii) an independent assessment of the scientific and 
     technological advances expected from such a facility relative 
     to those expected from a comparable investment in expanded 
     research and applications at terascale-class and petascale-
     class computing facilities, including an evaluation of where 
     investments should be made in the system software and 
     algorithms to enable these advances.''.

     SEC. 504. HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a research 
     program on the fundamental constituents of matter and energy 
     and the nature of space and time.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that--
       (1) the Director should incorporate the findings and 
     recommendations of the Particle Physics Project 
     Prioritization Panel's report entitled ``Building for 
     Discovery: Strategic Plan for U.S. Particle Physics in the 
     Global Context'', into the Department's planning process as 
     part of the program described in subsection (a);
       (2) the Director should prioritize domestically hosted 
     research projects that will maintain the United States 
     position as a global leader in particle physics and attract 
     the world's most talented physicists and foreign investment 
     for international collaboration; and
       (3) the nations that lead in particle physics by hosting 
     international teams dedicated to a common scientific goal 
     attract the world's best talent and inspire future 
     generations of physicists and technologists.
       (c) Neutrino Research.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall carry out research 
     activities on rare decay processes and the nature of the 
     neutrino, which may include collaborations with the National 
     Science Foundation or international collaborations.
       (d) Dark Energy and Dark Matter Research.--As part of the 
     program described in subsection (a), the Director shall carry 
     out research activities on the nature of dark energy and dark 
     matter, which may include collaborations with the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration or the National Science 
     Foundation, or international collaborations.
       (e) Accelerator Research and Development.--The Director 
     shall carry out research and development in advanced 
     accelerator concepts and technologies, including laser 
     technologies, to reduce the necessary scope and cost for the 
     next generation of particle accelerators. The Director shall 
     ensure access to national laboratory accelerator facilities, 
     infrastructure, and technology for users and developers of 
     accelerators that advance applications in energy and the 
     environment, medicine, industry, national security, and 
     discovery science.
       (f) International Collaboration.--The Director, as 
     practicable and in coordination with other appropriate 
     Federal agencies as necessary, shall ensure the access of 
     United States researchers to the most advanced accelerator 
     facilities and research capabilities in the world, including 
     the Large Hadron Collider.

     SEC. 505. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program of 
     research, development, and demonstration in the areas of 
     biological systems science and climate and environmental 
     science to support the energy and environmental missions of 
     the Department.
       (b) Priority Research.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Director shall prioritize fundamental research on biological 
     systems and genomics science with the greatest potential to 
     enable scientific discovery.
       (c) Assessment.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a 
     report to Congress identifying climate science-related 
     initiatives under this section that overlap or duplicate 
     initiatives of other Federal agencies and the extent of such 
     overlap or duplication.
       (d) Limitation.--The Director shall not approve new climate 
     science-related initiatives to be carried out through the 
     Office of Science without making a determination that such 
     work is unique and not duplicative of work by other Federal 
     agencies. Not later than 3 months after receiving the 
     assessment required under subsection (c), the Director shall 
     cease those climate science-related initiatives identified in 
     the assessment as overlapping or duplicative, unless the 
     Director justifies that such work is critical to achieving 
     American energy security.
       (e) Low Dose Radiation Research Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Department of Energy 
     Office of Science shall carry out a research program on low 
     dose radiation. The purpose of the program is to enhance the 
     scientific understanding of and reduce uncertainties 
     associated with the effects of exposure to low dose radiation 
     in order to inform improved risk management methods.
       (2) Study.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an 
     agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study 
     assessing the current status and development of a long-term 
     strategy for low dose radiation research. Such study shall be 
     completed not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act. The study shall be conducted in 
     coordination with Federal agencies that perform ionizing 
     radiation effects research and shall leverage the most 
     current studies in this field. Such study shall--
       (A) identify current scientific challenges for 
     understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation;
       (B) assess the status of current low dose radiation 
     research in the United States and internationally;
       (C) formulate overall scientific goals for the future of 
     low-dose radiation research in the United States;
       (D) recommend a long-term strategic and prioritized 
     research agenda to address scientific research goals for 
     overcoming the identified scientific challenges in 
     coordination with other research efforts;
       (E) define the essential components of a research program 
     that would address this research agenda within the 
     universities and the National Laboratories; and
       (F) assess the cost-benefit effectiveness of such a 
     program.
       (3) Research plan.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     completion of the study performed under paragraph (2) the 
     Secretary of Energy shall deliver to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a 5-year research plan that responds 
     to the study's findings and recommendations and identifies 
     and prioritizes research needs.
       (4) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``low dose 
     radiation'' means a radiation dose of less than 100 
     millisieverts.

[[Page 7428]]

       (5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
     be construed to subject any research carried out by the 
     Director under the research program under this subsection to 
     any limitations described in section 977(e) of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317(e)).

     SEC. 506. FUSION ENERGY.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a fusion energy 
     sciences research program to expand the fundamental 
     understanding of plasmas and matter at very high temperatures 
     and densities and to build the scientific foundation 
     necessary to enable fusion power.
       (b) Fusion Materials Research and Development.--As part of 
     the activities authorized in section 978 of the Energy Policy 
     Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16318)--
       (1) the Director, in coordination with the Assistant 
     Secretary for Nuclear Energy of the Department, shall carry 
     out research and development activities to identify, 
     characterize, and demonstrate materials that can endure the 
     neutron, plasma, and heat fluxes expected in a fusion power 
     system; and
       (2) the Secretary shall--
       (A) provide an assessment of the need for a facility or 
     facilities that can examine and test potential fusion and 
     next generation fission materials and other enabling 
     technologies relevant to the development of fusion power; and
       (B) provide an assessment of whether a single new facility 
     that substantially addresses magnetic fusion and next 
     generation fission materials research needs is feasible, in 
     conjunction with the expected capabilities of facilities 
     operational as of the date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Tokamak Research and Development.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall support research and 
     development activities and facility operations to optimize 
     the tokamak approach to fusion energy.
       (2) ITER.--
       (A) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report providing an assessment of--
       (i) the most recent schedule for ITER that has been 
     approved by the ITER Council; and
       (ii) progress of the ITER Council and the ITER Director 
     General toward implementation of the recommendations of the 
     Third Biennial International Organization Management 
     Assessment Report.
       (B) Fairness in competition for solicitations for 
     international project activities.--Section 33 of the Atomic 
     Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2053) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following: ``For purposes of this section, with 
     respect to international research projects, the term `private 
     facilities or laboratories' shall refer to facilities or 
     laboratories located in the United States.''.
       (C) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States should support a robust, diverse fusion 
     program. It is further the sense of Congress that developing 
     the scientific basis for fusion, providing research results 
     key to the success of ITER, and training the next generation 
     of fusion scientists are of critical importance to the United 
     States and should in no way be diminished by participation of 
     the United States in the ITER project.
       (d) Inertial Fusion Energy Research and Development 
     Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of research 
     and technology development in inertial fusion for energy 
     applications, including ion beam, laser, and pulsed power 
     fusion systems.
       (e) Alternative and Enabling Concepts.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall support research and 
     development activities and facility operations at United 
     States universities, national laboratories, and private 
     facilities for a portfolio of alternative and enabling fusion 
     energy concepts that may provide solutions to significant 
     challenges to the establishment of a commercial magnetic 
     fusion power plant, prioritized based on the ability of the 
     United States to play a leadership role in the international 
     fusion research community. Fusion energy concepts and 
     activities explored under this paragraph may include--
       (A) high magnetic field approaches facilitated by high 
     temperature superconductors;
       (B) advanced stellarator concepts;
       (C) non-tokamak confinement configurations operating at low 
     magnetic fields;
       (D) magnetized target fusion energy concepts;
       (E) liquid metals to address issues associated with fusion 
     plasma interactions with the inner wall of the encasing 
     device;
       (F) immersion blankets for heat management and fuel 
     breeding;
       (G) advanced scientific computing activities; and
       (H) other promising fusion energy concepts identified by 
     the Director.
       (2) Coordination with arpa-e.--The Under Secretary and the 
     Director shall coordinate with the Director of the Advanced 
     Research Projects Agency-Energy (in this paragraph referred 
     to as ``ARPA-E'') to--
       (A) assess the potential for any fusion energy project 
     supported by ARPA-E to represent a promising approach to a 
     commercially viable fusion power plant;
       (B) determine whether the results of any fusion energy 
     project supported by ARPA-E merit the support of follow-on 
     research activities carried out by the Office of Science; and
       (C) avoid unintentional duplication of activities.
       (f) General Plasma Science and Applications.--Not later 
     than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall provide to Congress an assessment of 
     opportunities in which the United States can provide world-
     leading contributions to advancing plasma science and non-
     fusion energy applications, and identify opportunities for 
     partnering with other Federal agencies both within and 
     outside of the Department of Energy.
       (g) Identification of Priorities.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to 
     Congress a report on the Department's proposed fusion energy 
     research and development activities over the following 10 
     years under at least 3 realistic budget scenarios, including 
     a scenario based on 3 percent annual growth in the non-ITER 
     portion of the budget for fusion energy research and 
     development activities. The report shall--
       (A) identify specific areas of fusion energy research and 
     enabling technology development in which the United States 
     can and should establish or solidify a lead in the global 
     fusion energy development effort;
       (B) identify priorities for initiation of facility 
     construction and facility decommissioning under each of those 
     scenarios; and
       (C) assess the ability of the United States fusion 
     workforce to carry out the activities identified in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), including the adequacy of college 
     and university programs to train the leaders and workers of 
     the next generation of fusion energy researchers.
       (2) Process.--In order to develop the report required under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall leverage best practices 
     and lessons learned from the process used to develop the most 
     recent report of the Particle Physics Project Prioritization 
     Panel of the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel. No member of 
     the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee shall be 
     excluded from participating in developing or voting on final 
     approval of the report required under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 507. NUCLEAR PHYSICS.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program of 
     experimental and theoretical research, and support associated 
     facilities, to discover, explore, and understand all forms of 
     nuclear matter.
       (b) Isotope Development and Production for Research 
     Applications.--The Director shall carry out a program for the 
     production of isotopes, including the development of 
     techniques to produce isotopes, that the Secretary determines 
     are needed for research, medical, industrial, or other 
     purposes. In making this determination, the Secretary shall--
       (1) ensure that, as has been the policy of the United 
     States since the publication in 1965 of Federal Register 
     notice 30 Fed. Reg. 3247, isotope production activities do 
     not compete with private industry unless critical national 
     interests necessitate the Federal Government's involvement;
       (2) ensure that activities undertaken pursuant to this 
     section, to the extent practicable, promote the growth of a 
     robust domestic isotope production industry; and
       (3) consider any relevant recommendations made by Federal 
     advisory committees, the National Academies, and interagency 
     working groups in which the Department participates.

     SEC. 508. SCIENCE LABORATORIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program to 
     improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of 
     infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. The program 
     shall include projects to--
       (1) renovate or replace space that does not meet research 
     needs;
       (2) replace facilities that are no longer cost effective to 
     renovate or operate;
       (3) modernize utility systems to prevent failures and 
     ensure efficiency;
       (4) remove excess facilities to allow safe and efficient 
     operations; and
       (5) construct modern facilities to conduct advanced 
     research in controlled environmental conditions.
       (b) Approach.--In carrying out this section, the Director 
     shall utilize all available approaches and mechanisms, 
     including capital line items, minor construction projects, 
     energy savings performance contracts, utility energy service 
     contracts, alternative financing, and expense funding, as 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 509. DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report on the current ability of 
     domestic manufacturers to meet the procurement requirements 
     for major ongoing projects funded by the Office of Science of 
     the Department, including a calculation of the percentage of 
     equipment acquired from domestic manufacturers for this 
     purpose.

     SEC. 510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for 
     fiscal year 2016 $5,339,800,000, of which--
       (1) $1,850,000,000 shall be for Basic Energy Science;
       (2) $788,000,000 shall be for High Energy Physics;
       (3) $550,000,000 shall be for Biological and Environmental 
     Research;
       (4) $624,700,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics;
       (5) $621,000,000 shall be for Advanced Scientific Computing 
     Research;
       (6) $488,000,000 shall be for Fusion Energy Sciences;

[[Page 7429]]

       (7) $113,600,000 shall be for Science Laboratories 
     Infrastructure;
       (8) $181,000,000 shall be for Science Program Direction;
       (9) $103,000,000 shall be for Safeguards and Security; and
       (10) $20,500,000 shall be for Workforce Development for 
     Teachers and Scientists.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for 
     fiscal year 2017 $5,339,800,000, of which--
       (1) $1,850,000,000 shall be for Basic Energy Science;
       (2) $788,000,000 shall be for High Energy Physics;
       (3) $550,000,000 shall be for Biological and Environmental 
     Research;
       (4) $624,700,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics;
       (5) $621,000,000 shall be for Advanced Scientific Computing 
     Research;
       (6) $488,000,000 shall be for Fusion Energy Sciences;
       (7) $113,600,000 shall be for Science Laboratories 
     Infrastructure;
       (8) $181,000,000 shall be for Science Program Direction;
       (9) $103,000,000 shall be for Safeguards and Security; and
       (10) $20,500,000 shall be for Workforce Development for 
     Teachers and Scientists.

     SEC. 511. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title--
       (1) the term ``Department'' means the Department of Energy;
       (2) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office 
     of Science of the Department; and
       (3) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

    TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

           Subtitle A--Crosscutting Research and Development

     SEC. 601. CROSSCUTTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Crosscutting Research and Development.--The Secretary 
     shall, through the Under Secretary for Science and Energy, 
     utilize the capabilities of the Department to identify 
     strategic opportunities for collaborative research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
     innovative science and technologies for--
       (1) advancing the understanding of the energy-water-land 
     use nexus;
       (2) modernizing the electric grid by improving energy 
     transmission and distribution systems security and 
     resiliency;
       (3) utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide in electric 
     power generation;
       (4) subsurface technology and engineering;
       (5) high performance computing;
       (6) cybersecurity; and
       (7) critical challenges identified through comprehensive 
     energy studies, evaluations, and reviews.
       (b) Crosscutting Approaches.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall seek to leverage existing 
     programs, and consolidate and coordinate activities, 
     throughout the Department to promote collaboration and 
     crosscutting approaches within programs.
       (c) Additional Actions.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) prioritize activities that promote the utilization of 
     all affordable domestic resources;
       (2) develop a rigorous and realistic planning, evaluation, 
     and technical assessment framework for setting objective, 
     long-term strategic goals and evaluating progress that 
     ensures the integrity and independence to insulate planning 
     from political influence and the flexibility to adapt to 
     market dynamics;
       (3) ensure that activities shall be undertaken in a manner 
     that does not duplicate other activities within the 
     Department or other Federal Government activities; and
       (4) identify programs that may be more effectively left to 
     the States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, 
     institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders.

     SEC. 602. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AND 
                   COORDINATION PLAN.

       Section 994 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16358) 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 994. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AND 
                   COORDINATION PLAN.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall periodically review 
     all of the science and technology activities of the 
     Department in a strategic framework that takes into account 
     the frontiers of science to which the Department can 
     contribute, the national needs relevant to the Department's 
     statutory missions, and global energy dynamics.
       ``(b) Coordination Analysis and Plan.--As part of the 
     review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a 
     plan to improve coordination and collaboration in research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application 
     activities across Department organizational boundaries.
       ``(c) Plan Contents.--The plan shall describe--
       ``(1) cross-cutting scientific and technical issues and 
     research questions that span more than one program or major 
     office of the Department;
       ``(2) how the applied technology programs of the Department 
     are coordinating their activities, and addressing those 
     questions;
       ``(3) ways in which the technical interchange within the 
     Department, particularly between the Office of Science and 
     the applied technology programs, can be enhanced, including 
     limited ways in which the research agendas of the Office of 
     Science and the applied programs can better interact and 
     assist each other;
       ``(4) a description of how the Secretary will ensure that 
     the Department's overall research agenda include, in addition 
     to fundamental, curiosity-driven research, fundamental 
     research related to topics of concern to the applied 
     programs, and applications in Departmental technology 
     programs of research results generated by fundamental, 
     curiosity-driven research;
       ``(5) critical assessments of any ongoing programs that 
     have experienced sub-par performance or cost over-runs of 10 
     percent or more over one or more years; and
       ``(6) activities that may be more effectively left to the 
     States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, institutions 
     of higher education, or other stakeholders.
       ``(d) Plan Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act 
     of 2015, and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall 
     transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources of the Senate the results of the review 
     under subsection (a) and the coordination plan under 
     subsection (b).''.

     SEC. 603. STRATEGY FOR FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 993 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16357) is amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows: 
     ``STRATEGY FOR FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``2008'' and 
     inserting ``2018''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The item relating to 
     section 993 in the table of contents of the Energy Policy Act 
     of 2005 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 993. Strategy for facilities and infrastructure.''.

 Subtitle B--Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Research and 
                              Development

     SEC. 611. DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AND ELECTRIC ENERGY SYSTEMS.

       Section 921 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16211) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 921. DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AND ELECTRIC ENERGY SYSTEMS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out programs 
     of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application on distributed energy resources and systems 
     reliability and efficiency, to improve the reliability and 
     efficiency of distributed energy resources and systems, 
     integrating advanced energy technologies with grid 
     connectivity, including activities described in this 
     subtitle. The programs shall address advanced energy 
     technologies and systems and advanced grid security, 
     resiliency, and reliability technologies.
       ``(b) Objectives.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     Secretary shall seek to--
       ``(1) leverage existing programs;
       ``(2) consolidate and coordinate activities throughout the 
     Department to promote collaboration and crosscutting 
     approaches;
       ``(3) ensure activities are undertaken in a manner that 
     does not duplicate other activities within the Department or 
     other Federal Government activities; and
       ``(4) identify programs that may be more effectively left 
     to the States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, 
     institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders.''.

     SEC. 612. ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 925 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16215) is amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows: 
     ``ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH AND 
     DEVELOPMENT'';
       (2) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) Program.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     comprehensive research, development, and demonstration 
     program to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and 
     environmental integrity of electrical transmission and 
     distribution systems, which shall include innovations for--
       ``(1) advanced energy delivery technologies, energy storage 
     technologies, materials, and systems;
       ``(2) advanced grid reliability and efficiency technology 
     development;
       ``(3) technologies contributing to significant load 
     reductions;
       ``(4) advanced metering, load management, and control 
     technologies;
       ``(5) technologies to enhance existing grid components;
       ``(6) the development and use of high-temperature 
     superconductors to--
       ``(A) enhance the reliability, operational flexibility, or 
     power-carrying capability of electric transmission or 
     distribution systems; or
       ``(B) increase the efficiency of electric energy 
     generation, transmission, distribution, or storage systems;
       ``(7) integration of power systems, including systems to 
     deliver high-quality electric power, electric power 
     reliability, and combined heat and power;
       ``(8) supply of electricity to the power grid by small 
     scale, distributed, and residential-based power generators;
       ``(9) the development and use of advanced grid design, 
     operation, and planning tools; and
       ``(10) any other infrastructure technologies, as 
     appropriate.''; and
       (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

[[Page 7430]]

       ``(c) Implementation.--
       ``(1) Consortium.--The Secretary shall consider 
     implementing the program under this section using a 
     consortium of participants from industry, institutions of 
     higher education, and National Laboratories.
       ``(2) Objectives.--To the maximum extent practicable the 
     Secretary shall seek to--
       ``(A) leverage existing programs;
       ``(B) consolidate and coordinate activities, throughout the 
     Department to promote collaboration and crosscutting 
     approaches;
       ``(C) ensure activities are undertaken in a manner that 
     does not duplicate other activities within the Department or 
     other Federal Government activities; and
       ``(D) identify programs that may be more effectively left 
     to the States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, 
     institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The item relating to 
     section 925 in the table of contents of the Energy Policy Act 
     of 2005 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 925. Electric transmission and distribution research and 
              development.''.

          Subtitle C--Nuclear Energy Research and Development

     SEC. 621. OBJECTIVES.

       Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16271) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct programs of 
     civilian nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, 
     and commercial application, including activities described in 
     this subtitle. Such programs shall take into consideration 
     the following objectives:
       ``(1) Enhancing nuclear power's viability as part of the 
     United States energy portfolio.
       ``(2) Reducing used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste products 
     generated by civilian nuclear energy.
       ``(3) Supporting technological advances in areas that 
     industry by itself is not likely to undertake because of 
     technical and financial uncertainty.
       ``(4) Providing the technical means to reduce the 
     likelihood of nuclear proliferation.
       ``(5) Maintaining a cadre of nuclear scientists and 
     engineers.
       ``(6) Maintaining National Laboratory and university 
     nuclear programs, including their infrastructure.
       ``(7) Supporting both individual researchers and 
     multidisciplinary teams of researchers to pioneer new 
     approaches in nuclear energy, science, and technology.
       ``(8) Developing, planning, constructing, acquiring, and 
     operating special equipment and facilities for the use of 
     researchers.
       ``(9) Supporting technology transfer and other appropriate 
     activities to assist the nuclear energy industry, and other 
     users of nuclear science and engineering, including 
     activities addressing reliability, availability, 
     productivity, component aging, safety, and security of 
     nuclear power plants.
       ``(10) Reducing the environmental impact of nuclear energy-
     related activities.
       ``(11) Researching and developing technologies and 
     processes to meet Federal and State requirements and 
     standards for nuclear power systems.'';
       (2) by striking subsections (b) through (d); and
       (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (b).

     SEC. 622. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES STUDY.

       Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16271) is further amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(c) Program Objectives Study.--In furtherance of the 
     program objectives listed in subsection (a) of this section, 
     the Government Accountability Office shall, within one year 
     after the date of enactment of this subsection, transmit to 
     the Congress a report on the results of a study on the 
     scientific and technical merit of major Federal and State 
     requirements and standards, including moratoria, that delay 
     or impede the further development and commercialization of 
     nuclear power, and how the Department can assist in 
     overcoming such delays or impediments.''.

     SEC. 623. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

       Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16272) is amended by striking subsections (c) through (e) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(c) Reactor Concepts.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
     of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application to advance nuclear power systems as well as 
     technologies to sustain currently deployed systems.
       ``(2) Designs and technologies.--In conducting the program 
     under this subsection, the Secretary shall examine advanced 
     reactor designs and nuclear technologies, including those 
     that--
       ``(A) have higher efficiency, lower cost, and improved 
     safety compared to reactors in operation as of the date of 
     enactment of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
     2015;
       ``(B) utilize passive safety features;
       ``(C) minimize proliferation risks;
       ``(D) substantially reduce production of high-level waste 
     per unit of output;
       ``(E) increase the life and sustainability of reactor 
     systems currently deployed;
       ``(F) use improved instrumentation;
       ``(G) are capable of producing large-scale quantities of 
     hydrogen or process heat;
       ``(H) minimize water usage or use alternatives to water as 
     a cooling mechanism; or
       ``(I) use nuclear energy as part of an integrated energy 
     system.
       ``(3) International cooperation.--In carrying out the 
     program under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek 
     opportunities to enhance the progress of the program through 
     international cooperation through such organizations as the 
     Generation IV International Forum or any other international 
     collaboration the Secretary considers appropriate.
       ``(4) Exceptions.--No funds authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out the activities described in this subsection 
     shall be used to fund the activities authorized under 
     sections 641 through 645.''.

     SEC. 624. SMALL MODULAR REACTOR PROGRAM.

       Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16272) is further amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(d) Small Modular Reactor Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a small 
     modular reactor program to promote research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercial application of small modular 
     reactors, including through cost-shared projects for 
     commercial application of reactor systems designs.
       ``(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with and 
     utilize the expertise of the Secretary of the Navy in 
     establishing and carrying out such program.
       ``(3) Additional activities.--Activities may also include 
     development of advanced computer modeling and simulation 
     tools, by Federal and non-Federal entities, which demonstrate 
     and validate new design capabilities of innovative small 
     modular reactor designs.
       ``(4) Definition.--For the purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `small modular reactor' means a nuclear reactor meeting 
     generally accepted industry standards--
       ``(A) with a rated capacity of less than 300 electrical 
     megawatts;
       ``(B) with respect to which most parts can be factory 
     assembled and shipped as modules to a reactor plant site for 
     assembly; and
       ``(C) that can be constructed and operated in combination 
     with similar reactors at a single site.''.

     SEC. 625. FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 953 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading by striking ``ADVANCED FUEL 
     CYCLE INITIATIVE'' and inserting ``FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND 
     DEVELOPMENT'';
       (2) by striking subsection (a);
       (3) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as 
     subsections (d) through (f), respectively; and
       (4) by inserting before subsection (d), as so redesignated 
     by paragraph (3) of this subsection, the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a fuel cycle 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application program (referred to in this section as the 
     `program') on fuel cycle options that improve uranium 
     resource utilization, maximize energy generation, minimize 
     nuclear waste creation, improve safety, mitigate risk of 
     proliferation, and improve waste management in support of a 
     national strategy for spent nuclear fuel and the reactor 
     concepts research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application program under section 952(c).
       ``(b) Fuel Cycle Options.--Under this section the Secretary 
     may consider implementing the following initiatives:
       ``(1) Open cycle.--Developing fuels, including the use of 
     nonuranium materials and alternate claddings, for use in 
     reactors that increase energy generation, improve safety 
     performance and margins, and minimize the amount of nuclear 
     waste produced in an open fuel cycle.
       ``(2) Recycle.--Developing advanced recycling technologies, 
     including advanced reactor concepts to improve resource 
     utilization, reduce proliferation risks, and minimize 
     radiotoxicity, decay heat, and mass and volume of nuclear 
     waste to the greatest extent possible.
       ``(3) Advanced storage methods.--Developing advanced 
     storage technologies for both onsite and long-term storage 
     that substantially prolong the effective life of current 
     storage devices or that substantially improve upon existing 
     nuclear waste storage technologies and methods, including 
     repositories.
       ``(4) Fast test reactor.--Investigating the potential 
     research benefits of a fast test reactor user facility to 
     conduct experiments on fuels and materials related to fuel 
     forms and fuel cycles that will increase fuel utilization, 
     reduce proliferation risks, and reduce nuclear waste 
     products.
       ``(5) Advanced reactor innovation.--Developing an advanced 
     reactor innovation testbed where national laboratories, 
     universities, and industry can address advanced reactor 
     design challenges to enable construction and operation of 
     privately funded reactor prototypes to resolve technical 
     uncertainty for United States-based designs for future 
     domestic and international markets.
       ``(6) Other technologies.--Developing any other technology 
     or initiative that the Secretary determines is likely to 
     advance the objectives of the program.
       ``(c) Additional Advanced Recycling and Crosscutting 
     Activities.--In addition to and in support of the specific 
     initiatives described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of 
     subsection (b), the Secretary may support the following 
     activities:
       ``(1) Development and testing of integrated process flow 
     sheets for advanced nuclear fuel recycling processes.

[[Page 7431]]

       ``(2) Research to characterize the byproducts and waste 
     streams resulting from fuel recycling processes.
       ``(3) Research and development on reactor concepts or 
     transmutation technologies that improve resource utilization 
     or reduce the radiotoxicity of waste streams.
       ``(4) Research and development on waste treatment processes 
     and separations technologies, advanced waste forms, and 
     quantification of proliferation risks.
       ``(5) Identification and evaluation of test and 
     experimental facilities necessary to successfully implement 
     the advanced fuel cycle initiative.
       ``(6) Advancement of fuel cycle-related modeling and 
     simulation capabilities.
       ``(7) Research to understand the behavior of high-burnup 
     fuels.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The item relating to section 953 
     in the table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is 
     amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 953. Fuel cycle research and development.''.

     SEC. 626. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM.

       (a) Amendment.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy 
     Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 958. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a program to 
     support the integration of activities undertaken through the 
     reactor concepts research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application program under section 952(c) and the 
     fuel cycle research and development program under section 
     953, and support crosscutting nuclear energy concepts. 
     Activities commenced under this section shall be concentrated 
     on broadly applicable research and development focus areas.
       ``(b) Activities.--Activities conducted under this section 
     may include research involving--
       ``(1) advanced reactor materials;
       ``(2) advanced radiation mitigation methods;
       ``(3) advanced proliferation and security risk assessment 
     methods;
       ``(4) advanced sensors and instrumentation;
       ``(5) high performance computation modeling, including 
     multiphysics, multidimensional modeling simulation for 
     nuclear energy systems, and continued development of advanced 
     modeling simulation capabilities through national laboratory, 
     industry, and university partnerships for operations and 
     safety performance improvements of light water reactors for 
     currently deployed and near-term reactors and advanced 
     reactors and for the development of small modular reactors; 
     and
       ``(6) any crosscutting technology or transformative concept 
     aimed at establishing substantial and revolutionary 
     enhancements in the performance of future nuclear energy 
     systems that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate 
     to the purpose of this section.
       ``(c) Report.--The Secretary shall submit, as part of the 
     annual budget submission of the Department, a report on the 
     activities of the program conducted under this section, which 
     shall include a brief evaluation of each activity's 
     progress.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
     Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by adding at the end of 
     the items for subtitle E of title IX the following new item:

``Sec. 958. Nuclear energy enabling technologies.''.

     SEC. 627. TECHNICAL STANDARDS COLLABORATION.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology shall establish a nuclear energy 
     standards committee (in this section referred to as the 
     ``technical standards committee'') to facilitate and support, 
     consistent with the National Technology Transfer and 
     Advancement Act of 1995, the development or revision of 
     technical standards for new and existing nuclear power plants 
     and advanced nuclear technologies.
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The technical standards committee shall 
     include representatives from appropriate Federal agencies and 
     the private sector, and be open to materially affected 
     organizations involved in the development or application of 
     nuclear energy-related standards.
       (2) Co-chairs.--The technical standards committee shall be 
     co-chaired by a representative from the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology and a representative from a private 
     sector standards organization.
       (c) Duties.--The technical standards committee shall, in 
     cooperation with appropriate Federal agencies--
       (1) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the 
     technical standards that are needed to support nuclear 
     energy, including those needed to support new and existing 
     nuclear power plants and advanced nuclear technologies, 
     including developing the technical basis for regulatory 
     frameworks for advanced reactors;
       (2) formulate, coordinate, and recommend priorities for the 
     development of new technical standards and the revision of 
     existing technical standards to address the needs identified 
     under paragraph (1);
       (3) facilitate and support collaboration and cooperation 
     among standards developers to address the needs and 
     priorities identified under paragraphs (1) and (2);
       (4) as appropriate, coordinate with other national, 
     regional, or international efforts on nuclear energy-related 
     technical standards in order to avoid conflict and 
     duplication and to ensure global compatibility; and
       (5) promote the establishment and maintenance of a database 
     of nuclear energy-related technical standards.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To the extent 
     provided for in advance by appropriations Acts, the Secretary 
     may transfer to the Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology not to exceed $1,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2016 for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this 
     section from amounts appropriated for nuclear energy research 
     and development within the Nuclear Energy Enabling 
     Technologies account for the Department.

     SEC. 628. AVAILABLE FACILITIES DATABASE.

       The Secretary shall prepare a database of non-Federal user 
     facilities receiving Federal funds that may be used for 
     unclassified nuclear energy research.   The Secretary shall 
     make this database accessible on the Department's website.

     SEC. 629. NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL.

       To the extent consistent with the requirements of current 
     law, the Department shall be responsible for disposal of 
     high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel generated 
     by reactors under the programs authorized in this subtitle, 
     or the amendments made by this subtitle.

    Subtitle D--Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research and 
                              Development

     SEC. 641. ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

       Section 911 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16191) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 911. ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

       ``(a) Objectives.--The Secretary shall conduct programs of 
     energy efficiency research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application, including activities described in 
     this subtitle. Such programs shall prioritize activities that 
     industry by itself is not likely to undertake because of 
     technical challenges or regulatory uncertainty, and take into 
     consideration the following objectives:
       ``(1) Increasing energy efficiency.
       ``(2) Reducing the cost of energy.
       ``(3) Reducing the environmental impact of energy-related 
     activities.
       ``(b) Programs.--Programs under this subtitle shall include 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application of--
       ``(1) innovative, affordable technologies to improve the 
     energy efficiency and environmental performance of vehicles, 
     including weight and drag reduction technologies, 
     technologies, modeling, and simulation for increasing vehicle 
     connectivity and automation, and whole-vehicle design 
     optimization;
       ``(2) cost-effective technologies, for new construction and 
     retrofit, to improve the energy efficiency and environmental 
     performance of buildings, using a whole-buildings approach;
       ``(3) advanced technologies to improve the energy 
     efficiency, environmental performance, and process efficiency 
     of energy-intensive and waste-intensive industries;
       ``(4) technologies to improve the energy efficiency of 
     appliances and mechanical systems for buildings in extreme 
     climates, including cogeneration, trigeneration, and 
     polygeneration units;
       ``(5) advanced battery technologies; and
       ``(6) fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.''.

     SEC. 642. NEXT GENERATION LIGHTING INITIATIVE.

       Section 912 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16192) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents 
     of that Act are repealed.

     SEC. 643. BUILDING STANDARDS.

       Section 914 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16194) is amended by striking subsection (c).

     SEC. 644. SECONDARY ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY USE PROGRAM.

       Section 915 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16195) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents 
     of that Act are repealed.

     SEC. 645. NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION PROGRAM.

       To the extent provided for in advance by appropriations 
     Acts, the Secretary may transfer to the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology up to $150,000,000 for the period 
     encompassing fiscal years 2015 through 2017 from amounts 
     appropriated for advanced manufacturing research and 
     development under this subtitle (and the amendments made by 
     this subtitle) for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the 
     Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program authorized under 
     section 34 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).

     SEC. 646. ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS.

       Section 917 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16197) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2)(B);
       (B) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (3) and 
     inserting a period; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (4);
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (6);
       (3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
       ``(g) Prohibition.--None of the funds awarded under this 
     section may be used for the construction of facilities or the 
     deployment of commercially available technologies.''; and
       (4) by striking subsection (i).

[[Page 7432]]



     SEC. 647. RENEWABLE ENERGY.

       Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16231) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 931. RENEWABLE ENERGY.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Objectives.--The Secretary shall conduct programs of 
     renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application, including activities described in 
     this subtitle. Such programs shall prioritize discovery 
     research and development and take into consideration the 
     following objectives:
       ``(A) Increasing the conversion efficiency of all forms of 
     renewable energy through improved technologies.
       ``(B) Decreasing the cost of renewable energy generation 
     and delivery.
       ``(C) Promoting the diversity of the energy supply.
       ``(D) Decreasing the dependence of the United States on 
     foreign mineral resources.
       ``(E) Decreasing the environmental impact of renewable 
     energy-related activities.
       ``(F) Increasing the export of renewable generation 
     technologies from the United States.
       ``(2) Programs.--
       ``(A) Solar energy.--The Secretary shall conduct a program 
     of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application for solar energy, including innovations in--
       ``(i) photovoltaics;
       ``(ii) solar heating;
       ``(iii) concentrating solar power;
       ``(iv) lighting systems that integrate sunlight and 
     electrical lighting in complement to each other; and
       ``(v) development of technologies that can be easily 
     integrated into new and existing buildings.
       ``(B) Wind energy.--The Secretary shall conduct a program 
     of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application for wind energy, including innovations in--
       ``(i) low speed wind energy;
       ``(ii) testing and verification technologies;
       ``(iii) distributed wind energy generation; and
       ``(iv) transformational technologies for harnessing wind 
     energy.
       ``(C) Geothermal.--The Secretary shall conduct a program of 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application for geothermal energy, including technologies 
     for--
       ``(i) improving detection of geothermal resources;
       ``(ii) decreasing drilling costs;
       ``(iii) decreasing maintenance costs through improved 
     materials;
       ``(iv) increasing the potential for other revenue sources, 
     such as mineral production; and
       ``(v) increasing the understanding of reservoir life cycle 
     and management.
       ``(D) Hydropower.--The Secretary shall conduct a program of 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application for technologies that enable the development of 
     new and incremental hydropower capacity, including:
       ``(i) Advanced technologies to enhance environmental 
     performance and yield greater energy efficiencies.
       ``(ii) Ocean energy, including wave energy.
       ``(E) Miscellaneous projects.--The Secretary shall conduct 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application programs for--
       ``(i) the combined use of renewable energy technologies 
     with one another and with other energy technologies, 
     including the combined use of renewable power and fossil 
     technologies;
       ``(ii) renewable energy technologies for cogeneration of 
     hydrogen and electricity; and
       ``(iii) kinetic hydro turbines.
       ``(b) Rural Demonstration Projects.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, shall give priority to demonstrations that 
     assist in delivering electricity to rural and remote 
     locations including--
       ``(1) advanced renewable power technology, including 
     combined use with fossil technologies;
       ``(2) biomass; and
       ``(3) geothermal energy systems.
       ``(c) Analysis and Evaluation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct analysis and 
     evaluation in support of the renewable energy programs under 
     this subtitle. These activities shall be used to guide budget 
     and program decisions, and shall include--
       ``(A) economic and technical analysis of renewable energy 
     potential, including resource assessment;
       ``(B) analysis of past program performance, both in terms 
     of technical advances and in market introduction of renewable 
     energy;
       ``(C) assessment of domestic and international market 
     drivers, including the impacts of any Federal, State, or 
     local grants, loans, loan guarantees, tax incentives, 
     statutory or regulatory requirements, or other government 
     initiatives; and
       ``(D) any other analysis or evaluation that the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       ``(2) Funding.--The Secretary may designate up to 1 percent 
     of the funds appropriated for carrying out this subtitle for 
     analysis and evaluation activities under this subsection.
       ``(3) Submittal to congress.--This analysis and evaluation 
     shall be submitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate at least 30 
     days before each annual budget request is submitted to 
     Congress.''.

     SEC. 648. BIOENERGY PROGRAM.

       Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16232) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 932. BIOENERGY PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Program.--The Secretary shall conduct a program of 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application for bioenergy, including innovations in--
       ``(1) biopower energy systems;
       ``(2) biofuels;
       ``(3) bioproducts;
       ``(4) integrated biorefineries that may produce biopower, 
     biofuels, and bioproducts; and
       ``(5) cross-cutting research and development in feedstocks.
       ``(b) Biofuels and Bioproducts.--The goals of the biofuels 
     and bioproducts programs shall be to develop, in partnership 
     with industry and institutions of higher education--
       ``(1) advanced biochemical and thermochemical conversion 
     technologies capable of making fuels from lignocellulosic 
     feedstocks that are price-competitive with fossil-based fuels 
     and fully compatible with either internal combustion engines 
     or fuel cell-powered vehicles;
       ``(2) advanced conversion of biomass to biofuels and 
     bioproducts as part of integrated biorefineries based on 
     either biochemical processes, thermochemical processes, or 
     hybrids of these processes; and
       ``(3) other advanced processes that will enable the 
     development of cost-effective bioproducts, including 
     biofuels.
       ``(c) Retrofit Technologies for the Development of Ethanol 
     From Cellulosic Materials.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     program of research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application for technologies and processes to 
     enable biorefineries that exclusively use corn grain or corn 
     starch as a feedstock to produce ethanol to be retrofitted to 
     accept a range of biomass, including lignocellulosic 
     feedstocks.
       ``(d) Limitations.--None of the funds authorized for 
     carrying out this section may be used to fund commercial 
     biofuels production for defense purposes.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Biomass.--The term `biomass' means--
       ``(A) any organic material grown for the purpose of being 
     converted to energy;
       ``(B) any organic byproduct of agriculture (including 
     wastes from food production and processing) that can be 
     converted into energy; or
       ``(C) any waste material that can be converted to energy, 
     is segregated from other waste materials, and is derived 
     from--
       ``(i) any of the following forest-related resources: mill 
     residues, precommercial thinnings, slash, brush, or otherwise 
     nonmerchantable material;
       ``(ii) wood waste materials, including waste pallets, 
     crates, dunnage, manufacturing and construction wood wastes 
     (other than pressure-treated, chemically treated, or painted 
     wood wastes), and landscape or right-of-way tree trimmings, 
     but not including municipal solid waste, gas derived from the 
     biodegradation of municipal solid waste, or paper that is 
     commonly recycled; or
       ``(iii) solids derived from waste water treatment 
     processes.
       ``(2) Lignocellulosic feedstock.--The term `lignocellulosic 
     feedstock' means any portion of a plant or coproduct from 
     conversion, including crops, trees, forest residues, grasses, 
     and agricultural residues not specifically grown for food, 
     including from barley grain, grapeseed, rice bran, rice 
     hulls, rice straw, soybean matter, cornstover, and sugarcane 
     bagasse.''.

     SEC. 649. CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       Section 934 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16234) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents 
     of that Act are repealed.

     SEC. 650. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

       Section 935 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16235) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents 
     of that Act are repealed.

           Subtitle E--Fossil Energy Research and Development

     SEC. 661. FOSSIL ENERGY.

       Section 961 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291) 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 961. FOSSIL ENERGY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application 
     programs in fossil energy, including activities under this 
     subtitle, with the goal of improving the efficiency, 
     effectiveness, and environmental performance of fossil energy 
     production, upgrading, conversion, and consumption. Such 
     programs shall take into consideration the following 
     objectives:
       ``(1) Increasing the energy conversion efficiency of all 
     forms of fossil energy through improved technologies.
       ``(2) Decreasing the cost of all fossil energy production, 
     generation, and delivery.
       ``(3) Promoting diversity of energy supply.
       ``(4) Decreasing the dependence of the United States on 
     foreign energy supplies.
       ``(5) Decreasing the environmental impact of energy-related 
     activities.
       ``(6) Increasing the export of fossil energy-related 
     equipment, technology, and services from the United States.
       ``(b) Objectives.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     Secretary shall seek to--
       ``(1) leverage existing programs;
       ``(2) consolidate and coordinate activities throughout the 
     Department to promote collaboration and crosscutting 
     approaches;
       ``(3) ensure activities are undertaken in a manner that 
     does not duplicate other activities within the Department or 
     other Federal Government activities; and

[[Page 7433]]

       ``(4) identify programs that may be more effectively left 
     to the States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, 
     institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders.
       ``(c) Limitations.--
       ``(1) Uses.--None of the funds authorized for carrying out 
     this section may be used for Fossil Energy Environmental 
     Restoration.
       ``(2) Institutions of higher education.--Not less than 20 
     percent of the funds appropriated for carrying out section 
     964 of this Act for each fiscal year shall be dedicated to 
     research and development carried out at institutions of 
     higher education.
       ``(3) Use for regulatory assessments or determinations.--
     The results of any research, development, demonstration, or 
     commercial application projects or activities of the 
     Department authorized under this subtitle may not be used for 
     regulatory assessments or determinations by Federal 
     regulatory authorities.
       ``(d) Assessments.--
       ``(1) Constraints against bringing resources to market.--
     Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
     America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Secretary 
     shall transmit to Congress an assessment of the technical, 
     institutional, policy, and regulatory constraints to bringing 
     new domestic fossil resources to market.
       ``(2) Technology capabilities.--Not later than 2 years 
     after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall transmit to 
     Congress a long-term assessment of existing and projected 
     technological capabilities for expanded production from 
     domestic unconventional oil, gas, and methane reserves.''.

     SEC. 662. COAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
                   COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 962 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16292) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (10), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(12) specific additional programs to address water use 
     and reuse;
       ``(13) the testing, including the construction of testing 
     facilities, of high temperature materials for use in advanced 
     systems for combustion or use of coal; and
       ``(14) innovations to application of existing coal 
     conversion systems designed to increase efficiency of 
     conversion, flexibility of operation, and other modifications 
     to address existing usage requirements.'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as 
     subsections (c) through (e), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) Transformational Coal Technology Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--As part of the program established under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may carry out a program 
     designed to undertake research, development, demonstration, 
     and commercial application of technologies, including the 
     accelerated development of--
       ``(A) chemical looping technology;
       ``(B) supercritical carbon dioxide power generation cycles;
       ``(C) pressurized oxycombustion, including new and retrofit 
     technologies; and
       ``(D) other technologies that are characterized by the use 
     of--
       ``(i) alternative energy cycles;
       ``(ii) thermionic devices using waste heat;
       ``(iii) fuel cells;
       ``(iv) replacement of chemical processes with 
     biotechnology;
       ``(v) nanotechnology;
       ``(vi) new materials in applications (other than extending 
     cycles to higher temperature and pressure), such as membranes 
     or ceramics;
       ``(vii) carbon utilization, such as in construction 
     materials, using low quality energy to reconvert back to a 
     fuel, or manufactured food;
       ``(viii) advanced gas separation concepts; and
       ``(ix) other technologies, including--

       ``(I) modular, manufactured components; and
       ``(II) innovative production or research techniques, such 
     as using 3-D printer systems, for the production of early 
     research and development prototypes.

       ``(2) Cost share.--In carrying out the program described in 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall enter into partnerships 
     with private entities to share the costs of carrying out the 
     program. The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal cost share 
     requirement if the Secretary determines that the reduction is 
     necessary and appropriate considering the technological risks 
     involved in the project.''; and
       (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--In carrying out programs authorized by 
     this section, the Secretary shall identify cost and 
     performance goals for coal-based technologies that would 
     permit the continued cost-competitive use of coal for the 
     production of electricity, chemical feedstocks, 
     transportation fuels, and other marketable products.''.
       (b) Advisory Committee; Authorization of Appropriations.--
     Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16293) is amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (6) of subsection (c) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(6) Advisory committee.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
     Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to undertake, 
     not less frequently than once every 3 years, a review and 
     prepare a report on the progress being made by the Department 
     of Energy to achieve the goals described in subsections (a) 
     and (b) of section 962 and subsection (b) of this section.
       ``(B) Membership requirements.--Members of the advisory 
     committee established under subparagraph (A) shall be 
     appointed by the Secretary.''; and
       (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d) Study of Carbon Dioxide Pipelines.--Not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall transmit to 
     Congress the results of a study to assess the cost and 
     feasibility of engineering, permitting, building, 
     maintaining, regulating, and insuring a national system of 
     carbon dioxide pipelines.''.

     SEC. 663. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, through the Office of 
     Fossil Energy, shall carry out a multiyear, multiphase 
     program of research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application to innovate technologies to maximize 
     the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation 
     systems.
       (b) Program Elements.--The program under this section 
     shall--
       (1) support innovative engineering and detailed gas turbine 
     design for megawatt-scale and utility-scale electric power 
     generation, including--
       (A) high temperature materials, including superalloys, 
     coatings, and ceramics;
       (B) improved heat transfer capability;
       (C) manufacturing technology required to construct complex 
     three-dimensional geometry parts with improved aerodynamic 
     capability;
       (D) combustion technology to produce higher firing 
     temperature while lowering nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide 
     emissions per unit of output;
       (E) advanced controls and systems integration;
       (F) advanced high performance compressor technology; and
       (G) validation facilities for the testing of components and 
     subsystems;
       (2) include technology demonstration through component 
     testing, subscale testing, and full scale testing in existing 
     fleets;
       (3) include field demonstrations of the developed 
     technology elements so as to demonstrate technical and 
     economic feasibility; and
       (4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system 
     performance.
       (c) Program Goals.--The goals of the multiphase program 
     established under subsection (a) shall be--
       (1) in phase I--
       (A) to develop the conceptual design of advanced high 
     efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 62 percent 
     combined cycle efficiency or 47 percent simple cycle 
     efficiency on a lower heating value basis; and
       (B) to develop and demonstrate the technology required for 
     advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at 
     least 62 percent combined cycle efficiency or 47 percent 
     simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis; and
       (2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual design for 
     advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at 
     least 65 percent combined cycle efficiency or 50 percent 
     simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis.
       (d) Proposals.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit grant and contract 
     proposals from industry, small businesses, universities, and 
     other appropriate parties for conducting activities under 
     this section. In selecting proposals, the Secretary shall 
     emphasize--
       (1) the extent to which the proposal will stimulate the 
     creation or increased retention of jobs in the United States; 
     and
       (2) the extent to which the proposal will promote and 
     enhance United States technology leadership.
       (e) Competitive Awards.--The provision of funding under 
     this section shall be on a competitive basis with an emphasis 
     on technical merit.
       (f) Cost Sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to an award of financial 
     assistance made under this section.

          Subtitle F--Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy

     SEC. 671. ARPA-E AMENDMENTS.

       Section 5012 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538) 
     is amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (c) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(1) In general.--The goals of ARPA-E shall be to enhance 
     the economic and energy security of the United States and to 
     ensure that the United States maintains a technological lead 
     through the development of advanced energy technologies.'';
       (2) in subsection (i)(1), by inserting ``ARPA-E shall not 
     provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee 
     demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing 
     or indicates that the project is not independently 
     commercially viable.'' after ``relevant research agencies.'';
       (3) in subsection (l)(1), by inserting ``and once every 6 
     years thereafter,'' after ``operation for 6 years,''; and
       (4) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o) and 
     inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection:
       ``(n) Protection of Proprietary Information.--

[[Page 7434]]

       ``(1) In general.--The following categories of information 
     collected by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy 
     from recipients of financial assistance awards shall be 
     considered privileged and confidential and not subject to 
     disclosure pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States 
     Code:
       ``(A) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed 
     under the award, including business plans, technology to 
     market plans, market studies, and cost and performance 
     models.
       ``(B) Investments provided to an awardee from third 
     parties, such as venture capital, hedge fund, or private 
     equity firms, including amounts and percentage of ownership 
     of the awardee provided in return for such investments.
       ``(C) Additional financial support that the awardee plans 
     to invest or has invested into the technology developed under 
     the award, or that the awardee is seeking from third parties.
       ``(D) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or 
     services resulting from the research conducted under the 
     award.
       ``(2) Effect of subsection.--Nothing in this subsection 
     affects--
       ``(A) the authority of the Secretary to use information 
     without publicly disclosing such information; or
       ``(B) the responsibility of the Secretary to transmit 
     information to Congress as required by law.''.

              Subtitle G--Authorization of Appropriations

     SEC. 681. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Research 
     and Development.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary for research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application for electrical delivery and energy 
     reliability technology activities within the Office of 
     Electricity $113,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 
     2017.
       (b) Nuclear Energy.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary for research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application for nuclear energy technology 
     activities within the Office of Nuclear Energy $504,600,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
       (2) Limitation.--Any amounts made available pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1) shall not 
     be derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund established under 
     section 302(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 
     U.S.C. 10222(c)).
       (c) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application for 
     energy efficiency and renewable energy technology activities 
     within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
     $1,198,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
       (d) Fossil Energy.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary for research, development, demonstration, 
     and commercial application for fossil energy technology 
     activities within the Office of Fossil Energy $605,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
       (e) ARPA-E.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy 
     $140,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

                        Subtitle H--Definitions

     SEC. 691. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title--
       (1) the term ``Department'' means the Department of Energy; 
     and
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

          TITLE VII--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

                         Subtitle A--In General

     SEC. 701. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
     means a Department of Energy nonmilitary national laboratory, 
     including--
       (A) Ames Laboratory;
       (B) Argonne National Laboratory;
       (C) Brookhaven National Laboratory;
       (D) Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory;
       (E) Idaho National Laboratory;
       (F) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory;
       (G) National Energy Technology Laboratory;
       (H) National Renewable Energy Laboratory;
       (I) Oak Ridge National Laboratory;
       (J) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory;
       (K) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory;
       (L) Savannah River National Laboratory;
       (M) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center;
       (N) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility; and
       (O) any laboratory operated by the National Nuclear 
     Security Administration, but only with respect to the 
     civilian energy activities thereof.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.

     SEC. 702. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

       Nothing in this title or an amendment made by this title 
     abrogates or otherwise affects the primary responsibilities 
     of any National Laboratory to the Department.

       Subtitle B--Innovation Management at Department of Energy

     SEC. 711. UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE AND ENERGY.

       (a) In General.--Section 202(b) of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7132(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``Under Secretary for Science and 
     Energy''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
       ``(H) establish appropriate linkages between offices under 
     the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; and
       ``(I) perform such functions and duties as the Secretary 
     shall prescribe, consistent with this section.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 3164(b)(1) of the Department of Energy Science 
     Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a(b)(1)) is amended 
     by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and inserting 
     ``Under Secretary for Science and Energy''.
       (2) Section 641(h)(2) of the United States Energy Storage 
     Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231(h)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and 
     inserting ``Under Secretary for Science and Energy''.

     SEC. 712. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRANSITIONS ASSESSMENT.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to 
     the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report which shall include--
       (1) an assessment of the Department's current ability to 
     carry out the goals of section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act 
     of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391), including an assessment of the 
     role and effectiveness of the Director of the Office of 
     Technology Transitions; and
       (2) recommended departmental policy changes and legislative 
     changes to section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
     U.S.C. 16391) to improve the Department's ability to 
     successfully transfer new energy technologies to the private 
     sector.

     SEC. 713. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should 
     encourage the National Laboratories and federally funded 
     research and development centers to inform small businesses 
     of the opportunities and resources that exist pursuant to 
     this title.

     SEC. 714. NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the National 
     Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other 
     stakeholders, shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
     report assessing the Department's capabilities to authorize, 
     host, and oversee privately funded fusion and non-light water 
     reactor prototypes and related demonstration facilities at 
     Department-owned sites. For purposes of this report, the 
     Secretary shall consider the Department's capabilities to 
     facilitate privately-funded prototypes up to 20 megawatts 
     thermal output. The report shall address the following:
       (1) The Department's safety review and oversight 
     capabilities.
       (2) Potential sites capable of hosting research, 
     development, and demonstration of prototype reactors and 
     related facilities for the purpose of reducing technical 
     risk.
       (3) The Department's and National Laboratories' existing 
     physical and technical capabilities relevant to research, 
     development, and oversight.
       (4) The efficacy of the Department's available contractual 
     mechanisms, including cooperative research and development 
     agreements, work for others agreements, and agreements for 
     commercializing technology.
       (5) Potential cost structures related to physical security, 
     decommissioning, liability, and other long-term project 
     costs.
       (6) Other challenges or considerations identified by the 
     Secretary, including issues related to potential cases of 
     demonstration reactors up to 2 gigawatts of thermal output.

    Subtitle C--Cross-Sector Partnerships and Grant Competitiveness

     SEC. 721. AGREEMENTS FOR COMMERCIALIZING TECHNOLOGY PILOT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program of 
     the Department, as announced by the Secretary on December 8, 
     2011, in accordance with this section.
       (b) Terms.--Each agreement entered into pursuant to the 
     pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall provide to 
     the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory, to the 
     maximum extent determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, 
     increased authority to negotiate contract terms, such as 
     intellectual property rights, payment structures, performance 
     guarantees, and multiparty collaborations.
       (c) Eligibility.--
       (1) In general.--Any director of a National Laboratory may 
     enter into an agreement pursuant to the pilot program 
     referred to in subsection (a).
       (2) Agreements with non-federal entities.--To carry out 
     paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary 
     shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to 
     execute agreements with a non-Federal entity, including

[[Page 7435]]

     a non-Federal entity already receiving Federal funding that 
     will be used to support activities under agreements executed 
     pursuant to paragraph (1), provided that such funding is 
     solely used to carry out the purposes of the Federal award.
       (3) Restriction.--The requirements of chapter 18 of title 
     35, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Bayh-Dole 
     Act'') shall apply if--
       (A) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that term is 
     defined in section 201 of that title); and
       (B) at least 1 of the parties to the funding agreement is 
     eligible to receive rights under that chapter.
       (d) Submission to Secretary.--Each affected director of a 
     National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with 
     respect to each agreement entered into under this section--
       (1) a summary of information relating to the relevant 
     project;
       (2) the total estimated costs of the project;
       (3) estimated commencement and completion dates of the 
     project; and
       (4) other documentation determined to be appropriate by the 
     Secretary.
       (e) Certification.--The Secretary shall require the 
     contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify 
     that each activity carried out under a project for which an 
     agreement is entered into under this section--
       (1) is not in direct competition with the private sector; 
     and
       (2) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict 
     of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of 
     interest, as a result of the agreement under this section.
       (f) Extension.--The pilot program referred to in subsection 
     (a) shall be extended until October 31, 2017.
       (g) Reports.--
       (1) Overall assessment.--Not later than 60 days after the 
     date described in subsection (f), the Secretary, in 
     coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, 
     shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that--
       (A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot program 
     referred to in subsection (a);
       (B) identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness 
     of the pilot program;
       (C) assesses the potential for program activities to 
     interfere with the responsibilities of the National 
     Laboratories to the Department; and
       (D) provides a recommendation regarding the future of the 
     pilot program.
       (2) Transparency.--The Secretary, in coordination with 
     directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate an annual report that accounts for 
     all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-
     Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract 
     or award to carry out agreements pursuant to this section.

     SEC. 722. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the 
     Secretary shall delegate to directors of the National 
     Laboratories signature authority with respect to any 
     agreement described in subsection (b) the total cost of which 
     (including the National Laboratory contributions and project 
     recipient cost share) is less than $1,000,000.
       (b) Agreements.--Subsection (a) applies to--
       (1) a cooperative research and development agreement;
       (2) a non-Federal work-for-others agreement; and
       (3) any other agreement determined to be appropriate by the 
     Secretary, in collaboration with the directors of the 
     National Laboratories.
       (c) Administration.--
       (1) Accountability.--The director of the affected National 
     Laboratory and the affected contractor shall carry out an 
     agreement under this section in accordance with applicable 
     policies of the Department, including by ensuring that the 
     agreement does not compromise any national security, 
     economic, or environmental interest of the United States.
       (2) Certification.--The director of the affected National 
     Laboratory and the affected contractor shall certify that 
     each activity carried out under a project for which an 
     agreement is entered into under this section does not 
     present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and 
     avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a 
     result of the agreement under this section.
       (3) Availability of records.--On entering an agreement 
     under this section, the director of a National Laboratory 
     shall submit to the Secretary for monitoring and review all 
     records of the National Laboratory relating to the agreement.
       (4) Rates.--The director of a National Laboratory may 
     charge higher rates for services performed under a 
     partnership agreement entered into pursuant to this section, 
     regardless of the full cost of recovery, if such funds are 
     used exclusively to support further research and development 
     activities at the respective National Laboratory.
       (d) Exception.--This section does not apply to any 
     agreement with a majority foreign-owned company.
       (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 12 of the Stevenson-
     Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting the 
     subparagraphs appropriately;
       (B) by striking ``Each Federal agency'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     each Federal agency''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in 
     accordance with section 722(a) of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, approval by the Secretary of 
     Energy shall not be required for any technology transfer 
     agreement proposed to be entered into by a National 
     Laboratory of the Department of Energy, the total cost of 
     which (including the National Laboratory contributions and 
     project recipient cost share) is less than $1,000,000.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(A)''.

     SEC. 723. INCLUSION OF EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION 
                   IN AUTHORIZED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES.

       Section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16391) is amended by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
       (2) inserting after subsection (f) the following:
       ``(g) Early-Stage Technology Demonstration.--The Secretary 
     shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to 
     use funds authorized to support technology transfer within 
     the Department to carry out early-stage and pre-commercial 
     technology demonstration activities to remove technology 
     barriers that limit private sector interest and demonstrate 
     potential commercial applications of any research and 
     technologies arising from National Laboratory activities.''.

     SEC. 724. FUNDING COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
                   EDUCATION AND OTHER NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 988(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16352(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except as provided in 
     paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``Except as provided 
     in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Exemption for institutions of higher education and 
     other nonprofit institutions.--
       ``(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a 
     research or development activity performed by an institution 
     of higher education or nonprofit institution (as defined in 
     section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
     of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703)).
       ``(B) Termination date.--The exemption under subparagraph 
     (A) shall apply during the 6-year period beginning on the 
     date of enactment of this paragraph.''.

     SEC. 725. PARTICIPATION IN THE INNOVATION CORPS PROGRAM.

       The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the Director 
     of the National Science Foundation to enable researchers 
     funded by the Department to participate in the National 
     Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.

                    Subtitle D--Assessment of Impact

     SEC. 731. REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

       Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     submit to Congress a report--
       (1) describing the results of the projects developed under 
     sections 721, 722, and 723, including information regarding--
       (A) partnerships initiated as a result of those projects 
     and the potential linkages presented by those partnerships 
     with respect to national priorities and other taxpayer-funded 
     research; and
       (B) whether the activities carried out under those projects 
     result in--
       (i) fiscal savings;
       (ii) expansion of National Laboratory capabilities;
       (iii) increased efficiency of technology transfers; or
       (iv) an increase in general efficiency of the National 
     Laboratory system; and
       (2) assess the scale, scope, efficacy, and impact of the 
     Department's efforts to promote technology transfer and 
     private sector engagement at the National Laboratories, and 
     make recommendations on how the Department can improve these 
     activities.

                     TITLE VIII--SENSE OF CONGRESS

     SEC. 801. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that climate change is real.

  The Acting CHAIR. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a 
substitute shall be in order except those printed in part A of House 
Report 114-120. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order 
printed in the report, by a Member designated in the report, shall be 
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the 
report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 
shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand 
for division of the question.


             Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Smith of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.

[[Page 7436]]


  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment made in order 
under the rule.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 5, line 13, strike ``$834,800,000'' and insert 
     ``$823,000,000''.
       Page 5, line 15, strike ``$1,050,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$1,038,000,000''.
       Page 5, line 18, strike ``$1,034,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$1,010,000,000''.
       Page 6, line 6, strike ``$377,500,000'' and insert 
     ``$425,300,000''.
       Page 7, line 6, strike ``$834,800,000'' and insert 
     ``$823,000,000''.
       Page 7, line 8, strike ``$1,050,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$1,038,000,000''.
       Page 7, line 11, strike ``$1,034,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$1,010,000,000''.
       Page 7, line 24, strike ``$377,500,000'' and insert 
     ``$425,300,000''.
       Page 20, line 19, insert ``available'' after ``financial 
     resources''.
       Page 21, lines 7 through 11, strike ``The Foundation shall 
     also require awardees to report the Foundation, within 30 
     days of receipt, any sources of non-Federal funds received in 
     excess of $50,000 during the award period.'' and insert ``The 
     Foundation shall also require awardees seeking subsequent 
     management fees to report to the Foundation, prior to the 
     consideration of such a request, any sources of non-Federal 
     funds received in excess of $100,000. This reporting shall 
     apply to the period following any initial management fee 
     award and for the consideration of any subsequent fee.''.
       Page 21, line 20, strike ``Audits'' and insert ``Review''.
       Page 21, line 21, insert ``or review'' after ``may audit''.
       Page 21, line 22, strike ``paragraph'' and insert 
     ``subsection''.
       Page 22, line 13, insert ``or social activities'' after 
     ``meals''.
       Page 22, line 16, insert ``or FAR 31.205-22'' after ``2 
     C.F.R. 200.450''.
       Page 29, line 20, strike ``and''.
       Page 29, line 23, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
       Page 29, after line 23, insert the following:
       (K) efforts to effectively expand, broaden, or scale-up 
     existing activities or programs.
       Page 65, line 23, insert ``, to be available to the extent 
     provided by appropriations Acts,'' after ``nonprofit 
     entities,''.
       Page 76, line 9, insert ``government,'' after 
     ``industry,''.
       Page 91, line 16, insert ``, to be available to the extent 
     provided by appropriations Acts,'' after ``sector,''.
       Page 132, line 19, strike ``and''.
       Page 132, line 23, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
       Page 132, after line 23, insert the following:
       ``(7) detailed proposals for innovation hubs, institutes, 
     and research centers prior to establishment or renewal by the 
     Department, including--
       ``(A) certification that all hubs, institutes, and research 
     centers will advance the mission of the Department, and 
     prioritize research, development, and demonstration;
       ``(B) certification that the establishment or renewal of 
     hubs, institutes, or research centers will not diminish funds 
     available for basic research and development within the 
     Office of Science; and
       ``(C) certification that all hubs, institutes, and research 
     centers established or renewed within the Office of Science 
     are consistent with the mission of the Office of Science as 
     described in section 209(c) of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139(c)).''.
       Page 136, line 14, strike ``and'' the end of paragraph (9).
       Page 136, line 15, redesignate paragraph (10) as paragraph 
     (11).
       Page 136, after line 14, insert the following:
       ``(10) technologies to enhance security for electrical 
     transmission and distributions systems; and
       Page 151, lines 9 through 14, strike section 629.
       Page 180, line 20, through page 182, line 3, strike section 
     711.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Smith) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this manager's amendment makes some 
changes to improve the underlying legislation.
  The amendment shifts $48 million in funding within the research and 
related activities account at the National Science Foundation. This is 
at the request of Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science and Related 
Agencies Subcommittee chairman, John Culberson of Texas, and provides 
additional funding for integrative activities to keep it at the fiscal 
year '15 level.
  This account includes the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and 
the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which will 
be fully funded at this level.
  The amendment directs the Department of Energy to develop 
technologies to enhance security for electrical transmission and 
distribution systems.
  The amendment includes additional direction on the development of 
hubs, innovation institutes, and research centers at the Department of 
Energy.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in 
opposition to this amendment, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I appreciate that this amendment makes a few small improvements to 
the bill, so I will not oppose it. However, I want to take a moment to 
reflect on how this amendment demonstrates how flawed the process on 
the majority's bill has been.
  In this amendment, the chairman restores an arbitrary 11 percent cut 
to the EPSCoR program, in addition to the prestigious NSF Graduate 
Research Fellowship Program, scientific instrumentation for smaller 
institutions that cannot afford their own, and interdisciplinary 
research centers.
  Even our colleagues on Appropriations prioritized full funding for 
this account at NSF while they made steep cuts to other accounts.
  It just happens that EPSCoR States overall are represented by many 
more Republicans than Democrats; so, when the Science Committee 
Republicans proposed cutting funding for the EPSCoR program by 11 
percent, their caucus took notice.
  If only the chairman had actually given the stakeholder community, 
his colleagues, and the research and development agencies an 
opportunity for a hearing or to see and respond or work in subcommittee 
on it and respond to this bill before introducing it, we wouldn't have 
had to fix all of these very big mistakes today.
  I am glad the chairman is now restoring the cut to EPSCoR and the 
other important programs in that account. I only wish he would have 
listened to an overwhelming call by the stakeholder community and even 
some of his own colleagues to restore the other arbitrary and 
shortsighted cuts in this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have no other speakers on this 
side, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  The amendment was agreed to.


     Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment 
at the desk as the designee of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Foster).
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 15, line 13, through page 17, line 9, strike section 
     106.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. 
Foster for his leadership on this important issue.
  Section 106 exemplifies the majority's efforts to impose their own 
personal beliefs and ideologies on the process of scientific discovery. 
Colleagues, science is not about belief; it is about discovery and the 
pursuit of questions about both the natural world and the human world.
  We should hold NSF accountable, and NSF should hold its grantees 
accountable. However, accountability should

[[Page 7437]]

be measured according to the transparency and integrity of the grant 
review process, not according to what types of science some of us 
believe in and some don't.
  Had we imposed the section 106 requirement on NSF earlier, they may 
have never funded the grant that led to billions in revenue from the 
spectrum auction. They may never have funded the grant that the DOD now 
uses to help train our soldiers on the front lines to differentiate 
between friend and foe. They may never have funded the grant that led 
to the creation of Google.
  Chairman Smith has been investigating NSF grants he doesn't like 
since he became chairman of this committee. The entire purpose of 
section 106 is to give him a bigger club to continue his unfounded 
investigations in the future.

                              {time}  1615

  This is bad for NSF, and it is worse for the U.S. leadership in 
science and innovation. I urge my colleagues to think long and hard 
about the consequences of imposing our own political views and review 
on the NSF's gold-standard scientific merit review process, and I urge 
the support of Mr. Foster's amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to this 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, it is just inconceivable to me that 
any U.S. Representative would oppose requiring government grants funded 
by the U.S. taxpayer to be spent in the national interest.
  Throughout its history, the National Science Foundation has played an 
integral part in funding breakthrough discoveries in fields as diverse 
as mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, and 
biology.
  However, the NSF has approved a number of grants for which the 
scientific merits and national interest are not obvious, to put it 
politely. These include a climate change musical costing $800,000, 
evaluating animal photographs in National Geographic for at least 
$200,000, and studying early human-set fires in New Zealand, in the 
1800s, for several hundred thousand dollars.
  The section this amendment strikes ensures that the NSF is 
transparent and accountable to the taxpayers about how their hard-
earned dollars are spent. The bill requires that every NSF public 
announcement of a grant award be accompanied by a nontechnical 
explanation of the project's scientific merits and how it serves the 
national interest.
  The NSF itself has recognized the need for this transparency and 
accountability. Last January, the NSF released a new policy that 
acknowledges that the NSF must communicate clearly and in nontechnical 
terms the research projects it funds. The policy emphasizes that the 
title abstract for each funded grant should explain how the project 
serves the national interest, a requirement first cited in the 1950 
legislation that created the National Science Foundation. Again, the 
national interest standard that the gentlewoman from Texas opposes was 
in the NSF's first charter.
  The current Director of the NSF herself has endorsed the national 
interest standard. In her testimony before the House Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee on February 25, NSF Director France Cordova 
spoke about the very section the gentlewoman seeks to eliminate.
  Dr. Cordova said: ``It is very compatible with the new internal NSF 
guidelines and with the mission statement of NSF.''
  The national interest standard does not interfere with the merit 
review process. The bill clearly states: ``Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as altering the Foundation's intellectual merit or 
broader impacts criteria for evaluating grant applications.''
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and to support the 
underlying legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster), a 
physicist.
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Chairman, my amendment, which I understand has been 
introduced, would strike section 106 of the bill, which, in my view, 
adds a dangerous political filter to NSF's gold-standard merit review 
process.
  I do not stand alone in this view. The overwhelming majority of my 
colleagues in the scientific community are still quite uncomfortable 
with this language that would, as the American Society for Microbiology 
stated, ``have an adverse impact on NSF's peer review process, which is 
essential to funding meritorious research.'' All of us here want to be 
good stewards of taxpayer money.
  This is also true of the National Science Foundation, which currently 
already requires that the NSF public award abstract consist of a 
nontechnical component which will include ``a public justification for 
NSF funding by articulating how the project serves the national 
interest,'' as stated by NSF's mission: to promote the progress of 
science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; or to 
secure the national defense.
  As the Biophysical Society has pointed out: ``NSF is committed to . . 
. offering the public a better understanding of a research project's 
intent, which will satisfy this section's objective.''
  The whole intent of this mystifies me a little bit. I serve on two 
committees--the Financial Services Committee and the Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee. On the Financial Services Committee, there is 
a steady drumbeat of Republican proposals to remove duplicitous and 
redundant requirements that just waste everyone's time; whereas, it 
seems to me that section 106 is exactly along this line. While it may 
just seem an innocuous waste of time to some, we know that for the past 
2 years scientists have had their projects targeted as potentially 
wasteful or not ``in the national interest,'' often based on nothing 
but their titles. Not only is this wrong, it is blatantly political.
  It is easy to make cheap shots here. My parents, actually, both 
worked for Senator Bill Proxmire, who for years and years did the 
Golden Fleece Awards. He was a wonderful and thoughtful Senator, but on 
this one, he consistently missed the mark. It is easy to make fun of 
projects with funny sounding names or with strange topics, but the NSF 
is the gold standard for a reason.
  Take, for example, anthropologist Dr. Scott Atran, who received 
funding from the NSF in 1994 for a study that was entitled, ``Local 
Ecological Knowledge of Common-Pool Resources in Campeche, Mexico.'' 
Dr. Atran subsequently applied what he learned to questions of 
extremism in the Middle East and is now a key national expert on 
countering extremism in the Middle East, valued as a consultant by the 
Department of Defense and the Department of State.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman from Texas has expired.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I will simply say to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Foster) that I recognize and appreciate him. He is a 
smart, thoughtful, and well-motivated member of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee, so I am really sorry he opposes this national 
interest standard that, I think, is the right thing to do for America 
and for the American taxpayers.
  I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Lipinski), who is a very active and talented member of the Science, 
Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend my good friend from 
Illinois for his strong commitment to advocating for scientific 
research. I share many of his concerns about the underlying bill, and I 
will be voting against this bill. However, I must also oppose this 
amendment. I agree with Mr. Foster and I disagree with the chairman on 
some of the attacks on some past grants that have been granted by the 
NSF. I think section 106 helps to avoid that.

[[Page 7438]]

  The first incarnation of what is now section 106 was the High Quality 
Research Act, which was unveiled nearly 2 years ago. I strongly opposed 
that, as did the vast majority of the research community, and we set 
about getting that changed. Through a series of discussions, the 
current language--vastly different and vastly improved from the 
original--was reached with a broad definition of national interest that 
does not do anything to undermine the gold-standard NSF peer review 
system. I invite all to read the section and decide for themselves, or 
to simply listen to the NSF and to the NSB, which oversees the NSF.
  As the chairman said, NSF Director France Cordova stated her support 
for section 106 at a committee hearing in February, saying it is ``very 
compatible with the NSF internal guidelines and with the mission 
statement of NSF.''
  I applaud NSF for these new guidelines which explain to the public 
why each proposal is being funded and how it is in the national 
interest. This will help the NSF defend worthwhile grants that are 
attacked by critics who sometimes misrepresent projects. In doing so, 
it will also protect the NSF.
  While the National Science Board does not formally endorse 
legislation, at the meeting 2 weeks ago, the board passed a resolution 
strongly endorsing the principle that all Foundation-funded research 
must further the national interest by contributing to the Foundation's 
mission.
  So, while I agree with my friend on almost everything related to 
science policy, I must reluctantly oppose this amendment. I wish we 
could have been able to have worked out a COMPETES bill we could all 
support. Regrettably, we did not, but let's not throw out this language 
that was worked out and that will help the NSF defend its peer review 
process.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas will 
be postponed.


               Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 29, line 20, strike ``and''.
       Page 29, line 23, strike the period and insert a semicolon.
       Page 29, after line 23, insert the following:
       (K) creating State and regional workshops to train K-12 
     teachers in science and technology project-based learning to 
     provide instruction in how to initiate robotics and other 
     STEM competition team development programs; and
       (L) encouraging and supporting efforts led by institutions 
     of higher education, businesses, and local public and private 
     educational agencies to establish collaborative efforts to 
     provide K-12 students residing in areas with unemployment 
     rates that exceed the national average by 1 percent or more.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, let me take a moment to thank both of my 
fellow Texans and to acknowledge that I know that there is a difference 
of opinion, but no one can disagree with the crucialness of America's 
competitiveness and of the necessity for creating a workforce that can 
compete.
  Allow me to acknowledge Congressman Johnson for the steadfast 
commitment and service to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. 
I had the privilege of serving with her in the early stages of my 
membership here in this august body, and I want to thank her personally 
for the great strides and successes that she has had in expanding 
opportunities for the most vulnerable in our community.
  Mr. Chairman, my amendment speaks to this issue, and it continues to 
seek to address the STEM education gap for K-12 students. Jackson Lee 
amendment No. 3 creates State and regional workshops to train K-12 
teachers in project-based science and technology learning, which will 
allow them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM 
competition team development programs.
  I now serve on the Homeland Security Committee, and I note that the 
extent of technology in securing this Nation is without comparison. It 
is necessary. It is crucial. This amendment also leverages the 
collaboration among higher education businesses and local and private/
public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in 
areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate.
  We want to get right to the core of the most vulnerable and the most 
needy students. Robotic competitions and other similar competitive 
opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for 
engaging young minds in STEM education. I have held a robotics 
competition, and it is absolutely amazing to see the young people's 
minds and hearts gather around it. My amendment has that capacity to 
it. Of course, it responds to the fact that only 1 out of 10 high 
schools in the U.S. offers computer science programs, and it is 
estimated that the education systems in 25 States do not count computer 
science classes toward high school graduation.
  I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would include 
teacher training for STEM competitions and collaborations as permitted 
activities under a program in the bill to encourage engagement in STEM 
education activities. Supporting out-of-school activities, like 
competitions, is consistent with the underlying bill, so I accept the 
gentlewoman's amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 2\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I want to focus just a little bit on 
competitions regarding this amendment, competitions such as FIRST, 
which is a national robotics competition that engages 400,000 students 
each year and that awards millions of dollars in scholarships, paving 
the way for future STEM success.
  I submit for the Record a document entitled, ``Disparities in STEM 
Employment by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.''

                     [From census.gov, Sept. 2013]

    Disparities in STEM Employment by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin

                      (By Liana Christin Landivar)


                   american community survey reports

     Introduction
       Industry, government, and academic leaders cite increasing 
     the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 
     workforce as a top concern. The National Academy of Sciences, 
     National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of 
     Medicine describe STEM as ``high-quality, knowledge-intensive 
     jobs . . . that lead to discovery and new technology,'' 
     improving the U.S. economy and standard of living. In 2007, 
     Congress passed the America COMPETES Act, reauthorized in 
     2010, to increase funding for STEM education and research.
       One focus area for increasing the STEM workforce has been 
     to reduce disparities in STEM employment by sex, race, and 
     Hispanic origin. Historically, women, Blacks, and Hispanics 
     have been underrepresented in STEM employment. Researchers 
     find that women, Blacks, and Hispanics are less likely to be 
     in a science or engineering major at the start of their 
     college experience, and less likely to remain in these majors 
     by its conclusion. Because most STEM workers have a

[[Page 7439]]

     science or engineering college degree, underrepresentation 
     among science and engineering majors could contribute to the 
     underrepresentation of women, Blacks, and Hispanics in STEM 
     employment.
       This report details the historical demographic composition 
     of STEM occupations, followed by a detailed examination of 
     current STEM employment by age and sex, presence of children 
     in the household, and race and Hispanic origin based on the 
     2011 American Community Survey (ACS). The report concludes 
     with an examination of the demographic characteristics of 
     science and engineering graduates who are currently employed 
     in a STEM occupation.

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Specifically, the language says: ``Industry, 
government, and academic leaders cite increasing the science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce as a top 
concern.''
  This is in the American Community Survey Reports.
  ``One focus area for increasing the STEM workforce has been to reduce 
disparities in STEM employment by sex, race, and Hispanic origin. 
Historically, women, Blacks, and Hispanics have been underrepresented 
in STEM employment,'' and it goes on to elaborate.

                              {time}  1630

  This amendment gives an added opportunity to focus in, to hone in on 
teacher training and reaching out to those very hungry minds in the 
minority communities who are eager to be part of the changing fabric of 
America that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. 
From financial services, to homeland security, to space and 
aeronautics, to manufacturing, to the Silicon Valleys of the Nation, 
STEM is crucial.
  I would like to now acknowledge both the committee staff on the 
majority and minority who assisted us, and I would like to acknowledge 
my staff, Lillie Coney, for her excellent work on these matters.
  With that, Mr. Chairman, I ask for support of the Jackson Lee 
amendment.
  I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for the opportunity 
to speak on my amendment to H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2015.
  My amendment included in the Rule to H.R. 1806 would improve the bill 
by addressing the STEM education gap for K-12 students.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #3, creates state and regional workshops to 
train K-12 teachers in project-based science and technology learning, 
which will allow them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and 
other STEM competition team development programs.
  This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher 
education, businesses, local private and public education agencies to 
support STEM efforts at schools located in areas with unemployment is 1 
percent or more above the national rate.
  Robotics competitions and other similar competitive opportunities 
have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young 
minds in STEM education.
  Competitions such as FIRST, a national robotics competition that 
engages 400,000 students each year and awards millions of dollars in 
scholarships are paving the way for future STEM success.
  This Jackson Lee amendment focuses on reducing the STEM gaps that 
currently exists between K-12 students attending schools in different 
geographic regions or who come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
  Only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offer computer science 
programs.
  It is estimated that the education systems in 25 states do not count 
computer science classes toward high school graduation.
  Both economists and business leaders have identified that the future 
of the American economy will be in STEM fields, which the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics estimates will create more than 9 million jobs between 
2012 and 2022.
  The STEM gap is more pronounced when considering minority groups.
  U.S. Census 2010 data from the National Science Foundation and the 
U.S. Census Bureau, showed that underrepresented minorities earned 18.6 
percent of total undergraduate degrees from 4-year colleges, but only 
16.4 percent of the degrees in science fields and less than 13 percent 
of degrees in physical sciences and engineering.
  Many historically underrepresented groups, including low income 
urban, rural and Native American communities have difficulty accessing 
STEM education and job training opportunities.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #17 would have increased awareness among 
underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities 
by providing information on certification, undergraduate and graduate 
STEM programs.
  One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented 
populations is a lack of awareness and understanding of the connection 
between STEM and employment opportunities.
  In 2012, a survey found that despite the nation's growing demand for 
more workers in science, technology, engineering, and math grows, the 
skills gap among the largest ethnic and racial minorities groups remain 
stubbornly wide.
  Blacks and Latinos account for only 7 percent, of the STEM workforce 
despite representing 28 percent of the U.S. population.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #18 would have made sure that the issue of 
reducing the skills and education gap of underrepresented groups in 
STEM degree programs is considered as current STEM education federal 
programs were reviewed.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #19 could have furthered the skills development 
and training of teachers who provide instruction in K-12 STEM courses 
where 40 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch programs 
or in areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national 
average.
  Although most STEM specific education occurs in college and graduate 
school, interest in STEM fields must be fostered from a young age 
through successful K-12 programs.
  Many schools serving low-income students lack the resources to 
provide continuity of STEM K-12 education, and as a result, students 
lose the opportunity to develop the skills that will prepare them for 
higher STEM education.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #21 was an effort to identify no-cost or low-
cost summer and after school science and technology educations programs 
and have that information broadly disseminated to the public.
  Throughout primary and secondary education, skills retention is one 
of the most pressing concerns facing underrepresented students.
  Without access to after-school and summer programs, even those 
students with a passion for STEM risk falling behind their peers.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #22 made grants available to local education 
agencies to support training in STEM education methods to teachers to 
improve their instruction at schools serving neglected, delinquent, and 
migrant students, English learners, at-risk students, and Native 
Americans as determined by the director.
  Jackson Lee Amendment #23 establishes within the Directorate for 
Education and Human Resources an Office of STEM Education Gap Awareness 
with the duties of reducing the STEM gap in K-12 and post-secondary 
education among underrepresented populations.
  The Jackson Lee amendments are intended to bridge the STEM gap in 
rural and urban areas where opportunities for training in STEM that can 
enhance the productivity of businesses large and small are lacking.
  The Brookings' Metropolitan Policy Program's report ``The Hidden STEM 
Economy,'' reported that in 2011, 26 million jobs or 20 percent of all 
occupations required knowledge in 1 or more STEM areas.
  Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a 4 year 
degree and these jobs pay on average $53,000 a year, which is 10 
percent higher than jobs with similar education requirements.
  There will be STEM winners and losers not because the skills needed 
are too difficult to obtain, but because people are not aware of the 
jobs that are going unfilled today nor do they know what education or 
training will create job security for the next 2 to 3 decades.
  I am very aware of the importance of STEM job training and education.
  A third of Houston jobs are in STEM-based fields.
  Houston has the second largest concentrations of engineers (22.4 for 
every 1,000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership).
  Houston has 59,070 engineers, the second largest populations in the 
nation.
  STEM jobs are at the core of Houston's economic success, but what we 
have done with STEM innovation and job creation in the city of Houston 
is not enough to satisfy the regions demand for STEM trained workers.
  Houston anticipates that in the next 5 years the gap in the number of 
people with STEM skills and training will not keep up with the number 
of positions requiring those skills.
  This is not just true for Houston, Texas--it is true for every region 
of the nation--whether you live in a rural community or urban center.
  By 2018 the United States will need: 710,000 Computing workers; 
160,000 Engineers; 70,000 Physical Scientists; 40,000 Life

[[Page 7440]]

Science workers; 20,000 Mathematics workers.
  STEM Computing Jobs are critical to America's future: Software 
engineers; Computer networking workers; Systems analysis; Computer 
researcher or support workers.
  Types of STEM Engineering Jobs: Structural Engineers; Mechanical 
Engineers; Software Engineers; Electrical Engineers; Automotive 
Engineers; Aeronautical Engineers; Naval Engineers; Architects.
  Types of STEM Physical Sciences Jobs: Biologists; Zoologists; 
Agricultural; Food Scientists; Conservation Scientists; Medical 
Scientists; Climatologists.
  Types of STEM Life Scientists [PhDs]: Political Science; Economists; 
Anthropologists; Archaeology; Cultural Researchers; Language Experts 
(Linguistic and Language Skills).
  Types of STEM Mathematics: Teachers; Physicists; Cryptographers; 
Statisticians; Accountants.
  In order to ensure that underserved populations reach the level of 
STEM education and opportunity they choose to pursue, I believe it is 
integral to create an office that will focus on closing the STEM 
education gap.
  I ask that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle support this 
amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 4 Offered by Ms. Esty

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 41, line 7, strike ``and'' after ``society;''.
       Page 41, line 12, strike the period at the end and insert 
     ``; and''.
       Page 41, after line 12, insert the following new paragraph:
       (4) I-Corps should continue to promote a strong innovation 
     system by investing in and supporting female entrepreneurs, 
     who are historically underrepresented in entrepreneurial 
     fields, through mentorship, education, and training.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentlewoman 
from Connecticut (Ms. Esty) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase support for women 
in entrepreneurship at the National Science Foundation's Innovation 
Corps, also known as the I-Corps. It has been an honor and privilege to 
meet with women across Connecticut who are creating and building their 
own startups and small businesses.
  In March I hosted a Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
Math roundtable, bringing together educators, innovators, and business 
owners to identify barriers that women face when looking to advance in 
the critical STEM and entrepreneurial fields.
  These local leaders all agreed that one of the biggest problems for 
women in the STEM fields is the lack of mentorship and support, and, 
quite simply, women do not have the same support and mentorship as 
their male counterparts because they are often the first women in 
leadership positions in their fields.
  In fact, our Smaller Manufacturers Association in Connecticut just 
elected their first female president, Anne Strobel, and she has already 
hit the ground running to build on our State's strong manufacturing 
tradition.
  National studies and experts echo the concerns women raised at the 
STEM roundtable in my own district. The Kauffman Foundation recently 
surveyed 350 female tech startup founders and found that the number one 
shared concern is a lack of role models and mentors for women thinking 
of going into business for themselves.
  Recent news reports have noted the chronic underrepresentation of 
women in the booming tech sector, including startups. In fact, women 
make up only 30 percent of the tech workforce and 22 percent of the 
leadership roles, despite being 60 percent of the workforce. It is 
clear that we must do more for women so they can build businesses and 
create good-paying jobs.
  My amendment would provide that support to women through the NSF's 
Innovation Corps, known as the I-Corps, by expanding their mission to 
specifically include support for and investment in female entrepreneurs 
through mentorship, education, and training.
  The I-Corps program fosters entrepreneurship by giving students the 
tools they need to move discoveries and technology from the research 
lab to the market. I-Corps is making a difference in helping teach and 
support entrepreneurs across the country.
  In my own State, the University of Connecticut recently received I-
Corps funding, and it is designated as an I-Corps site. Accelerate 
UConn will build on the investment the State of Connecticut is already 
making to ensure that they remain a leader in our national innovation 
ecosystem.
  Our competitiveness as a nation depends on robust research and 
technology and on ensuring that we draw on the best and the brightest, 
whether they be men or women. By increasing the number of women 
entrepreneurs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and 
math, we as a nation will all benefit from the innovation that comes 
from a diverse workforce.
  It is not only morally right, but economically smart to foster 
entrepreneurship of women. I encourage all my colleagues to support my 
amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment, though I don't oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would add a sense of 
Congress of Congress' support for the NSF's Innovation Corps program in 
the underlying bill. This language would include the promotion of a 
strong innovation system with investments and support for female 
entrepreneurs. I-Corps is an excellent program. I support the 
gentlewoman's amendment and appreciate her offering it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Connecticut has 2 minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding and for her 
leadership on this important issue. I especially enjoy being on the 
same side of this issue with the chairman of the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to add my voice to Representative Esty's 
voice in support of her amendment. I-Corps is a revolutionary 
partnership that helps maximize the economic impact of taxpayer-funded 
research by connecting the brilliant minds at NSF to the brilliant 
minds in the private sector.
  This amendment offered by Representative Esty today ensures that we 
foster all of the brilliant minds by supporting female entrepreneurs. 
Gender diversity makes good business sense. Research conducted by Dow 
Jones on venture-backed companies found that successful ones had twice 
the number of women on the founding teams, and there is more research 
that shows that women-owned firms outperformed those owned by male 
counterparts. Despite this and despite the fact that women earn more 
college degrees than men, they comprise only 5 percent of Fortune 500 
CEOs and only 19 percent of corporate board seats. Clearly, something 
is wrong.
  For us to fully realize our economic potential, we have got to do a 
better job of supporting female entrepreneurs. That is why I strongly 
support her amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I do not think I am going to 
disagree with what the gentlewoman from Connecticut has to say during 
her remaining time, so I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page 7441]]


  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Connecticut has 1 minute 
remaining.
  Ms. ESTY. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member, with my 
thanks.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support 
of this amendment and want to thank the author for bringing it forward 
and thank the chairman of the committee for supporting it.
  Our support historically goes back to Congresswoman Connie Morella. 
The two of us did a study maybe 15 or 16 years ago, and we both have 
been very, very supportive of women in the sciences and hope that we 
can get a better bill so that we can address getting them ready for 
these jobs.
  Ms. ESTY. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Crowley

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 45, after line 14, insert the following:

     SEC. 127. HISPANIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM IN EDUCATION AND 
                   SCIENCE.

       Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
     establish the program described in section 7033 of the 
     America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o-12) for Hispanic-
     serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Crowley) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. Chairman, 8 years ago when the House first considered the America 
COMPETES Act, I offered an amendment with my then-colleague Gabby 
Giffords as well as Congressman Jerry McNerney to correct a 
longstanding inequity at the National Science Foundation. Unlike their 
counterparts in higher education, Hispanic-Serving Institutions have 
not benefited from a specific program at the NSF to provide them with 
grants for research, curriculum, and infrastructure development.
  The amendment corrected this inequity, requiring the NSF to create a 
separate program for HSIs. It was adopted, and it became law. But to 
this day, the NSF has not implemented the program as codified in law. 
This bipartisan amendment would correct that and require the HSI 
program to finally be implemented within 4 months of the enactment of 
this measure.
  Hispanic-Serving Institutions serve the majority of nearly 2 million 
Latino students enrolled in college today. In my district alone, about 
10,000 students attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions offering degrees 
in these fields of science. Without access to targeted grants, HSIs 
have difficulty increasing the ranks of Latinos in the STEM fields, 
where they have been historically underrepresented.
  We must ensure that Latinos, the youngest and fastest growing ethnic 
group in our Nation, are prepared with the knowledge and skills that 
will contribute to our Nation's future economic strength, security, and 
global leadership, because when education is available to everyone, our 
entire Nation is stronger.
  I want to thank my colleagues who worked with me on this issue: Mr. 
Serrano, who has a stand-alone bill to make this fix permanent, and Mr. 
Lujan, Mr. Hurd, as well as Mr. Curbelo, who have cosponsored this 
amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment, though I don't oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would require NSF to 
establish a program originally authorized in the 2007 COMPETES Act. I 
support the gentleman's amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the comments from the 
chairman.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), my 
friend and a cosponsor of the amendment.
  Mr. SERRANO. I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Chairman, as my colleague has said, in 2007 he added a provision 
to the original America COMPETES Act to give the NSF the discretion to 
establish a dedicated grant program. However, after years of 
persistence, the NSF has refused to act. That is why last month Mr. 
Crowley, Mr. Lujan, and myself introduced the HOPES Act.
  Today's amendment replicates the HOPES Act and requires the NSF to 
establish an undergraduate grant program for Hispanic-Serving 
Institutions. Hispanics are underrepresented in the STEM fields, and 
more needs to be done to ensure that we are not missing the best and 
the brightest from all the parts of America in developing the next 
generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
  This amendment is a big step in the right direction. I thank 
Representative Crowley for his leadership on this issue. I thank the 
chairman for accepting the amendment.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Hurd).
  Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, 
which will benefit the students at several fine institutions in the 
23rd Congressional District of Texas.
  One thing that everybody here wants is a healthy economy. We want the 
American economy to continue to be the strongest in the world, and if 
American businesses are going to compete and win in a global economy, 
we have to have the best trained and best equipped workforce possible.
  This means our institutions of higher learning need to be fully 
capable of offering their students the opportunities to learn the 
skills that are going to drive a 21st century economy, and that means 
STEM degrees must be a priority for our colleges and universities. This 
amendment will allow institutions that are designated as Hispanic-
Serving Institutions to have access to grant programs with the National 
Science Foundation that they have been limited from participating in in 
the past.
  There are 47 institutions like this in the State of Texas, and more 
than a dozen of them serve students in my district. This increased 
access to grants will help increase the recruitment, retention, and 
graduation rates of Hispanic students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. 
That is good for these students; that is good for our universities, our 
communities, our businesses, and our economy.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Crowley, for 
introducing this amendment. I encourage my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. CROWLEY. I thank Mr. Hurd for his comments.
  I want the Record to reflect that I was willing and expecting to be 
yielding the gentleman 1 minute. Since the cooperation is running so 
smoothly, Mr. Chairman, thank you for yielding the 2 minutes to Mr. 
Hurd.
  With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Ben 
Ray Lujan).
  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in 
support of this amendment that I am proud to offer with my colleagues.
  I want to thank Congressman Crowley for his leadership. I want to 
recognize Chairman Smith for his responsibility in working and looking 
out for these students as well.
  In today's world, science, technology, engineering, and math degrees 
translate into high-paying, in-demand jobs.

[[Page 7442]]

While we are still struggling with high unemployment in my home State 
of New Mexico, there are sectors, especially in STEM, that are having 
difficulty finding qualified workers. To help meet this demand, the 
National Science Foundation manages a number of programs at minority-
serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

                              {time}  1645

  These programs have filled an important void by preparing minority 
students for meaningful careers in STEM. However, there is no such 
program and, therefore, a lack of critical support for Hispanic 
Americans. This is also evident in the fact that Hispanics are severely 
underrepresented in the STEM workforce.
  It is time that we fund the creation of a program for Hispanic-
Serving Institutions to develop infrastructure, curriculum, and recruit 
Hispanic students into STEM fields. To do what is best for America, we 
need to invest and promote these programs.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) has 1\1/
2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the 
gentleman and all of the persons who sponsored this amendment. I want 
to commend them.
  When Mr. Lujan was on the Science Committee, we actually developed 
that language that did pass in the last COMPETES Act, so I fully 
support this amendment.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, let me just use the remaining time to 
thank Chairman Smith for his cooperation and that of his staff, as well 
as the cooperation of Ms. Johnson and her staff.
  I do think that this amendment is the final tooth we need to make 
this law work and to drive the money and the resources to the people we 
intended for them to go to, and that is Latino or Hispanic young men 
and women who want to strive to succeed in the fields of science and 
medicine to help make our country an even better country.
  I thank you both again for your cooperation, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Griffith

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 49, line 2, insert ``The Advisory Panel shall consist 
     of 15 members, with 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives and 2 members appointed by the 
     Majority Leader of the Senate.'' after ``other appropriate 
     organizations.''.
       Page 171, line 2, insert ``, except that 3 members shall be 
     appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
     2 members shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the 
     Senate. The total number of members of the advisory committee 
     shall be 15.'' after ``by the Secretary''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Griffith) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would make a couple of 
slight changes to two new advisory boards created in this bill: the 
STEM education advisory panel and a new Department of Energy advisory 
committee.
  My amendment sets the total number of members for these two new 
advisory boards at 15 each, and most importantly, it ensures that five 
of the members on each board are chosen by Congress, three by the 
Speaker of the House and two by the Senate majority leader.
  The purpose of my amendment is to ensure that the advisory boards 
have congressional representation, that we have people on there who 
work with Congress. The legislative branch is a coequal branch of 
government, and I believe that, as an institution, Congress should more 
aggressively assert itself as a coequal branch.
  This amendment has nothing to do with which party controls the 
legislative branch of government or which party, for that matter, 
controls the executive branch at any given time, nor does it ask for a 
majority of the members of these new boards to be congressionally 
appointed.
  The amendment would simply ensure that the legislative branch is 
involved in these boards that it, the legislative branch, is creating 
and that we are involved in the process of creating the reports which 
both the legislative branch and executive branch will rely on to make 
important decisions for these United States.
  If Congress deems an issue important enough to warrant an advisory 
board that is included in a bill we are passing, it just makes sense 
that we also appoint a portion of that board's membership.
  I hope we will do that as we go forward with many of our boards. I 
also think it will facilitate more conversation between the executive 
branch and the legislative branch as time goes forward.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in 
opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  This amendment allows the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
the majority leader of the Senate to appoint members to two scientific 
advisory boards created in the bill. This amendment is the very 
definition of politicalizing science when we have politicians choosing 
who sits on scientific advisory boards.
  While my colleagues across the aisle suggest that this amendment 
ensures accountability, in reality, it only ensures the political 
meddling in science. Unfortunately, this is consistent with many 
provisions in the underlying bill.
  Scientific advisory boards provide expert scientific advice and make 
recommendations on subject matter from STEM education to energy 
research and development. It is essential that advisory board members 
be qualified and nonpolitical to provide nonpartisan advice and give 
appropriate recommendations that are free of bias, advice and 
recommendations based on the best available evidence, and advice and 
recommendations that will further science in the country, not inhibit 
it.
  In this amendment, the Speaker of the House would appoint three 
members, while the majority leader of the Senate would appoint two 
additional members to this advisory board.
  Some of these advisory boards have only 15 members. This amendment 
would allow Republican--and only Republican--leaders of Congress to 
appoint one-third of these members.
  This amendment is clearly meant to politicize these advisory boards. 
While the sponsor of this amendment is messaging it as giving Congress 
a bigger voice, that is just not accurate, asked for, or necessary. 
Congress already has the biggest and final voice. We control the 
Federal budget. Congress writes authorization bills such as the one 
before us today. We do not lack influence.
  Let's keep our scientific advisory boards free from political 
interference. If we choose to ignore the advice from our scientific 
advisory boards, as we are doing with H.R. 1806, that is our right. 
Congress doesn't also have to put its fingerprints directly on the 
advice itself. We know by what has been said today that we are trying 
to take over the responsibility on this bill that I am against, so that 
is one way you can do it.
  This amendment follows the underlying attack on science in this bill, 
but

[[Page 7443]]

this amendment goes further. It gives Republican politicians a chance 
to directly influence the scientific process in our country.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and the underlying 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I feel so bad that the gentlewoman thinks 
this is politicizing this bill. That is the furthest thing from my 
intent.
  I know the gentlewoman does not know me and she does not know that, 
for 17 years, I served in the Virginia House of Delegates. In Virginia, 
any time we created a board or policy advisory group like this, we 
generally had legislative members on there.
  What we found when we did that was that, when an idea came from the 
administrative branch, whether it was of the party that I was in or of 
a different party, we generally found that, by having people that were 
familiar with both sides of the issue, but people who also relied on 
and came to talk to us on a regular basis in the legislature, we felt 
more comfortable with those recommendations that had been made. We 
understood better what the background was. It made for better 
government.
  That is what this is intended to do. I didn't ask for a majority. I 
didn't say that Congress should have complete control. It just says 
there ought to be some members appointed by the Senate and appointed by 
the House. It doesn't matter which party is in control of the House or 
Senate. Recently, that was divided. It doesn't matter which party is in 
the executive branch.
  It just says this is a way to make sure that when you think it is 
important enough--when Congress thinks it is important enough to create 
an advisory board--that we both have some members, both the House and 
Senate, on that advisory board to make sure that there is interaction 
with us, as well as with the executive branch.
  Unless the belief is that the executive branch wants to politicize it 
because they get all the appointments, I don't know why they would 
think these appointments would be politicizing it. It is just for 
informational purposes and to make sure that everybody is heard at the 
table and that those ideas are shared.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. GRIFFITH. I yield to the gentlewoman.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I served in both the house and 
senate in Texas before coming here; I believe strongly in input, but 
this very bill and its structure has become so political and so 
politically tainted in attempting to manipulate what is going on in our 
agencies, I just don't trust your amendment.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Reclaiming my time, I would say that I don't know the 
gentlewoman's concerns on this particular bill. I do believe, as a 
Congress, we ought to be working to make sure that we have input on all 
of these advisory committees, whether it is on this bill or any other 
bill.
  Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia has 1 minute remaining.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief. I support the gentleman's 
amendment that will ensure that Congress has input on the composition 
of the new boards and panels created in the bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this amendment as well.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded 
vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia 
will be postponed.


          Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 71, line 21, strike ``$933,700,000'' and insert 
     ``$938,700,000''.
       Page 72, line 6, strike ``$130,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$135,000,000''.
       Page 72, line 8, strike ``$125,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$130,000,000''.
       Page 72, line 19, strike ``$933,700,000'' and insert 
     ``$938,700,000''.
       Page 73, line 3, strike ``$130,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$135,000,000''.
       Page 73, line 5, strike ``$125,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$130,000,000''.
       Page 178, line 4, strike ``$1,198,500,000'' and insert 
     ``$1,193,500,000''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, my amendment increases the 
authorized funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership by $5 
million and it offsets it by decreasing the authorized funding for the 
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by $5 million, for 
level funding.
  If our goal is to create and retain more American jobs, there is no 
better program to fund that than the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership. Administered by the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, with centers in every single State, for every $1 of Federal 
investment, this public-private partnership generates nearly $21 in new 
sales. As a result, this translates into $2.5 billion annually. For 
every $2,001 of Federal investment, MEP creates or retains one American 
manufacturing job.
  The MEP programs provides our Nation's nearly 350,000 small 
manufacturers with services and access to resources that enhance 
growth, improve productivity, and expand capacity. This program is a 
win-win for our hard-working American taxpayers. Few, if any, other 
Federal programs can claim such a good return on our taxpayers' 
investment.
  Considering this amendment authorizes the program at $130 million 
that helps small American manufacturers directly and at a 50 percent 
cost share, this gives taxpayers more bang for their buck.
  The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has a total 
budget of over $1 billion, so moving $5 million to this valuable 
program for small businesses is simply good economic policy.
  This program is not a government handout. Instead, it requires small 
manufacturers who partner with their local MEP to have skin in the game 
with a 50 percent cost share. That is good for our taxpayers; it is 
good for manufacturing sectors, and it is good for American jobs.
  Since 1988, MEP has worked with nearly 80,000 American manufacturers, 
leading to $88 billion in sales and 14 billion in cost savings. It has 
helped create more than 729,000 American jobs.
  Last year alone, MEP projects created or retained nearly 64,000 
American jobs, generated more than $6.7 billion in new and retained 
sales, and provided cost savings of more than $1.1 billion to small 
American manufacturers.

                              {time}  1700

  With the average small- and mid-size American manufacturing employee 
earning more than $77,000 a year in pay and benefits, these are exactly 
the types of jobs that policymakers need to be encouraging. And at a 
time when our economy is starting to recover, the MEP's work is crucial 
in helping America's small manufacturers be stronger long-term 
competitors, both domestically and internationally.
  In turn, this will allow them to create good-paying, high-skilled 
jobs for America's workers across the country. A growing manufacturing 
sector in America means more well-paying jobs

[[Page 7444]]

for low- to moderate-income American families, reduced trade deficit 
and a robust economy, and a flourishing innovation sector which can 
drive future growth.
  By supporting this amendment, Congress will be sending a clear signal 
to our small American manufacturers and our job creators that they will 
continue to play a vital role in the reinvigoration of our economy.
  MEP is currently appropriated at $130 million, and this amendment 
would simply ensure that this popular, bipartisan program continues to 
be authorized at its current funding level.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in 
opposition to this amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I strongly support the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, 
or the MEP, at NIST. Since its establishment in 1988, the MEP program 
has generated billions of dollars in new sales; it has saved MEP 
clients billions of dollars; and it has helped create more than 700,000 
jobs.
  However, I cannot support this amendment because it increases the 
authorization for MEP by decreasing the authorization for the Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy. 
EERE conducts important research on energy efficiency and renewable 
energy technologies, including critical advance manufacturing 
initiatives.
  Unfortunately, EERE has become a favorite target for my friends on 
the other side of the aisle. The underlying bill cuts this office by 
almost 30 percent, and this amendment would make that cut even larger.
  I supported an amendment that would have increased MEP authorization 
to $141 million for fiscal year 2016, at the President's request, 
without cutting EERE. But the amendment was not made in order.
  I strongly believe in MEP and want to see this funding level 
increased. I think it is important to note that this bill is an 
authorization bill, not an appropriations bill. In authorization bills, 
Congress should be deciding authorization levels by determining what 
the program needs to accomplish its responsibilities.
  Notwithstanding current Republican protocols, authorization bills 
should not have the same constraints as appropriation bills, including 
needing to offset any increases. This is a bizarre approach to 
legislating.
  Because of the unnecessary cut to EERE, I cannot support this 
amendment, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
reject the false notion of needing to offset authorizations.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania for yielding me this time.
  I just simply want to say that I believe his amendment restores 
current funding levels for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology while 
offsetting those costs. It is a great amendment, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I continue to 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I would just remark that if 
we are really trying to create jobs, if we are really trying to boost 
our economy, if we are really trying to do all these things, if we are 
really trying to help small manufacturers, I don't think that asking to 
transfer $15 million out of a $1 billion allotment is going to really 
have that much effect on that.
  This is not turning our back on some of the issues that you have, but 
this is looking forward to the future and saying we have got to help 
these people move forward.
  This is not a government handout. This is not a free amount of money. 
This is a 50 percent match. There are very few programs in our 
government that require that.
  This is something that just makes sense for America. It makes sense 
for all those folks that I represent and you represent back home.
  I have got to tell you something. Back in Western Pennsylvania, where 
I live, in Pennsylvania's Third District, every morning, moms and dads 
get up and they throw their feet out over their bed and they go to work 
so that they can put a roof over the head for their children, food on 
their table, clothes on their back, and a promise for the future.
  This is a small investment. All we are doing is keeping it at $130 
million. And in a government that spends trillions of dollars every 
year, I don't know why we would quibble over $5 million because it is 
going to help job creation and job retention. It allows us to compete 
in a global market in a way that we actually win.
  We don't have to get political about this. What I want to do is, I 
want to think about all the people we represent and where those dollars 
go because every single dollar belongs to the American taxpayer.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is reminded to address all of his 
remarks to the Chair and not to other Members of the House.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate those 
remarks. He is describing my constituents as well. And if we had done 
as requested by the President, we would have left the authorization 
levels at the level he is trying to bring it to, and it would not have 
taken away from the other part of the research that is needed so badly 
in the other areas.
  I do not oppose what he is trying to do. What I oppose is how he is 
trying to do it. And for that, I still oppose the total amount because 
it is not treating the other program fairly.
  It is not that I oppose MEP. My constituents are no different than 
yours. They get up every day to work hard and need opportunities. I am 
sure many of yours get more opportunities than some of mine. And so I 
agree with that totally.
  I agreed with the President's level of recommendation of where he 
wants to take it. What I disagree with is he is taking it out of 
another area when it is not necessary.
  We are not appropriations. We are to recommend authorizations. We can 
do the authorization for his level without taking away from an area 
they don't like.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. Members are advised to address their remarks to the 
Chair and not to each other.
  The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Lowenthal

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 114, line 23, through page 115, line 18, strike 
     subsections (b) through (d).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lowenthal) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  My amendment would do two important things. First, it would preserve 
the Energy Department's ability to select projects based on merit, and, 
second, it would preserve a very basic scientific tenet, the ability of 
the Department of Energy to replicate scientific results.
  Right now, the underlying bill mandates the prioritization of certain 
scientific fields over others, and it terminates science initiatives 
that can validate or question the results of previous scientific 
research.

[[Page 7445]]

  It is additionally unfortunate that in this formerly bipartisan bill, 
the majority is again attempting to specifically target and terminate 
the valuable research programs of some of our Nation's brightest 
scientists if they study climate change. I think this is shortsighted, 
I think it is irresponsible, and I believe it is wrong.
  In order to ensure America's energy security, we must understand the 
multiplying risks to our energy infrastructure due to a changing 
climate. In order to ensure America's energy security, we must 
understand the lifecycle impacts of the fuels we use. And in order to 
ensure America's energy security, we must lead the world in developing 
clean renewable sources of energy.
  For this vision to become a reality, the Department of Energy must 
support sound scientific processes that include selecting the most 
meritorious methods and questions that they wish to research and 
verifying those results through replication.
  H.R. 1806, as it is currently written, specifically targets the 
climate change research program in the Energy Department and instructs 
the director to cease ``those climate science-related initiatives that 
are identified as overlapping or duplicative.''
  A basic tenet of science is that you have to reproduce scientific 
results. You don't run an experiment once and go to the world and say, 
``It's true. We've figured it out.''
  No--science requires separate and independently verified results in 
order to draw conclusions. But now Congress is trying to legislate 
changes to the scientific method, and I think that is a shame.
  Science works best when multiple groups and agencies collaborate to 
find answers to important questions. And guess what? Congress has 
already created a way to coordinate among the 13 Federal agencies to 
ensure that each agency is researching the causes and effects of global 
changes most relevant to their missions. And it is called the U.S. 
Global Change Research Program. The proposed requirements in section 
505 of H.R. 1806 are really just an attempt to create more roadblocks 
to studying climate change.
  My amendment preserves the scientific integrity of the Office of 
Science, the U.S. Global Change Research Program and, more importantly, 
the scientific process.
  I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lowenthal amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), who is a member 
of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the 
gentleman's amendment and in support of the underlying reforms included 
in H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015.
  This amendment would remove important measures that ensure greater 
transparency for the Federal Government's climate science initiative 
and require accountability for the Office of Science to justify the 
value of related work going forward.
  The gentleman's amendment would also remove underlying language in 
the America COMPETES Act that would require the Government 
Accountability Office to identify duplicative climate science 
initiatives across the entire Federal Government.
  All Members of Congress should support transparency in federally 
funded research. It is our core responsibility to provide oversight for 
Federal programs and make sure American taxpayer dollars are being 
spent responsibly, not duplicating work that has already been done.
  That said, the language in the America COMPETES Act does not ban any 
particular area of science but, instead, requires that DOE justify the 
science's merit and provide greater transparency if climate science 
work is intentionally duplicated.
  This provision in the America COMPETES Act is simply good governance 
and is more important now than ever. The Obama administration has 
unapologetically pushed forward a politicized climate agenda through 
the Federal Government, prioritizing climate change research above all 
else. Better transparency can help prevent wasteful spending and 
prioritize the most valuable research.
  H.R. 1806 authorizes the Office of Science within the Department of 
Energy to support basic research in the physical sciences, including 
research on Earth's atmosphere. By including these good government 
measures, the America COMPETES Act gives Congress appropriate 
oversight, funds valuable research, but does not provide a blank check 
for the President's climate agenda.
  This amendment would strike these important accountability measures 
from the America COMPETES Act research. For that reason, I oppose the 
amendment and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chairman, could you tell me how much time I have 
left.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California has 1\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, it is not surprising that the Biological and 
Environmental Research program at DOE is targeted with harmful 
provisions in this bill. It is targeted because the program is a leader 
in advancing our understanding of the causes and impacts of climate 
change.
  Hiding our heads in the sand will not solve anything, and it 
certainly won't stop the Earth from warming. Allowing partisan politics 
to skew the scientific understanding of climate change is cynical and 
shortsighted.
  It is especially cynical considering that in the majority's own bill, 
they state that climate change is happening. They just had to take the 
statement out that it is caused by human beings.
  The gentleman from California's amendment would simply strike those 
harmful provisions so that scientists supported by BER can continue 
their important work without political interference.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to close, so I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I repeat: duplication is good science. Let 
me repeat that: duplication is good science.
  I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lowenthal amendment to maintain the 
Department of Energy's ability to select scientific projects based upon 
scientific merit, that support the mission of the Department of Energy 
and the broader energy security of our country.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would strike good 
government accountability measures within the COMPETES bill that 
require DOE's Office of Science to prioritize biological systems and 
genomic science. It would also strike reforms included in the America 
COMPETES Act that prevent duplication of research, which saves taxpayer 
dollars.
  I encourage Members to oppose the amendment, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lowenthal).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California 
will be postponed.


                 Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Grayson

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.

[[Page 7446]]


  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 133, before line 19, insert the following new section:

     SEC. 604. ENERGY INNOVATION HUBS.

       (a) Authorization of Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
     program to enhance the Nation's economic, environmental, and 
     energy security by making awards to consortia for 
     establishing and operating Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct 
     and support, whenever practicable at one centralized 
     location, multidisciplinary, collaborative research, 
     development, and demonstration of advanced energy 
     technologies.
       (2) Technology development focus.--The Secretary shall 
     designate for each Hub a unique advanced energy technology 
     focus.
       (3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the 
     activities of Hubs with those of other Department of Energy 
     research entities, including the National Laboratories, the 
     Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Energy Frontier 
     Research Centers, and within industry.
       (b) Consortia.--
       (1) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award under 
     this section for the establishment and operation of a Hub, a 
     consortium shall--
       (A) be composed of no fewer than 2 qualifying entities; and
       (B) operate subject to an agreement entered into by its 
     members that documents--
       (i) the proposed partnership agreement, including the 
     governance and management structure of the Hub;
       (ii) measures to enable cost-effective implementation of 
     the program under this section;
       (iii) a proposed budget, including financial contributions 
     from non-Federal sources;
       (iv) a plan for managing intellectual property rights; and
       (v) an accounting structure that enables the Secretary to 
     ensure that the consortium has complied with the requirements 
     of this section.
       (2) Application.--A consortium seeking to establish and 
     operate a Hub under this section, acting through a prime 
     applicant, shall transmit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such form, and accompanied by such information 
     as the Secretary shall require, including a detailed 
     description of the elements of the consortium agreement 
     required under paragraph (1)(B). If the consortium members 
     will not be located at one centralized location, such 
     application shall include a communications plan that ensures 
     close coordination and integration of the Hub's activities.
       (c) Selection and Schedule.--The Secretary shall select 
     consortia for awards for the establishment and operation of 
     Hubs through competitive selection processes. In selecting 
     consortia, the Secretary shall consider the information a 
     consortium must disclose according to subsection (b), as well 
     as any existing facilities a consortium will provide for Hub 
     activities. Awards made to a Hub shall be for a period not to 
     exceed 5 years, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, after which the award may be renewed, subject 
     to a rigorous merit review. A Hub already in existence on the 
     date of enactment of this Act may continue to receive support 
     for a period of 5 years, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, beginning on the date of establishment of 
     that Hub.
       (d) Hub Operations.--
       (1) In general.--Each Hub shall conduct or provide for 
     multidisciplinary, collaborative research, development, and 
     demonstration of advanced energy technologies within the 
     technology development focus designated under subsection 
     (a)(2). Each Hub shall--
       (A) encourage collaboration and communication among the 
     member qualifying entities of the consortium and awardees by 
     conducting activities whenever practicable at one centralized 
     location;
       (B) develop and publish on the Department of Energy's 
     website proposed plans and programs;
       (C) submit an annual report to the Secretary summarizing 
     the Hub's activities, including detailing organizational 
     expenditures, and describing each project undertaken by the 
     Hub; and
       (D) monitor project implementation and coordination.
       (2) Conflicts of interest.--
       (A) Procedures.--Hubs shall maintain conflict of interest 
     procedures, consistent with those of the Department of 
     Energy, to ensure that employees and consortia designees for 
     Hub activities who are in decisionmaking capacities disclose 
     all material conflicts of interest, and avoid such conflicts.
       (B) Disqualification and revocation.--The Secretary may 
     disqualify an application or revoke funds distributed to a 
     Hub if the Secretary discovers a failure to comply with 
     conflict of interest procedures established under 
     subparagraph (A).
       (3) Prohibition on construction.--
       (A) In general.--No funds provided pursuant to this section 
     may be used for construction of new buildings or facilities 
     for Hubs. Construction of new buildings or facilities shall 
     not be considered as part of the non-Federal share of a Hub 
     cost-sharing agreement.
       (B) Test bed and renovation exception.--Nothing in this 
     subsection shall prohibit the use of funds provided pursuant 
     to this section, or non-Federal cost share funds, for 
     research or for the construction of a test bed or renovations 
     to existing buildings or facilities for the purposes of 
     research if the Secretary determines that the test bed or 
     renovations are limited to a scope and scale necessary for 
     the research to be conducted.
       (e) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an 
     underperforming Hub for cause during the performance period.
       (f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) Advanced energy technology.--The term ``advanced energy 
     technology'' means--
       (A) an innovative technology--
       (i) that produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, 
     biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, or other renewable energy 
     resources;
       (ii) that produces nuclear energy;
       (iii) for carbon capture and sequestration;
       (iv) that enables advanced vehicles, vehicle components, 
     and related technologies that result in significant energy 
     savings;
       (v) that generates, transmits, distributes, utilizes, or 
     stores energy more efficiently than conventional 
     technologies, including through Smart Grid technologies; or
       (vi) that enhances the energy independence and security of 
     the United States by enabling improved or expanded supply and 
     production of domestic energy resources, including coal, oil, 
     and natural gas;
       (B) research, development, and demonstration activities 
     necessary to ensure the long-term, secure, and sustainable 
     supply of energy critical elements; or
       (C) another innovative energy technology area identified by 
     the Secretary.
       (2) Hub.--The term ``Hub'' means an Energy Innovation Hub 
     established or operating in accordance with this section, 
     including any Energy Innovation Hub existing as of the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (3) Qualifying entity.--The term ``qualifying entity'' 
     means--
       (A) an institution of higher education;
       (B) an appropriate State or Federal entity, including the 
     Department of Energy Federally Funded Research and 
     Development Centers;
       (C) a nongovernmental organization with expertise in 
     advanced energy technology research, development, 
     demonstration, or commercial application; or
       (D) any other relevant entity the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Grayson) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, this amendment seeks to authorize the Energy 
Innovation Hubs program within the Department of Energy.
  I would like to thank Chairman Smith and his staff for working with 
me to craft this amendment. Because I know that the chairman supports 
the amendment, I will keep my remarks brief.
  Energy Innovation Hubs are collaborative research centers that bring 
together teams of scientists and engineers from academia, industry, and 
national laboratories in order to accelerate scientific discoveries 
that address critical energy issues. They were created in 2010 and have 
received almost $500 million in funding already.
  The four hubs currently focus on everything from improving nuclear 
reactors through computer-based modeling to improving battery 
technology for transportation and the grid.
  The amendment before us would not only authorize this important 
research but would also provide critical guidelines and accountability 
measures for the program.
  A rigorous merits-based renewal process would be implemented. The 
Secretary would be empowered to terminate underperforming hubs at any 
time, and funds would be prohibited from being used for the purpose of 
constructing buildings so that every taxpayer dollar goes toward the 
research for which it is intended.
  Again, I thank the gentleman from Texas, Chairman Smith, for his help 
and guidance in developing this amendment. I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment, though I do not oppose the amendment.

[[Page 7447]]

  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection the gentleman is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would authorize the 
Department of Energy Innovation Hubs. These integrated research 
platforms conduct fundamental research to address critical challenges 
in energy technology.
  Currently, DOE operates four hubs, which all focus on the critical 
energy issues. They include the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of 
Light Water Reactors, which uses high performance computation modeling 
to simulate and improve reactors. And it includes the Joint Center for 
Energy Storage Research, which focuses on developing the next 
generation of battery technologies.
  My thanks go to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson), a very 
active and alert member of the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee, for offering this amendment and for working with us to 
develop this bipartisan amendment. I encourage Members to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAYSON. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 10 Offered by Ms. Bonamici

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 162, lines 3 through 5, strike subsection (d).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentlewoman 
from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Oregon.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address an issue of national security.
  The Department of Defense is the world's largest institutional 
consumer of fuel. As a result, the volatility of oil prices directly 
affects military readiness. Every $10 increase on a barrel of oil costs 
the Department of Defense an additional $1.3 billion a year.
  To reduce our military's and our Nation's dependence on a single 
source of fuel, the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture 
have been working closely over the past 4 years with the private sector 
to scale up an advanced ``drop-in'' biofuel production capability.
  One of those projects is in Lakeview, Oregon, where a forest biomass 
plant will produce fuel for the U.S. Navy and Marines. It is one of 
three companies selected by the Departments of Defense, Energy, and 
Agriculture to produce cost-competitive drop-in military biofuels. Once 
at scale, these biorefineries will have a combined capacity to produce 
100 million gallons of fuel for military ships and planes while 
reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to 
conventional fuels.
  Our military and Nation are faced with a growing global demand for 
energy. We need to have a greater emphasis on renewable energy and 
energy-efficient technologies. Yet, without any apparent logic, this 
bill would prohibit the Department of Energy--the lead agency with 
deep, technical expertise in this area--from partnering with the 
Department of Defense to develop biofuels.
  The amendment that I am offering strikes this prohibition and would 
allow the Departments of Energy and Defense to continue their efforts 
to learn from each other's expertise.
  Mr. Chairman, I will include in the Record a letter opposing the 
prohibition from the Truman National Security Project, where they 
note--these are retired military--that 4 years of partnership between 
the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture have seen 
impressive progress in the development of advanced drop-in biofuels 
that will allow the military to turn away from an outdated fuel source. 
Members of the military from every rank and service have spoken out in 
favor of the continued investment in biofuels for the reasons of cost 
and capability.

                                               Operation Free,

                                                   April 21, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
     House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson: The 
     American military is the greatest fighting force the world 
     has ever seen. The United States Congress has the critical 
     responsibility of empowering our military leaders by 
     equipping that force with the tools they need to engage 
     effectively in a world of ever-increasing security threats. 
     Accordingly, we urge you to withdraw the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, which would bar the Department 
     of Energy from continuing a four-year collaboration with the 
     Departments of Defense and Agriculture to develop cost-
     effective advanced biofuels.
       Time and again throughout our history, the military has 
     chosen to innovate towards new solutions. While the advances 
     resulting from these efforts have often benefited our nation 
     as a whole, they are undertaken not for the sake of novelty 
     or adventure but to fill a key operational or tactical need. 
     Advanced biofuels fills such a need: Reducing the dangerous 
     dependence of the U.S. military on fossil fuels.
       The Department of Defense is the world's largest 
     institutional consumer of fuel. With approximately $15 
     billion per year budgeted simply to maintain freedom of 
     movement, the U.S. military is dangerously sensitive to the 
     volatility of oil prices; a $10 change in the price per 
     barrel of crude oil leaves the Department of Defense with a 
     $1.3 billion shortfall and sees increased profits to 
     countries who oppose our interests around the world. And 
     because oil is priced in a global market, no amount of 
     domestic production can insulate the military from these 
     effects.
       We have learned firsthand that oil truly is the Achilles' 
     heel of our military. With most of the world's oil traveling 
     through two or three major chokepoints, the military must 
     allocate significant manpower and resources to keeping those 
     sea lanes open and secure. Moreover, as the military 
     transitions from large-scale land engagements in the Middle 
     East and towards a broader engagement in the Asia-Pacific, 
     the costs and logistical challenges associated with moving 
     fuel over thousands of miles of ocean will only increase.
       The threat of oil dependence along with the need for energy 
     security isn't going away any time soon. And we shouldn't 
     impede progress of alternatives that are moving forward now. 
     Four years of partnership between the Departments of Defense, 
     Energy, and Agriculture have seen impressive progress in the 
     development of advanced, ``drop in'' biofuels that will allow 
     the military to turn away from an outdated fuel source. Top 
     line military platforms as diverse as the super-sonic F/A-18 
     ``Green Hornet,'' the Air Force's F16 fighter jets, the MH-
     60S Seahawk helicopter, the AV-8B Harrier, the Fire Scout 
     unmanned vehicle, the Riverine Command Boat (RCB-X) and the 
     frigate USS Ford have all operated at full capacity and with 
     no averse side effects using American-made biofuels.
       Members of the military from every rank and service have 
     spoken out in favor of the continued investment in biofuels 
     for reasons of cost and capabilities alike. These voices, 
     rather than political leanings or parochial interests, must 
     steer national security policy. Accordingly, we urge you to 
     withdraw the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 and 
     to ensure that the U.S. military is free to pursue the fuel 
     sources its leaders deign necessary for maximum operational 
     and tactical success.
           Respectfully,
     Michael Breen,
       Executive Director, Truman National Security Project Army 
     Captain (Fmr.).
     RADM Leendert ``Len'' Hering,
       USN (Ret.).
     Lt Gen Norman Seip,
       USAF (Ret.).

  Ms. BONAMICI. I urge adoption of the amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Weber), who is the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

[[Page 7448]]


  Mr. WEBER of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding to 
me.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment 
and in support of the underlying reforms included in H.R. 1806, the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015.
  This amendment would remove a limitation included in the underlying 
bill that prevents the Department of Energy from using funding 
authorized for the EERE Biofuels program to conduct commercial 
production of biofuels for defense purposes.
  The fact is that EERE already spends too much of their current budget 
on deployment and commercialization of renewable and energy efficient 
technologies instead of research and development.
  The DOE's ongoing effort to fund commercial-scale biofuels production 
for military purposes in cooperation with the Department of Defense and 
USDA is just one example.
  Redirecting funds from biofuels R&D is part of a broader problem. 
Department of Energy research and development programs should be 
focused on science, not creating a market for certain types of fuels. 
The DOE should focus on a new idea for the market, not a market for the 
new idea.
  The Department of Defense spends billions annually on fuel costs, 
billions. When viable biofuels technology is able to compete with 
conventional fuels--trust me--the private sector can and will develop 
commercial-scale biofuels production to meet demand. It is just that 
simple, Mr. Chairman.
  And despite significant Federal programs to support the use of 
biofuels, a recent GAO, Government Accountability Office, study 
concluded that the long-term viability of alternative fuels is 
dependent on market factors, not Federal funds or mandates. That same 
study reported that the Department of Defense paid $150 per gallon for 
1,500 gallons of alternative jet fuel derived from algal oil. Taxpayers 
should be outraged.
  The other side may be, in fact, promoting their global warming theory 
because when taxpayers find out about this kind of waste, there are 
going to be a lot of them hot under the collar.
  The Department of Energy should focus on research and development, 
not commercial biofuels production. This limitation is consistent with 
the broader goals of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which 
prioritizes research and development in all R&D program areas while 
cutting spending on deployment and commercialization.
  I am aghast, Mr. Chairman, that the other side somehow thinks 
Congress shouldn't be paying attention to the way taxpayer dollars are 
spent.
  For these reasons, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this 
amendment.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, may I please inquire as to the amount of 
time remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Oregon has 2\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. BONAMICI. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Peters), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. PETERS. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise as a cosponsor of this amendment, and I am glad 
to be working with Congresswoman Bonamici and my colleague on the Armed 
Services Committee, Ranking Member Adam Smith.
  Our amendment simply allows the Department of Energy to continue its 
collaborative work with the Department of Defense to produce biofuels 
for the military.
  The Department of Defense is the single largest institutional 
consumer of fuel in the world, and this is all about saving money 
because our military spends about $20 billion a year on energy, $16 
billion of which goes to oil fuels.
  As we have seen in recent years, global oil markets are volatile. And 
despite massive production increases in the United States, according to 
the Energy Information Administration, last year, our net imports of 
petroleum were 5 million barrels per day, with our top five suppliers 
being Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Iraq. That reliance 
on a volatile, foreign-produced source of fuel puts our national 
security at risk, particularly when we face dynamic, new threats from 
nonstate actors such as ISIS, al Qaeda, or individual terrorists who 
can disrupt oil production and supply lines in new and intimidating 
ways.
  The constraints of depending so heavily on a single source of fuel 
also puts our readiness at risk, a problem that will only increase as 
we are forced to respond to international incidents across the globe at 
a moment's notice and as our military makes its strategic pivot toward 
the vast Pacific Ocean.
  Instead of standing idly by and waiting for a fuel-supply crisis that 
would endanger our ability to confront those wanting to harm our 
country, the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture have been 
working with private sector innovators to develop renewable biofuels 
that could be used by planes, tactical vehicles, and ships.
  The Navy already has innovative partnerships with algae producers and 
their high-skilled workers in my district in San Diego.
  Congress should be laying the groundwork for more strategic public-
private partnerships to develop like those in San Diego, not mandating 
that they cannot exist.
  The military is not pursuing this fuel supply diversity because they 
are tree-hugging environmentalists but because it is a national 
security imperative.
  Foolishly, today's COMPETES Act would bar the Department of Defense 
from working with the Department of Energy on developing biofuels. Why 
would we undercut an effort that our military commanders are for and 
say will save lives?

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my dear friend, Ms. Bonamici, for 
yielding and for her leadership on this important issue.
  Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of this commonsense amendment to 
allow the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to 
continue working together to develop biofuel options for our Nation's 
military.
  DOD's reliance on a single source of fuel deepens dependence on 
foreign oil, threatens our national security, and contributes 
significantly to spending. Why would we not want the Department of 
Energy with their deep technical expertise in this area to assist DOD 
to create alternatives for petroleum-based fuels? It makes no sense, 
and I urge my colleagues' support.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, in closing, the gentlewoman's 
amendment would remove an important limitation from the underlying bill 
that prevents the Department of Energy from spending research dollars 
to fund commercial-scale biofuels development for defense purposes. DOE 
should focus on innovative research and development, not commercial 
production of any particular form of energy.
  For those reasons, Mr. Chairman, I encourage Members to oppose this 
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Oregon 
will be postponed.


                 Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Beyer

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk for Mr. 
DeSaulnier and myself.

[[Page 7449]]

  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 174, lines 18 through 24, strike paragraph (1).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I am proud to speak in support of our amendment, which 
would restore the ARPA-E goal of developing energy technologies that 
result in reductions in energy-related emissions, including greenhouse 
gases. I believe this is an important and urgent area of research and 
that it should remain explicitly stated in the statute as a goal for 
ARPA-E.
  When I look at the existing statute, it says:

       The goals of ARPA-E shall be reductions of imports of 
     energy from foreign sources; reductions of energy-related 
     emissions, including greenhouses gases; and improvement in 
     the energy efficiency of all economic sectors.

  These are the three goals which have been removed from the current 
bill. Global carbon dioxide concentrations have risen more than 120 
parts per million since preindustrial times, half of that arrived just 
since 1980. The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving the 
acceleration of greenhouse gas concentrations in our atmosphere. Just 2 
weeks ago, NOAA reported that the monthly global average of 
concentration of carbon dioxide has surpassed 400 parts per million. 
The last time this happened was over 1 million years ago.
  We must look to develop alternative energy sources that will reduce 
manmade emissions. ARPA-E is a unique agency that can help us with this 
mission. Since 2009, it has funded over 400 potentially 
transformational energy technology projects. A number of these projects 
have spurred follow-on private sector funding, and a number of ARPA-E 
awardees have formed startup companies or partnered with other parts of 
the government and industry to advance their technologies.
  Reducing energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases, is an 
important component to our Nation's economic and energy security. 
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support our amendment 
to reinstate these three goals for ARPA-E, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk), who is also the 
chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose this amendment to H.R. 
1806 because I support research that will enhance both the economic 
security and the energy security of the United States.
  The original America COMPETES Act, which established the Advanced 
Research Projects Agency within the Department of Energy, ARPA-E, 
required the agency to only pursue projects that reduce greenhouse 
gases. The bill before us today, the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act, allows any advanced energy technology that could enhance U.S. 
economic and energy security to compete for ARPA-E funding. This levels 
the playing field and ensures that ARPA-E funds research with the 
greatest potential to have a positive impact on the American economy.
  The COMPETES Act provides a balanced approach to ARPA-E by 
reprioritizing funding towards innovative projects that are truly in 
need of Federal research dollars. The bill also removes restrictions 
that allow the administration to play favorites in the energy sector. 
However, this amendment would strike the language which expands the 
ARPA-E project eligibility. As a result, this amendment would then 
limit innovative research and development.
  With all of the national security challenges we face today, from 
terrorism, to cybersecurity breaches, to our skyrocketing national 
debt, we should focus our attention on broadening our energy base and 
achieving energy independence, not limiting ourselves to one small area 
of environmental science. I believe we must adopt an all-of-the-above 
energy strategy that improves our energy security and emphasizes all 
energy opportunities, including those which reduce greenhouse gases.
  Congress should not put in place arbitrary limits on innovation that 
will prevent groundbreaking technologies from across the energy sector 
from participating in ARPA-E programs. I urge my colleagues to oppose 
this amendment.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member of the Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the 
gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, it is deeply troubling to me that this amendment had to 
be offered. This amendment fixes a provision in this bill that strips 
away a foundational component of the ARPA-E program.
  As virtually every preeminent climatologist in the world agrees, 
greenhouse gas emissions are growing so rapidly and are a growing 
threat to our way of life. Why wouldn't we want one of the most 
innovative agencies to develop technologies that could address this 
critical issue?
  ARPA-E has made good funding choices supporting valuable research, as 
proven by its impressive track record of successful projects since it 
was first authorized. I certainly see no value in changing something 
that no serious energy policy analyst believes is broken.
  Mr. DeSaulnier's and Mr. Beyer's amendment sets this clearly 
misguided provision aside. I enthusiastically support it and urge my 
colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I listened with great interest to the rebuttal of the 
alternative argument from my friend, Mr. Loudermilk, and I found myself 
agreeing with almost everything that he said, but misunderstanding why 
retaining these three goals somehow played favorites, how they created 
arbitrary limits on innovation, and how they opposed efforts to find 
our economic and energy security. The purpose of the amendment is to 
recognize that reducing dependence on foreign oil, that trying to find 
ways to limit greenhouse gases, and improving the energy efficiency of 
all economic sectors are worthy goals.
  Perhaps what we need to do is add a fourth one, which I would be 
happy to place first if the chairman would agree, that says the goals 
will be, first, to develop any breakthroughs in innovation that help 
the economic and energy security of the Nation so that there is no 
playing of favorites and there are no arbitrary limitations. If we 
could work that out, that would be great. Otherwise, Mr. Chairman, I 
urge my colleagues to support the amendment as offered, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's amendment would 
remove key policy reforms to ARPA-E from the COMPETES bill and instead 
place limitations on the research and development conducted at ARPA-E. 
Federally funded research should include innovative technologies for 
all forms of energy, not just the President's personal preferences. So 
I encourage Members to oppose the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

[[Page 7450]]

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia 
will be postponed.


     Amendment No. 12 Offered by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12 
printed in part A of House Report 114-120.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment 
at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America 
     Competes Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                 TITLE I--OSTP; GOVERNMENTWIDE SCIENCE

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

Sec. 101. Federal research and development funding.
Sec. 102. National Science and Technology Council amendments.
Sec. 103. Review of Federal regulations and reporting requirements.
Sec. 104. Amendments to prize competitions.
Sec. 105. Coordination of international science and technology 
              partnerships.
Sec. 106. Scientific and technical conferences.

 Subtitle B--Reauthorization of the National Nanotechnology Initiative

Sec. 111. Short title.
Sec. 112. National Nanotechnology Program amendments.
Sec. 113. Societal dimensions of nanotechnology.
Sec. 114. Nanotechnology education.
Sec. 115. Technology transfer.
Sec. 116. Signature initiatives in areas of national importance.
Sec. 117. Nanomanufacturing research.
Sec. 118. Definitions.

                    Subtitle C--Engineering Biology

Sec. 121. Short title.
Sec. 122. Findings.
Sec. 123. Definitions.
Sec. 124. National Engineering Biology Research and Development 
              Program.
Sec. 125. Advisory Committee.
Sec. 126. External review of ethical, legal, environmental, and 
              societal issues.
Sec. 127. Agency activities.

                 TITLE II--STEM EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY

                Subtitle A--STEM Education and Workforce

Sec. 201. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 202. Coordination of Federal STEM education.
Sec. 203. Grand challenges in education research.
Sec. 204. National Research Council report on STEAM education.
Sec. 205. Engaging Federal scientists and engineers in STEM education.

              Subtitle B--Broadening Participation in STEM

Sec. 211. Short title.
Sec. 212. Purpose.
Sec. 213. Federal science agency policies for caregivers.
Sec. 214. Collection and reporting of data on Federal research grants.
Sec. 215. Policies for review of Federal research grants.
Sec. 216. Collection of data on demographics of faculty.
Sec. 217. Cultural and institutional barriers to expanding the academic 
              and Federal STEM workforce.
Sec. 218. Research and dissemination at the National Science 
              Foundation.
Sec. 219. Report to Congress.
Sec. 220. National Science Foundation support for increasing diversity 
              among STEM faculty at institutions of higher education.
Sec. 221. National Science Foundation support for broadening 
              participation in undergraduate STEM education.
Sec. 222. Definitions.

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 302. Findings and sense of Congress on support for all fields of 
              science and engineering.
Sec. 303. National Science Foundation merit review.
Sec. 304. Management and oversight of large facilities.
Sec. 305. Support for potentially transformative research.
Sec. 306. Strengthening institutional research partnerships.
Sec. 307. Innovation Corps.
Sec. 308. Definitions.

                       Subtitle B--STEM Education

Sec. 321. National Science Board report on consolidation of STEM 
              education activities at the Foundation.
Sec. 322. Models for graduate student support.
Sec. 323. Undergraduate STEM education reform.
Sec. 324. Advanced manufacturing education.
Sec. 325. STEM education partnerships.
Sec. 326. Noyce scholarship program amendments.
Sec. 327. Informal STEM education.
Sec. 328. Research and development to support improved K-12 learning.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 403. Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Sec. 404. National Academies review.
Sec. 405. Improving NIST collaboration with other agencies.
Sec. 406. Miscellaneous provisions.

                          TITLE V--INNOVATION

Sec. 501. Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Sec. 502. Federal loan guarantees for innovative technologies in 
              manufacturing.
Sec. 503. Innovation voucher pilot program.
Sec. 504. Federal Acceleration of State Technology Commercialization 
              Pilot Program.

                     TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                     Subtitle A--Office of Science

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Definitions.
Sec. 603. Mission of the Office of Science.
Sec. 604. Basic energy sciences program.
Sec. 605. Biological and environmental research.
Sec. 606. Advanced scientific computing research program.
Sec. 607. Fusion energy research.
Sec. 608. High energy physics program.
Sec. 609. Nuclear physics program.
Sec. 610. Science laboratories infrastructure program.
Sec. 611. Authorization of appropriations.

                           Subtitle B--ARPA-E

Sec. 621. Short title.
Sec. 622. ARPA-E amendments.

                     Subtitle C--Energy Innovation

Sec. 641. Energy Innovation Hubs.
Sec. 642. Participation in the Innovation Corps program.
Sec. 643. Technology transfer.
Sec. 644. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education 
              and other nonprofit institutions.
Sec. 645. Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
Sec. 646. Special hiring authority for scientific, engineering, and 
              project management personnel.

                 TITLE I--OSTP; GOVERNMENTWIDE SCIENCE

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

     SEC. 101. FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The predominant driver of gross domestic product growth 
     over the past half century has been scientific and 
     technological advancement.
       (2) Investments in research and development have also 
     delivered significant benefits for national security, health, 
     energy security, education, and the personal well-being of 
     all Americans.
       (3) Virtually every new technological product is traceable 
     to a research discovery, often one pursued with no 
     application in mind.
       (4) Nondefense Federal research and development accounts 
     for only 1.7 percent of the Federal budget. Federal basic 
     research accounts for only 1 percent of the budget.
       (5) There is a deficit between what America is investing 
     and what it should be investing to remain competitive, not 
     only in research but in technology transfer, innovation, and 
     job creation, thereby causing America's highly successful 
     science and technology enterprise to atrophy.
       (6) Many research and development initiatives, due to the 
     long time periods required to achieve completion, have 
     benefited from stable and predictable investments and from 
     multiyear financial planning.
       (7) The Federal science agencies should receive sustained 
     and steady growth in funding for research and development 
     activities, including basic research, across a wide range of 
     disciplines, including physical, geological, and life 
     sciences, mathematics, engineering, and social, behavioral, 
     and economic sciences.

     SEC. 102. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS.

       Section 401 of the National Science and Technology Policy, 
     Organization, and Priorities Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 6651) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Federal Coordinating 
     Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology'' and 
     inserting ``National Science and Technology Council'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``and Energy Research 
     and Development Administration'' and inserting ``Department 
     of Energy,

[[Page 7451]]

     and any other agency designated by the President''; and
       (3) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``engineering, and technology'' and 
     inserting ``engineering, technology, innovation, and STEM 
     education'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``engineering, and 
     technological'' and inserting ``engineering, technological, 
     innovation, and STEM education'';
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (4) and (5), respectively; and
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) address research needs identified under paragraph (2) 
     through appropriate funding mechanisms, which may include 
     solicitations involving 2 or more agencies and public-private 
     partnerships;''.

     SEC. 103. REVIEW OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND REPORTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall establish or designate a working 
     group under the National Science and Technology Council with 
     the responsibility of reviewing Federal regulatory and 
     reporting requirements across Federal agencies that affect 
     the conduct of United States research in an effort to reduce 
     regulatory burdens and to eliminate and harmonize duplicative 
     regulatory and reporting requirements.
       (b) Responsibilities.--The working group established or 
     designated under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) periodically review all Federal regulations and 
     reporting requirements that affect the conduct of United 
     States research to--
       (A) identify ways to harmonize overlapping or duplicative 
     research regulations and reporting requirements across 
     Federal agencies;
       (B) evaluate such regulations and reporting requirements in 
     relationship to the risks the requirements seek to address to 
     determine if the benefits of the requirements are 
     commensurate with the costs to the progress of science or to 
     the taxpayer;
       (C) identify any regulations that are applied to scientific 
     researchers or to research-performing institutions for which 
     exemptions could be reasonably applied or for which 
     adjustments could be made to better fit those regulations to 
     diverse research environments; and
       (D) identify any specific regulations which could be 
     refocused on performance-based goals rather than on process 
     while still meeting the desired outcome;
       (2) examine the extent to which agencies' guidance 
     documents adhere with the most recently updated version of 
     the Office of Management and Budget's Agency Good Guidance 
     Practices bulletin; and
       (3) develop and update at least once every 3 years a 
     strategic plan for streamlining Federal regulations and 
     reporting requirements that affect the conduct of United 
     States research that contains, at a minimum--
       (A) a priority list of research-related regulations, 
     reporting requirements, and agency guidance to be harmonized, 
     streamlined, updated, or eliminated; and
       (B) a plan, including a timeline, for implementing the 
     regulatory and reporting reforms identified in subparagraph 
     (A).
       (c) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out the 
     responsibilities under subsection (b), including the 
     development of the strategic plan under subsection (b)(3), 
     the working group established or designated under subsection 
     (a) shall take into account input and recommendations from 
     non-Federal stakeholders, including federally funded and 
     nonfederally funded researchers, institutions of higher 
     education, scientific disciplinary societies and 
     associations, nonprofit research institutions, industry, 
     including small businesses, federally funded research and 
     development centers, and others with a stake in ensuring 
     effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the 
     performance of scientific research.
       (d) Responsibilities of OSTP.--The Director of the Office 
     of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with the 
     Office of Management and Budget Office of Information and 
     Regulatory Affairs, shall encourage and monitor the efforts 
     of the participating agencies to ensure that the strategic 
     plan is developed under subsection (b)(3) and that 
     appropriate steps are taken by the agencies to effectively 
     implement the recommendations, achieve the objectives, and to 
     adhere to the timeline in the strategic plan.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall transmit the priority list and 
     strategic plan developed under subsection (b)(3) to the 
     Congress. The Director shall further provide a report 
     annually to the Congress, to be submitted not later than 60 
     days after the submission of the President's annual budget 
     request, on the progress toward implementation of the 
     regulatory reforms outlined in the strategic plan.

     SEC. 104. AMENDMENTS TO PRIZE COMPETITIONS.

       Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by inserting ``competition'' after ``section, a 
     prize'';
       (B) by inserting ``types'' after ``following''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prizes'' and inserting 
     ``prize competitions'';
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking ``in the Federal Register'' and inserting 
     ``on a publicly accessible Government website, such as 
     www.challenge.gov,''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prize'' and inserting 
     ``cash prize purse'';
       (3) in subsection (g), by striking ``prize'' and inserting 
     ``cash prize purse'';
       (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'' both places it appears;
       (5) in subsection (i)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition'' both places it appears;
       (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) Waiver.--An agency may waive the requirement under 
     paragraph (2). The annual report under subsection (p) shall 
     include a list of such waivers granted during the preceding 
     fiscal year, along with an explanation of the reasons for 
     granting the waivers.'';
       (6) in subsection (j) by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2) Intellectual property.--
       ``(A) Licenses.--The Federal Government may negotiate a 
     license for the use of intellectual property developed by a 
     participant for a prize competition.
       ``(B) Other conditions.--A Federal agency or agencies in 
     cooperation may require participants to agree in advance to a 
     specific approach to intellectual property as a condition for 
     eligibility to participate in a prize competition.'';
       (7) in subsection (k)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competition''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``prize'' before 
     ``competitions'' both places it appears;
       (8) in subsection (l), by striking all after ``may enter 
     into'' and inserting ``a grant, contract, cooperative 
     agreement, or other agreement with a private sector for-
     profit or nonprofit entity to administer the prize 
     competition, subject to the provisions of this section.'';
       (9) in subsection (m)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--Support for a prize competition under 
     this section, including financial support for the design and 
     administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash 
     prize purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and 
     funds provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit 
     entities. The head of an agency may accept funds from other 
     Federal agencies, private sector for-profit entities, and 
     nonprofit entities, to be available to the extent provided by 
     appropriations Acts, to support such prize competitions. The 
     head of an agency may not give any special consideration to 
     any private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity in return 
     for a donation.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prize awards'' and 
     inserting ``cash prize purses'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)(A)--
       (i) by striking ``No prize'' and inserting ``No prize 
     competition''; and
       (ii) by striking ``the prize'' and inserting ``the cash 
     prize purse'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``a prize'' and 
     inserting ``a cash prize purse'';
       (E) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting ``competition'' 
     after ``prize'';
       (F) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``a prize'' and 
     inserting ``a cash prize purse''; and
       (G) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``cash prizes'' and 
     inserting ``cash prize purses'';
       (10) in subsection (n), by inserting ``for both for-profit 
     and nonprofit entities,'' after ``contract vehicle'';
       (11) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``or providing a 
     prize'' and insert ``a prize competition or providing a cash 
     prize purse''; and
       (12) in subsection (p)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``Annual Report'' and 
     inserting ``Biennial Report'';
       (B) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``of each year'' and inserting ``of each 
     odd-numbered year''; and
       (ii) by striking ``preceding fiscal year'' and inserting 
     ``preceding 2 fiscal years''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``cash prizes'' both 
     places it occurs and inserting ``cash prize purses''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) Plan.--A description of crosscutting topical areas 
     and agency-specific mission needs that may be the strongest 
     opportunities for prize competitions during the upcoming 2 
     fiscal years.''.

     SEC. 105. COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND 
                   TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 
     2015''.
       (b) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall establish a body under the 
     National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)

[[Page 7452]]

     with the responsibility to identify and coordinate 
     international science and technology cooperation that can 
     strengthen the United States science and technology 
     enterprise, improve economic and national security, and 
     support United States foreign policy goals.
       (c) NSTC Body Leadership.--The body established under 
     subsection (b) shall be co-chaired by senior level officials 
     from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the 
     Department of State.
       (d) Responsibilities.--The body established under 
     subsection (b) shall--
       (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science 
     and technology cooperative research and training activities 
     and partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies and 
     work with other National Science and Technology Council 
     committees to help plan and coordinate the international 
     component of national science and technology priorities;
       (2) establish Federal priorities and policies for aligning, 
     as appropriate, international science and technology 
     cooperative research and training activities and partnerships 
     supported or managed by Federal agencies with the foreign 
     policy goals of the United States;
       (3) identify opportunities for new international science 
     and technology cooperative research and training partnerships 
     that advance both the science and technology and the foreign 
     policy priorities of the United States;
       (4) in carrying out paragraph (3), solicit input and 
     recommendations from non-Federal science and technology 
     stakeholders, including universities, scientific and 
     professional societies, industry, and relevant organizations 
     and institutions; and
       (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of 
     United States scientists and engineers to collaborate with 
     foreign counterparts, including barriers to collaboration and 
     access to scientific information.
       (e) Report to Congress.--The Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a report, to be 
     updated annually, to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate. The report shall also be made 
     available to the public on the reporting agency's website. 
     The report shall contain a description of--
       (1) the priorities and policies established under 
     subsection (d)(2);
       (2) the ongoing and new partnerships established since the 
     last update to the report;
       (3) the means by which stakeholder input was received, as 
     well as summary views of stakeholder input; and
       (4) the issues influencing the ability of United States 
     scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign 
     counterparts.

     SEC. 106. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONFERENCES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Cooperative research and development activities, 
     including collaboration between domestic and international 
     government, industry, and academic science and engineering 
     organizations, are important to promoting innovation and 
     knowledge creation.
       (2) Scientific and technical conferences and trade events 
     support the sharing of information, processes, and data 
     within the scientific and engineering communities.
       (3) In hosting and attending scientific and technical 
     conferences and trade events, Federal agencies--
       (A) gain greater access to top researchers and to new and 
     potentially transformative ideas;
       (B) keep abreast of developments relevant to their 
     respective missions, as is relevant for future program 
     planning;
       (C) help disseminate Federal research results;
       (D) provide opportunities both for employee professional 
     development and for recruiting new employees;
       (E) participate in scientific peer review; and
       (F) support the reputation, visibility, and leadership both 
     of the specific agency and of the United States.
       (4) For those Federal agencies that provide financial 
     support for external research and development activities, 
     participation in scientific and technical conferences can 
     help ensure that funds are directed toward the most promising 
     ideas, thereby maximizing the Federal investment.
       (b) Policy.--To the extent practicable given budget, 
     security, and other constraints, the National Science 
     Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, and the Department of Energy, in addition to the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration, should support 
     Federal employee and contractor attendance at scientific and 
     technical conferences and trade events as relevant both to 
     employee and contractor duties and to the agency's mission.
       (c) Oversight.--Consistent with other relevant law, the 
     Federal agencies, through appropriate oversight, shall aim to 
     minimize the costs to the Federal Government related to 
     conference and trade event attendance, through methods such 
     as--
       (1) ensuring that related fees collected by the Federal 
     agency help offset total costs to the Federal Government;
       (2) developing or maintaining procedures for investigating 
     unexpected increases in related costs; and
       (3) strengthening policies and training relevant to 
     conference and trade event planning and participation.

 Subtitle B--Reauthorization of the National Nanotechnology Initiative

     SEC. 111. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``National Nanotechnology 
     Initiative Amendments Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 112. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

       The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 2--
       (A) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (4) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(4) develop, and update every 3 years thereafter, a 
     strategic plan to guide the activities described under 
     subsection (b) that specifies near-term and long-term 
     objectives for the Program, the anticipated timeframe for 
     achieving the near-term objectives, and the metrics to be 
     used for assessing progress toward the objectives, and that 
     describes--
       ``(A) how the Program will move results out of the 
     laboratory and into applications for the benefit of society, 
     including through cooperation and collaborations with 
     nanotechnology research, development, and technology 
     transition initiatives supported by the States; and
       ``(B) proposed research in areas of national importance in 
     accordance with the requirements of section 116 of the 
     National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2015;'';
       (B) in subsection (d)--
       (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively;
       (ii) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated by 
     clause (i), the following:
       ``(1) the Program budget, for the previous fiscal year, for 
     each agency that participates in the Program, and for each 
     program component area;''; and
       (iii) by amending paragraph (6), as redesignated by clause 
     (i), to read as follows:
       ``(6) an assessment of how Federal agencies are 
     implementing the plan described in subsection (c)(7) and a 
     description of the amount of Small Business Innovative 
     Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research 
     funds supporting the plan.''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Standards Setting.--The agencies participating in the 
     Program shall support the activities of committees involved 
     in the development of standards for nanotechnology and may 
     reimburse the travel costs of scientists and engineers who 
     participate in activities of such committees.'';
       (2) in section 3--
       (A) by amending subsection (b)(1) to read as follows:
       ``(b) Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--The operation of the National 
     Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall be supported by 
     funds from each agency participating in the Program.
       ``(2) Proportion.--The portion of such Office's total 
     budget provided by each agency for each fiscal year shall be 
     in the same proportion as the agency's share of the total 
     budget for the Program for the previous fiscal year, as 
     specified in the report required under section 2(d)(1).
       ``(3) Exception.--The Director of the National 
     Nanotechnology Coordination Office may establish a minimum 
     contribution or other exception to the requirement in 
     paragraph (2) for participating agencies whose share of the 
     total budget for the Program is below a threshold level, to 
     be set by the Director.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Public Information.--
       ``(1) Database.--
       ``(A) In general.--The National Nanotechnology Coordination 
     Office shall develop and maintain a database accessible by 
     the public of projects funded under at least the 
     Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or 
     any successor program component area, including, to the 
     extent practicable, a description of each project, its source 
     of funding by agency, and its funding history.
       ``(B) Organization.--Projects shall be grouped by major 
     objective as defined by the research plan required under 
     section 113(b) of the National Nanotechnology Initiative 
     Amendments Act of 2015.
       ``(2) Accessible facilities.--
       ``(A) In general.--The National Nanotechnology Coordination 
     Office shall develop, maintain, and publicize information on 
     nanotechnology facilities supported under the Program, and 
     may include information on nanotechnology facilities 
     supported by the States, that are accessible for use by 
     individuals from academic institutions and from industry.
       ``(B) Websites.--The National Nanotechnology Coordination 
     Office shall maintain active web links to the websites for 
     each of

[[Page 7453]]

     these facilities and shall work with each facility supported 
     under the Program to ensure that each facility publishes on 
     its respective website updated information on the terms and 
     conditions for the use of the facility, a description of the 
     capabilities of the instruments and equipment available for 
     use at the facility, and a description of the technical 
     support available to assist users of the facility.'';
       (3) in section 4--
       (A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: 
     ``The co-chairs of the Advisory Panel shall meet the 
     qualifications of Panel membership required in subsection (b) 
     and may be members of the President's Council of Advisors on 
     Science and Technology. The Advisory Panel shall include 
     members having specific qualifications tailored to enable it 
     to carry out the requirements of subsection (c)(6).'';
       (B) in subsection (c)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (1); and
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (7) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (6), respectively; and
       (C) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d) Reports.--The Advisory Panel shall report not less 
     frequently than every 3 years, and, to the extent 
     practicable, 1 year following each of the National Research 
     Council triennial reviews required under section 5, to the 
     President on its assessments under subsection (c) and its 
     recommendations for ways to improve the Program. The Director 
     of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit 
     a copy of each report under this subsection to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, and other appropriate committees of the 
     Congress.'';
       (4) by amending section 5 to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 5. TRIENNIAL EXTERNAL REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL 
                   NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director of the National 
     Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Research Council of the 
     National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial review of 
     the Program. The Director shall ensure that the arrangement 
     with the National Research Council is concluded in order to 
     allow sufficient time for the reporting requirements of 
     subsection (b) to be satisfied. Each triennial review shall 
     include an evaluation of the--
       ``(1) research priorities and technical content of the 
     Program, including whether the balance of funding among 
     program component areas, as designated according to section 
     2(c)(2), is appropriate;
       ``(2) Program's scientific and technological 
     accomplishments and its success in transferring technology to 
     the private sector; and
       ``(3) adequacy of the Program's activities addressing 
     ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal 
     concerns, including human health concerns.
       ``(b) Priority Reports.--If the Director of the National 
     Nanotechnology Coordination Office, working with the National 
     Research Council and with input from the Advisory Panel, 
     determines that a more narrowly focused review of the Program 
     is in the best interests of the Program, the Director may 
     enter into such an arrangement with the National Research 
     Council in lieu of a full review as required under subsection 
     (a), but not more often than every second triennial review.
       ``(c) Evaluation To Be Transmitted to Congress.--The 
     National Research Council shall document the results of each 
     triennial review carried out in accordance with this section 
     in a report that includes any recommendations for changes to 
     the Program's objectives, technical content, or other policy 
     or Program changes. Each report shall be submitted to the 
     Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, 
     who shall transmit it to the Advisory Panel, the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives.''; and
       (5) in section 10--
       (A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) Nanotechnology.--The term `nanotechnology' means the 
     science and technology that will enable one to understand, 
     measure, model, image, manipulate, and manufacture at the 
     nanoscale, aimed at creating materials, devices, and systems 
     with fundamentally new properties or functions.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(7) Nanoscale.--The term `nanoscale' means one or more 
     dimensions of between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers.''.

     SEC. 113. SOCIETAL DIMENSIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY.

       (a) Coordinator for Environmental, Health, and Safety 
     Research.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy shall designate an associate director of 
     the Office of Science and Technology Policy or other 
     appropriate senior government official as the Coordinator for 
     Environmental, Health, and Safety Research. The Coordinator 
     shall be responsible for oversight of the coordination, 
     planning, and budget prioritization of research and other 
     activities related to environmental, health, safety, and 
     other appropriate societal concerns related to 
     nanotechnology. The responsibilities of the Coordinator shall 
     include--
       (1) ensuring that a research plan for the environmental, 
     health, and safety research activities required under 
     subsection (b) is developed, updated, and implemented and 
     that the plan is responsive to the recommendations of the 
     Advisory Panel established under section 4(a) of the 21st 
     Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 
     U.S.C. 7503(a)); and
       (2) encouraging and monitoring the efforts of the agencies 
     participating in the Program to allocate the level of 
     resources and management attention necessary to ensure that 
     the environmental, health, safety, and other appropriate 
     societal concerns related to nanotechnology are addressed 
     under the Program.
       (b) Research Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The Coordinator for Environmental, Health, 
     and Safety Research shall convene and chair a panel comprised 
     of representatives from the agencies funding research 
     activities under the Environmental, Health, and Safety 
     program component area of the Program, or any successor 
     program component area, and from such other agencies as the 
     Coordinator considers necessary to develop, periodically 
     update, and coordinate the implementation of a research plan 
     for this program component area. Such panel may be a subgroup 
     of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology 
     Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council. 
     In developing and updating the plan, the panel convened by 
     the Coordinator shall solicit and be responsive to 
     recommendations and advice from--
       (A) the Advisory Panel established under section 4(a) of 
     the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 7503(a)); and
       (B) the agencies responsible for environmental, health, and 
     safety regulations associated with the production, use, and 
     disposal of nanoscale materials and products.
       (2) Development of standards.--The plan required under 
     paragraph (1) shall include a description of how the Program 
     will help to ensure the development of--
       (A) standards related to nomenclature associated with 
     engineered nanoscale materials;
       (B) engineered nanoscale standard reference materials for 
     environmental, health, and safety testing; and
       (C) standards related to methods and procedures for 
     detecting, measuring, monitoring, sampling, and testing 
     engineered nanoscale materials for environmental, health, and 
     safety impacts.
       (3) Components of plan.--The plan required under paragraph 
     (1) shall, with respect to activities described in paragraphs 
     (1) and (2)--
       (A) specify near-term research objectives and long-term 
     research objectives;
       (B) specify milestones associated with each near-term 
     objective and the estimated time and resources required to 
     reach each milestone;
       (C) with respect to subparagraphs (A) and (B), describe the 
     role of each agency carrying out or sponsoring research in 
     order to meet the objectives specified under subparagraph (A) 
     and to achieve the milestones specified under subparagraph 
     (B); and
       (D) specify the funding allocated to each major objective 
     of the plan and the source of funding by agency for the 
     current fiscal year.
       (4) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the plan required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be transmitted to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (5) Updating and appending to report.--The plan required 
     under paragraph (1) shall be updated at least every 3 years 
     and may be submitted as part of the report required under 
     section 2(c)(4) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research 
     and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)(4)).

     SEC. 114. NANOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

       (a) Undergraduate Education Programs.--The Program shall 
     support efforts to introduce nanoscale science, engineering, 
     and technology into undergraduate science and engineering 
     education through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches. 
     Activities supported may include--
       (1) development of courses of instruction or modules to 
     existing courses;
       (2) faculty professional development; and
       (3) acquisition of equipment and instrumentation suitable 
     for undergraduate education and research in nanotechnology.
       (b) Interagency Coordination of Education.--The Committee 
     established under section 2(c) of the 21st Century 
     Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 
     7501(c)) shall coordinate, as appropriate, with the Committee 
     established under section 101 of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) to prioritize, 
     plan, and assess the educational activities supported under 
     the Program.

[[Page 7454]]

       (c) Societal Dimensions in Nanotechnology Education 
     Activities.--Activities supported under the Education and 
     Societal Dimensions program component area, or any successor 
     program component area, that involve informal, precollege, or 
     undergraduate nanotechnology education shall include 
     education regarding the environmental, health and safety, and 
     other societal aspects of nanotechnology.
       (d) Remote Access to Nanotechnology Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--Agencies supporting nanotechnology 
     research facilities as part of the Program shall require the 
     entities that operate such facilities to allow access via the 
     Internet, and support the costs associated with the provision 
     of such access, by secondary school students and teachers, to 
     instruments and equipment within such facilities for 
     educational purposes. The agencies may waive this requirement 
     for cases when particular facilities would be inappropriate 
     for educational purposes or the costs for providing such 
     access would be prohibitive.
       (2) Procedures.--The agencies identified in paragraph (1) 
     shall require the entities that operate such nanotechnology 
     research facilities to establish and publish procedures, 
     guidelines, and conditions for the submission and approval of 
     applications for the use of the facilities for the purpose 
     identified in paragraph (1) and shall authorize personnel who 
     operate the facilities to provide necessary technical support 
     to students and teachers.

     SEC. 115. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

       (a) Prototyping.--
       (1) Access to facilities.--In accordance with section 
     2(b)(7) of 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and 
     Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(b)(7)), the agencies 
     supporting nanotechnology research facilities as part of the 
     Program shall provide access to such facilities to companies 
     for the purpose of assisting the companies in the development 
     of prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes 
     (or products, devices, or processes enabled by 
     nanotechnology) for determining proof of concept. The 
     agencies shall publicize the availability of these facilities 
     and encourage their use by companies as provided for in this 
     section. The agencies may waive this requirement for academic 
     facilities for which the costs of providing such access would 
     be prohibitive.
       (2) Procedures.--The agencies identified in paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall establish and publish procedures, guidelines, and 
     conditions for the submission and approval of applications 
     for use of nanotechnology facilities;
       (B) shall publish descriptions of the capabilities of 
     facilities available for use under this subsection, including 
     the availability of technical support; and
       (C) may waive recovery, require full recovery, or require 
     partial recovery of the costs associated with use of the 
     facilities for projects under this subsection.
       (3) Selection and criteria.--
       (A) In general.--In cases when less than full cost recovery 
     is required pursuant to paragraph (2)(C), projects provided 
     access to nanotechnology facilities in accordance with this 
     subsection shall be selected through a competitive, merit-
     based process, and the criteria for the selection of such 
     projects shall include at a minimum the readiness of the 
     project for technology demonstration.
       (B) Special consideration.--The agencies may give special 
     consideration in selecting projects to applications that are 
     relevant to important national needs or requirements.
       (b) Collaboration With Industry.--The Program shall 
     coordinate with industry from all industrial sectors that 
     would benefit from applications of nanotechnology by--
       (1) enhancing communication of information related to 
     nanotechnology innovation, including information about 
     research, education and training, manufacturing issues, and 
     market-driven needs;
       (2) advancing and accelerating the creation of new products 
     and manufacturing processes derived from discovery at the 
     nanoscale by working with industry, including small and 
     medium-sized manufacturers;
       (3) developing innovative methods for transferring 
     nanotechnology products and processes from Federal agencies 
     to industry; and
       (4) facilitating industry-led partnerships between the 
     Program and industry sectors, including regional 
     partnerships.
       (c) Coordination With State, Regional, and Local 
     Initiatives.--Section 2(b)(5) of the 21st Century 
     Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 
     7501(b)(5)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(5) ensuring United States global leadership in the 
     development and application of nanotechnology, including 
     through the coordination and leveraging of Federal 
     investments with nanotechnology research, development, and 
     technology transition initiatives supported by the States and 
     regions across the country;''.

     SEC. 116. SIGNATURE INITIATIVES IN AREAS OF NATIONAL 
                   IMPORTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Program shall include support for 
     nanotechnology research and development activities directed 
     toward topical and application areas that have the potential 
     for significant contributions to national economic 
     competitiveness and for other significant societal benefits. 
     The activities supported shall be designed to advance the 
     development of research discoveries by demonstrating 
     technical solutions to important national challenges. The 
     Advisory Panel shall make recommendations to the Program for 
     candidate research and development areas for support under 
     this section.
       (b) Characteristics.--
       (1) In general.--Research and development activities under 
     this section shall--
       (A) include projects selected on the basis of applications 
     for support through a competitive, merit-based process;
       (B) involve collaborations among researchers in academic 
     institutions and industry, and may involve nonprofit research 
     institutions and Federal laboratories, as appropriate;
       (C) when possible, leverage Federal investments through 
     collaboration with related State initiatives; and
       (D) include a plan for fostering the transfer of research 
     discoveries and the results of technology demonstration 
     activities to industry for commercial development.
       (2) Joint solicitations.--Projects supported under this 
     section shall include projects for which determination of the 
     requirements for applications, review and selection of 
     applications for support, and subsequent funding of projects 
     shall be carried out by a collaboration of no fewer than 2 
     agencies participating in the Program. In selecting 
     applications for support, agencies may, as appropriate, give 
     special consideration to projects that include cost sharing 
     from non-Federal sources.
       (3) Interdisciplinary research centers.--Research and 
     development activities under this section may be supported 
     through interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers, as 
     authorized by section 2(b)(4) of the 21st Century 
     Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 
     7501(b)(4)), that are organized to investigate basic research 
     questions and carry out technology demonstration activities 
     in areas such as those identified in subsection (a).
       (c) Report.--Reports required under section 2(d) of the 
     21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 
     U.S.C. 7501(d)) shall include a description of research and 
     development areas supported in accordance with this section.

     SEC. 117. NANOMANUFACTURING RESEARCH.

       (a) Research Areas.--The Program shall include research 
     on--
       (1) the development of instrumentation and tools required 
     for the rapid characterization of nanoscale materials and for 
     monitoring of nanoscale manufacturing processes; and
       (2) approaches and techniques for scaling the synthesis of 
     new nanoscale materials to achieve industrial-level 
     production rates.
       (b) Green Nanotechnology.--Interdisciplinary research 
     centers supported under the Program in accordance with 
     section 2(b)(4) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research 
     and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(b)(4)) that are focused 
     on nanomanufacturing research shall include as part of the 
     activities of such centers--
       (1) research on methods and approaches to develop 
     environmentally benign nanoscale products and nanoscale 
     manufacturing processes, taking into consideration relevant 
     findings and results of research supported under the 
     Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or 
     any successor program component area;
       (2) fostering the transfer of the results of such research 
     to industry; and
       (3) providing for the education of scientists and engineers 
     through interdisciplinary studies in the principles and 
     techniques for the design and development of environmentally 
     benign nanoscale products and processes.

     SEC. 118. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle, terms that are defined in section 10 of 
     the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 7509) have the meaning given those terms in that 
     section.

                    Subtitle C--Engineering Biology

     SEC. 121. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Engineering Biology 
     Research and Development Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 122. FINDINGS.

       The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Cellular and molecular processes may be used, mimicked, 
     or redesigned to develop new products, processes, and systems 
     that improve societal well-being, strengthen national 
     security, and contribute to the economy.
       (2) Engineering biology relies on scientists and engineers 
     with a diverse and unique set of skills combining the 
     biological, physical, and information sciences and 
     engineering.
       (3) Long-term research and development is necessary to 
     create breakthroughs in engineering biology. Such research 
     and development requires government investment as the 
     benefits are too distant or uncertain for industry to support 
     alone.
       (4) The Federal Government can play an important role by 
     facilitating the development of tools and technologies to 
     further advance engineering biology, including multiple user 
     facilities that the Federal Government is uniquely able to 
     support.

[[Page 7455]]

       (5) Since other countries are investing significant 
     resources in engineering biology, the United States is at 
     risk of losing its competitive lead in this emerging area if 
     it does not invest the necessary resources and have a 
     national strategy.
       (6) A National Engineering Biology Initiative can serve to 
     establish new research directions and technology goals, 
     improve interagency coordination and planning processes, 
     drive technology transfer, and help ensure optimal returns on 
     the Federal investment.

     SEC. 123. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle--
       (1) the term ``Advisory Committee'' means the advisory 
     committee designated under section 125;
       (2) the term ``biomanufacturing'' means the manufacturing 
     of products using biological manufacturing technologies;
       (3) the term ``engineering biology'' means the science and 
     engineering of cellular and molecular processes to advance 
     fundamental understanding of complex natural systems and to 
     develop new and advance existing products, processes, and 
     systems that will contribute significantly to societal well-
     being, national security, and the economy;
       (4) the term ``Interagency Committee'' means the 
     interagency committee designated under section 124(e); and
       (5) the term ``Program'' means the National Engineering 
     Biology Research and Development Program established under 
     section 124.

     SEC. 124. NATIONAL ENGINEERING BIOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The President shall implement a National 
     Engineering Biology Research and Development Program to 
     advance societal well-being, national security, and economic 
     productivity and competitiveness through--
       (1) advancing areas of research at the intersection of the 
     biological, physical, and information sciences and 
     engineering;
       (2) supporting social science research that advances the 
     field of engineering biology and contributes to the adoption 
     of new products, processes, and technologies;
       (3) expanding the number of researchers, educators, and 
     students with engineering biology training;
       (4) accelerating the translation and commercialization of 
     engineering biology research and development by the private 
     sector; and
       (5) improving the interagency planning and coordination of 
     Federal Government activities related to engineering biology.
       (b) Program Activities.--The activities of the Program 
     shall include--
       (1) sustained support for engineering biology research and 
     development through--
       (A) grants to individual investigators and 
     interdisciplinary teams of investigators;
       (B) projects funded under joint solicitations by a 
     collaboration of no fewer than two agencies participating in 
     the Program; and
       (C) interdisciplinary research centers that are organized 
     to investigate basic research questions and carry out 
     technology development and demonstration activities;
       (2) education and training of undergraduate and graduate 
     students in research at the intersection of biological, 
     physical, and information sciences and engineering;
       (3) activities to develop robust mechanisms for tracking 
     and quantifying the outputs and economic benefits of 
     engineering biology; and
       (4) activities to accelerate the translation and 
     commercialization of new products, processes, and 
     technologies by--
       (A) identifying precompetitive research opportunities;
       (B) facilitating public-private partnerships in engineering 
     biology research and development;
       (C) connecting researchers, graduate students, and 
     postdoctoral fellows with entrepreneurship education and 
     training opportunities; and
       (D) supporting proof of concept activities and the 
     formation of startup companies including through programs 
     such as the Small Business Innovation Research Program and 
     the Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
       (c) Expanding Participation.--The Program shall include, to 
     the maximum extent practicable, outreach to primarily 
     undergraduate and minority-serving institutions about Program 
     opportunities, and shall encourage the development of 
     research collaborations between research-intensive 
     universities and primarily undergraduate and minority-serving 
     institutions.
       (d) Ethical, Legal, Environmental, and Societal Issues.--
     Program activities shall take into account ethical, legal, 
     environmental, and other appropriate societal issues, 
     including the need for safeguards and monitoring systems to 
     protect society against the unintended release of engineered 
     materials produced, by--
       (1) supporting research, including in the social sciences, 
     and other activities addressing ethical, legal, 
     environmental, and other appropriate societal issues related 
     to engineering biology, including integrating research on 
     these topics with the research and development in engineering 
     biology, and ensuring that the results of such research are 
     widely disseminated, including through interdisciplinary 
     engineering biology research centers described in subsection 
     (b)(1)(C); and
       (2) ensuring, through the agencies and departments that 
     participate in the Program, that public input and outreach 
     are integrated into the Program by the convening of regular 
     and ongoing public discussions through mechanisms such as 
     citizen panels, consensus conferences, and educational 
     events, as appropriate.
       (e) Interagency Committee.--The President shall designate 
     an interagency committee on engineering biology, which shall 
     include representatives from the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, the 
     Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and any 
     other agency that the President considers appropriate. The 
     Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
     select a chairperson from among the members of the 
     Interagency Committee. The Interagency Committee shall 
     oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the 
     Program. The Interagency Committee shall--
       (1) provide for interagency coordination of Federal 
     engineering biology research, development, and other 
     activities undertaken pursuant to the Program;
       (2) establish and periodically update goals and priorities 
     for the Program;
       (3) develop, not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this subtitle, and update every 5 years, a 
     strategic plan to guide the activities of the Program and 
     meet the goals and priorities established under paragraph (2) 
     and describe--
       (A) the Program's support for long-term funding for 
     interdisciplinary engineering biology research and 
     development;
       (B) the Program's support for education and public outreach 
     activities;
       (C) the Program's support for research and other activities 
     on ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate 
     societal issues related to engineering biology; and
       (D) how the Program will move results out of the laboratory 
     and into application for the benefit of society and United 
     States competitiveness;
       (4) propose an annually coordinated interagency budget for 
     the Program that will ensure the maintenance of a robust 
     engineering biology research and development portfolio and 
     ensure that the balance of funding across the Program is 
     sufficient to meet the goals and priorities established for 
     the Program;
       (5) develop a plan to utilize Federal programs, such as the 
     Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small 
     Business Technology Transfer Program, in support of the goals 
     described in subsection (b)(4); and
       (6) in carrying out its responsibilities under this 
     section, take into consideration the recommendations of the 
     Advisory Committee, the results of the workshop convened 
     under section 126, existing reports on related topics, and 
     the views of academic, State, industry, and other appropriate 
     groups.
       (f) Annual Report.--The Interagency Committee shall prepare 
     an annual report, to be submitted to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than 90 days after 
     submission of the President's annual budget request, that 
     includes--
       (1) the Program budget 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 the Program, and for the development and 
     acquisition of any research facilities and instrumentation; 
     and
       (2) an assessment of how Federal agencies are implementing 
     the plan described in subsection (e)(5), and a description of 
     the amount and number of Small Business Innovation Research 
     and Small Business Technology Transfer awards made in support 
     of the Program.

     SEC. 125. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--The President shall designate an advisory 
     committee on engineering biology research and development 
     with at least 12 members, including representatives of 
     research and academic institutions, industry, and 
     nongovernmental entities, who are qualified to provide advice 
     on the Program.
       (b) Assessment.--The Advisory Committee shall assess--
       (1) progress made in implementing the Program;
       (2) the need to revise the Program;
       (3) the balance of activities and funding across the 
     Program;
       (4) whether the Program priorities and goals developed by 
     the Interagency Committee are helping to maintain United 
     States leadership in engineering biology;
       (5) the management, coordination, implementation, and 
     activities of the Program; and
       (6) whether ethical, legal, environmental, and other 
     appropriate societal issues are adequately addressed by the 
     Program.
       (c) Reports.--The Advisory Committee shall report within 3 
     years after the date of

[[Page 7456]]

     enactment of this Act, and thereafter not less frequently 
     than once every 5 years, to the President, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate, on its findings of the 
     assessment carried out under this section and its 
     recommendations for ways to improve the Program.
       (d) Federal Advisory Committee Act Application.--Section 14 
     of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 
     not apply to the Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 126. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF ETHICAL, LEGAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, 
                   AND SOCIETAL ISSUES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National 
     Academies to convene a workshop to review the ethical, legal, 
     environmental, and other appropriate societal issues related 
     to engineering biology research and development. The goals of 
     the workshop shall be to--
       (1) assess the current research on such issues;
       (2) evaluate the research gaps relating to such issues; and
       (3) provide recommendations on how the Program can address 
     the research needs identified.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
     Science Foundation 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 summary report containing the 
     findings of the workshop convened under this section.

     SEC. 127. AGENCY ACTIVITIES.

       (a) National Science Foundation.--As part of the Program, 
     the National Science Foundation shall--
       (1) support basic research at the intersection of the 
     biological, physical, and information sciences and 
     engineering through individual grants and through 
     interdisciplinary research centers;
       (2) support research on the environmental and social 
     effects of engineering biology;
       (3) provide research instrumentation support for 
     engineering biology disciplines; and
       (4) award grants, on a competitive basis, to enable 
     institutions to support graduate students and postdoctoral 
     fellows who perform some of their engineering biology 
     research in an industry setting.
       (b) Department of Commerce.--As part of the Program, the 
     Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology shall--
       (1) establish a bioscience research program to advance the 
     development of standard reference materials and measurements 
     and to create new data tools, techniques, and processes 
     necessary to advance engineering biology and 
     biomanufacturing;
       (2) provide access to user facilities with advanced or 
     unique equipment, services, materials, and other resources to 
     industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
     organizations, and government agencies to perform research 
     and testing; and
       (3) provide technical expertise to inform the development 
     of guidelines and safeguards for new products, processes, and 
     systems of engineering biology.
       (c) Department of Energy.--As part of the Program, the 
     Secretary of Energy shall--
       (1) conduct and support basic research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercial application activities in 
     engineering biology disciplines, including in the areas of 
     synthetic biology, advanced biofuel development, biobased 
     materials, and environmental remediation; and
       (2) provide access to user facilities with advanced or 
     unique equipment, services, materials, and other resources, 
     as appropriate, to industry, institutions of higher 
     education, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies 
     to perform research and testing.
       (d) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--As part 
     of the Program, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration shall--
       (1) conduct and support basic and applied research in 
     engineering biology fields, including in the field of 
     synthetic biology, and related to Earth and space sciences, 
     aeronautics, space technology, and space exploration and 
     experimentation, consistent with the priorities established 
     in the National Academies' decadal surveys; and
       (2) award grants, on a competitive basis, that enable 
     institutions to support graduate students and postdoctoral 
     fellows who perform some of their engineering biology 
     research in an industry setting.
       (e) Environmental Protection Agency.--As part of the 
     Program, the Environmental Protection Agency shall support 
     research on how products, processes, and systems of 
     engineering biology will affect the environment.

                 TITLE II--STEM EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY

                Subtitle A--STEM Education and Workforce

     SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that the National Science and 
     Technology Council's Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM), 
     established under section 101 of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621), has taken 
     important initial steps toward developing and implementing a 
     strategic plan for Federal investments in STEM education, but 
     that more work must be done to solicit and take into account 
     views and experience from stakeholders who help implement or 
     are the beneficiaries of Federal STEM programs across the 
     Nation. It is further the sense of Congress that science 
     mission agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, and the Department of Energy are essential 
     partners in contributing to the goals and implementation of a 
     Federal STEM strategic plan because such agencies have unique 
     scientific and technological facilities as well as highly 
     trained scientists who are eager and able to contribute to 
     improved STEM learning outcomes in their own communities.

     SEC. 202. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL STEM EDUCATION.

       Section 101 of America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 
     (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(5)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (B) through (E), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so redesigned 
     by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(A) have as its primary goal to leverage the limited STEM 
     education funding and other assets, including intellectual 
     capital, invested by Federal STEM agencies for maximum 
     benefit to student learning;'';
       (2) by striking the second subsection (b);
       (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (f);
       (4) by inserting after subsection (b), the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(c) Coordinator for STEM Education.--The Director of the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy shall designate an 
     associate director of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy as the Coordinator for STEM Education. When an 
     appropriate associate director is not available, the Director 
     may designate another appropriate senior government official 
     as the Coordinator for STEM Education. The Coordinator shall 
     chair the committee established under subsection (a). The 
     Coordinator shall, with the assistance of appropriate senior 
     officials from other Committee on STEM Education agencies, 
     ensure that the requirements of this section are satisfied.
       ``(d) Stakeholder Input.--
       ``(1) Interagency consolidation.--For all agency proposals 
     to consolidate or transfer budgets or functions for STEM 
     education programs or activities between agencies, at the 
     time of submission of such proposals to Congress, the 
     Director shall report to Congress on activities undertaken by 
     the Office of Science and Technology Policy or by relevant 
     agencies to take into consideration relevant input from the 
     STEM Education Advisory Panel established under subsection 
     (e) and other relevant education stakeholders.
       ``(2) Intraagency consolidation.--For all agency proposals 
     to internally consolidate or terminate STEM education 
     programs with budgets exceeding $10,000,000, at the time of 
     submission of such proposals to Congress, the head of the 
     relevant agency shall report to Congress on activities to 
     solicit and take into consideration input on such proposals 
     from the STEM Education Advisory Panel established under 
     subsection (e) and other relevant education stakeholders.
       ``(e) STEM Education Advisory Panel.--
       ``(1) In general.--The President shall establish or 
     designate a STEM Education Advisory Panel. The cochairs of 
     the Advisory Panel shall meet the qualifications of Panel 
     membership required in paragraph (2) and may be members of 
     the President's Council of Advisors on Science and 
     Technology.
       ``(2) Qualifications.--The Advisory Panel established or 
     designated by the President under this subsection shall 
     consist of members from academic institutions, industry, 
     informal education providers, nonprofit STEM education 
     organizations, foundations, and local and State educational 
     agencies. Members of the Advisory Panel shall be qualified to 
     provide advice on Federal STEM education programs, best 
     practices in STEM education, assessment of STEM education 
     programs, STEM education standards, industry needs for STEM 
     graduates, and public-private STEM education partnerships.
       ``(3) Duties.--The Advisory Panel shall advise the 
     President and the committee established under subsection (a) 
     on implementing the Federal STEM education strategic plan 
     required under subsection (b)(5) and coordinating Federal 
     STEM programs with nongovernmental STEM initiatives and State 
     and local educational agencies.
       ``(4) Report.--The Advisory Panel shall report, not more 
     than 1 year after enactment of the America Competes 
     Reauthorization Act of 2015, on options for evidence-based 
     implementation of the Federal STEM strategic plan required 
     under subsection (b)(5), including options for designating 
     certain agencies as coordinating leads for different priority

[[Page 7457]]

     investment areas, timelines for implementation, and specific 
     management, budget, policy, or other steps that agencies must 
     take to effectively implement the strategic plan.
       ``(5) Sunset.--The authorization for the Advisory Panel 
     established under this subsection shall expire 3 years after 
     the date of enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015.''; and
       (5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated by paragraph (3) 
     of this section--
       (A) by inserting ``progress made in implementing'' after 
     ``describing'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (3); and
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively.

     SEC. 203. GRAND CHALLENGES IN EDUCATION RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation and the Secretary of Education shall collaborate 
     in--
       (1) identifying, prioritizing, and developing strategies to 
     address grand challenges in research and development, 
     including assessment, on the teaching and learning of STEM at 
     the pre-K-12 level, in formal and informal settings, for 
     diverse learning populations, including individuals 
     identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering 
     Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b); and
       (2) ensuring the dissemination and promoting the 
     utilization of the results of such research and development.
       (b) Stakeholder Input.--In identifying the grand challenges 
     under subsection (a), the Director and the Secretary shall--
       (1) take into consideration critical research gaps 
     identified in existing reports, including reports by the 
     National Academies, on the teaching and learning of STEM at 
     the pre-K-12 level in formal and informal settings; and
       (2) solicit input from a wide range of stakeholders, 
     including officials from State educational agencies and local 
     educational agencies, STEM teachers, STEM education 
     researchers, scientific and engineering societies, STEM 
     faculty at institutions of higher education, informal STEM 
     education providers, businesses with a large STEM workforce, 
     and other stakeholders in the teaching and learning of STEM 
     at the pre-K-12 level, and may enter into an arrangement with 
     the National Research Council for these purposes.
       (c) Topics To Consider.--In identifying the grand 
     challenges under subsection (a), the Director and the 
     Secretary shall, at a minimum, consider research and 
     development on--
       (1) scalability, sustainability, and replication of 
     successful STEM activities, programs, and models, in formal 
     and informal environments;
       (2) model systems that support improved teaching and 
     learning of STEM across entire local educational agencies and 
     States, including rural areas, and encompassing and 
     integrating the teaching and learning of STEM in formal and 
     informal venues;
       (3) implementation of new State mathematics and science 
     standards;
       (4) what makes a STEM teacher effective and STEM teacher 
     professional development effective, including development of 
     tools and methodologies to measure STEM teacher 
     effectiveness;
       (5) cyber-enabled and other technology tools for teaching 
     and learning, including massive open online courses;
       (6) STEM teaching and learning in informal environments, 
     including development of tools and methodologies for 
     assessing STEM teaching and learning in informal 
     environments; and
       (7) how integrating engineering with mathematics and 
     science education may--
       (A) improve student learning of mathematics and science;
       (B) increase student interest and persistence in STEM; or
       (C) improve student understanding of engineering design 
     principles and of the built world.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director and the Secretary 
     shall report to Congress with a description of--
       (1) the grand challenges identified pursuant to this 
     section;
       (2) the role of each agency in supporting research and 
     development activities to address the grand challenges;
       (3) the common metrics that will be used to assess progress 
     toward meeting the grand challenges;
       (4) plans for periodically updating the grand challenges;
       (5) how the agencies will disseminate and promote the 
     utilization of the results of research and development 
     activities carried out under this section to STEM education 
     practitioners, to other Federal agencies that support STEM 
     programs and activities, and to non-Federal funders of STEM 
     education; and
       (6) how the agencies will support implementation of best 
     practices identified by the research and development 
     activities.

     SEC. 204. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL REPORT ON STEAM 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
     (STEM) Talent Expansion Program set an important goal of 
     increasing the number of students graduating with associate 
     or baccalaureate degrees in the STEM fields, and this should 
     continue to be a focus of that program;
       (2) to further the goal of the STEM Talent Expansion 
     Program, as well as STEM education promotion programs across 
     the Federal Government, innovative approaches are needed to 
     enhance STEM education in the United States;
       (3) STEAM, which is the integration of arts and design, 
     broadly defined, into Federal STEM programming, research, and 
     innovation activities, is a method-validated approach to 
     maintaining the competitiveness of the United States in both 
     workforce and innovation and to increasing and broadening 
     students' engagement in the STEM fields;
       (4) STEM graduates need more than technical skills to 
     thrive in the 21st century workforce; they also need to be 
     creative, innovative, collaborative, and able to think 
     critically;
       (5) STEAM should be recognized as providing value to STEM 
     research and education programs across Federal agencies, 
     without supplanting the focus on the traditional STEM 
     disciplines;
       (6) Federal agencies should work cooperatively on 
     interdisciplinary initiatives to support the integration of 
     arts and design into STEM, and current interdisciplinary 
     programs should be strengthened;
       (7) Federal agencies should allow for STEAM activities 
     under current and future grant-making and other activities; 
     and
       (8) Federal agencies should clarify that, where 
     appropriate, data collection, surveys, and reporting on STEM 
     activities and grant-making should examine activities that 
     involve cross-disciplinary learning that integrates 
     specialized skills and expertise from both art and science.
       (b) National Research Council Workshop.--The National 
     Science Foundation shall enter into an arrangement with the 
     National Research Council to conduct a workshop on the 
     integration of arts and design with STEM education. The 
     workshop shall include a discussion of--
       (1) how the perspectives and experience of artists and 
     designers may contribute to the advancement of science, 
     engineering, and innovation, for example through the 
     development of visualization aids for large experimental and 
     computational data sets;
       (2) how arts and design-based education experiences might 
     support formal and informal STEM education at the pre-K-12 
     level, particularly in fostering creativity and risk taking, 
     and encourage more students to pursue STEM studies, including 
     students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM;
       (3) how the teaching of design principles can be better 
     integrated into undergraduate engineering and other STEM 
     curricula, including in the first two years of undergraduate 
     studies, to enhance student capacity for creativity and 
     innovation and improve student retention, including students 
     from groups historically underrepresented in STEM; and
       (4) what additional steps, if any, Federal science agencies 
     should take to promote the inclusion of arts and design 
     principles in their respective STEM programs and activities 
     in order to improve student STEM learning outcomes, increase 
     the recruitment and retention of students into STEM studies 
     and careers, and increase innovation in the United States.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Research Council shall 
     submit a report to Congress providing a summary description 
     of the discussion and findings from the workshop required 
     under subsection (b).

     SEC. 205. ENGAGING FEDERAL SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS IN STEM 
                   EDUCATION.

       The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
     shall develop guidance for Federal agencies to increase 
     opportunities and training, as appropriate, for Federal 
     scientists and engineers to participate in STEM engagement 
     activities through their respective agencies and in their 
     communities.

              Subtitle B--Broadening Participation in STEM

     SEC. 211. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``STEM Opportunities Act 
     of 2015''.

     SEC. 212. PURPOSE.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, acting through the Federal science 
     agencies, shall carry out programs and activities with the 
     purpose of ensuring that Federal science agencies and 
     institutions of higher education receiving Federal research 
     and development funding are fully engaging their entire 
     talent pool.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subtitle are as 
     follows:
       (1) To promote research on and increase understanding of 
     the participation and trajectories of women and 
     underrepresented minorities in STEM careers at institutions 
     of higher education and Federal science agencies, including 
     Federal laboratories.
       (2) To raise awareness within Federal science agencies, 
     including Federal laboratories, and institutions of higher 
     education about cultural and institutional barriers limiting 
     the recruitment, retention, promotion, and other indicators 
     of participation

[[Page 7458]]

     and achievement of women and underrepresented minorities in 
     academic and Government STEM research careers at all levels.
       (3) To identify, disseminate, and implement best practices 
     at Federal science agencies, including Federal laboratories, 
     and at institutions of higher education to remove or reduce 
     cultural and institutional barriers limiting the recruitment, 
     retention, and success of women and underrepresented 
     minorities in academic and Government STEM research careers.
       (4) To provide grants to institutions of higher education 
     to recruit, retain, and advance STEM faculty members from 
     underrepresented minority groups and to implement or expand 
     reforms in undergraduate STEM education in order to increase 
     the number of students from underrepresented minority groups 
     receiving degrees in these fields.

     SEC. 213. FEDERAL SCIENCE AGENCY POLICIES FOR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) OSTP Guidance.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy shall provide guidance to 
     Federal science agencies to establish policies that--
       (1) apply to all--
       (A) intramural and extramural research awards; and
       (B) primary investigators who have caregiving 
     responsibilities, including care for a newborn or newly 
     adopted child and care for an immediate family member who is 
     sick or disabled; and
       (2) provide--
       (A) flexibility in timing for the initiation of approved 
     research awards;
       (B) no-cost extensions of research awards;
       (C) grant supplements as appropriate to research awards for 
     research technicians or equivalent to sustain research 
     activities; and
       (D) any other appropriate accommodations at the discretion 
     of the head of each agency.
       (b) Uniformity of Guidance.--In providing such guidance, 
     the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
     shall encourage uniformity and consistency in the policies 
     across all agencies.
       (c) Establishment of Policies.--Consistent with the 
     guidance provided under this section, Federal science 
     agencies shall maintain or develop and implement policies for 
     caregivers and shall broadly disseminate such policies to 
     current and potential grantees.
       (d) Data on Usage.--Federal science agencies shall--
       (1) collect data on the usage of the policies under 
     subsection (c), by gender, at both institutions of higher 
     education and Federal laboratories; and
       (2) report such data on an annual basis to the Director of 
     the Office of Science and Technology Policy in such form as 
     required by the Director.

     SEC. 214. COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF DATA ON FEDERAL 
                   RESEARCH GRANTS.

       (a) Collection of Data.--
       (1) In general.--Each Federal science agency shall collect 
     standardized record-level annual information on demographics, 
     primary field, award type, budget request, funding outcome, 
     and awarded budget for all applications for merit-reviewed 
     research and development grants to institutions of higher 
     education and Federal laboratories supported by that agency.
       (2) Uniformity and standardization.--The Director of the 
     Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish a 
     policy to ensure uniformity and standardization of the data 
     collection required under paragraph (1).
       (3) Record-level data.--
       (A) Requirement.--On an annual basis, beginning with the 
     deadline under subparagraph (C), each Federal science agency 
     shall submit to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation record-level data collected under paragraph (1) in 
     the form required by such Director.
       (B) Previous data.--As part of the first submission under 
     subparagraph (A), each Federal science agency, to the extent 
     practicable, shall also submit comparable record-level data 
     for the 5 years preceding the deadline under subparagraph 
     (C).
       (C) Deadline.--The deadline under this paragraph is 2 years 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Reporting of Data.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall publish statistical summary data 
     collected under this section, disaggregated and cross-
     tabulated by race, ethnicity, gender, age, and years since 
     completion of doctoral degree, including in conjunction with 
     the National Science Foundation's report required by section 
     37 of the Science and Technology Equal Opportunities Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1885d; Public Law 96-516).

     SEC. 215. POLICIES FOR REVIEW OF FEDERAL RESEARCH GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, in collaboration with the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation, shall identify information and 
     best practices useful for educating program officers and 
     members of standing peer review committees at Federal science 
     agencies about--
       (1) research on implicit bias based on gender, race, or 
     ethnicity; and
       (2) methods to minimize the effect of such bias in the 
     review of extramural and intramural Federal research grants.
       (b) Guidance to All Federal Science Agencies.--The Director 
     of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
     disseminate the information and best practices identified in 
     subsection (a) to all Federal science agencies and provide 
     guidance as necessary on policies to implement such practices 
     within each agency.
       (c) Establishment of Policies.--Consistent with the 
     guidance provided in subsection (b), Federal science agencies 
     shall maintain or develop and implement policies and 
     practices to minimize the effects of implicit bias in the 
     review of extramural and intramural Federal research grants.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy shall report to Congress on 
     what steps all Federal science agencies have taken to 
     implement policies and practices to minimize the effects of 
     bias in the review of extramural and intramural Federal 
     research grants.

     SEC. 216. COLLECTION OF DATA ON DEMOGRAPHICS OF FACULTY.

       (a) Collection of Data.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and at least every 5 years thereafter, 
     the Director of the National Science Foundation shall carry 
     out a survey to collect institution-level data on the 
     demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at 
     different types of institutions of higher education.
       (2) Considerations.--To the extent practicable, the 
     Director of the National Science Foundation shall consider, 
     by gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, age, and 
     years since completion of doctoral degree--
       (A) the number and percentage of faculty;
       (B) the number and percentage of faculty at each rank;
       (C) the number and percentage of faculty who are in 
     nontenure-track positions, including teaching and research;
       (D) the number and percentage of faculty who are reviewed 
     for promotion, including tenure, and the percentage of that 
     number who are promoted, including being awarded tenure;
       (E) faculty years in rank;
       (F) the number and percentage of faculty to leave tenure-
     track positions;
       (G) the number and percentage of faculty hired, by rank; 
     and
       (H) the number and percentage of faculty in leadership 
     positions.
       (b) Existing Surveys.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation--
       (1) may carry out the requirements under subsection (a) by 
     collaborating with statistical centers at other Federal 
     agencies to modify or expand, as necessary, existing Federal 
     surveys of higher education; or
       (2) may award a grant or contract to an institution of 
     higher education or other nonprofit organization to design 
     and carry out the requirements under subsection (a).
       (c) Reporting Data.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall publish statistical summary data collected 
     under this section, including as part of the National Science 
     Foundation's report required by section 37 of the Science and 
     Technology Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d; Public 
     Law 96-516).
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2018 to develop and carry out the initial survey required in 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 217. CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO EXPANDING 
                   THE ACADEMIC AND FEDERAL STEM WORKFORCE.

       (a) Best Practices at Institutions of Higher Education.--
       (1) Development of guidance.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation shall develop written guidance 
     for institutions of higher education on the best practices 
     for--
       (A) conducting periodic campus culture surveys of STEM 
     departments, with a particular focus on identifying any 
     cultural or institutional barriers to or successful enablers 
     for the recruitment, retention, promotion, and other 
     indicators of participation and achievement, of women and 
     underrepresented minorities in STEM degree programs and 
     academic STEM careers; and
       (B) providing educational opportunities, including 
     workshops as described in subsection (c), for STEM faculty 
     and administrators to learn about current research on 
     implicit bias in recruitment, evaluation, and promotion of 
     faculty in STEM and recruitment and evaluation of 
     undergraduate and graduate students in STEM degree programs.
       (2) Existing guidance.--In developing the guidance in 
     paragraph (1), the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall utilize guidance already developed by the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department 
     of Energy, and the Department of Education.
       (3) Dissemination of guidance.--The Director of the 
     National Science Foundation shall broadly disseminate the 
     guidance developed in paragraph (1) to institutions of higher 
     education that receive Federal research funding.

[[Page 7459]]

       (4) Reports to the national science foundation.--The 
     Director of the National Science Foundation shall develop a 
     policy that--
       (A) applies to, at a minimum, the institutions classified 
     under the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary 
     Research Carnegie Classification on January 1, 2015, as a 
     doctorate-granting university with a very high level of 
     research activity; and
       (B) requires each institution identified in subparagraph 
     (A), not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, to report to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation on activities and policies developed and 
     implemented based on the guidance provided in paragraph (1).
       (b) Best Practices at Federal Laboratories.--
       (1) Development of guidance.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office 
     of Science and Technology Policy shall develop written 
     guidance for Federal laboratories to develop and implement 
     practices and policies to--
       (A) conduct periodic laboratorywide culture surveys of 
     research personnel at all levels, with a particular focus on 
     identifying any cultural or institutional barriers to the 
     recruitment, retention, and success of women and 
     underrepresented minorities in STEM careers at Federal 
     laboratories; and
       (B) provide educational opportunities, including workshops 
     as described in subsection (c), for STEM research personnel 
     to learn about current research in implicit bias in 
     recruitment, evaluation, and promotion of research personnel 
     at Federal laboratories.
       (2) Establishment of policies.--Consistent with the 
     guidance provided in paragraph (1), Federal science agencies 
     with Federal laboratories shall maintain or develop and 
     implement policies for their respective Federal laboratories.
       (c) Workshops To Address Cultural Barriers To Expanding the 
     Academic and Federal STEM Workforce.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall recommend a uniform policy for Federal 
     science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that 
     educate STEM department chairs at institutions of higher 
     education, senior managers at Federal laboratories, and other 
     federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the 
     effects of implicit bias in the career advancement, including 
     hiring, tenure, promotion, and selection for any honor based 
     in part on the recipient's research record, of academic and 
     Federal STEM researchers.
       (2) Interagency coordination.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall ensure that workshops supported 
     under this subsection are coordinated across Federal science 
     agencies and jointly supported as appropriate.
       (3) Minimizing costs.--To the extent practicable, workshops 
     shall be held in conjunction with national or regional STEM 
     disciplinary meetings to minimize costs associated with 
     participant travel.
       (4) Priority fields for academic participants.--In 
     considering the participation of STEM department chairs and 
     other academic researchers, the Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall prioritize workshops for the broad 
     fields of STEM in which the national rate of representation 
     of women among tenured or tenure-track faculty or non-faculty 
     researchers at doctorate-granting institutions of higher 
     education is less than 25 percent, according to the most 
     recent data available from the National Center for Science 
     and Engineering Statistics.
       (5) Organizations eligible to carry out workshops.--Federal 
     science agencies may carry out the program of workshops under 
     this subsection by making grants to eligible organizations. 
     In addition to any other organizations made eligible by the 
     Federal science agencies, the following organizations are 
     eligible for grants under this subsection:
       (A) Nonprofit scientific and professional societies and 
     organizations that represent one or more STEM disciplines.
       (B) Nonprofit organizations that have the primary mission 
     of advancing the participation of women or underrepresented 
     minorities in STEM.
       (6) Characteristics of workshops.--The workshops shall have 
     the following characteristics:
       (A) Invitees to workshops shall include at least--
       (i) the chairs of departments in the relevant STEM 
     discipline or disciplines from at least the top 50 
     institutions of higher education, as determined by the amount 
     of Federal research and development funds obligated to each 
     institution of higher education in the prior year based on 
     data available from the National Science Foundation; and
       (ii) in the case of Federal laboratories, individuals with 
     personnel management responsibilities comparable to those of 
     an institution of higher education department chair.
       (B) Activities at the workshops shall include research 
     presentations and interactive discussions or other activities 
     that increase the awareness of the existence of implicit bias 
     in recruitment, hiring, tenure review, promotion, and other 
     forms of formal recognition of individual achievement for 
     faculty and other federally funded STEM researchers and shall 
     provide strategies to overcome such bias.
       (C) Research presentations and other workshop programs, as 
     appropriate, shall include a discussion of the unique 
     challenges faced by underrepresented subgroups, including 
     minority women, minority men, and first generation minority 
     graduates in research.
       (D) Workshop programs shall include information on best 
     practices for mentoring undergraduate and graduate women and 
     underrepresented minority students.
       (7) Data on workshops.--Any proposal for funding by an 
     organization seeking to carry out a workshop under this 
     subsection shall include a description of how such 
     organization will--
       (A) collect data on the rates of attendance by invitees in 
     workshops, including information on the home institution and 
     department of attendees, and the rank of faculty attendees;
       (B) conduct attitudinal surveys on workshop attendees 
     before and after the workshops; and
       (C) collect follow-up data on any relevant institutional 
     policy or practice changes reported by attendees not later 
     than 1 year after attendance in such a workshop.
       (8) Report to nsf.--Organizations receiving funding to 
     carry out workshops under this subsection shall report the 
     data required in paragraph (7) to the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation in such form as required by such 
     Director.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 4 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall submit a report to Congress that 
     includes--
       (1) a summary and analysis of the types and frequency of 
     activities and policies developed and carried out under 
     subsection (a) based on the reports submitted under paragraph 
     (4) of such subsection; and
       (2) a description and evaluation of the status and 
     effectiveness of the program of workshops required under 
     subsection (c), including a summary of any data reported 
     under paragraph (8) of such subsection.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2020 to carry out this section.

     SEC. 218. RESEARCH AND DISSEMINATION AT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE 
                   FOUNDATION.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall award research grants and carry out 
     dissemination activities consistent with the purposes of this 
     subtitle, including--
       (1) research grants to analyze the record-level data 
     collected under section 214 and section 216, consistent with 
     policies to ensure the privacy of individuals identifiable by 
     such data;
       (2) research grants to study best practices for work-life 
     accommodation;
       (3) research grants to study the impact of policies and 
     practices that are implemented under this subtitle or that 
     are otherwise consistent with the purposes of this subtitle;
       (4) collaboration with other Federal science agencies and 
     professional associations to exchange best practices, 
     harmonize work-life accommodation policies and practices, and 
     overcome common barriers to work-life accommodation; and
       (5) collaboration with institutions of higher education in 
     order to clarify and catalyze the adoption of a coherent and 
     consistent set of work-life accommodation policies and 
     practices.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2020 to carry out this section.

     SEC. 219. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

       Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy shall submit a report to Congress that includes--
       (1) a description and evaluation of the status and usage of 
     caregiver policies at all Federal science agencies, including 
     any recommendations for revising or expanding such policies;
       (2) a description of any significant updates to the 
     policies for review of Federal research grants required under 
     section 215, and any evidence of the impact of such policies 
     on the review or awarding of Federal research grants; and
       (3) a description and evaluation of the status of Federal 
     laboratory policies and practices required under section 
     217(b), including any recommendations for revising or 
     expanding such policies.

     SEC. 220. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR INCREASING 
                   DIVERSITY AMONG STEM FACULTY AT INSTITUTIONS OF 
                   HIGHER EDUCATION.

       (a) Grants.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall award grants to institutions of higher 
     education (or consortia thereof) for the development of 
     innovative reform efforts designed to increase the 
     recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from 
     underrepresented minority groups in academic STEM careers.
       (b) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded 
     under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.

[[Page 7460]]

       (c) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
     this section may include--
       (1) institutional assessment activities, such as data 
     analyses and policy review, in order to identify and address 
     specific issues in the recruitment, retention, and 
     advancement of faculty members from underrepresented minority 
     groups;
       (2) implementation of institution-wide improvements in 
     workload distribution, such that faculty members from 
     underrepresented minority groups are not disadvantaged in the 
     amount of time available to focus on research, publishing 
     papers, and engaging in other activities required to achieve 
     tenure status and run a productive research program;
       (3) development and implementation of training courses for 
     administrators and search committee members to ensure that 
     candidates from underrepresented minority groups are not 
     subject to implicit biases in the search and hiring process;
       (4) development and hosting of intra- or inter-
     institutional workshops to propagate best practices in 
     recruiting, retaining, and advancing faculty members from 
     underrepresented minority groups;
       (5) professional development opportunities for faculty 
     members from underrepresented minority groups;
       (6) activities aimed at making undergraduate STEM students 
     from underrepresented minority groups aware of opportunities 
     for academic careers in STEM fields;
       (7) activities to identify and engage exceptional graduate 
     students from underrepresented minority groups at various 
     stages of their studies and to encourage them to enter 
     academic careers; and
       (8) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as 
     determined by the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation.
       (d) Selection Process.--
       (1) Application.--An institution of higher education (or 
     consortia thereof) seeking funding under this section shall 
     submit an application to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information and assurances as such Director may require. The 
     application shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
       (A) the reform effort that is being proposed for 
     implementation by the institution of higher education;
       (B) any available evidence of specific difficulties in the 
     recruitment, retention, and advancement of faculty members 
     from underrepresented minority groups in STEM academic 
     careers within the institution of higher education submitting 
     an application, and how the proposed reform effort would 
     address such issues;
       (C) how the institution of higher education submitting an 
     application plans to sustain the proposed reform effort 
     beyond the duration of the grant; and
       (D) how the success and effectiveness of the proposed 
     reform effort will be evaluated and assessed in order to 
     contribute to the national knowledge base about models for 
     catalyzing institutional change.
       (2) Review of applications.--In selecting grant recipients 
     under this section, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall consider, at a minimum--
       (A) the likelihood of success in undertaking the proposed 
     reform effort at the institution of higher education 
     submitting the application, including the extent to which the 
     administrators of the institution are committed to making the 
     proposed reform effort a priority;
       (B) the degree to which the proposed reform effort will 
     contribute to change in institutional culture and policy such 
     that greater value is placed on the recruitment, retention, 
     and advancement of faculty members from underrepresented 
     minority groups;
       (C) the likelihood that the institution of higher education 
     will sustain or expand the proposed reform effort beyond the 
     period of the grant; and
       (D) the degree to which evaluation and assessment plans are 
     included in the design of the proposed reform effort.
       (3) Grant distribution.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall ensure, to the extent practicable, 
     that grants awarded under this section are made to a variety 
     of types of institutions of higher education.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2020 to carry out this section.

     SEC. 221. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR BROADENING 
                   PARTICIPATION IN UNDERGRADUATE STEM EDUCATION.

       (a) Grants.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall award grants to institutions of higher 
     education (or consortia thereof) to implement or expand 
     research-based reforms in undergraduate STEM education for 
     the purpose of recruiting and retaining students from 
     minority groups who are underrepresented in STEM fields, with 
     a priority focus on natural science and engineering fields.
       (b) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded 
     under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
       (c) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
     this section may include--
       (1) implementation or expansion of innovative, research-
     based approaches to broaden participation of underrepresented 
     minority groups in STEM fields;
       (2) implementation or expansion of bridge, cohort, 
     tutoring, or mentoring programs designed to enhance the 
     recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented 
     minority groups in STEM fields;
       (3) implementation or expansion of outreach programs 
     linking institutions of higher education and K-12 school 
     systems in order to heighten awareness among pre-college 
     students from underrepresented minority groups of 
     opportunities in college-level STEM fields and STEM careers;
       (4) implementation or expansion of faculty development 
     programs focused on improving retention of undergraduate STEM 
     students from underrepresented minority groups;
       (5) implementation or expansion of mechanisms designed to 
     recognize and reward faculty members who demonstrate a 
     commitment to increasing the participation of students from 
     underrepresented minority groups in STEM fields;
       (6) expansion of successful reforms aimed at increasing the 
     number of STEM students from underrepresented minority groups 
     beyond a single course or group of courses to achieve reform 
     within an entire academic unit, or expansion of successful 
     reform efforts beyond a single academic unit to other STEM 
     academic units within an institution of higher education;
       (7) expansion of opportunities for students from 
     underrepresented minority groups to conduct STEM research in 
     industry, at Federal laboratories, and at international 
     research institutions or research sites;
       (8) provision of stipends for students from 
     underrepresented minority groups participating in research;
       (9) development of research collaborations between 
     research-intensive universities and primarily undergraduate 
     minority-serving institutions;
       (10) support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows 
     from underrepresented minority groups to participate in 
     instructional or assessment activities at primarily 
     undergraduate institutions, including primarily undergraduate 
     minority-serving institutions and two-year institutions of 
     higher education; and
       (11) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as 
     determined by the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation.
       (d) Selection Process.--
       (1) Application.--An institution of higher education (or 
     consortium thereof) seeking a grant under this section shall 
     submit an application to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information and assurances as such Director may require. The 
     application shall include, at a minimum--
       (A) a description of the proposed reform effort;
       (B) a description of the research findings that will serve 
     as the basis for the proposed reform effort or, in the case 
     of applications that propose an expansion of a previously 
     implemented reform, a description of the previously 
     implemented reform effort, including data about the 
     recruitment, retention, and academic achievement of students 
     from underrepresented minority groups;
       (C) evidence of an institutional commitment to, and support 
     for, the proposed reform effort, including a long-term 
     commitment to implement successful strategies from the 
     current reform beyond the academic unit or units included in 
     the grant proposal;
       (D) a description of existing or planned institutional 
     policies and practices regarding faculty hiring, promotion, 
     tenure, and teaching assignment that reward faculty 
     contributions to improving the education of students from 
     underrepresented minority groups in STEM; and
       (E) how the success and effectiveness of the proposed 
     reform effort will be evaluated and assessed in order to 
     contribute to the national knowledge base about models for 
     catalyzing institutional change.
       (2) Review of applications.--In selecting grant recipients 
     under this section, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall consider, at a minimum--
       (A) the likelihood of success of the proposed reform effort 
     at the institution submitting the application, including the 
     extent to which the faculty, staff, and administrators of the 
     institution are committed to making the proposed 
     institutional reform a priority of the participating academic 
     unit or units;
       (B) the degree to which the proposed reform effort will 
     contribute to change in institutional culture and policy such 
     that greater value is placed on faculty engagement in the 
     retention of students from underrepresented minority groups;
       (C) the likelihood that the institution will sustain or 
     expand the proposed reform effort beyond the period of the 
     grant; and
       (D) the degree to which evaluation and assessment plans are 
     included in the design of the proposed reform effort.
       (3) Priority.--For applications that include an expansion 
     of existing reforms beyond a single academic unit, the 
     Director of

[[Page 7461]]

     the National Science Foundation shall give priority to 
     applications for which a senior institutional administrator, 
     such as a dean or other administrator of equal or higher 
     rank, serves as the principal investigator.
       (4) Grant distribution.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall ensure, to the extent practicable, 
     that grants awarded under this section are made to a variety 
     of types of institutions of higher education, including two-
     year and minority-serving institutions of higher education.
       (e) Education Research.--
       (1) In general.--All grants made under this section shall 
     include an education research component that will support the 
     design and implementation of a system for data collection and 
     evaluation of proposed reform efforts in order to build the 
     knowledge base on promising models for increasing recruitment 
     and retention of students from underrepresented minority 
     groups in STEM education at the undergraduate level across a 
     diverse set of institutions.
       (2) Dissemination.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall coordinate with relevant Federal agencies in 
     disseminating the results of the research under this 
     subsection to ensure that best practices in broadening 
     participation in STEM education at the undergraduate level 
     are made readily available to all institutions of higher 
     education, other Federal agencies that support STEM programs, 
     non-Federal funders of STEM education, and the general 
     public.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2020 to carry out this section.

     SEC. 222. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) This Subtitle.--In this subtitle:
       (1) Federal laboratory.--The term ``Federal laboratory'' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
     Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
     3703).
       (2) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science 
     agency'' means any Federal agency with at least $100,000,000 
     in research and development expenditures in fiscal year 2014.
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (4) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics, including other academic 
     subjects that build on these disciplines such as computer 
     science.
       (b) National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
     2002.--Section 4 of the National Science Foundation 
     Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(16) STEM.--The term `STEM' means science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics, including other academic 
     subjects that build on these disciplines such as computer 
     science.''.

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

                     Subtitle A--General Provisions

     SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $7,723,550,000 for fiscal year 2016.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $6,186,300,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities;
       (B) $962,570,000 shall be made available for education and 
     human resources;
       (C) $200,310,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $354,840,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,370,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board, including salaries and 
     compensation for members of the Board and staff appointed 
     under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for members 
     of the Board and such staff, general and Board operating 
     expenses, representational expenses for the Board, honorary 
     awards made by the Board, Board reports (other than the 
     report entitled ``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and 
     contracts; and
       (F) $15,160,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $8,099,010,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $6,495,620,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities;
       (B) $1,010,700,000 shall be made available for education 
     and human resources;
       (C) $200,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $372,580,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,500,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board, including salaries and 
     compensation for members of the Board and staff appointed 
     under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for members 
     of the Board and such staff, general and Board operating 
     expenses, representational expenses for the Board, honorary 
     awards made by the Board, Board reports (other than the 
     report entitled ``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and 
     contracts; and
       (F) $15,610,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (c) Fiscal Year 2018.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $8,493,560,000 for fiscal year 2018.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $6,820,400,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities;
       (B) $1,061,230,000 shall be made available for education 
     and human resources;
       (C) $200,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $391,210,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,640,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board, including salaries and 
     compensation for members of the Board and staff appointed 
     under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for members 
     of the Board and such staff, general and Board operating 
     expenses, representational expenses for the Board, honorary 
     awards made by the Board, Board reports (other than the 
     report entitled ``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and 
     contracts; and
       (F) $16,080,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (d) Fiscal Year 2019.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $8,907,820,000 for fiscal year 2019.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $7,161,420,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities;
       (B) $1,114,300,000 shall be made available for education 
     and human resources;
       (C) $200,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $410,770,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,780,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board, including salaries and 
     compensation for members of the Board and staff appointed 
     under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for members 
     of the Board and such staff, general and Board operating 
     expenses, representational expenses for the Board, honorary 
     awards made by the Board, Board reports (other than the 
     report entitled ``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and 
     contracts; and
       (F) $16,570,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (e) Fiscal Year 2020.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $9,342,790,000 for fiscal year 2020.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $7,519,490,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities;
       (B) $1,170,010,000 shall be made available for education 
     and human resources;
       (C) $200,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $431,310,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,920,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board, including salaries and 
     compensation for members of the Board and staff appointed 
     under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for members 
     of the Board and such staff, general and Board operating 
     expenses, representational expenses for the Board, honorary 
     awards made by the Board, Board reports (other than the 
     report entitled ``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and 
     contracts; and
       (F) $17,060,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.

     SEC. 302. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUPPORT FOR ALL 
                   FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that the Foundation's 
     investments in social, behavioral, and economic research have 
     addressed challenges, including--
       (1) in medicine, matching organ donors to patients, leading 
     to a dramatic growth in paired kidney transplants;
       (2) in policing, implementing predictive models that help 
     to yield significant reductions in crime;
       (3) in resource allocation, developing the theories 
     underlying the Federal Communications Commission spectrum 
     auction, which has generated over $60,000,000,000 in revenue;
       (4) in disaster preparation and recovery, identifying 
     barriers to effective disaster evacuation strategies;
       (5) in national defense, assisting United States troops in 
     cross-cultural communication and in identifying threats; and

[[Page 7462]]

       (6) in areas such as economics, education, cybersecurity, 
     transportation, and national defense, supporting informed 
     decisionmaking in foreign and domestic policy.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that in 
     order to achieve its mission ``to promote the progress of 
     science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and 
     welfare; to secure the national defense'' the Foundation must 
     continue to support unfettered, competitive, merit-reviewed 
     basic research across all fields of science and engineering, 
     including the social, behavioral, and economic sciences.

     SEC. 303. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION MERIT REVIEW.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Foundation's Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts 
     criteria remain appropriate for evaluating grant proposals, 
     as concluded by the 2011 National Science Board Task Force on 
     Merit Review;
       (2) evaluating proposals on the basis of the Foundation's 
     Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria ensures 
     that--
       (A) proposals funded by the Foundation are of high quality 
     and advance scientific knowledge; and
       (B) the Foundation's overall funding portfolio addresses 
     societal needs through research findings or through related 
     activities; and
       (3) as evidenced by the Foundation's contributions to 
     scientific advancement, economic development, human health, 
     and national security, its peer review and merit review 
     processes have successfully identified and funded 
     scientifically and societally relevant research, remain the 
     gold standard for the world, and must be preserved.
       (b) Criteria.--The Foundation shall maintain the 
     Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria as the basis 
     for evaluating grant proposals in the merit review process.

     SEC. 304. MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF LARGE FACILITIES.

       (a) Large Facilities Office.--The Director shall maintain a 
     Large Facilities Office within the Foundation. The functions 
     of the Large Facilities Office shall be to support the 
     research directorates in the development and implementation 
     of major research facilities, including by--
       (1) serving as the Foundation's primary resource for all 
     policy or process issues related to the development and 
     implementation of major research facilities;
       (2) serving as a Foundation-wide resource on project 
     management, including providing expert assistance on 
     nonscientific and nontechnical aspects of project planning, 
     budgeting, implementation, management, and oversight; and
       (3) coordinating and collaborating with research 
     directorates to share best management practices and lessons 
     learned from prior projects.
       (b) Oversight of Large Facilities.--The Director shall 
     appoint a senior agency official within the Office of the 
     Director whose primary responsibility is oversight of major 
     research facilities. The duties of this official shall 
     include--
       (1) oversight of the development, construction, and 
     operation of major research facilities across the Foundation;
       (2) in collaboration with the directors of the research 
     directorates and other senior agency officials as 
     appropriate, ensuring that the requirements of section 14(a) 
     of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 
     are satisfied;
       (3) serving as a liaison to the National Science Board for 
     approval and oversight of major research facilities; and
       (4) periodically reviewing and updating as necessary 
     Foundation policies and guidelines for the development and 
     construction of major research facilities.
       (c) Policies for Costing Large Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall ensure that the 
     Foundation's policies for developing and managing major 
     research facility construction costs are consistent with the 
     best practices described in the March 2009 General 
     Accountability Office Report GAO-09-3SP.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress 
     a report describing the Foundation's policies for developing 
     and managing major research facility construction costs, 
     including a description of any aspects of the policies that 
     diverge from the best practices recommended in General 
     Accountability Office Report GAO-09-3SP.

     SEC. 305. SUPPORT FOR POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIVE RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--The Director shall establish and 
     periodically update grant solicitation, merit review, and 
     funding policies and mechanisms designed to identify and 
     provide support for high-risk, high-reward basic research 
     proposals.
       (b) Policies and Mechanisms.--Such policies and mechanisms 
     may include--
       (1) development of solicitations specifically for high-
     risk, high-reward basic research;
       (2) establishment of review panels for the primary purpose 
     of selecting high-risk, high-reward proposals;
       (3) development of guidance to standard review panels to 
     encourage the identification and consideration of high-risk, 
     high-reward proposals; and
       (4) support for workshops and other conferences with the 
     primary purpose of identifying new opportunities for high-
     risk, high-reward basic research, especially at 
     interdisciplinary interfaces.
       (c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``high-risk, high-reward basic research'' means research 
     driven by ideas that have the potential to radically change 
     our understanding of an important existing scientific or 
     engineering concept, or leading to the creation of a new 
     paradigm or field of science or engineering, and that is 
     characterized by its challenge to current understanding or 
     its pathway to new frontiers.

     SEC. 306. STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS.

       (a) In General.--For any Foundation research grant, in an 
     amount greater than $5,000,000, to be carried out through a 
     partnership that includes one or more minority-serving 
     institutions or predominantly undergraduate institutions and 
     one or more institutions described in subsection (b), the 
     Director shall award funds directly, according to the budget 
     justification described in the grant proposal, to at least 
     two of the institutions of higher education in the 
     partnership, including at least one minority-serving 
     institution or one predominantly undergraduate institution, 
     to ensure a strong and equitable partnership.
       (b) Institutions.--The institutions referred to in 
     subsection (a) are institutions of higher education that are 
     among the 100 institutions receiving, over the 3-year period 
     immediately preceding the awarding of grants, the highest 
     amount of research funding from the Foundation.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall provide a report to 
     Congress on institutional research partnerships identified in 
     subsection (a) funded in the 2 previous fiscal years and make 
     any recommendations for how such partnerships can continue to 
     be strengthened.

     SEC. 307. INNOVATION CORPS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-
     Corps) was established to foster a national innovation 
     ecosystem by encouraging institutions, scientists, engineers, 
     and entrepreneurs to identify and explore the innovation and 
     commercial potential of Foundation-funded research well 
     beyond the laboratory;
       (2) the Foundation's I-Corps includes investments in 
     entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, 
     and mentoring, ultimately leading to the practical deployment 
     of technologies, products, processes, and services that 
     improve the Nation's competitiveness, promote economic 
     growth, and benefit society; and
       (3) by building networks of entrepreneurs, educators, 
     mentors, institutions, and collaborations, and supporting 
     specialized education and training, I-Corps is at the leading 
     edge of a strong, lasting foundation for an American 
     innovation ecosystem.
       (b) Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program to 
     award grants for entrepreneurship and commercialization 
     education to Foundation-funded researchers to increase the 
     economic and social impact of federally funded research.
       (2) Purposes.--The purpose of the program shall be to 
     increase the capacity of STEM researchers and students to 
     successfully engage in entrepreneurial activities and to help 
     transition the results of federally funded research into the 
     marketplace by--
       (A) identifying STEM research that can lead to the 
     practical deployment of technologies, products, processes, 
     and services that improve the Nation's economic 
     competitiveness;
       (B) bringing STEM researchers and students together with 
     entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other industry 
     representatives experienced in commercialization of new 
     technologies;
       (C) supporting entrepreneurship and commercialization 
     education and training for faculty, students, postdoctoral 
     fellows, and other STEM researchers; and
       (D) promoting the development of regional and national 
     networks of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other 
     industry representatives who can serve as mentors to 
     researchers and students at Foundation-funded institutions 
     across the country.
       (3) Additional use of funds.--Grants awarded under this 
     subsection may be used to help support--
       (A) prototype and proof-of-concept development for the 
     funded project; and
       (B) additional activities needed to build a national 
     infrastructure for STEM entrepreneurship.
       (4) Other federal agencies.--The Director may establish 
     agreements with other Federal agencies that fund scientific 
     research to make researchers funded by those agencies 
     eligible to participate in the Foundation's Innovation Corps 
     program.

     SEC. 308. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this title:
       (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Foundation.

[[Page 7463]]

       (2) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
     Science Foundation.
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (4) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics, including other academic 
     subjects that build on these disciplines such as computer 
     science.

                       Subtitle B--STEM Education

     SEC. 321. NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD REPORT ON CONSOLIDATION OF 
                   STEM EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AT THE FOUNDATION.

       (a) In General.--The National Science Board shall review 
     and evaluate the appropriateness of the Foundation's 
     portfolio of STEM education programs and activities at the 
     pre-K-12 and undergraduate levels, including informal 
     education, taking into account the mission of the Foundation 
     and the 2013 Federal STEM Education 5-Year Strategic Plan.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Science Board shall 
     submit to Congress a report summarizing their findings and 
     including--
       (1) an analysis of how well the Foundation's portfolio of 
     STEM education programs is contributing to the mission of the 
     Foundation;
       (2) an analysis of how well STEM education programs and 
     activities are coordinated and best practices are shared 
     across the Foundation;
       (3) an analysis of how well the Foundation's portfolio of 
     STEM education programs is aligned with and contributes to 
     priority STEM education investment areas described in the 
     2013 Federal STEM Education 5-Year Strategic Plan;
       (4) any Board recommendations regarding internal 
     reorganization, including consolidation, of the Foundation's 
     STEM education programs and activities, taking into account 
     both the mission of the Foundation and the 2013 Federal STEM 
     Education 5-Year Strategic Plan;
       (5) any Board recommendations regarding the Foundation's 
     role in helping to implement the Federal STEM Education 5-
     Year Strategic Plan, including opportunities for the 
     Foundation to more effectively partner and collaborate with 
     other Federal agencies; and
       (6) any additional Board recommendations regarding specific 
     management, policy, budget, or other steps the Foundation 
     should take to increase effectiveness and accountability 
     across its portfolio of STEM education programs and 
     activities.

     SEC. 322. MODELS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT.

       (a) In General.--The Director shall enter into an agreement 
     with the National Research Council to convene a workshop or 
     roundtable to examine models of Federal support for STEM 
     graduate students, including the Foundation's Graduate 
     Research Fellowship program and comparable fellowship 
     programs at other agencies, traineeship programs, and the 
     research assistant model.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the workshop or roundtable 
     shall be to compare and evaluate the extent to which each of 
     these models helps to prepare graduate students for diverse 
     careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at diverse types of 
     institutions of higher education, in industry, and at 
     government agencies and research laboratories, and to make 
     recommendations regarding--
       (1) how current Federal programs and models, including 
     programs and models at the Foundation, can be improved;
       (2) the appropriateness of the current distribution of 
     funding among the different models at the Foundation and 
     across the agencies; and
       (3) the appropriateness of creating a new education and 
     training program for graduate students distinct from programs 
     that provide direct financial support, including the grants 
     authorized in section 527 of the America COMPETES 
     Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-15).
       (c) Criteria.--At a minimum, in comparing programs and 
     models, the workshop or roundtable participants shall 
     consider the capacity of such programs or models to provide 
     students with knowledge and skills--
       (1) to become independent, creative, successful 
     researchers;
       (2) to participate in large interdisciplinary research 
     projects, including in an international context;
       (3) to adhere to the highest standards for research ethics;
       (4) to become high-quality teachers utilizing the most 
     currently available evidence-based pedagogy;
       (5) in oral and written communication, to both technical 
     and nontechnical audiences;
       (6) in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ethics; 
     and
       (7) in program management.
       (d) Graduate Student Input.--The participants in the 
     workshop or roundtable shall include current or recent STEM 
     graduate students.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Research Council shall 
     submit to Congress a summary report of the findings and 
     recommendations of the workshop or roundtable convened under 
     this section.

     SEC. 323. UNDERGRADUATE STEM EDUCATION REFORM.

       Section 17 of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-6) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 17. UNDERGRADUATE STEM EDUCATION REFORM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director, through the Directorate 
     for Education and Human Resources, shall award grants, on a 
     competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to institutions of higher 
     education (or to consortia thereof) and to other eligible 
     nonprofit organizations to reform undergraduate STEM 
     education for the purpose of increasing the number and 
     quality of students studying toward and completing 
     baccalaureate degrees in STEM and improving the STEM learning 
     outcomes for all undergraduate students.
       ``(b) Interdirectorate Working Group on Undergraduate STEM 
     Education.--In carrying out the requirements of this section, 
     the Directorate for Education and Human Resources shall 
     collaborate and coordinate with the Research Directorates, 
     including through the establishment of an interdirectorate 
     working group on undergraduate STEM education reform, in 
     order to identify and implement new and expanded 
     opportunities for collaboration between STEM disciplinary 
     researchers and education researchers on the reform of 
     undergraduate STEM education.
       ``(c) Grants.--Research and development supported by grants 
     under this section may encompass a single discipline, 
     multiple disciplines, or interdisciplinary education at the 
     undergraduate level, and may include--
       ``(1) research foundational to the improvement of teaching, 
     learning, and retention;
       ``(2) development, implementation, and assessment of 
     innovative, research-based approaches to transforming 
     teaching, learning, and retention; and
       ``(3) scaling of successful efforts on learning and 
     learning environments, broadening participation, workforce 
     preparation, employing emerging technologies, or other 
     reforms in STEM education, including expansion of successful 
     STEM reform efforts beyond a single course or group of 
     courses to achieve reform within an entire academic unit, or 
     expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single 
     academic unit to other STEM academic units within an 
     institution or to comparable academic units at other 
     institutions.
       ``(d) Selection Process.--
       ``(1) Applications.--An institution of higher education or 
     other eligible nonprofit organization seeking a grant under 
     this section shall submit an application to the Director at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Director may require. In addition to a description of the 
     proposed research, development, or scaling effort, including 
     a description of the research findings that will serve as the 
     basis for the proposed effort, applications shall include, at 
     a minimum--
       ``(A) evidence of institutional support for, and commitment 
     to, the proposed effort, including long-term commitment to 
     implement and scale successful strategies resulting from the 
     current effort;
       ``(B) a description of existing or planned institutional 
     policies and practices regarding faculty hiring, promotion, 
     tenure, and teaching assignment that reward faculty 
     contributions to undergraduate STEM education; and
       ``(C) a description of the plans for assessment and 
     evaluation of the effort, including evidence of participation 
     by individuals with experience in assessment and evaluation 
     of teaching and learning programs.
       ``(2) Review of applications.--In selecting grant 
     recipients for funding under this section, the Director shall 
     consider, as appropriate to the scale of the proposed 
     effort--
       ``(A) the likelihood of success in undertaking the proposed 
     effort at the institution submitting the application, 
     including the extent to which the faculty, staff, and 
     administrators of the institution are committed to making 
     undergraduate STEM education reform a priority of the 
     participating academic unit or units;
       ``(B) the degree to which the proposed effort will 
     contribute to change in institutional culture and policy such 
     that a greater value is placed on faculty engagement in 
     undergraduate education;
       ``(C) the likelihood that the institution will sustain or 
     expand the effort beyond the period of the grant; and
       ``(D) the degree to which the proposed effort will 
     contribute to the systematic accumulation of knowledge on 
     STEM education.
       ``(3) Priority.--The Director shall give priority to 
     proposals focused on the first 2 years of undergraduate 
     education, including STEM education at 2-year institutions of 
     higher education.
       ``(4) Grant distribution.--The Director shall ensure, to 
     the extent practicable, that grants awarded under this 
     section are made to a variety of types of institutions of 
     higher education.''.

     SEC. 324. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING EDUCATION.

       Section 506(b) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act 
     of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-1(b)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Advanced Manufacturing Education.--The Director shall 
     award grants, on

[[Page 7464]]

     a competitive, merit reviewed basis, to community colleges 
     for the development and implementation of innovative advanced 
     manufacturing education reforms to ensure an adequate and 
     well-trained advanced manufacturing workforce. Activities 
     supported by grants under this subsection may include--
       ``(1) the development or expansion of educational 
     materials, courses, curricula, strategies, and methods that 
     will lead to improved advanced manufacturing degree or 
     certification programs, including the integration of industry 
     standards and workplace competencies into the curriculum;
       ``(2) the development and implementation of faculty 
     professional development programs that enhance a faculty 
     member's capabilities and teaching skills in advanced 
     manufacturing, including efforts to understand current 
     advanced manufacturing technologies and practices;
       ``(3) the establishment of centers that provide models and 
     leadership in advanced manufacturing education and serve as 
     regional or national clearinghouses for educational materials 
     and methods, including in rural areas;
       ``(4) activities to enhance the recruitment and retention 
     of students into certification and degree programs in 
     advanced manufacturing, including the provision of improved 
     mentoring and internship opportunities;
       ``(5) the establishment of partnerships with private sector 
     entities to ensure the development of an advanced 
     manufacturing workforce with the skills necessary to meet 
     regional economic needs; and
       ``(6) other activities as determined appropriate by the 
     Director.''.

     SEC. 325. STEM EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS.

       Section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``mathematics and 
     science'' and inserting ``stem'';
       (2) by striking ``mathematics and science'' each place it 
     appears in subsections (a) and (b) and inserting ``STEM'';
       (3) by striking ``mathematics or science'' each place it 
     appears in subsection (a)(3) and (4)(A) and inserting 
     ``STEM'';
       (4) by striking ``mathematics, science, or engineering'' in 
     subsection (a)(2)(B) and inserting ``STEM'';
       (5) by striking ``mathematics, science, and technology'' in 
     subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii)(II) and (8) and inserting ``STEM'';
       (6) by striking ``professional mathematicians, scientists, 
     and engineers'' in subsection (a)(3)(F) and inserting ``STEM 
     professionals'';
       (7) by striking ``mathematicians, scientists, and 
     engineers'' in subsection (a)(3)(J) and (M) and inserting 
     ``STEM professionals'';
       (8) by striking ``scientists, technologists, engineers, or 
     mathematicians'' in subsection (a)(8) and inserting ``STEM 
     professionals'';
       (9) by striking ``science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics'' each place it appears in subsection (a)(3)(K) 
     and (10) and inserting ``STEM'';
       (10) by striking ``science, technology, engineering, or 
     mathematics'' in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(II) and inserting 
     ``STEM'';
       (11) by striking ``science, mathematics, engineering, and 
     technology'' each place it appears in subsection (a)(5) and 
     inserting ``STEM'';
       (12) by striking ``science, mathematics, engineering, or 
     technology'' in subsection (a)(5) and inserting ``STEM'';
       (13) by striking ``mathematics, science, engineering, and 
     technology'' in subsection (b)(1) and (2) and inserting 
     ``STEM''; and
       (14) by striking subsection (d).

     SEC. 326. NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

       Section 10A of the National Science Foundation 
     Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by inserting ``or bachelor's'' 
     after ``master's'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2)(B);
       (B) in paragraph (3), by--
       (i) inserting ``for teachers with master's degrees in their 
     field'' after ``Teaching Fellowships''; and
       (ii) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) in the case of National Science Foundation Master 
     Teaching Fellowships for teachers with bachelor's degrees in 
     their field--
       ``(A) offering academic courses leading to a master's 
     degree and leadership training to prepare individuals to 
     become master teachers in elementary and secondary schools; 
     and
       ``(B) offering programs both during and after matriculation 
     in the program for which the fellowship is received to enable 
     fellows to become highly effective mathematics and science 
     teachers, including mentoring, training, induction, and 
     professional development activities, to fulfill the service 
     requirements of this section, including the requirements of 
     subsection (e), and to exchange ideas with others in their 
     fields.'';
       (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection (g)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (h)''; and
       (4) by adding after subsection (f) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(g) Support for Master Teaching Fellows While Enrolled in 
     a Master's Degree Program.--A National Science Foundation 
     Master Teacher Fellow may receive a maximum of 1 year of 
     fellowship support while enrolled in a master's degree 
     program as described in subsection (c)(4)(A), except that if 
     such fellow is enrolled in a part-time program, such amount 
     shall be prorated according to the length of the program.''.

     SEC. 327. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION.

       (a) Grants.--The Director, through the Directorate for 
     Education and Human Resources, shall continue to award 
     competitive, merit-reviewed grants to support--
       (1) research and development of innovative out-of-school 
     STEM learning and emerging STEM learning environments in 
     order to improve STEM learning outcomes and engagement in 
     STEM; and
       (2) research that advances the field of informal STEM 
     education.
       (b) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
     this section may encompass a single STEM discipline, multiple 
     STEM disciplines, or integrative STEM initiatives and shall 
     include--
       (1) research and development that improves our 
     understanding of learning and engagement in informal 
     environments, including the role of informal environments in 
     broadening participation in STEM; and
       (2) design and testing of innovative STEM learning models, 
     programs, and other resources for informal learning 
     environments to improve STEM learning outcomes and increase 
     engagement for K-12 students, K-12 teachers, and the general 
     public, including design and testing of the scalability of 
     models, programs, and other resources.

     SEC. 328. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT IMPROVED K-12 
                   LEARNING.

       (a) In General.--The Director, acting through the 
     Directorate for Education and Human Resources, shall award 
     competitive, merit-reviewed grants to support research and 
     development on alignment, implementation, impact, and ongoing 
     improvement of standards and equivalent learning expectations 
     used by States in mathematics, science, and, as appropriate, 
     other State-based STEM standards.
       (b) Research Areas.--In making awards under this section, 
     the Director shall consider proposals for research and 
     development, including, as appropriate, large-scale research 
     and development, of--
       (1) resources, including virtual resources such as web 
     portals, for content, professional development, and research 
     results;
       (2) teacher education and professional development;
       (3) learning progressions;
       (4) assessments;
       (5) metrics for evaluating the impact of standards; and
       (6) other areas of research and development that are likely 
     to contribute to the alignment, implementation, impact, and 
     ongoing improvement of standards in STEM subjects.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

     SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $1,119,700,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2016.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $754,700,000 shall be authorized for scientific and 
     technical research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $59,000,000 shall be authorized for the construction 
     and maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $306,000,000 shall be authorized for industrial 
     technology services activities, of which--
       (i) $141,000,000 shall be authorized for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k) and the program under section 26 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278l), of which not more than $20,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (ii) $150,000,000 shall be authorized for the Network for 
     Manufacturing Innovation Program established under section 34 
     of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $1,174,390,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2017.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $792,440,000 shall be authorized for scientific and 
     technical research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $61,950,000 shall be authorized for the construction 
     and maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $320,000,000 shall be authorized for industrial 
     technology services activities, of which--

[[Page 7465]]

       (i) $160,000,000 shall be authorized for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k) and the program under section 26 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278l), of which not more than $20,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (ii) $150,000,000 shall be authorized for the Network for 
     Manufacturing Innovation Program established under section 34 
     of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
       (c) Fiscal Year 2018.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $1,207,100,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2018.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $832,060,000 shall be authorized for scientific and 
     technical research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $65,050,000 shall be authorized for the construction 
     and maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $310,000,000 shall be authorized for industrial 
     technology services activities, of which--
       (i) $160,000,000 shall be authorized for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k) and the program under section 26 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278l), of which not more than $20,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (ii) $150,000,000 shall be authorized for the Network for 
     Manufacturing Innovation Program established under section 34 
     of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
       (d) Fiscal Year 2019.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $1,251,960,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2019.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $873,660,000 shall be authorized for scientific and 
     technical research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $68,300,000 shall be authorized for the construction 
     and maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $310,000,000 shall be authorized for industrial 
     technology services activities, of which--
       (i) $160,000,000 shall be authorized for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k) and the program under section 26 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278l), of which not more than $20,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (ii) $150,000,000 shall be authorized for the Network for 
     Manufacturing Innovation Program established under section 34 
     of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
       (e) Fiscal Year 2020.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of Commerce $1,299,060,000 for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal year 2020.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized by 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $917,340,000 shall be authorized for scientific and 
     technical research and services laboratory activities;
       (B) $71,710,000 shall be authorized for the construction 
     and maintenance of facilities; and
       (C) $310,000,000 shall be authorized for industrial 
     technology services activities, of which--
       (i) $160,000,000 shall be authorized for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k) and the program under section 26 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278l), of which not more than $20,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (ii) $150,000,000 shall be authorized for the Network for 
     Manufacturing Innovation Program established under section 34 
     of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).

     SEC. 403. 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 
     shall provide assistance for the creation and support of 
     regional manufacturing extension centers for the transfer of 
     manufacturing technology and best business practices. These 
     centers shall be known as the `Hollings Manufacturing 
     Extension Centers' (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 program is to 
     enhance productivity, competitiveness, and technological 
     performance in United States manufacturing through--
       ``(A) the transfer of manufacturing technology and 
     techniques 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 development of new partnerships, networks, and 
     services that will assist small and medium-sized 
     manufacturing companies expand into new markets, including 
     global markets;
       ``(F) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise 
     and capability that exists in Federal laboratories other than 
     the Institute; and
       ``(G) 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.
       ``(b) Activities.--The activities of the Centers shall 
     include--
       ``(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems 
     and other advanced production technologies, based on research 
     by the Institute and other entities, for the purpose of 
     demonstrations and technology transfer;
       ``(2) assistance to Federal agencies in supporting United 
     States-based manufacturing by identifying and providing 
     technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers 
     to help them meet Federal agency procurement and acquisition 
     needs;
       ``(3) 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
       ``(4) 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) Financial Assistance and Requirements.--
       ``(1) Financial support.--The Secretary may provide 
     financial support to any Center created under subsection (a) 
     for an initial period of 5 years, which may be renewed for an 
     additional 5-year period. The Secretary may provide to a 
     Center up to 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 5 years.
       ``(3) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any public or nonprofit institution, or 
     consortium thereof, 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 management, 
     productivity, competitiveness, 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 submit a proposal for the allocation of the legal 
     rights associated with any invention that 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:

[[Page 7466]]

       ``(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 independent 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 fifth 
     year.
       ``(F) Corrective action plan.--The Secretary may not 
     provide funding for the remaining years of a Center's 
     operation unless the evaluation is positive. 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 a corrective action 
     plan and provided the opportunity to address deficiencies 
     unless immediate action is necessary to protect the public 
     interest. The program shall re-evaluate the Center within one 
     year and 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 or may close the Center.
       ``(G) Additional financial support.--After the fifth 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) Recompetition.--If a Center has received financial 
     support for 10 consecutive years, the Director shall conduct 
     a new competition. An existing Center may submit an 
     application as part of the new competition.
       ``(I) Recompetition plan.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015, the Director shall submit a plan to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate detailing how the program will 
     implement the new competitions required under subparagraph 
     (H). The Director shall consult with the MEP Advisory Board 
     established under subsection (f) in the development and 
     implementation of the plan.
       ``(6) Oversight board.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Center that receives financial 
     assistance under this section shall establish an oversight 
     board that is broadly representative of regional stakeholders 
     with a majority of board members drawn from local small and 
     medium-sized manufacturing firms.
       ``(B) Bylaws and conflict of interest.--Each board under 
     subparagraph (A) shall adopt and submit to the Director 
     bylaws to govern the operation of the board, including a 
     conflict of interest policy to ensure relevant relationships 
     are disclosed and proper recusal procedures are in place.
       ``(C) Limitation.--Board members may not serve 
     simultaneously on more than one Center's oversight board or 
     serve as a contractor providing services to a Center.
       ``(7) Protection of confidential information.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that the following are not publically 
     disclosed:
       ``(A) Confidential information on the business operations 
     of--
       ``(i) a participant under the program; or
       ``(ii) a client of a Center.
       ``(B) Trade secrets possessed by any client of a Center.
       ``(8) 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.
       ``(d) Reporting and Auditing Requirements.--The Director 
     shall establish procedures regarding Center financial 
     reporting and auditing to ensure that awards are used for the 
     purposes specified in this section and are in accordance with 
     sound accounting practices.
       ``(e) 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.
       ``(f) 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 2 
     members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the 
     Centers, at least 1 member shall represent a community 
     college, and at least 5 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 one-year period following the expiration of the 
     second such term.
       ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less 
     than 2 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.
       ``(g) Competitive Grant Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within 
     the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 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, the MEP Advisory Board, and small and 
     medium-sized manufacturers.
       ``(4) Themes.--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. These themes may include--
       ``(A) supply chain integration and quality management;
       ``(B) the creation of partnerships to encourage the 
     development of a workforce with the skills necessary to meet 
     the needs of a region, including the creation of 
     apprenticeship opportunities and the adoption of universally 
     recognized credential programs, as appropriate;
       ``(C) energy efficiency, including efficient building 
     technologies and environmentally friendly materials, 
     products, and processes;
       ``(D) enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-
     sized manufacturers in the global marketplace;
       ``(E) the transfer of technology based on the technological 
     needs of manufacturers

[[Page 7467]]

     and available technologies from institutions of higher 
     education, laboratories, and other technology producing 
     entities; and
       ``(F) areas that extend beyond traditional areas of 
     manufacturing extension activities, including projects 
     related to construction industry modernization.
       ``(5) Reimbursement.--Centers may be reimbursed for costs 
     incurred under the program under this subsection.
       ``(6) 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.
       ``(7) 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) utilize innovative or collaborative approaches to 
     solving the problem described in the competition;
       ``(B) improve the competitiveness of industries in the 
     region in which the Center or Centers are located; and
       ``(C) contribute to the long-term economic stability of 
     that region, including the creation of jobs or training 
     employees.
       ``(8) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
     this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching 
     contribution.
       ``(9) Duration.--Awards under this subsection shall last no 
     longer than 5 years.
       ``(h) Innovative Services Initiative.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director, in coordination with 
     the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the Department of 
     Energy, shall establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing 
     Extension Partnership, an innovative services initiative to 
     assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in--
       ``(A) reducing their energy usage, greenhouse gas 
     emissions, and environmental waste to improve profitability;
       ``(B) accelerating the domestic commercialization of new 
     product technologies, including components for renewable 
     energy and energy efficiency systems; and
       ``(C) identifying and diversifying to new markets, 
     including support for transitioning to the production of 
     components for renewable energy and energy efficiency 
     systems.
       ``(2) Market demand.--The Director may not undertake any 
     activity to accelerate the domestic commercialization of a 
     new product technology under this subsection unless an 
     analysis of market demand for the new product technology has 
     been conducted.
       ``(i) Export Assistance to Small and Medium-sized 
     Manufacturers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall--
       ``(A) evaluate obstacles that are unique to small and 
     medium-sized manufacturers that prevent such manufacturers 
     from effectively competing in the global market;
       ``(B) implement a comprehensive export assistance 
     initiative through the Centers to help small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers address such obstacles; and
       ``(C) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the 
     activities carried out under this subsection are coordinated 
     with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, other export 
     assistance programs within the Federal Government.
       ``(2) Requirements.--The initiative shall include--
       ``(A) export assistance counseling;
       ``(B) the development of partnerships that will provide 
     small and medium-sized manufacturers with greater access to 
     and knowledge of global markets; and
       ``(C) improved communication between the Centers to assist 
     such manufacturers in implementing appropriate, targeted 
     solutions to such obstacles.
       ``(j) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Area career and technical education school.--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).
       ``(2) Community college.--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. 404. NATIONAL ACADEMIES 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 
     Academies to conduct a single, comprehensive review of the 
     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 cross-cutting 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.

     SEC. 405. IMPROVING NIST COLLABORATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.

       Section 8 of the National Bureau of Standards Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 1983 (15 U.S.C. 275b) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and with'' after 
     ``performed for''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary may 
     accept, apply for, use, and spend Federal, State, and non-
     governmental acquisition and assistance funds to further the 
     mission of the Institute without regard to the source or the 
     period of availability of these funds as well as share 
     personnel, associates, facilities, and property with these 
     partner organizations, with or without reimbursement, upon 
     mutual agreement.''.

     SEC. 406. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Functions and Activities.--Section 15 of the 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;'';
       (2) by striking ``transportation services for employees of 
     the Institute'' and inserting ``transportation services for 
     employees, associates, or fellows of the Institute''; and
       (3) by striking ``Code.'' and inserting ``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.''.
       (b) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program.--Section 19 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278g-2) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

       ``The Director, in conjunction with the National Academy of 
     Sciences, shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral 
     fellowship program that shall include not less than 20 new 
     fellows per fiscal year. In evaluating applications for 
     fellowships under this section, the Director shall give 
     consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of 
     underrepresented minorities in research areas supported by 
     the Institute.''.

                          TITLE V--INNOVATION

     SEC. 501. OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

       Section 25 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3720) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``with a Director and 
     full-time staff'' after ``Office of Innovation and 
     Entrepreneurship'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) providing access to relevant data, research, and 
     technical assistance on innovation and commercialization, 
     including best practices for university-based incubators and 
     accelerators;'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (6) and (7), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting the following after paragraph (3):
       ``(4) overseeing the implementation of the loan guarantee 
     programs and the Regional Innovation Program established 
     under sections 26 and 27, respectively;
       ``(5) developing, within 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 
     2015, and updating at least every 5 years, a strategic plan 
     to guide the activities of the Office of Innovation and 
     Entrepreneurship that shall--
       ``(A) specify and prioritize near-term and long-term goals, 
     objectives, and policies to accelerate innovation and advance 
     the commercialization of research and development, including 
     federally funded research and development, set forth the 
     anticipated time for achieving the objectives, and identify 
     metrics for use in assessing progress toward such objectives;
       ``(B) describe how the Department of Commerce is working in 
     conjunction with other Federal agencies to foster innovation 
     and commercialization across the United States; and
       ``(C) provide a summary of the activities, including the 
     development of metrics to evaluate regional innovation 
     strategies undertaken through the Regional Innovation 
     Research and Information Program established under section 
     27(e);'';
       (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
       ``(c) Advisory Committee.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish or 
     designate an advisory committee, which shall meet at least 
     twice each fiscal year, to provide advice to the Secretary on 
     carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Office of 
     Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
       ``(2) Report to congress.--The advisory committee shall 
     prepare a report, to be submitted to the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate every 3 years. The first report 
     shall be submitted not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2015 
     and shall include--
       ``(A) an assessment of the strategic plan developed under 
     subsection (b)(5) and the progress made in implementing the 
     plan and the duties of the Office of Innovation and 
     Entrepreneurship;

[[Page 7468]]

       ``(B) an assessment of how the Office of Innovation and 
     Entrepreneurship is working with other Federal agencies to 
     meet the goals and duties of the office; and
       ``(C) any recommendations for how the Office of Innovation 
     and Entrepreneurship could be improved.''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 to carry out this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 502. FEDERAL LOAN GUARANTEES FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES 
                   IN MANUFACTURING.

       Section 26(t) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3721(t)) is amended by striking 
     ``fiscal years 2011 through 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal 
     years 2016 through 2020''.

     SEC. 503. INNOVATION VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM.

       Section 25 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3720) as amended by section 501 of 
     this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Innovation Voucher Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Office 
     of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and in conjunction with 
     the States, shall establish an innovation voucher pilot 
     program to accelerate innovative activities and enhance the 
     competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers in 
     the United States. The pilot program shall--
       ``(A) foster collaborations between small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers and research institutions; and
       ``(B) enable small and medium-sized manufacturers to access 
     technical expertise and capabilities that will lead to the 
     development of innovative products or manufacturing 
     processes, including through--
       ``(i) research and development, including proof of concept, 
     technical development, and compliance testing activities;
       ``(ii) early-stage product development, including 
     engineering design services; and
       ``(iii) technology transfer and related activities.
       ``(2) Award size.--The Secretary shall competitively award 
     vouchers worth up to $20,000 to small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers for use at eligible research institutions to 
     acquire the services described in paragraph (1)(B).
       ``(3) Streamlined procedures.--The Secretary shall 
     streamline and simplify the application, administrative, and 
     reporting procedures for vouchers administered under the 
     program.
       ``(4) Regulations.--Prior to awarding any vouchers under 
     the program, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations--
       ``(A) establishing criteria for the selection of recipients 
     of awards under this subsection;
       ``(B) establishing procedures regarding financial reporting 
     and auditing--
       ``(i) to ensure that awards are used for the purposes of 
     the program; and
       ``(ii) that are in accordance with sound accounting 
     practices; and
       ``(C) describing any other policies, procedures, or 
     information necessary to implement this subsection, including 
     those intended to streamline and simplify the program in 
     accordance with paragraph (3).
       ``(5) Transfer authority.--The Secretary may transfer funds 
     appropriated to the Department of Commerce to other Federal 
     agencies for the performance of services authorized under 
     this subsection.
       ``(6) Administrative costs.--All of the amounts 
     appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year 
     shall be used for vouchers awarded under this subsection, 
     except that the Secretary may set aside a percentage of such 
     amounts for eligible research institutions performing the 
     services described in paragraph (1)(B) to defray 
     administrative costs associated with the services. The 
     Secretary shall establish a single, fixed percentage for such 
     purposes that will apply to all eligible research 
     institutions.
       ``(7) Outreach.--The Secretary may use centers established 
     under section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) to provide information about 
     the program established under this subsection and to conduct 
     outreach to potential applicants, as appropriate.
       ``(8) Reports to congress.--
       ``(A) Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 
     2015, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a plan that 
     will serve as a guide for the activities of the program. The 
     plan shall include a description of the specific objectives 
     of the program and the metrics that will be used in assessing 
     progress toward those objectives.
       ``(B) Outcomes.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 
     2015, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report 
     containing--
       ``(i) a summary of the activities carried out under this 
     subsection;
       ``(ii) an assessment of the impact of such activities on 
     the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers receiving assistance under the pilot program; 
     and
       ``(iii) any recommendations for administrative and 
     legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness of 
     the pilot program.
       ``(9) Coordination and nonduplication.--To the maximum 
     extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
     activities carried out under this subsection are coordinated 
     with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, other programs 
     within the Federal Government.
       ``(10) Eligible research institutions defined.--For the 
     purposes of this subsection, the term `eligible research 
     institution' means--
       ``(A) an institution of higher education, as such term is 
     defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001(a));
       ``(B) a Federal laboratory;
       ``(C) a federally funded research and development center; 
     or
       ``(D) a Hollings Manufacturing Extension Center established 
     under section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k).
       ``(11) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     the pilot program in this subsection $5,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 through 2020.''.

     SEC. 504. FEDERAL ACCELERATION OF STATE TECHNOLOGY 
                   COMMERCIALIZATION PILOT PROGRAM.

       The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
     U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 28. FEDERAL ACCELERATION OF STATE TECHNOLOGY 
                   COMMERCIALIZATION PILOT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Authority.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     Federal Acceleration of State Technology Commercialization 
     Pilot Program or FAST Commercialization Pilot Program to 
     award grants to States, or consortia thereof, for the 
     purposes described in paragraph (2). Awards under this 
     section shall be made through a competitive, merit-based 
     process.
       ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
     section is to advance United States productivity and global 
     competitiveness by accelerating commercialization of 
     innovative technology by leveraging Federal support for State 
     commercialization efforts. The program shall provide matching 
     funds to a State, or consortium thereof, for the acceleration 
     of commercialization activities and the promotion of small 
     manufacturing enterprises in the United States.
       ``(b) Application.--Applications for awards under this 
     section shall be submitted in such a manner, at such a time, 
     and containing such information as the Secretary shall 
     require, including--
       ``(1) a description of the current state of technology 
     commercialization in the State or States, including successes 
     and barriers to commercialization; and
       ``(2) a description of the State's or consortium's plan for 
     increasing commercialization of new technologies, products, 
     processes, and services.
       ``(c) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish 
     criteria for the selection of awardees, which shall consider 
     at a minimum a review of efforts during the fiscal year prior 
     to submitting an application to--
       ``(1) promote manufacturing; and
       ``(2) commercialize new technologies, products, processes, 
     and services, including activities to translate federally 
     funded research and technologies to small manufacturing 
     enterprises.
       ``(d) Matching Requirement.--A State or consortium 
     receiving a grant under this section shall provide non-
     Federal cash contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent 
     of the total cost of the project for which the grant is 
     provided.
       ``(e) Coordination and Nonduplication.--In carrying out the 
     program under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that 
     grants made under the program are coordinated with, and do 
     not duplicate, the efforts of other commercialization 
     programs within the Federal Government.
       ``(f) Evaluation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 
     2015, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with an 
     independent entity, such as the National Academy of Sciences, 
     to conduct an evaluation of the program established under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(2) Requirements.--The evaluation shall--
       ``(A) assess whether the program is achieving its goals;
       ``(B) include any recommendations for how the program may 
     be improved; and
       ``(C) include a recommendation as to whether the program 
     should be continued or terminated.
       ``(g) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `State' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 3 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
     1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122); and
       ``(2) the term `commercialization' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 9(e)(10) of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 638(e)(10)).
       ``(h) Duration.--Each award shall be for a 5-year period.
       ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to

[[Page 7469]]

     the Secretary $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
     through 2018 to carry out this section.''.

                     TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                     Subtitle A--Office of Science

     SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Department of Energy 
     Office of Science Authorization Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS.

       Except as otherwise provided, in this subtitle:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Office of Science.
       (3) Office of science.--The term ``Office of Science'' 
     means the Department of Energy Office of Science.
       (4) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means 
     the Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.

     SEC. 603. MISSION OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE.

       Section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 7139) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(c) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Science shall 
     be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and 
     major scientific tools to transform the understanding of 
     nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national 
     security of the United States.
       ``(d) Duties.--In support of this mission, the Director 
     shall carry out programs, including those in basic energy 
     sciences, biological and environmental research, advanced 
     scientific computing research, fusion energy sciences, high 
     energy physics, and nuclear physics, through activities 
     focused on--
       ``(1) Science for Discovery to unravel nature's mysteries 
     through activities which range from the study of subatomic 
     particles, atoms, and molecules that make up the materials of 
     our everyday world to the study of DNA, proteins, cells, and 
     entire biological systems;
       ``(2) Science for National Need by--
       ``(A) advancing a clean energy agenda through research on 
     energy production, storage, transmission, efficiency, and 
     use; and
       ``(B) advancing our understanding of the Earth and its 
     climate through research in atmospheric and environmental 
     sciences and climate change; and
       ``(3) National Scientific User Facilities to deliver the 
     21st century tools of science, engineering, and technology 
     and provide the Nation's researchers with the most advanced 
     tools of modern science including accelerators, colliders, 
     supercomputers, light sources and neutron sources, and 
     facilities for studying complex molecular systems and the 
     nanoworld.
       ``(e) Supporting Activities.--The activities described in 
     subsection (d) shall include providing for relevant 
     facilities and infrastructure, programmatic analysis, 
     interagency coordination, and workforce development and 
     outreach activities.
       ``(f) User Facilities.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out the 
     construction, operation, and maintenance of user facilities, 
     including underground research facilities, to support the 
     activities described in subsection (d). As practicable, these 
     facilities shall serve the needs of the Department, industry, 
     the academic community, and other relevant entities for the 
     purposes of advancing the missions of the Department.
       ``(2) Coordination with other federal agencies.--The 
     Director may form partnerships to enhance the utilization of 
     and ensure access to user facilities, including underground 
     research facilities, by other Federal agencies.
       ``(g) Other Authorized Activities.--In addition to the 
     activities authorized under the Department of Energy Office 
     of Science Authorization Act of 2015, the Office of Science 
     shall carry out other such activities as it is authorized or 
     required to carry out by law.
       ``(h) Coordination and Joint Activities With Other 
     Department of Energy Programs.--The Under Secretary shall 
     ensure the coordination of activities under the Department of 
     Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2015 with the 
     other activities of the Department, and shall support joint 
     activities among the programs of the Department.
       ``(i) Domestic Manufacturing Capability for Office of 
     Science Facilities Report.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of enactment of the Department of Energy Office of 
     Science Authorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall 
     transmit a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. The report 
     shall--
       ``(1) assess the current ability of domestic manufacturers 
     to meet the procurement requirements for major ongoing 
     projects funded by the Office of Science, including a 
     calculation of the percentage of equipment acquired from 
     domestic manufacturers for this purpose; and
       ``(2) identify steps that can be taken by the Federal 
     Government and by private industry to increase the capability 
     of domestic manufacturers to meet procurement requirements of 
     the Office of Science for major projects.''.

     SEC. 604. BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES PROGRAM.

       (a) Program.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     the amendment made by section 603, the Director shall carry 
     out a program in basic energy sciences, including materials 
     sciences and engineering, chemical sciences, physical 
     biosciences, and geosciences, for the purpose of providing 
     the scientific foundations for new energy technologies and 
     addressing scientific grand challenges.
       (b) Basic Energy Sciences User Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a subprogram 
     to support and oversee the construction, operation, and 
     maintenance of national user facilities that support the 
     program under this section. As practicable, these facilities 
     shall serve the needs of the Department, industry, the 
     academic community, and other relevant entities to create and 
     examine new materials and chemical processes for the purposes 
     of advancing new energy technologies and improving the 
     competitiveness of the United States. These facilities shall 
     include--
       (A) x-ray light sources;
       (B) neutron sources;
       (C) nanoscale science research centers; and
       (D) other facilities the Director considers appropriate, 
     consistent with section 209(f) of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139(f)).
       (2) Facility research and development.--The Director shall 
     carry out research and development on advanced accelerator 
     and storage ring technologies relevant to the Basic Energy 
     Sciences user facilities, in consultation with the Office of 
     Science's High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics programs.
       (3) Facility construction and upgrades.--Consistent with 
     the Office of Science's project management practices, the 
     Director shall support construction of--
       (A) an upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source to optimize 
     and enhance beam brightness;
       (B) a Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron 
     Source to double user capacity and expand the suite of 
     instruments to meet new scientific challenges;
       (C) the Linac Coherent Light Source II to expand the x-ray 
     wavelength range, incorporate high repetition rate operation 
     for soft and medium energy x-rays, and increase user capacity 
     of the Linac Coherent Light Source; and
       (D) an upgrade to the Advanced Light Source to improve 
     brightness and performance.
       (c) Energy Frontier Research Centers.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program to 
     provide awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to 
     multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate 
     entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy 
     research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs related to 
     needs identified in--
       (A) the Grand Challenges report of the Department's Basic 
     Energy Sciences Advisory Committee;
       (B) the report of the Department's Basic Energy Sciences 
     Advisory Committee entitled ``From Quanta to the Continuum: 
     Opportunities for Mesoscale Science'';
       (C) the Basic Energy Sciences Basic Research Needs workshop 
     report; or
       (D) other relevant reports identified by the Director.
       (2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award 
     under this subsection may include multiple types of 
     institutions and private sector entities.
       (3) Selection and duration.--
       (A) In general.--A collaboration under this subsection 
     shall be selected for a period of 5 years. An Energy Frontier 
     Research Center already in existence and supported by the 
     Director on the date of enactment of this Act may continue to 
     receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date 
     of establishment of that center.
       (B) Reapplication.--After the end of the period described 
     in subparagraph (A), an awardee may reapply for selection for 
     a second period of 5 years on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
     basis.
       (C) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Director may terminate an 
     underperforming center for cause during the performance 
     period.
       (4) No funding for construction.--No funding provided 
     pursuant to this subsection may be used for the construction 
     of new buildings or facilities.

     SEC. 605. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7139), and coordinated with the activities authorized 
     under section 604 and section 606, the Director shall carry 
     out a program of research and development in the areas of 
     biological systems science and climate and environmental 
     science, including subsurface science, to support the energy 
     and environmental missions of the Department.
       (b) Biological Systems Science Activities.--
       (1) Activities.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     subsection (a), the Director shall carry out research and 
     development activities in fundamental, structural, 
     computational, and systems biology to increase systems-level 
     understanding of the complex

[[Page 7470]]

     biological systems, which shall include activities to--
       (A) accelerate breakthroughs and new knowledge that will 
     enable cost-effective sustainable production of--
       (i) biomass-based liquid transportation fuels;
       (ii) bioenergy; and
       (iii) biobased materials;
       (B) improve understanding of the global carbon cycle, 
     including processes for removing carbon dioxide from the 
     atmosphere, through photosynthesis and other biological 
     processes, for sequestration and storage; and
       (C) understand the biological mechanisms used to transform, 
     immobilize, or remove contaminants from subsurface 
     environments.
       (2) Bioenergy research centers.--
       (A) In general.--In carrying out activities under paragraph 
     (1), the Director shall support at least 3 bioenergy research 
     centers to accelerate advanced research and development of 
     biomass-based liquid transportation fuels, bioenergy, or 
     biobased materials that are produced from a variety of 
     regionally diverse feedstocks.
       (B) Selection and duration.--A center established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be selected on a competitive, merit-
     reviewed basis for a period of 5 years beginning on the date 
     of establishment of that center. A center already in 
     existence on the date of enactment of this Act may continue 
     to receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the 
     date of establishment of that center.
       (C) Renewal.--After the end of the period described in 
     subparagraph (B), an awardee may apply for a second period of 
     5 years on a merit-reviewed basis.
       (D) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Director may terminate an 
     underperforming center for cause during the performance 
     period.
       (3) Low dose radiation research program.--
       (A) In general.--The Director shall carry out a research 
     program on low dose radiation. The purpose of the program is 
     to enhance the scientific understanding of and reduce 
     uncertainties associated with the effects of exposure to low 
     dose radiation in order to inform improved risk management 
     methods.
       (B) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term ``low dose 
     radiation'' means a radiation dose of less than 100 
     millisieverts.
       (C) Study.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an 
     agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study 
     assessing the current status and development of a long-term 
     strategy for low dose radiation research. The study shall be 
     conducted in coordination with Federal agencies that perform 
     ionizing radiation effects research.
       (D) Contents.--The study performed under subparagraph (C) 
     shall--
       (i) identify current scientific challenges for 
     understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation;
       (ii) assess the status of current low dose radiation 
     research in the United States and internationally;
       (iii) formulate overall scientific goals for the future of 
     low-dose radiation research in the United States;
       (iv) recommend a long-term strategic and prioritized 
     research agenda to address scientific research goals for 
     overcoming the identified scientific challenges in 
     coordination with other research efforts;
       (v) define the essential components of a research program 
     that would address this research agenda within the 
     universities and the National Laboratories; and
       (vi) assess the cost-benefit effectiveness of such a 
     program.
       (E) 5-year research plan.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     completion of the assessment performed under subparagraph 
     (C), the Secretary shall deliver to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
     five-year research plan that responds to the assessment's 
     findings and recommendations and identifies and prioritizes 
     research needs.
       (4) Repeal.--Section 977 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
     (42 U.S.C. 16317) is repealed.
       (c) Climate and Environmental Science Activities.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     subsection (a), and in coordination with activities carried 
     out under subsection (b), the Director shall carry out 
     climate and environmental science research, which shall 
     include activities to--
       (A) understand, observe, and model the response of Earth's 
     atmosphere and biosphere to increased concentrations of 
     greenhouse gas emissions and any associated changes in 
     climate;
       (B) understand the processes for immobilization, or removal 
     of, and understand the movement of, energy production-derived 
     contaminants such as radionuclides and heavy metals, and 
     understand the process of sequestration and transformation of 
     carbon dioxide in subsurface environments; and
       (C) inform potential mitigation and adaptation options for 
     increased concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions and any 
     associated changes in climate.
       (2) Subsurface biogeochemical research.--
       (A) In general.--As part of the activities described in 
     paragraph (1), the Director shall carry out research to 
     advance a fundamental understanding of coupled physical, 
     chemical, and biological processes for controlling the 
     movement of sequestered carbon and subsurface environmental 
     contaminants.
       (B) Coordination.--
       (i) Director.--The Director shall carry out activities 
     under this paragraph in accordance with priorities 
     established by the Under Secretary to support and accelerate 
     the decontamination of relevant facilities managed by the 
     Department.
       (ii) Under secretary.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of activities of the Department, including 
     activities under this paragraph, to support and accelerate 
     the decontamination of relevant facilities managed by the 
     Department.
       (3) Climate and earth modeling.--As part of the activities 
     described in paragraph (1), the Director, in collaboration 
     with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program 
     described in section 606, shall carry out research to 
     develop, evaluate, and use high-resolution regional climate, 
     global climate, and Earth models to inform decisions on 
     reducing the impacts of a changing climate. Such modeling 
     shall include, among other critical elements, greenhouse gas 
     emissions, land use, and interaction among human and Earth 
     systems.

     SEC. 606. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7139), the Director shall carry out a research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application 
     program to advance computational and networking capabilities 
     for data-driven discovery and to analyze, model, simulate, 
     and predict complex phenomena relevant to the development of 
     new energy technologies and the competitiveness of the United 
     States.
       (b) Coordination.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of the activities of the Department, including 
     activities under this section, to determine and meet the 
     computational and networking research and facility needs of 
     the Office of Science and all other relevant energy 
     technology and energy efficiency programs within the 
     Department.
       (c) Research To Support Energy Applications.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     subsection (a), the program shall support research in high-
     performance computing and networking relevant to energy 
     applications including modeling, simulation, and advanced 
     data analytics for basic and applied energy research programs 
     carried out by the Secretary.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the 
     Congress a plan to integrate and leverage the expertise and 
     capabilities of the program described in subsection (a), as 
     well as other relevant computational and networking research 
     programs and resources supported by the Federal Government, 
     to advance the missions of the Department's applied energy 
     and energy efficiency programs.
       (d) Applied Mathematics and Software Development for High-
     End Computing Systems.--The Director shall carry out 
     activities to develop, test, and support mathematics, models, 
     and algorithms for complex systems, as well as programming 
     environments, tools, languages, and operating systems for 
     high-end computing systems (as defined in section 2 of the 
     Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 
     2004 (15 U.S.C. 5541)).
       (e) Exascale Computing Program.--Section 3 of the 
     Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 
     2004 (15 U.S.C. 5542) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``program'' and inserting 
     ``coordinated program across the Department'';
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and 
     industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the 
     technology developed in this program to other challenges in 
     science, engineering, medicine, and industry.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``vector'' and all 
     that follows through ``architectures'' and inserting 
     ``computer technologies that show promise of substantial 
     reductions in power requirements and substantial gains in 
     parallelism of multicore processors, concurrency, memory and 
     storage, bandwidth, and reliability''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) Exascale Computing Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
     coordinated research program to develop exascale computing 
     systems to advance the missions of the Department.
       ``(2) Execution.--The Secretary shall, through competitive 
     merit review, establish

[[Page 7471]]

     two or more National Laboratory-industry-university 
     partnerships to conduct integrated research, development, and 
     engineering of multiple exascale architectures, and--
       ``(A) conduct mission-related co-design activities in 
     developing such exascale platforms;
       ``(B) develop those advancements in hardware and software 
     technology required to fully realize the potential of an 
     exascale production system in addressing Department target 
     applications and solving scientific problems involving 
     predictive modeling and simulation and large-scale data 
     analytics and management; and
       ``(C) explore the use of exascale computing technologies to 
     advance a broad range of science and engineering.
       ``(3) Administration.--In carrying out this program, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(A) provide, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, 
     access for researchers in United States industry, 
     institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, and 
     other Federal agencies to these exascale systems, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(B) conduct outreach programs to increase the readiness 
     for the use of such platforms by domestic industries, 
     including manufacturers.
       ``(4) Reports.--
       ``(A) Integrated strategy and program management plan.--The 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of the Department of Energy 
     Office of Science Authorization Act of 2015, a report 
     outlining an integrated strategy and program management plan, 
     including target dates for prototypical and production 
     exascale platforms, interim milestones to reaching these 
     targets, functional requirements, roles and responsibilities 
     of National Laboratories and industry, acquisition strategy, 
     and estimated resources required, to achieve this exascale 
     system capability. The report shall include the Secretary's 
     plan for Departmental organization to manage and execute the 
     Exascale Computing Program, including definition of the roles 
     and responsibilities within the Department to ensure an 
     integrated program across the Department. The report shall 
     also include a plan for ensuring balance and prioritizing 
     across ASCR subprograms in a flat or slow-growth budget 
     environment.
       ``(B) Status reports.--At the time of the budget submission 
     of the Department for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     submit a report to Congress that describes the status of 
     milestones and costs in achieving the objectives of the 
     exascale computing program.
       ``(C) Exascale merit report.--At least 18 months prior to 
     the initiation of construction or installation of any 
     exascale-class computing facility, the Secretary shall 
     transmit a plan to the Congress detailing--
       ``(i) the proposed facility's cost projections and 
     capabilities to significantly accelerate the development of 
     new energy technologies;
       ``(ii) technical risks and challenges that must be overcome 
     to achieve successful completion and operation of the 
     facility; and
       ``(iii) an independent assessment of the scientific and 
     technological advances expected from such a facility relative 
     to those expected from a comparable investment in expanded 
     research and applications at terascale-class and petascale-
     class computing facilities, including an evaluation of where 
     investments should be made in the system software and 
     algorithms to enable these advances.''.
       (f) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Department of Energy 
     High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 
     5541) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) Co-design.--The term `co-design' means the joint 
     development of application algorithms, models, and codes with 
     computer technology architectures and operating systems to 
     maximize effective use of high-end computing systems.
       ``(2) Department.--The term `Department' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       ``(3) Exascale.--The term `exascale' means computing system 
     performance at or near 10 to the 18th power floating point 
     operations per second.
       ``(4) High-end computing system.--The term `high-end 
     computing system' means a computing system with performance 
     that substantially exceeds that of systems that are commonly 
     available for advanced scientific and engineering 
     applications.
       ``(5) Leadership system.--The term `Leadership System' 
     means a high-end computing system that is among the most 
     advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving 
     scientific and engineering problems.
       ``(6) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     15801).
       ``(7) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
       ``(8) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       ``(9) Software technology.--The term `software technology' 
     includes optimal algorithms, programming environments, tools, 
     languages, and operating systems for high-end computing 
     systems.''.

     SEC. 607. FUSION ENERGY RESEARCH.

       (a) Program.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7139) and section 972 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
     (42 U.S.C. 16312), the Director shall carry out a fusion 
     energy sciences research and enabling technology development 
     program to effectively address the scientific and engineering 
     challenges to building a cost-competitive fusion power plant 
     and to establish a competitive fusion power industry in the 
     United States. As part of this program, the Director shall 
     carry out research activities to expand the fundamental 
     understandings of plasmas and matter at very high 
     temperatures and densities for fusion applications and for 
     other plasma science applications.
       (b) Tokamak Research and Development.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall support research and 
     development activities and facility operations to--
       (A) optimize the tokamak approach to fusion energy; and
       (B) determine the viability of the tokamak approach to 
     fusion energy to lead to a commercial fusion power plant.
       (2) ITER.--
       (A) Responsibilities.--The Director shall coordinate and 
     carry out the responsibilities of the United States with 
     respect to the ITER international fusion project pursuant to 
     the Agreement on the Establishment of the International 
     Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of 
     the ITER Project.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report providing an assessment of--
       (i) the most recent schedule for ITER that has been 
     approved by the ITER Council; and
       (ii) progress of the ITER Council and the ITER Director-
     General toward implementation of the recommendations of the 
     Third Biennial International Organization Management 
     Assessment Report.
       (C) Fairness in competition for solicitations for 
     international project activities.--Section 33 of the Atomic 
     Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2053) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following: ``For purposes of this section, with 
     respect to international research projects, the term `private 
     facilities or laboratories' shall refer to facilities or 
     laboratories located in the United States.''.
       (D) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States should support a robust, diverse program in 
     addition to meeting its commitments to ITER. It is further 
     the sense of Congress that developing the scientific basis 
     for fusion, providing research results key to the success of 
     ITER, and training the next generation of fusion scientists 
     are of critical importance to the United States and should in 
     no way be diminished by participation of the United States in 
     the ITER project.
       (c) Inertial Fusion Energy Research and Development 
     Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of research 
     and technology development in inertial fusion for energy 
     applications, including ion beam, laser, and pulsed power 
     fusion systems.
       (d) Alternative and Enabling Concepts.--
       (1) In general.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall support research and 
     development activities and facility operations at United 
     States universities, national laboratories, and private 
     facilities for a portfolio of alternative and enabling fusion 
     energy concepts that may provide solutions to significant 
     challenges to the establishment of a commercial magnetic 
     fusion power plant, prioritized based on the ability of the 
     United States to play a leadership role in the international 
     fusion research community. Fusion energy concepts and 
     activities explored under this paragraph may include--
       (A) high magnetic field approaches facilitated by high 
     temperature superconductors;
       (B) advanced stellarator concepts;
       (C) non-tokamak confinement configurations operating at low 
     magnetic fields;
       (D) magnetized target fusion energy concepts;
       (E) liquid metals to address issues associated with fusion 
     plasma interactions with the inner wall of the encasing 
     device;
       (F) immersion blankets for heat management and fuel 
     breeding;
       (G) advanced scientific computing activities: and
       (H) other promising fusion energy concepts identified by 
     the Director.
       (2) Coordination with arpa-e.--The Under Secretary and the 
     Director shall coordinate with the Director of the Advanced 
     Research Projects Agency-Energy (in this paragraph referred 
     to as ``ARPA-E'') to--
       (A) assess the potential for any fusion energy project 
     supported by ARPA-E to represent a promising approach to a 
     commercially viable fusion power plant;
       (B) determine whether the results of any fusion energy 
     project supported by ARPA-E merit the support of follow-on 
     research activities carried out by the Office of Science; and
       (C) avoid unintentional duplication of activities.

[[Page 7472]]

       (e) Fusion Materials Research and Development.--As part of 
     the activities authorized in section 978 of the Energy Policy 
     Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16318), the Director, in coordination 
     with the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy of the 
     Department, shall carry out research and development 
     activities to identify, characterize, and create materials 
     that can endure the neutron, plasma, and heat fluxes expected 
     in a commercial fusion power plant. As part of the activities 
     authorized under subsection (g), the Secretary shall--
       (1) provide an assessment of the need for a facility or 
     facilities that can examine and test potential fusion and 
     next generation fission reactor materials and other enabling 
     technologies relevant to the development of commercial fusion 
     power plants; and
       (2) provide an assessment of whether a single new facility 
     that substantially addresses magnetic fusion, inertial 
     fusion, and next generation fission materials research needs 
     is feasible, in conjunction with the expected capabilities of 
     facilities operational at the time of this assessment.
       (f) General Plasma Science and Applications.--Not later 
     than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall provide to Congress an assessment of 
     opportunities in which the United States can provide world-
     leading contributions to advancing plasma science and non-
     fusion energy applications, and identify opportunities for 
     partnering with other Federal agencies both within and 
     outside of the Department of Energy.
       (g) Identification of Priorities.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to 
     Congress a report on the Department's proposed fusion energy 
     research and development activities over the following 10 
     years under at least 3 realistic budget scenarios, including 
     a scenario based on 3 percent annual growth in the non-ITER 
     portion of the budget for fusion energy research and 
     development activities. The report shall--
       (A) identify specific areas of fusion energy research and 
     enabling technology development in which the United States 
     can and should establish or solidify a lead in the global 
     fusion energy development effort;
       (B) identify priorities for initiation of facility 
     construction and facility decommissioning under each of those 
     scenarios;
       (C) provide a roadmap addressing critical scientific 
     challenges to ensure that within 10 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act there is sufficient basis to justify 
     and motivate the initiation of an applied fusion energy 
     development program; and
       (D) assess the ability of the United States fusion 
     workforce to carry out the activities identified in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (C), including the adequacy of 
     college and university programs to train the leaders and 
     workers of the next generation of fusion energy researchers.
       (2) Process.--In order to develop the report required under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall leverage best practices 
     and lessons learned from the process used to develop the most 
     recent report of the Particle Physics Project Prioritization 
     Panel of the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel. No member of 
     the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee shall be 
     excluded from participating in developing or voting on final 
     approval of the report required under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 608. HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7139), the Director shall carry out a research program 
     on the elementary constituents of matter and energy and the 
     nature of space and time.
       (b) Energy Frontier Research.--As part of the program 
     described in subsection (a), the Director shall carry out 
     research using high energy accelerators and advanced 
     detectors to create and study interactions of novel particles 
     and investigate fundamental forces.
       (c) Neutrino Research.--As part of the program described in 
     subsection (a), the Director shall carry out research 
     activities on rare decay processes and the nature of the 
     neutrino, which may include collaborations with the National 
     Science Foundation or international collaborations on 
     relevant research projects.
       (d) Dark Energy and Dark Matter Research.--As part of the 
     program described in subsection (a), the Director shall carry 
     out research activities on the nature of dark energy and dark 
     matter. These activities shall be consistent with the 
     research priorities identified by the High Energy Physics 
     Advisory Panel or the National Academy of Sciences, and may 
     include--
       (1) collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the National Science Foundation, or 
     international collaborations on relevant research projects; 
     and
       (2) the development of space-based, land-based, and 
     underground facilities and experiments.
       (e) Facility Construction and Major Items of Equipment.--
     Consistent with the Office of Science's project management 
     practices, the Director shall support construction or 
     fabrication of--
       (1) an international Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility based 
     in the United States;
       (2) the Muon to Electron Conversion Experiment;
       (3) Second Generation Dark Matter experiments;
       (4) the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument;
       (5) the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope camera;
       (6) upgrades to components of the Large Hadron Collider; 
     and
       (7) other high priority projects recommended in the most 
     recent report of the Particle Physics Project Prioritization 
     Panel of the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel.
       (f) Accelerator Research and Development.--As part of the 
     program described in subsection (a), the Director shall carry 
     out research and development in advanced accelerator concepts 
     and technologies, including laser technologies, to reduce the 
     necessary scope and cost for the next generation of particle 
     accelerators, in coordination with the Office of Science's 
     Basic Energy Sciences and Nuclear Physics programs.
       (g) International Collaboration.--The Director, as 
     practicable and in coordination with other appropriate 
     Federal agencies as necessary, shall ensure the access of 
     United States researchers to the most advanced accelerator 
     facilities and research capabilities in the world, including 
     the Large Hadron Collider.

     SEC. 609. NUCLEAR PHYSICS PROGRAM.

       (a) Program.--As part of the activities authorized under 
     section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7139), the Director shall carry out a research 
     program, and support relevant facilities, to discover and 
     understand various forms of nuclear matter.
       (b) Facility Construction.--
       (1) In general.--Consistent with the Office of Science's 
     project management practices, the Director shall continue to 
     support the construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope 
     Beams.
       (2) Repeal.--Section 981 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
     (42 U.S.C. 16321) is repealed.
       (c) Isotope Development and Production for Research 
     Applications.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program for 
     the production of isotopes that the Director determines are 
     needed for research and applications, including--
       (A) the development of techniques to produce isotopes; and
       (B) support for infrastructure required for isotope 
     research and production.
       (2) Coordination.--In making the determination described in 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       (A) ensure that isotope production activities do not 
     compete with private industry unless critical national 
     interests necessitate the Federal Government's involvement; 
     and
       (B) consider any relevant recommendations made by Federal 
     advisory committees, the National Academies, and interagency 
     working groups in which the Department participates.

     SEC. 610. SCIENCE LABORATORIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

       (a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program to 
     improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of 
     infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. The program 
     shall include projects to--
       (1) renovate or replace space that does not meet research 
     needs;
       (2) replace facilities that are no longer cost effective to 
     renovate or operate;
       (3) modernize utility systems to prevent failures and 
     ensure efficiency;
       (4) remove excess facilities to allow safe and efficient 
     operations; and
       (5) construct modern facilities to conduct advanced 
     research in controlled environmental conditions.
       (b) Approach.--In carrying out this section, the Director 
     shall utilize all available approaches and mechanisms, 
     including capital line items, minor construction projects, 
     energy savings performance contracts, utility energy service 
     contracts, alternative financing, and expense funding, as 
     appropriate.
       (c) Definition.--The term ``Office of Science laboratory'' 
     means a subset of National Laboratories as defined in section 
     2(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801) 
     consisting of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (F), (K), 
     (L), (M), (P), and (Q).

     SEC. 611. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
     for the activities of the Office of Science--
       (1) $5,339,794,000 for fiscal year 2016;
       (2) $5,606,783,700 for fiscal year 2017;
       (3) $5,887,122,885 for fiscal year 2018;
       (4) $6,181,479,029 for fiscal year 2019; and
       (5) $6,490,552,981 for fiscal year 2020.

                           Subtitle B--ARPA-E

     SEC. 621. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``ARPA-E Reauthorization 
     Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 622. ARPA-E AMENDMENTS.

       Section 5012 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538) 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o) and 
     inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection:
       ``(n) Protection of Proprietary Information.--The following 
     categories of information collected by the Advanced Research

[[Page 7473]]

     Projects Agency-Energy from recipients of financial 
     assistance awards shall be considered privileged and 
     confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to 
     section 552 of title 5, United States Code:
       ``(1) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed 
     under the award, including business plans, technology to 
     market plans, market studies, and cost and performance 
     models.
       ``(2) Investments provided to an awardee from third 
     parties, such as venture capital, hedge fund, or private 
     equity firms, including amounts and percentage of ownership 
     of the awardee provided in return for such investments.
       ``(3) Additional financial support that the awardee plans 
     to invest or has invested into the technology developed under 
     the award, or that the awardee is seeking from third parties.
       ``(4) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or 
     services resulting from the research conducted under the 
     award.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2) of subsection (o), as so redesignated 
     by paragraph (1) of this section, by--
       (A) striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
       (B) striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) $325,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
       ``(G) $341,250,000 for fiscal year 2017;
       ``(H) $358,312,500 for fiscal year 2018;
       ``(I) $376,228,125 for fiscal year 2019; and
       ``(J) $395,039,531 for fiscal year 2020.''.

                     Subtitle C--Energy Innovation

     SEC. 641. ENERGY INNOVATION HUBS.

       (a) Authorization of Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
     program to enhance the Nation's economic, environmental, and 
     energy security by making awards to consortia for 
     establishing and operating Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct 
     and support, whenever practicable at one centralized 
     location, multidisciplinary, collaborative research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
     advanced energy technologies.
       (2) Technology development focus.--The Secretary shall 
     designate for each Hub a unique advanced energy technology 
     focus.
       (3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the 
     activities of Hubs with those of other Department of Energy 
     research entities, including the National Laboratories, the 
     Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Energy Frontier 
     Research Centers, and within industry.
       (b) Consortia.--
       (1) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award under 
     this section for the establishment and operation of a Hub, a 
     consortium shall--
       (A) be composed of no fewer than 2 qualifying entities; and
       (B) operate subject to an agreement entered into by its 
     members that documents--
       (i) the proposed partnership agreement, including the 
     governance and management structure of the Hub;
       (ii) measures to enable cost-effective implementation of 
     the program under this section;
       (iii) a proposed budget, including financial contributions 
     from non-Federal sources;
       (iv) a plan for managing intellectual property rights; and
       (v) an accounting structure that enables the Secretary to 
     ensure that the consortium has complied with the requirements 
     of this section.
       (2) Application.--A consortium seeking to establish and 
     operate a Hub under this section, acting through a prime 
     applicant, shall transmit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such form, and accompanied by such information 
     as the Secretary shall require, including a detailed 
     description of the elements of the consortium agreement 
     required under paragraph (1)(B). If the consortium members 
     will not be located at one centralized location, such 
     application shall include a communications plan that ensures 
     close coordination and integration of the Hub's activities.
       (c) Selection and Schedule.--The Secretary shall select 
     consortia for awards for the establishment and operation of 
     Hubs through competitive selection processes. In selecting 
     consortia, the Secretary shall consider the information a 
     consortium must disclose according to subsection (b), as well 
     as any existing facilities a consortium will provide for Hub 
     activities. Awards made to a Hub shall be for a period not to 
     exceed 5 years, after which the award may be renewed, subject 
     to a rigorous merit review. A Hub already in existence on the 
     date of enactment of this Act may continue to receive support 
     for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of 
     establishment of that Hub.
       (d) Hub Operations.--
       (1) In general.--Each Hub shall conduct or provide for 
     multidisciplinary, collaborative research, development, 
     demonstration, and, where appropriate, commercial application 
     of advanced energy technologies within the technology 
     development focus designated under subsection (a)(2). Each 
     Hub shall--
       (A) encourage collaboration and communication among the 
     member qualifying entities of the consortium and awardees by 
     conducting activities whenever practicable at one centralized 
     location;
       (B) develop and publish on the Department of Energy's 
     website proposed plans and programs;
       (C) submit an annual report to the Secretary summarizing 
     the Hub's activities, including detailing organizational 
     expenditures, and describing each project undertaken by the 
     Hub; and
       (D) monitor project implementation and coordination.
       (2) Conflicts of interest.--
       (A) Procedures.--Hubs shall maintain conflict of interest 
     procedures, consistent with those of the Department of 
     Energy, to ensure that employees and consortia designees for 
     Hub activities who are in decisionmaking capacities disclose 
     all material conflicts of interest.
       (B) Disqualification and revocation.--The Secretary may 
     disqualify an application or revoke funds distributed to a 
     Hub if the Secretary discovers a failure to comply with 
     conflict of interest procedures established under 
     subparagraph (A).
       (3) Prohibition on construction.--
       (A) In general.--No funds provided pursuant to this section 
     may be used for construction of new buildings or facilities 
     for Hubs. Construction of new buildings or facilities shall 
     not be considered as part of the non-Federal share of a Hub 
     cost-sharing agreement.
       (B) Test bed and renovation exception.--Nothing in this 
     subsection shall prohibit the use of funds provided pursuant 
     to this section, or non-Federal cost share funds, for 
     research or for the construction of a test bed or renovations 
     to existing buildings or facilities for the purposes of 
     research if the Secretary determines that the test bed or 
     renovations are limited to a scope and scale necessary for 
     the research to be conducted.
       (e) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an 
     underperforming Hub for cause during the performance period.
       (f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) Advanced energy technology.--The term ``advanced energy 
     technology'' means--
       (A) an innovative technology--
       (i) that produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, 
     biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, or other renewable energy 
     resources;
       (ii) that produces nuclear energy;
       (iii) for carbon capture and sequestration;
       (iv) that enables advanced vehicles, vehicle components, 
     and related technologies that result in significant energy 
     savings;
       (v) that generates, transmits, distributes, utilizes, or 
     stores energy more efficiently than conventional 
     technologies, including through Smart Grid technologies; or
       (vi) that enhances the energy independence and security of 
     the United States by enabling improved or expanded supply and 
     production of domestic energy resources, including coal, oil, 
     and natural gas;
       (B) research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application activities necessary to ensure the long-term, 
     secure, and sustainable supply of energy critical elements; 
     or
       (C) another innovative energy technology area identified by 
     the Secretary.
       (2) Energy critical element.--The term ``energy critical 
     element'' means any of a class of chemical elements that have 
     a high risk of a supply disruption and are critical to one or 
     more new, energy-related technologies such that a shortage of 
     such element would significantly inhibit large-scale 
     deployment of technologies that produce, transmit, store, or 
     conserve energy.
       (3) Hub.--The term ``Hub'' means an Energy Innovation Hub 
     established or operating in accordance with this section, 
     including any Energy Innovation Hub existing as of the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Qualifying entity.--The term ``qualifying entity'' 
     means--
       (A) an institution of higher education;
       (B) an appropriate State or Federal entity, including the 
     Department of Energy Federally Funded Research and 
     Development Centers;
       (C) a nongovernmental organization with expertise in 
     advanced energy technology research, development, 
     demonstration, or commercial application; or
       (D) any other relevant entity the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 642. PARTICIPATION IN THE INNOVATION CORPS PROGRAM.

       (a) Agreement.--The Secretary of Energy shall enter into an 
     agreement with the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation to enable researchers funded by the Department of 
     Energy to participate in the Innovation Corps program 
     authorized by section 307.
       (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of Energy may also 
     establish a Department of Energy Innovation Corps program, 
     modeled after the National Science Foundation Innovation 
     Corps program, to incorporate experts from the Department of 
     Energy National Laboratories in the training curriculum of 
     the program.

     SEC. 643. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
     of Energy shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy

[[Page 7474]]

     and Natural Resources of the Senate a report which shall 
     include--
       (1) an assessment of the Department's current ability to 
     carry out the goals of section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act 
     of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391), including an assessment of the 
     role and effectiveness of the Director of the Office of 
     Technology Transitions; and
       (2) recommended departmental policy changes and legislative 
     changes to section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
     U.S.C. 16391) to improve the Department's ability to 
     successfully transfer new energy technologies to the private 
     sector.
       (b) Amendments.--Section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e), by striking ``for commercial 
     purposes'' and inserting ``of any sort for commercial 
     purposes, including energy technologies not currently 
     supported by the Department of Energy'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (h) and (i), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(f) Agreements for Commercializing Technology Pilot 
     Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program of 
     the Department, as announced by the Secretary on December 8, 
     2011, in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(2) Terms.--Each agreement entered into pursuant to the 
     pilot program referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide to 
     the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory, to the 
     maximum extent determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, 
     increased authority to negotiate contract terms, such as 
     intellectual property rights, payment structures, performance 
     guarantees, and multiparty collaborations.
       ``(3) Eligibility.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any director of a National Laboratory 
     may enter into an agreement pursuant to the pilot program 
     referred to in paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Agreements with non-federal entities.--To carry out 
     subparagraph (A) and subject to subparagraph (C), the 
     Secretary shall permit the directors of the National 
     Laboratories to execute agreements with a non-Federal entity, 
     including a non-Federal entity already receiving Federal 
     funding that will be used to support activities under 
     agreements executed pursuant to subparagraph (A), provided 
     that such funding is solely used to carry out the purposes of 
     the Federal award.
       ``(C) Restriction.--The requirements of chapter 18 of title 
     35, United States Code (commonly known as the `Bayh-Dole 
     Act') shall apply if--
       ``(i) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that term is 
     defined in section 201 of that title); and
       ``(ii) at least 1 of the parties to the funding agreement 
     is eligible to receive rights under that chapter.
       ``(4) Submission to secretary.--Each affected director of a 
     National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with 
     respect to each agreement entered into under this 
     subsection--
       ``(A) a summary of information relating to the relevant 
     project;
       ``(B) the total estimated costs of the project;
       ``(C) estimated commencement and completion dates of the 
     project; and
       ``(D) other documentation determined to be appropriate by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(5) Certification.--The Secretary shall require the 
     contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify 
     that each activity carried out under a project for which an 
     agreement is entered into under this subsection--
       ``(A) is not in direct competition with the private sector; 
     and
       ``(B) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict 
     of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of 
     interest, as a result of the agreement under this subsection.
       ``(6) Extension.--The pilot program referred to in 
     paragraph (1) shall be extended until October 31, 2017.
       ``(7) Reports.--
       ``(A) Overall assessment.--Not later than 60 days after the 
     date described in paragraph (6), the Secretary, in 
     coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, 
     shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that--
       ``(i) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot 
     program referred to in paragraph (1);
       ``(ii) identifies opportunities to improve the 
     effectiveness of the pilot program;
       ``(iii) assesses the potential for program activities to 
     interfere with the responsibilities of the National 
     Laboratories to the Department; and
       ``(iv) provides a recommendation regarding the future of 
     the pilot program.
       ``(B) Transparency.--The Secretary, in coordination with 
     directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate an annual report that accounts for 
     all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-
     Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract 
     or award to carry out agreements pursuant to this subsection.
       ``(g) Inclusion of Technology Maturation in Authorized 
     Technology Transfer Activities.--The Secretary shall permit 
     the directors of the National Laboratories to use funds 
     authorized to support technology transfer, following the 
     standard practices of the Department, to carry out technology 
     maturation activities to identify and improve potential 
     commercial application opportunities and demonstrate 
     applications of research and technologies arising from 
     National Laboratory activities.''.
       (c) Delegation of Authority for Technology Transfer 
     Agreements.--
       (1) Authority.--The Secretary of Energy shall delegate to 
     directors of the National Laboratories signature authority 
     for any technology transfer agreement with a total cost of 
     not more than $500,000, including both National Laboratory 
     contributions and the project recipient cost share 
     contribution, if such an agreement falls within the scope of 
     a strategic plan for the National Laboratory that has been 
     approved by the Department.
       (2) Agreements included.--The agreements to which this 
     subsection applies include--
       (A) Cooperative Research and Development Agreements; and
       (B) non-Federal Work for Others Agreements.
       (3) Availability of records.--
       (A) Not later than 7 days after the date on which the 
     director of a National Laboratory enters into an agreement 
     under this subsection, such director shall submit to the 
     Secretary of Energy for monitoring and review all records of 
     the National Laboratory relating to the agreement.
       (B) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
     director of a specific National Laboratory enters into an 
     agreement under this subsection, the Secretary may terminate 
     the agreement and the authority of any director of such 
     National Laboratory to enter into agreements under this 
     subsection if--
       (i) all records of the National Laboratory relating to the 
     agreement have not been transmitted to the Secretary in 
     accordance with subparagraph (A); or
       (ii) the Secretary determines that this agreement is 
     inconsistent with the mission of the Department.
       (4) Limitation.--This subsection does not apply to any 
     agreement with a majority foreign-owned company.
       (5) Sunset.--
       (A) In general.--This subsection shall apply only during 
     the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (B) Assessment.--Not later than the date that is 180 days 
     prior to the last day of the period described in subparagraph 
     (A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an 
     assessment of the effectiveness of the authority provided to 
     the directors of the National Laboratories under this 
     subsection to accelerate the development of new technologies, 
     and an assessment of any incidences of potential misuse of 
     this authority in the opinion of the Secretary.

     SEC. 644. FUNDING COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
                   EDUCATION AND OTHER NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 988(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16352(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except as provided in 
     paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``Except as provided 
     in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Exemption for institutions of higher education and 
     other nonprofit institutions.--
       ``(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a 
     research or development activity performed by an institution 
     of higher education or nonprofit institution (as defined in 
     section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
     of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703)).
       ``(B) Termination date.--The exemption under subparagraph 
     (A) shall apply during the 6-year period beginning on the 
     date of enactment of this paragraph.''.

     SEC. 645. UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE AND ENERGY.

       (a) In General.--Section 202(b) of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7132(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``Under Secretary for Science and 
     Energy''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
       ``(H) establish appropriate linkages between offices under 
     the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; and

[[Page 7475]]

       ``(I) perform such functions and duties as the Secretary 
     shall prescribe, consistent with this section.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 3164(b)(1) of the Department of Energy Science 
     Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a(b)(1)) is amended 
     by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and inserting 
     ``Under Secretary for Science and Energy''.
       (2) Section 641(h)(2) of the United States Energy Storage 
     Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231(h)(2)) is 
     amended by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and 
     inserting ``Under Secretary for Science and Energy''.

     SEC. 646. SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY FOR SCIENTIFIC, 
                   ENGINEERING, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.

       (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall have the 
     authority to--
       (1) make appointments of scientific, engineering, and 
     professional personnel, without regard to civil service laws, 
     to assist the Department in meeting specific project or 
     research needs;
       (2) fix the basic pay of any employee appointed under this 
     section at a rate to be determined by the Under Secretary at 
     rates not in excess of the Executive Schedule (EX-II) without 
     regard to the civil service laws; and
       (3) pay any employee appointed under this section payments 
     in addition to basic pay, except that the total amount of 
     additional payments paid to an employee under this subsection 
     for any 12-month period shall not exceed the least of the 
     following amounts:
       (A) $25,000.
       (B) The amount equal to 25 percent of the annual rate of 
     basic pay of that employee.
       (C) The amount of the limitation that is applicable for a 
     calendar year under section 5307(a)(1) of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (b) Term.--
       (1) In general.--The term of any employee appointed under 
     this section shall not exceed 3 years.
       (2) Termination.--The Under Secretary shall have the 
     authority to terminate any employee appointed under this 
     section at any time based on performance or changing project 
     or research needs of the Department.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 271, the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and a Member opposed each will 
control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, so much of today's debate has been about how harmful 
the underlying legislation is for our Nation and how it violates every 
one of the principles of the original COMPETES bill. I am now pleased 
to be offering a positive way forward in the form of a substitute bill 
cosponsored by every Democratic member of the committee in addition to 
the minority leader, Mr. Hoyer.
  I spoke earlier about the history of the COMPETES bill and the 
principles it has embodied since the Rising Above the Gathering Storm 
report set us on this path 10 years ago. The substitute amendment, 
which we introduced as H.R. 1898, stays true to one of these 
principles.
  It sets targets that provide for steady and sustained real growth in 
funding for our research and development agencies. It makes a strong 
statement that the U.S. Congress sees funding for research across all 
fields of basic research as a top national priority. It does not 
include false and detrimental choices and tradeoffs among different 
fields of science and engineering. It ensures that scientific experts, 
not politicians, continue to set priorities for funding within and 
among different fields of basic research and for individual grants.
  The principles embodied in my substitute amendment continue a pact 
that the Federal Government made with our Nation's great research 
universities following our victory in World War II and the onset of the 
space race that led us to the creation of NSF and NASA.
  This pact is what has made NSF, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, or NIST, and the Department of Energy among the world's 
greatest and most admired research agencies.
  Specifically, my amendment fully funds these agencies at the fiscal 
year 2016 request level and continues to provide 5 percent annual 
increases for 5 years. This modest investment is already a compromise, 
given the immense economic return on our basic research investments. 
The original Rising Above the Gathering Storm report called for even 
greater increases.
  My amendment also reauthorizes and fully funds ARPA-E, which was 
created in the 2007 COMPETES Act and has exceeded every expectation for 
creating innovative new energy technologies and spurring private sector 
follow-on investment.
  In addition, my amendment authorizes and funds important innovation 
programs at the Department of Commerce, including an innovation voucher 
pilot program that will help small- and medium-sized manufacturers 
across the country grow their businesses and create new jobs.
  My amendment fully funds the standards work of NIST, in addition to 
their work to help accelerate growth in U.S. advanced manufacturing. We 
need to bring those manufacturing jobs back home, and we need to Make 
It In America. NIST is an essential partner in this effort.

                              {time}  1745

  Finally, my amendment takes seriously the issue of STEM education, 
including broadening participation in STEM. Our STEM language is not 
just senses of Congress about how important STEM is and other filler 
provisions.
  Our language directs real important policy changes to help ensure 
that all U.S. students and researchers have the opportunity to fully 
develop their talents in STEM and pursue successful STEM careers.
  We are facing a demographic imperative. If we do not find a way to 
turn around the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM 
fields, our Nation will fall well short of the skilled workforce our 
industries demand. Our substitute puts our money before where our mouth 
is when it comes to STEM and corrects a glaring deficit in the 
underlying legislation.
  I am proud of my work that I have done on this committee for many 
years and of the contributions that many of my colleagues made to this 
substitute amendment. It truly is a COMPETES Reauthorization Act in 
every way.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to carefully consider 
the fork in the road before us. If you really want to do right by this 
great Nation and by our children and our grandchildren, you will vote 
for the substitute amendment and replace the underlying legislation 
with a positive path forward.
  This amendment will open the doors for innovation and education for 
our Nation's future. It will not be trade, as many have said, that will 
cause us to lose these jobs; it will be our companies searching around 
the world looking for talent and innovation.
  Look out for America's future. Vote for this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 10 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the gentlewoman's 
amendment.
  As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I support a responsible and 
sustainable path forward for U.S. science, research, and development. 
We must prioritize the areas of basic research to ensure future U.S. 
economic competitiveness and spur private sector innovation.
  This amendment ignores the caps set by the Budget Control Act, which 
the ranking member herself supported, and ignores the tough choices 
that must be made to protect the American taxpayer and future 
generations from more debt. It is irresponsible not to adhere to the 
Budget Control Act, which was signed into law by President Obama.
  The Budget Control Act was a bipartisan agreement that 95 Democrats 
voted for, including the ranking member. Now, she wants to ignore that 
particular law. Although many Members would like to see the Budget 
Control Act replaced, it is the law of the land, and we should abide by 
it.
  Of course, it is easy just to propose more spending, knowing it will 
sound good, even if it is irresponsible and against the law. In fiscal 
year 2016 alone, this amendment would increase spending by $600 million 
over the current level and the underlying bill. The

[[Page 7476]]

amendment increases spending on later-stage research and technology, 
best done by the private sector.
  Since last Congress, we have worked hard to reach an agreement with 
the minority on numerous policy issues, and we have accepted many of 
their provisions and ideas to make this bill stronger.
  For example, we strengthened STEM provisions related to a new 
advisory panel and coordinating office. We also included language in 
support of NIST that passed the House floor on a bipartisan vote last 
year.
  Also, in title III of the bill are three pieces of bipartisan 
legislation that passed the Science Committee by voice vote in March. 
Two of those three pieces of legislation were sponsored by Democrats.
  I urge my colleagues to support a balanced approach of fiscal 
responsibility and targeted investments in priority science and basic 
research and vote ``no'' on the Democratic substitute. The Democratic 
substitute ignores the Budget Control Act and does not advance good 
science in America.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I thank Ms. Johnson for yielding.
  I am proud to rise in support of Ms. Johnson's amendment in the 
nature of a substitute, and I am also proud to cosponsor H.R. 1898, 
which contains the same language, because this alternative is much more 
in keeping with the principles of the original America COMPETES Act.
  Mr. Chairman, in 2007, I served on the conference committee that 
worked out the House-Senate compromise on the original COMPETES bill. 
In 2010, I wrote the NSF title on the reauthorization. These are two of 
my proudest moments in Congress because those were bipartisan bills 
that set us on a path to continue leading the world in scientific 
research and innovation for the next generation.
  Sadly, in recent years, we have let that progress stall. Make no 
mistake, other nations are continuing to invest and are continuing to 
innovate. If we don't come together to send a strong message and 
provide strong support for scientific research, America will no longer 
be able to compete.
  The COMPETES bill is an investment bill. I understand the threat of 
our enormous Federal debt; but, without the types of investments that 
are made in the COMPETES bill, we will not promote the economic growth 
that we need to end our deficits and pay down our debt.
  Ranking Member Johnson's alternative makes those investments. Unlike 
the base bill, it does not make drastic cuts to Advanced Research 
Projects Agency-Energy, which promotes and funds research and 
development of advanced energy technologies.
  It does not make drastic cuts to the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy that invests in high-risk, high-value research and 
development in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy 
technologies. It doesn't cut the geosciences or make a more than 50 
percent cut to research in the social, behavioral, and economic 
sciences.
  Some might think that last one is warranted; but, in the Science 
Committee, we are constantly hearing from witnesses about how social 
science is vital to the work going on in other fields. Members of 
Congress have frequently relied on spectrum auctions, developed by NSF 
social science research, to raise billions of dollars.
  Social science is perhaps the most critical component to preventing 
cyber crimes. Considering that the majority of all cyber breaches occur 
because of social factors, like using easy-to-guess passwords or 
clicking on a link in a phishing attack, we should want to increase 
funding in these areas.
  Mr. Chairman, Ms. Johnson's amendment provides robust support in all 
of these areas. I agree that the chairman's bill has gotten better and 
things have been added to the bill which have made it a better bill, 
but still, I think there is no question that Ms. Johnson's substitute 
is a much better bill for making the types of investments we need in 
scientific research right now if we want to make sure that America 
still competes. This is critical to the future of our country; this is 
critical to innovation.
  I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Babin), who is a member of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's 
amendment.
  The gentlewoman's amendment makes everything a priority so that 
nothing really is. This amendment rubberstamps the administration's 
budget request, which fails to make choices, spreading a little bit of 
research funding around to try to please everyone.
  Compared to the gentlewoman's proposal, H.R. 1806 funds 329 more new 
grants in biology next year, 398 more new grants in computer science, 
457 more new grants in engineering, and 955 more new grants in math and 
the physical sciences.
  These are research grants that are going to universities and research 
institutions across the country, fueling innovation and driving 
economic competitiveness in the United States.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I 
have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 1\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to 
the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of the substitute amendment to H.R. 1806 and 
focus on one issue. The underlying bill would set a harmful new 
precedent by authorizing funding at the directorate level.
  Currently, funding levels for the National Science Foundation for 
each directorate are based on strategic priorities and science-based 
recommendations from the National Science Board. This is how it should 
be and how it remains under the substitute amendment.
  By setting authorization levels according to directorate, this bill 
would limit the flexibility NSF needs to set strategic priorities and 
adapt and capitalize on unanticipated discoveries.
  I share the concerns of many experts that the underlying bill would 
reduce authorized funding levels for specific directorates: the 
Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences and the 
Directorate for Geosciences.
  Some of this funding has been used, for example, for Oregon State 
University to conduct research on ocean acidification. It has also been 
used critically to support the work in Oregon to develop our 
understanding of the risks posed by a Cascadia subduction zone 
earthquake. Other examples are around the country.
  In summary, the underlying bill diminishes the ability of the 
National Science Foundation to make strategic science-based decisions.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the substitute 
amendment.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to close, so I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I simply will close 
by saying, as we have been on this floor, we continue to get emails and 
letters from universities and scientists around this Nation.
  I am not presenting this substitute to be funny; I am presenting this 
substitute to take us to the professional level that the research 
brought us when we first had America COMPETES. It is not a picking and 
choosing; it is a professional approach to funding scientific projects.
  If we mean to look out for the future of the Nation, as we say we 
are, this is the legislation that will do it.
  I urge everyone to support it, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman's amendment ignores 
the law of the land. She and more than 90 other Democrats supported the

[[Page 7477]]

Budget Control Act, which was signed into law by the President. This 
amendment ignores those budget caps.
  I support a responsible and sustainable path forward for U.S. 
science, research, and development; but it is neither responsible, nor 
sustainable, to spend more and more taxpayer dollars and increase the 
debt that future generations will inherit. We must prioritize the areas 
of basic research to ensure future economic competitiveness and spur 
private sector innovation.
  Since the last Congress, we have worked hard to reach an agreement 
with the minority on numerous policy issues, but we have been clear 
since the beginning that increases in spending need to have reasonable 
offsets. This amendment fails to include any offsets and openly ignores 
the Budget Control Act.
  I urge my colleagues to support a balanced approach of fiscal 
responsibility and targeted investments in priority, science, and basic 
research. Vote ``no'' on the amendment and ``yes'' on the underlying 
bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded 
vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas will 
be postponed.


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings 
will now resume on those amendments printed in part A of House Report 
114-120 on which further proceedings were postponed, in the following 
order:
  Amendment No. 2 by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas.
  Amendment No. 6 by Mr. Griffith of Virginia.
  Amendment No. 8 by Mr. Lowenthal of California.
  Amendment No. 10 by Ms. Bonamici of Oregon.
  Amendment No. 11 by Mr. Beyer of Virginia.
  Amendment No. 12 by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas.
  The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for any 
electronic vote after the first vote in this series.


          Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) on which further proceedings were postponed 
and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 177, 
noes 243, not voting 12, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 252]

                               AYES--177

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Becerra
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dold
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Richmond
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Stivers
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Tiberi
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--243

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Blum
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costa
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Davis, Rodney
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garamendi
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gibson
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Graham
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jones
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Peterson
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reichert
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (NY)
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rokita
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Ruppersberger
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schrader
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Sinema
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Stutzman
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zeldin
     Zinke

                             NOT VOTING--12

     Bera
     Capps
     Carson (IN)
     Chaffetz
     Comstock
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Kirkpatrick
     Labrador
     Noem
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz

                              {time}  1827

  Messrs. TIPTON, LUCAS, FORBES, McCLINTOCK, and STEWART changed their 
vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
  Mr. ASHFORD, Ms. DeGETTE, Messrs. STIVERS, YARMUTH, and DOLD changed 
their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
  So the amendment was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  Stated against:
  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 252, I was unavoidably 
detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

[[Page 7478]]




                Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Griffith

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Griffith) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which 
the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 234, 
noes 183, not voting 15, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 253]

                               AYES--234

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Blum
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis, Rodney
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Dold
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     LoBiondo
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reichert
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Stutzman
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zinke

                               NOES--183

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Gibson
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Jones
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth
     Zeldin

                             NOT VOTING--15

     Amodei
     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Carson (IN)
     Chaffetz
     Crawford
     Doggett
     Donovan
     King (IA)
     Noem
     Rokita
     Schrader
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

                              {time}  1831

  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


                Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Lowenthal

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lowenthal) on which further proceedings were postponed and on 
which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 187, 
noes 236, not voting 9, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 254]

                               AYES--187

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dold
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Gibson
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Reichert
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez

[[Page 7479]]


     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--236

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Blum
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Davis, Rodney
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jones
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     LoBiondo
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Peterson
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rokita
     Rooney (FL)
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Stutzman
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zeldin
     Zinke

                             NOT VOTING--9

     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Chaffetz
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Noem
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

                              {time}  1835

  So the amendment was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


                Amendment No. 10 Offered by Ms. Bonamici

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Oregon 
(Ms. Bonamici) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which 
the noes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 208, 
noes 215, not voting 9, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 255]

                               AYES--208

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blum
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     Davis, Rodney
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dold
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Emmer (MN)
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Fitzpatrick
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Gibson
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Herrera Beutler
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Jones
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     King (IA)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Lance
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McMorris Rodgers
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Newhouse
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Reichert
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Rokita
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Salmon
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth
     Yoder
     Young (IA)

                               NOES--215

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (NY)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Latta
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stivers
     Stutzman
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IN)
     Zeldin
     Zinke

                             NOT VOTING--9

     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Chaffetz
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Noem
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz

[[Page 7480]]



                              {time}  1840

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota and Ms. KAPTUR changed their vote from ``no'' 
to ``aye.''
  So the amendment was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


                 Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Beyer

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Beyer) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which 
the noes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 190, 
noes 232, not voting 10, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 256]

                               AYES--190

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dold
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Gibson
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--232

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Blum
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Davis, Rodney
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jones
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     LoBiondo
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reichert
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rokita
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stutzman
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zeldin
     Zinke

                             NOT VOTING--10

     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Chaffetz
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Noem
     Stivers
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz

                              {time}  1844

  So the amendment was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


     Amendment No. 12 Offered by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) on which further proceedings were postponed 
and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 179, 
noes 239, not voting 14, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 257]

                               AYES--179

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrader

[[Page 7481]]


     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--239

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Blum
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis, Rodney
     Denham
     Dent
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Dold
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gibson
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hanna
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Huelskamp
     Huizenga (MI)
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (KS)
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jones
     Jordan
     Joyce
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     LoBiondo
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     McSally
     Meadows
     Meehan
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reichert
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rokita
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Stutzman
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zeldin
     Zinke

                             NOT VOTING--14

     Ashford
     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Chaffetz
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Noem
     Roybal-Allard
     Rush
     Sherman
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz
     Woodall

                              {time}  1848

  So the amendment was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  Stated for:
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 257, had I been present, I 
would have voted ``yes.''
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Fleischmann) having assumed the chair, Mr. Poe of Texas, Acting Chair 
of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported 
that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 
1806) to provide for technological innovation through the 
prioritization of Federal investment in basic research, fundamental 
scientific discovery, and development to improve the competitiveness of 
the United States, and for other purposes, and, pursuant to House 
Resolution 271, he reported the bill back to the House with an 
amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is 
ordered.
  Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the amendment 
reported from the Committee of the Whole?
  If not, the question is on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.


                             Recorded Vote

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded 
vote.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, and the 
order of the House of today, this 5-minute vote on passage of the bill 
will be followed by 5-minute votes on the motion to recommit on H.R. 
880, and passage of H.R. 880, if ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 217, 
noes 205, not voting 10, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 258]

                               AYES--217

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amodei
     Babin
     Barletta
     Barr
     Barton
     Benishek
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (MI)
     Bishop (UT)
     Black
     Blackburn
     Bost
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Brat
     Bridenstine
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Clawson (FL)
     Coffman
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comstock
     Conaway
     Cook
     Costello (PA)
     Cramer
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Denham
     DeSantis
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duffy
     Duncan (SC)
     Duncan (TN)
     Ellmers (NC)
     Emmer (MN)
     Farenthold
     Fincher
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fleming
     Flores
     Forbes
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Garrett
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Gosar
     Gowdy
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guinta
     Guthrie
     Hardy
     Harper
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Heck (NV)
     Hensarling
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice, Jody B.
     Hill
     Holding
     Hudson
     Hultgren
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Hurt (VA)
     Issa
     Jenkins (WV)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jolly
     Jordan
     Katko
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     Kinzinger (IL)
     Kline
     Knight
     Labrador
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latta
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Love
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     MacArthur
     Marchant
     Marino
     Massie
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McMorris Rodgers
     Meadows
     Messer
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Mulvaney
     Murphy (PA)
     Neugebauer
     Newhouse
     Nugent
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Paulsen
     Pearce
     Perry
     Pittenger
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Poliquin
     Pompeo
     Posey
     Price, Tom
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reichert
     Renacci
     Ribble
     Rice (SC)
     Rigell
     Roby
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rohrabacher
     Rokita
     Rooney (FL)
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Ross
     Rothfus
     Rouzer
     Royce
     Russell
     Ryan (WI)
     Salmon
     Sanford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sessions
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Stefanik
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Stutzman
     Thornberry
     Tiberi
     Tipton
     Trott
     Turner
     Upton
     Valadao
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Walters, Mimi
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Williams
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yoder
     Yoho
     Young (AK)
     Young (IA)
     Young (IN)
     Zinke

                               NOES--205

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Amash
     Ashford
     Bass
     Beatty
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blum
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady (PA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brownley (CA)
     Buck
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Capuano
     Cardenas
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Curbelo (FL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny
     Davis, Rodney
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delaney
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Dent

[[Page 7482]]


     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dold
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duckworth
     Edwards
     Ellison
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Esty
     Farr
     Fattah
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Frankel (FL)
     Fudge
     Gabbard
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Gibson
     Graham
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hahn
     Hanna
     Hastings
     Heck (WA)
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinojosa
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Huelskamp
     Huffman
     Huizenga (MI)
     Israel
     Jackson Lee
     Jeffries
     Jenkins (KS)
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Jones
     Joyce
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Kirkpatrick
     Kuster
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan Grisham (NM)
     Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
     Lynch
     Maloney, Carolyn
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McClintock
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McNerney
     McSally
     Meehan
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nolan
     Norcross
     O'Rourke
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Polis
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rangel
     Rice (NY)
     Richmond
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Sherman
     Sinema
     Sires
     Slaughter
     Smith (WA)
     Speier
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takai
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Titus
     Tonko
     Torres
     Van Hollen
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Waters, Maxine
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth
     Zeldin

                             NOT VOTING--10

     Becerra
     Bera
     Capps
     Chaffetz
     Cleaver
     Crawford
     Donovan
     Noem
     Tsongas
     Wasserman Schultz

                              {time}  1858

  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________