[House Report 111-102]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    111-102
======================================================================
 
 NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 
                                  2009

                                _______
                                

  May 12, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Gordon of Tennessee, from the Committee on Science and Technology, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 2020]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was 
referred the bill (H.R. 2020) to amend the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 to authorize activities for support of 
networking and information technology research, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 
pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Bill............................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................7
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................7
  IV. Hearing Summary.................................................8
   V. Committee Actions...............................................9
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................9
 VII. Section-by-Section Analysis....................................10
VIII. Committee Views................................................11
  IX. Cost Estimate..................................................14
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate......................14
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4...............................15
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............15
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........15
 XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement.............................15
  XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................15
 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act...............................16
XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........16
XVIII.Earmark Identification.........................................16

 XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported..........16
  XX. Committee Recommendations......................................27
 XXI. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup.......................28

                                I. Bill

    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. PROGRAM PLANNING AND COORDINATION.

    (a) Periodic Reviews.--Section 101 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Periodic Reviews.--The agencies identified in subsection 
(a)(3)(B) shall--
          ``(1) periodically assess the contents and funding levels of 
        the Program Component Areas and restructure the Program when 
        warranted, taking into consideration any relevant 
        recommendations of the advisory committee established under 
        subsection (b); and
          ``(2) ensure that the Program includes large-scale, long-
        term, interdisciplinary research and development activities, 
        including activities described in section 104.''.
    (b) Development of Strategic Plan.--Section 101 of such Act (15 
U.S.C. 5511) is amended further by adding after subsection (d), as 
added by subsection (a) of this Act, the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Strategic Plan.--
          ``(1) In General.--The agencies identified in subsection 
        (a)(3)(B), working through the National Science and Technology 
        Council and with the assistance of the National Coordination 
        Office established under section 102, shall develop, within 12 
        months after the date of enactment of the Networking and 
        Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009, 
        and update every 3 years thereafter, a 5-year strategic plan to 
        guide the activities described under subsection (a)(1).
          ``(2) Contents.--The strategic plan shall specify near-term 
        and long-term objectives for the Program, the anticipated time 
        frame for achieving the near-term objectives, the metrics to be 
        used for assessing progress toward the objectives, and how the 
        Program will--
                  ``(A) foster the transfer of research and development 
                results into new technologies and applications for the 
                benefit of society, including through cooperation and 
                collaborations with networking and information 
                technology research, development, and technology 
                transition initiatives supported by the States;
                  ``(B) encourage and support mechanisms for 
                interdisciplinary research and development in 
                networking and information technology, including 
                through collaborations across agencies, across Program 
                Component Areas, with industry, with Federal 
                laboratories (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-
                Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
                3703)), and with international organizations;
                  ``(C) address long-term challenges of national 
                importance for which solutions require large-scale, 
                long-term, interdisciplinary research and development;
                  ``(D) place emphasis on innovative and high-risk 
                projects having the potential for substantial societal 
                returns on the research investment;
                  ``(E) strengthen all levels of networking and 
                information technology education and training programs 
                to ensure an adequate, well-trained workforce; and
                  ``(F) attract more women and underrepresented 
                minorities to pursue postsecondary degrees in 
                networking and information technology.
    ``(3) National Research Infrastructure.--The strategic plan 
developed in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by 
milestones and roadmaps for establishing and maintaining the national 
research infrastructure required to support the Program, including the 
roadmap required by subsection (a)(2)(E).
    ``(4) Recommendations.--The entities involved in developing the 
strategic plan under paragraph (1) shall take into consideration the 
recommendations--
          ``(A) of the advisory committee established under subsection 
        (b); and
          ``(B) of the stakeholders whose input was solicited by the 
        National Coordination Office, as required under section 
        102(b)(3).
    ``(5) Report to Congress.--The Director of the National 
Coordination Office shall transmit the strategic plan required under 
paragraph (1) to the advisory committee, the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives.''.
    (c) Additional Responsibilities of Director.--Section 101(a)(2) of 
such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(2)) is amended--
          (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
        subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and
          (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                  ``(E) encourage and monitor the efforts of the 
                agencies participating in the Program to allocate the 
                level of resources and management attention necessary 
                to ensure that the strategic plan under subsection (e) 
                is developed and executed effectively and that the 
                objectives of the Program are met;''.
    (d) Advisory Committee.--Section 101(b)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
5511(b)(1)) is amended by inserting after ``an advisory committee on 
high-performance computing,'' the following: ``in which the co-chairs 
shall be members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and 
Technology and with the remainder of the committee''.
    (e) Report.--Section 101(a)(3) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(3)) 
is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (C)--
                  (A) by striking ``is submitted,'' and inserting ``is 
                submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal year,''; 
                and
                  (B) by striking ``each Program Component Area;'' and 
                inserting ``each Program Component Area and research 
                area supported in accordance with section 104;'';
          (2) in subparagraph (D)--
                  (A) by striking ``each Program Component Area,'' and 
                inserting ``each Program Component Area and research 
                area supported in accordance with section 104,'';
                  (B) by striking ``is submitted,'' and inserting ``is 
                submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal year,''; 
                and
                  (C) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
          (3) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (G); 
        and
          (4) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
                  ``(E) include a description of how the objectives for 
                each Program Component Area, and the objectives for 
                activities that involve multiple Program Component 
                Areas, relate to the objectives of the Program 
                identified in the strategic plan required under 
                subsection (e);
                  ``(F) include--
                          ``(i) a description of the funding required 
                        by the National Coordination Office to perform 
                        the functions specified under section 102(b) 
                        for the next fiscal year by category of 
                        activity;
                          ``(ii) a description of the funding required 
                        by such Office to perform the functions 
                        specified under section 102(b) for the current 
                        fiscal year by category of activity; and
                          ``(iii) the amount of funding provided for 
                        such Office for the current fiscal year by each 
                        agency participating in the Program; and''.
    (f) Definition.--Section 4 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5503) is 
amended--
          (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (7) as paragraphs 
        (2) through (8), respectively;
          (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
        the following new paragraph:
          ``(1) `cyber-physical systems' means physical or engineered 
        systems whose networking and information technology functions 
        and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively 
        connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or 
        other means to perform monitoring and control functions;'';
          (3) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
                  (A) by striking ``high-performance computing'' and 
                inserting ``networking and information technology''; 
                and
                  (B) by striking ``supercomputer'' and inserting 
                ``high-end computing'';
          (4) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking 
        ``network referred to as'' and all that follows through the 
        semicolon and inserting ``network, including advanced computer 
        networks of Federal agencies and departments;''; and
          (5) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by striking 
        ``National High-Performance Computing Program'' and inserting 
        ``networking and information technology research and 
        development program''.

SEC. 3. LARGE-SCALE RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

    Title I of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:

``SEC. 104. LARGE-SCALE RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Program shall encourage agencies identified 
in section 101(a)(3)(B) to support large-scale, long-term, 
interdisciplinary research and development activities in networking and 
information technology directed toward application areas that have the 
potential for significant contributions to national economic 
competitiveness and for other significant societal benefits. Such 
activities, ranging from basic research to the demonstration of 
technical solutions, shall be designed to advance the development of 
research discoveries. The advisory committee established under section 
101(b) 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 
                institutions of higher education 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, including from institutions 
                of higher education and Federal laboratories, to 
                industry for commercial development.
          ``(2) Cost-sharing.--In selecting applications for support, 
        the agencies shall give special consideration to projects that 
        include cost sharing from non-Federal sources.
          ``(3) Agency collaboration.--If 2 or more agencies identified 
        in section 101(a)(3)(B), or other appropriate agencies, are 
        working on large-scale research and development activities in 
        the same area of national importance, then such agencies shall 
        strive to collaborate through joint solicitation and selection 
        of applications for support and subsequent funding of projects.
          ``(4) Interdisciplinary research centers.--Research and 
        development activities under this section may be supported 
        through interdisciplinary research centers that are organized 
        to investigate basic research questions and carry out 
        technology demonstration activities in areas described in 
        subsection (a). Research may be carried out through existing 
        interdisciplinary centers, including those authorized under 
        section 7024(b)(2) of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-
        69; 42 U.S.C. 1862o-10).''.

SEC. 4. CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Additional Program Characteristics.--Section 101(a)(1) of such 
Act (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(1)) is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
          (2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
                  ``(J) provide for increased understanding of the 
                scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and 
                improve the methods available for the design, 
                development, and operation of cyber-physical systems 
                that are characterized by high reliability, safety, and 
                security; and
                  ``(K) provide for research and development on human-
                computer interactions, visualization, and information 
                management.''.
    (b) Task Force.--Title I of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended 
further by adding after section 104, as added by section 3, the 
following new section:

``SEC. 105. UNIVERSITY/INDUSTRY TASK FORCE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Act of 2009, the Director of the National Coordination 
Office established under section 102 shall convene a task force to 
explore mechanisms for carrying out collaborative research and 
development activities for cyber-physical systems, including the 
related technologies required to enable these systems, through a 
consortium or other appropriate entity with participants from 
institutions of higher education, Federal laboratories, and industry.
    ``(b) Functions.--The task force shall--
          ``(1) develop options for a collaborative model and an 
        organizational structure for such entity under which the joint 
        research and development activities could be planned, managed, 
        and conducted effectively, including mechanisms for the 
        allocation of resources among the participants in such entity 
        for support of such activities;
          ``(2) propose a process for developing a research and 
        development agenda for such entity, including objectives and 
        milestones;
          ``(3) define the roles and responsibilities for the 
        participants from institutions of higher education, Federal 
        laboratories, and industry in such entity;
          ``(4) propose guidelines for assigning intellectual property 
        rights and for the transfer of research results to the private 
        sector; and
          ``(5) make recommendations for how such entity could be 
        funded from Federal, State, and non-governmental sources.
    ``(c) Composition.--In establishing the task force under subsection 
(a), the Director of the National Coordination Office shall appoint an 
equal number of individuals from institutions of higher education and 
from industry with knowledge and expertise in cyber-physical systems, 
of which 2 may be selected from Federal laboratories.
    ``(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act 
of 2009, the Director of the National Coordination Office shall 
transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives a report describing the findings and recommendations of 
the task force.''.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE.

    Section 102 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5512) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 102. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a National 
Coordination Office with a Director and full-time staff.
    ``(b) Functions.--The National Coordination Office shall--
          ``(1) provide technical and administrative support to--
                  ``(A) the agencies participating in planning and 
                implementing the Program, including such support as 
                needed in the development of the strategic plan under 
                section 101(e); and
                  ``(B) the advisory committee established under 
                section 101(b);
          ``(2) serve as the primary point of contact on Federal 
        networking and information technology activities for government 
        organizations, academia, industry, professional societies, 
        State computing and networking technology programs, interested 
        citizen groups, and others to exchange technical and 
        programmatic information;
          ``(3) solicit input and recommendations from a wide range of 
        stakeholders during the development of each strategic plan 
        required under section 101(e) through the convening of at least 
        1 workshop with invitees from academia, industry, Federal 
        laboratories, and other relevant organizations and 
        institutions;
          ``(4) conduct public outreach, including the dissemination of 
        findings and recommendations of the advisory committee, as 
        appropriate; and
          ``(5) promote access to and early application of the 
        technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program 
        activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal 
        Government and to United States industry.
    ``(c) Source of Funding.--
          ``(1) In general.--The operation of the National Coordination 
        Office shall be supported by funds from each agency 
        participating in the Program.
          ``(2) Specifications.--The portion of the total budget of 
        such Office that is provided by each agency for each fiscal 
        year shall be in the same proportion as each such agency's 
        share of the total budget for the Program for the previous 
        fiscal year, as specified in the report required under section 
        101(a)(3).''.

SEC. 6. IMPROVING NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

     Section 201(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5521(a)) is amended--
          (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs 
        (3) through (5), respectively; and
          (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraph:
          ``(2) the National Science Foundation shall use its existing 
        programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as appropriate, 
        to improve the teaching and learning of networking and 
        information technology at all levels of education and to 
        increase participation in networking and information technology 
        fields, including by women and underrepresented minorities;''.

SEC. 7. CONFORMING AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Section 3.--Section 3 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5502) is amended--
          (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``high-performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
          (2) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A), by striking ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
        ``networking and information technology'';
          (3) in subparagraphs (A) and (F) of paragraph (1), by 
        striking ``high-performance computing'' each place it appears 
        and inserting ``networking and information technology''; and
          (4) in paragraph (2)--
                  (A) by striking ``high-performance computing and'' 
                and inserting ``networking and information technology 
                and''; and
                  (B) by striking ``high-performance computing 
                network'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''.
    (b) Title I.--The heading of title I of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511) 
is amended by striking ``HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING'' and inserting 
``NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY''.
    (c) Section 101.--Section 101 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511) is 
amended--
          (1) in the section heading, by striking ``HIGH-PERFORMANCE 
        COMPUTING'' and inserting ``NETWORKING AND INFORMATION 
        TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT'';
          (2) in subsection (a)--
                  (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``National 
                High-Performance Computing'' and inserting ``Networking 
                and Information Technology Research and Development'';
                  (B) in paragraph (1) of such subsection--
                          (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
                        by striking ``National High-Performance 
                        Computing Program'' and inserting ``networking 
                        and information technology research and 
                        development program'';
                          (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                        performance computing, including networking'' 
                        and inserting ``networking and information 
                        technology''; and
                          (iii) in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (G), by 
                        striking ``high-performance'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``high-end''; and
                  (C) in paragraph (2) of such subsection--
                          (i) in subparagraphs (A) and (C)--
                                  (I) by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing'' each place it appears and 
                                inserting ``networking and information 
                                technology''; and
                                  (II) by striking ``development, 
                                networking,'' each place it appears and 
                                inserting ``development,''; and
                          (ii) in subparagraphs (F) and (G), as 
                        redesignated by section 2(c)(1) of this Act, by 
                        striking ``high-performance'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``high-end'';
          (3) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-performance computing'' 
        both places it appears and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology''; and
          (4) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''.
    (d) Section 201.--Section 201(a)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
5521(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``high-performance computing'' and 
all that follows through ``networking;'' and inserting ``networking and 
information research and development;''.
    (e) Section 202.--Section 202(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5522(a)) is 
amended by striking ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
``networking and information technology''.
    (f) Section 203.--Section 203(a)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
5523(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``high-performance computing and 
networking'' and inserting ``networking and information technology''.
    (g) Section 204.--Section 204(a)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
5524(a)(1)) is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing systems and networks'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology systems and capabilities''; and
          (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''.
    (h) Section 205.--Section 205(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5525(a)) is 
amended by striking ``computational'' and inserting ``networking and 
information technology''.
    (i) Section 206.--Section 206(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5526(a)) is 
amended by striking ``computational research'' and inserting 
``networking and information technology research''.
    (j) Section 208.--Section 208 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5528) is 
amended--
          (1) in the section heading, by striking ``HIGH-PERFORMANCE 
        COMPUTING'' and inserting ``NETWORKING AND INFORMATION 
        TECHNOLOGY''; and
          (2) in subsection (a)--
                  (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``High-performance 
                computing and associated'' and inserting ``Networking 
                and information'';
                  (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``high-performance 
                computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technologies'';
                  (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``high-performance 
                computers and associated'' and inserting ``networking 
                and information''; and
                  (D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``high-performance 
                computing and associated'' and inserting ``networking 
                and information''.

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the planning and 
coordination mechanisms of the Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program and to 
update the research content of the program. The legislation 
implements a number of recommendations made in a recent 
President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 
(PCAST) assessment of the program.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    Over the past 50 years, advances in networking and 
information technology (NIT) such as the internet and wireless 
communication technologies have permeated society and 
contributed significantly to the growth of the U.S. economy. 
Breakthroughs in the coming decades are expected to lead to a 
more reliable and secure internet, personalized health 
monitoring, and increased transportation safety and efficiency. 
Advances in networking and information technologies and their 
anticipated benefits are built upon a strong foundation of 
research and development (R&D).
    The NITRD program, originally authorized in the High 
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194), is a multi-
agency research effort to accelerate progress in the 
advancement of computing and networking technologies and to 
support leading edge computational research in a range of 
science and engineering fields. The 1991 statute established a 
set of mechanisms and procedures to provide for interagency 
planning, coordination, and budgeting of R&D activities carried 
out under the program.
    The NITRD Subcommittee of the National Science and 
Technology Council (NSTC) is the working body for interagency 
planning and coordination and includes representatives from 
each of the participating NITRD agencies as well as the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy (OSTP). In the current fiscal year (FY 2009), 
13 Federal agencies are full participants in the NITRD program 
and requested a total budget of $3.55 billion, an increase of 
$0.21 billion or approximately 6 percent over the FY 2008 level 
of $3.34 billion. Additional agencies participate in the 
planning activities of the NITRD program, but do not report 
their funding levels or contribute to the operating budget of 
the National Coordination Office (NCO). The NCO provides staff 
support for the NITRD Subcommittee and the program's Advisory 
Committee and serves as the public interface for the program. 
Currently, the NITRD program is divided into eight major 
research components: Cyber Security and Information Assurance; 
High End Computing Infrastructure and Applications; High End 
Computing Research and Development; Human Computer Interaction 
and Information Management; High Confidence Software and 
Systems; Large Scale Networking; Software Design and 
Productivity; and Social, Economic, and Workforce Implications 
of IT.
    In August 2007, PCAST completed an assessment of the NITRD 
program and issued a report entitled, Leadership Under 
Challenge: Information Technology R&D in a Competitive World. 
The report indicates that while the U.S. remains the global 
leader in NIT, several countries, including China and India, 
are investing heavily in R&D and higher education. PCAST found 
that while the NITRD program has been effective at addressing 
the IT needs of the Federal agencies and the Nation, a number 
of changes are necessary to guarantee continued U.S. leadership 
in networking and information technology. Specifically, PCAST 
recommended improvements in the program's planning, 
prioritization and coordination functions; a rebalancing of the 
investment portfolio toward long-term, large-scale R&D 
adjustments to the research content of the program; and a focus 
on workforce training through improved NIT education.

                          IV. Hearing Summary

    During the 110th Congress, the Committee on Science and 
Technology held one hearing relevant to H.R. 2020.
    On Thursday July 31, 2008, the Honorable Bart Gordon 
presiding, the Committee on Science and Technology held an 
oversight hearing to review the multi-agency NITRD program. The 
hearing examined the program in light of the recent assessment 
of PCAST and explored whether additional legislative 
adjustments to the program were needed. Witnesses for the 
hearing included: (1) Dr. Chris L. Greer, Director, National 
Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development program; (2) Dr. Daniel A. Reed, 
Director of Scalable and Multicore Computing, Microsoft; (3) 
Dr. Craig Stewart, Associate Dean, Research Technologies, 
Indian University, and representing the Coalition for Academic 
Scientific Computation (CASC); and (4) Mr. Don C. Winter, Vice 
President for Engineering and Information Technology, Phantom 
Works, the Boeing Company. Witnesses agreed with the PCAST 
recommendations and provided additional recommendations for the 
Committee to consider.
    During the 111th Congress, the Committee on Science and 
Technology held one hearing relevant to H.R. 2020.
    On Wednesday, April 1, 2009, the Honorable Bart Gordon 
presiding, the Committee on Science and Technology held a 
hearing to receive testimony on a draft legislative proposal to 
strengthen the planning and coordination mechanisms and to 
update the research scope of the NITRD program based on the 
recommendations and findings from the PCAST assessment. There 
were four witnesses: (1) Dr. Chris L. Greer, Director, National 
Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development program (2) Dr. Peter Lee, Professor 
and Head, Computer Science Department, Carnegie Mellon 
University; (3) Mr. Amit Yoran, Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer, NetWitness Corporation; and (4) Dr. Deborah Estrin, 
Director, Center for Embedded Networked Sensing, University of 
California, Los Angeles. Witnesses largely supported the draft 
legislation and provided recommendations on ways to improve the 
legislation. Specifically, witnesses highlighted the need to 
improve NIT education and asked the Committee to consider 
additional language to address that issue.

                          V. Committee Actions

    As summarized in Section IV of this report, the Committee 
on Science and Technology heard testimony relevant to H.R. 2020 
in the 110th Congress at a hearing held on July 31, 2008. The 
Committee heard testimony in the 111th Congress on a discussion 
draft of H.R. 2020 at a hearing held on April 1, 2009.
    On April 22, 2009, Representative Bart Gordon, Chairman of 
the Committee on Science and Technology, for himself, Mr. Hall, 
Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Wu, Ms. Biggert, and Mr. Lujan, 
introduced H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development Act of 2009, a bill to amend the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 to authorize activities for 
support of networking and information technology research, and 
for other purposes.
    The Committee on Science and Technology met to consider 
H.R. 2020 on April 29, 2009.
     An amendment was offered by Mr. Gordon requiring 
the replacement of the term ``high-performance computing'' 
throughout the bill and underlying statute with ``networking 
and information technology'' to more accurately reflect the 
current scope of R&D activities included in the program. The 
amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
     An amendment was offered by Ms. Woolsey requiring 
that the strategic plan address how the program will attract 
more women and underrepresented minorities to pursue 
postsecondary degrees in networking and information technology; 
the amendment also required the National Science Foundation to 
use its existing programs to improve networking and information 
technology education at all levels. The amendment was agreed to 
by voice vote.
     An amendment was offered by Mr. Lujan clarifying 
that research activities conducted by federal laboratories and 
institutions of higher education should be considered in 
technology transfer plans; the amendment also required the task 
force established in section 4 to define the roles and 
responsibilities of Federal laboratories in a collaborative 
research model for cyber-physical systems. The amendment was 
agreed to by voice vote.
    Mr. Hall moved that the Committee favorably report the 
bill, H.R. 2020, as amended, to the House with the 
recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass, and that the 
staff be instructed to make technical and conforming changes to 
the bill, as amended, and prepare the legislative report and 
that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill 
before the House for consideration. The motion was agreed to by 
a voice vote.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

     Requires the development and periodic update of a 
strategic plan for the NITRD program which specifies near-term 
and long-term objectives, and the timeframe and metrics for 
achieving those objectives.
     Authorizes NITRD agencies to support large-scale, 
long-term, interdisciplinary research in areas of national 
importance.
     Requires the NCO Director to convene a task force, 
with representatives from universities, industries, and federal 
laboratories, to explore mechanisms for carrying out 
collaborative research and development activities for cyber-
physical systems.
     Formally establishes the NCO; delineates the 
office's responsibilities; mandates annual operating budgets; 
specifies the source of funding for the office (consistent with 
current practice); and stresses the role of the NCO in 
developing the strategic plan and in public outreach and 
communication with outside communities of interest.

                    VII. Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    ``Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Act of 2009''.

Sec. 2. Program planning and coordination

    Requires the NITRD agencies to periodically assess the 
program contents and funding levels and to update the program 
accordingly.
    Requires the NITRD agencies to develop and periodically 
update (at 3-year intervals) a strategic plan for the program. 
The characteristics and content of the strategic plan are 
described, and include strengthening NIT education, fostering 
technology transfer, and encouraging innovative, large-scale, 
and interdisciplinary research.
    Encourages a more active role for OSTP in ensuring that the 
strategic plan is developed and executed effectively and that 
the objectives of the program are met.
    Ensures that the existing advisory committee for NITRD is 
closely linked to the President's Council of Advisors on 
Science and Technology while retaining the necessary breadth 
and depth of expertise in NIT fields.
    Specifies that the annual report now required for the NITRD 
program explicitly describes how the program activities planned 
and underway relate to the objectives specified in the 
strategic plan.
    Specifies that the annual report now required for the NITRD 
program include a description of research areas supported in 
accordance with section 3, including the same budget 
information as is required for the program component areas.

Sec. 3. Large-scale research in areas of national importance

    Authorizes NITRD agencies to support large-scale, long-
term, interdisciplinary research with the potential to make 
significant contributions to society and U.S. economic 
competitiveness and to encourage collaboration between at least 
two agencies as well as cost-sharing from non-federal sources.
    Characteristics of the projects supported include: 
collaborations among researchers in institutions of higher 
education and industry, and may involve nonprofit research 
institutions and federal laboratories; leveraging of federal 
investments through collaboration with related State 
initiatives, when possible; and plans for fostering technology 
transfer.
    Authorizes support of activities under this section through 
interdisciplinary research centers that are organized to 
investigate basic research questions and carry out technology 
demonstration activities.

Sec. 4. Cyber-physical systems and information management

    Requires the program to support research and development in 
cyber-physical systems, human-computer interactions, 
visualization, and information management.
    Requires the NCO Director to convene a university/industry 
task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out collaborative 
research and development activities for cyber-physical systems 
with participants from universities, federal laboratories, and 
industry. The NCO is to report to Congress on any findings and 
recommendations from the task force on models for collaborative 
R&D.

Sec. 5. National Coordination Office

    Formally establishes the NCO; delineates the office's 
responsibilities; mandates annual operating budgets; specifies 
the source of funding for the office (consistent with current 
practice); and stresses the role of the NCO in developing the 
strategic plan and in public outreach and communication with 
outside communities of interest.

                         VIII. Committee Views


                   PROGRAM PLANNING AND COORDINATION

    The Committee believes that while the NITRD program has 
been largely successful in coordinating networking and 
information R&D activities across the federal government, the 
continued success and strength of the program depends on the 
willingness of all relevant agencies to be fully engaged in the 
program. The Committee has identified two agencies that should 
be more active participants in the NITRD program: the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of 
Education (ED).
    Representatives from the Science and Technology Directorate 
of DHS do participate in working group meetings for some of the 
program component areas, in particular Cyber Security and 
Information Assurance. However, the lack of commitment by the 
agency as a whole inhibits the ability of DHS and other NITRD 
agencies to effectively leverage each other's research 
investments in cybersecurity and to accurately identify 
research gaps in this crucial area. With the number of reported 
cyber attacks rising every day, it is becoming increasingly 
important that the federal government effectively coordinate 
and strengthen its cybersecurity R&D efforts. The Committee 
feels that the small contribution DHS would have to make in 
support of the NITRD National Coordination Office--
approximately $45,000 dollars annually--would be paid back many 
times by the benefits the agency would reap from full 
involvement in NITRD.

            NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

    While ED was listed as one of the original agencies in the 
1991 statute establishing the program, their involvement in 
NITRD has been limited. The Committee encourages ED to become 
an active participant in the Social, Economic, and Workforce 
Implications of IT and IT Workforce Development Coordinating 
Group (SEW) of the NITRD Subcommittee. The Committee is 
especially concerned by ED's lack of engagement in light of the 
PCAST finding that NIT curricula generally, and computer 
science curricula specifically, are inadequate to meet the 
needs of employers and students. Specifically, PCAST found that 
weak K-12 preparation in science and mathematics is a 
contributing factor in the declining number of students 
entering computer science and computer engineering programs.
    This trend is particularly troubling in light of the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics (BLS) prediction of an increase of more 
than 800,000 jobs from 2006-2016 for all IT occupations, with 
an increase of 38 percent for computer software engineers and 
22 percent for computer and information research scientists. In 
addition, the BLS anticipates that the growth in IT 
occupations--24 percent compared to 10 percent growth in all 
occupations--will occur in spite of a predicted rise in the 
offshoring of certain IT jobs such as computer programmers and 
computer support specialists.
    Overall NITRD investment in K-16 educational activities is 
small and principally provided by NSF. The Committee feels 
NITRD should play a key role in strengthening computer science 
education, particularly at the K-12 level. In general, few 
students have the opportunity to take engaging and rigorous 
computer science classes in high school and few opportunities 
exist for teacher professional development. The Committee 
encourages the NITRD agencies to reinvigorate SEW and consider 
ways to improve the planning and coordination of the program's 
education component.
    The Committee recognizes the key role NSF has played in NIT 
education, specifically computer science education, and notes 
that the Broadening Participating in Computing program has been 
actively addressing diversity concerns by supporting innovative 
methods, frameworks, and strategies to improve the recruitment 
and retention of underrepresented groups. The Committee 
applauds the efforts of NSF to reform the Advanced Placement 
Computer Science course. However, the Committee believes that 
NSF could do even more to improve the learning and teaching of 
computer science by broadening the scope of existing programs, 
including the Math and Science Partnership program, the Robert 
Noyce Scholarship program, and the Course, Curriculum, and 
Laboratory Improvement program.

                             STRATEGIC PLAN

    The Committee expects the strategic plan to be a useful 
guide for setting program priorities and estimating time scales 
for reaching program objectives. The Committee expects that the 
plan will explain how the near-term objectives will be met, 
including expected milestones and metrics for the assessment of 
progress. Furthermore, the Committee intends for the 
development of the plan to be informed by the research needs of 
industry and academia and expects the NCO to actively solicit 
stakeholder input through meetings, requests for information 
and other appropriate means.
    Some areas of the program have developed detailed R&D 
plans. Specifically, the Federal Plan for High-End Computing 
was published in 2004, the Federal Plan for Cyber Security and 
Information Assurance R&D was published in 2006, the Federal 
Plan for Advanced Networking Research and Development was 
published in 2008, and most recently, Harnessing the Power of 
Digital Data for Science and Society was published in January. 
The Committee applauds these efforts by the NITRD Subcommittee, 
but is disappointed that the subsequent implementation roadmaps 
have not been produced. The Federal Plans themselves call for 
the development of roadmaps and the Committee encourages the 
NITRD Subcommittee to establish a formal process and schedule 
for creating and updating the roadmaps. In addition, the 
roadmaps should be aligned with the program's strategic plan 
and overall objectives.

                RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

    The Committee encourages the NITRD agencies to identify a 
few focused research and development areas for which large-
scale, multi-agency projects or activities would be appropriate 
and have the potential to provide significant contributions to 
national economic competitiveness or benefit society in other 
ways. The areas selected could be more speculative and risky 
basic research opportunities that have the potential to offer 
substantial payoff and therefore justify the investment and 
risk.
    The NITRD agencies are responsible for selecting the 
research areas to pursue, with advice from the NITRD Advisory 
Committee. The Committee intends that the areas selected have 
relevance to the mission responsibilities of more than one 
agency so that the level of resources provided will enable 
multiple projects and a variety of modes of research to be 
supported, including multiple investigator awards and 
interdisciplinary research centers. The Committee has not 
designated particular research areas that must be selected, but 
encourages the NITRD agencies to consider multi-agency NIT 
research activities that can contribute to advances in 
healthcare, energy, education and the environment. The 
Committee intends that the agencies treat planning and 
reporting on research areas under this section in a similar 
manner to the program component areas.

                         CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

    One of the top recommendations of PCAST was for new 
research investment in the area of computer-driven systems 
connected with the physical world--also called embedded, 
engineered, or cyber-physical systems (CPS). CPS are already in 
widespread use, but growing demand for new capabilities and 
applications will require significant technical advances. Such 
systems can be difficult and costly to design, build, test, and 
maintain. There is evidence that CPS will be an area of 
international economic competition. For example, the European 
Union's Advanced Research and Technology for Embedded 
Intelligence and Systems (ARTEMIS) program, funded by a public-
private investment of 5.4 billion euros (over $7 billion in 
mid-2007 dollars) between 2007 and 2013, is pursuing R&D to 
achieve ``world leadership in intelligent electronic systems'' 
by 2016. The Committee agrees with the PCAST recommendation and 
encourages new investment in CPS in accordance with section 3.

                        NITRD ADVISORY COMMITTEE

    The NITRD Advisory Committee was originally established by 
P.L. 102-194 to review, assess and make recommendations 
regarding the administration, priorities, and content of the 
program. In the last Administration this function was assigned 
by the President to PCAST. The Committee believes the 
responsibilities assigned to the NITRD Advisory Committee are 
such that a high-level advisory committee with the broad policy 
role of PCAST cannot adequately provide the degree of attention 
and focused technical expertise required for detailed 
assessments of the functioning and programmatic content of the 
program. However, the Committee recognizes the benefits of 
having a straightforward pathway for providing advice to the 
President on national technology issues, scientific research 
priorities, and math and science education. Consequently, the 
Committee has specified that the NITRD Advisory Committee will 
be co-chaired by appropriate members of PCAST with the 
remaining membership composed of subject matter experts with 
collective expertise spanning the full range of activities 
authorized under the program.
    The Committee expects the Advisory Committee to provide 
recommendations on the content of the strategic plan and to 
make recommendations for areas of research to be pursued by the 
NITRD agencies in accordance with section 3 of the bill. In 
addition, the Committee encourages the Advisory Committee to 
consult with subject matter experts in instances when 
sufficient expertise does not exist on the Advisory Committee 
and to convene public meetings to gather information from all 
communities of interest regarding NIT R&D in order to assist it 
in its assessments of the priorities and content of the 
program.

                           IX. Cost Estimate

    A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to 
the Committee on Science and Technology prior to the filing of 
this report and is included in Section X of this report 
pursuant to House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
    H.R. 2020 does not contain new budget authority, credit 
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming 
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 
2020 does authorize additional discretionary spending, as 
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the 
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.

              X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate


H.R. 2020--Networking and Information Technology Research and 
        Development Act of 2009

    H.R. 2020 would expand the activities of the Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) 
program, which coordinates the federal government's advanced 
computing, networking, and software development goals. The bill 
would codify the activities of the program's existing national 
coordination office. Activities currently include creating a 
strategic plan, soliciting input from various stakeholders, and 
coordinating periodic reviews of agencies' information 
technology activities. H.R. 2020 also would require the 
director of the program to evaluate and make recommendations on 
new projects of national importance related to high-performance 
computing. Finally, the legislation would require that a task 
force of industry and academic experts develop certain 
information technology systems.
    Based on information from the NITRD program office, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 2020 would cost about $500,000 
annually, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 
That amount includes the costs to support the task force and 
lead the evaluation of high-performance computing. Enacting the 
bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    H.R. 2020 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Leigh Angres. 
The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                  XI. Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    H.R. 2020 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee 
on Science and Technology are reflected in the body of this 
report.

      XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goals of 
H.R. 2020 are to strengthen the planning and coordination 
mechanisms of the interagency Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program; to update 
the research content of the program; to ensure adequate 
stakeholder input into program planning; and to authorize the 
NITRD national coordination office to provide technical and 
administrative support to participating agencies and to serve 
as the primary point of contact and outreach on Federal 
networking and information technology activities.

                XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 2020.

                XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 2020 does not establish nor authorize the 
establishment of any advisory committee.

                 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act

    The Committee finds that H.R. 2020 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

                      XVII. Earmark Identification

    H.R. 2020 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI.

     XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.

       XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

                 HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING ACT OF 1991




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

  The purposes of this Act are to help ensure the continued 
leadership of the United States in [high-performance computing] 
networking and information technology and its applications by--
          (1) expanding Federal support for research, 
        development, and application of [high-performance 
        computing] networking and information technology in 
        order to--
                  (A) expand the number of researchers, 
                educators, and students with training in [high-
                performance computing] networking and 
                information technology and access to [high-
                performance computing] networking and 
                information technology resources;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (F) provide for the application of [high-
                performance computing] networking and 
                information technology to Grand Challenges;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (2) improving the interagency planning and 
        coordination of Federal research and development on 
        [high-performance computing and] networking and 
        information technology and maximizing the effectiveness 
        of the Federal Government's [high-performance computing 
        network] networking and information technology research 
        and development programs;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

  As used in this Act, the term--
          (1) ``cyber-physical systems'' means physical or 
        engineered systems whose networking and information 
        technology functions and physical elements are deeply 
        integrated and are actively connected to the physical 
        world through sensors, actuators, or other means to 
        perform monitoring and control functions;
          [(1)] (2) ``Director'' means the Director of the 
        Office of Science and Technology Policy;
          [(2)] (3) ``Grand Challenge'' means a fundamental 
        problem in science or engineering, with broad economic 
        and scientific impact, whose solution will require the 
        application of high-performance computing resources and 
        multidisciplinary teams of researchers;
          [(3)] (4) ``[high-performance computing] networking 
        and information technology'' means advanced computing, 
        communications, and information technologies, including 
        [supercomputer] high-end computing systems, high-
        capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and 
        experimental systems, applications and systems 
        software, and the management of large data sets;
          [(4)] (5) ``Internet'' means the international 
        computer network of both Federal and non-Federal 
        interoperable data networks;
          [(5)] (6) ``Network'' means a computer [network 
        referred to as the National Research and Education 
        Network established under section 102;] network, 
        including advanced computer networks of Federal 
        agencies and departments;
          [(6)] (7) ``Program'' means the [National High-
        Performance Computing Program] networking and 
        information technology research and development program 
        described in section 101; and
          [(7)] (8) ``Program Component Areas'' means the major 
        subject areas under which related individual projects 
        and activities carried out under the Program are 
        grouped.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


   TITLE I--[HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING] NETWORKING AND INFORMATION 
                  TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 101. NATIONAL [HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING] NETWORKING AND 
                    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                    PROGRAM.

  (a) [National High-Performance Computing] Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Program.--(1) 
The President shall implement a [National High-Performance 
Computing Program] networking and information technology 
research and development program, which shall--
          (A) provide for long-term basic and applied research 
        on [high-performance computing, including networking] 
        networking and information technology;
          (B) provide for research and development on, and 
        demonstration of, technologies to advance the capacity 
        and capabilities of [high-performance] high-end 
        computing and networking systems, and related software;
          (C) provide for sustained access by the research 
        community throughout the United States to [high-
        performance] high-end computing and networking systems 
        that are among the most advanced in the world in terms 
        of performance in solving scientific and engineering 
        problems, including provision for technical support for 
        users of such systems;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (G) provide for the technical support of, and 
        research and development on, [high-performance] high-
        end computing systems and software required to address 
        Grand Challenges;
          (H) provide for educating and training additional 
        undergraduate and graduate students in software 
        engineering, computer science, computer and network 
        security, applied mathematics, library and information 
        science, and computational science; [and]
          (I) provide for improving the security of computing 
        and networking systems, including Federal systems, 
        including providing for research required to establish 
        security standards and practices for these systems[.];
          (J) provide for increased understanding of the 
        scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and 
        improve the methods available for the design, 
        development, and operation of cyber-physical systems 
        that are characterized by high reliability, safety, and 
        security; and
          (K) provide for research and development on human-
        computer interactions, visualization, and information 
        management.
  (2) The Director shall--
          (A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal 
        [high-performance computing] networking and information 
        technology research, [development, networking,] 
        development, and other activities;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal 
        [high-performance computing] networking and information 
        technology research, [development, networking,] 
        development, and other activities undertaken pursuant 
        to the Program;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (E) encourage and monitor the efforts of the agencies 
        participating in the Program to allocate the level of 
        resources and management attention necessary to ensure 
        that the strategic plan under subsection (e) is 
        developed and executed effectively and that the 
        objectives of the Program are met;
          [(E)] (F) develop and maintain a research, 
        development, and deployment roadmap covering all States 
        and regions for the provision of [high-performance] 
        high-end computing and networking systems under 
        paragraph (1)(C); and
          [(F)] (G) consult with academic, State, industry, and 
        other appropriate groups conducting research on and 
        using [high-performance] high-end computing.
  (3) The annual report submitted under paragraph (2)(D) 
shall--
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (C) describe the levels of Federal funding for the 
        fiscal year during which such report [is submitted,] is 
        submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal year, and 
        the levels proposed for the fiscal year with respect to 
        which the budget submission applies, for [each Program 
        Component Area;] each Program Component Area and 
        research area supported in accordance with section 104;
          (D) describe the levels of Federal funding for each 
        agency and department participating in the Program, and 
        for [each Program Component Area,] each Program 
        Component Area and research area supported in 
        accordance with section 104, for the fiscal year during 
        which such report [is submitted,] is submitted, the 
        levels for the previous fiscal year, and the levels 
        proposed for the fiscal year with respect to which the 
        budget submission applies; [and]
          (E) include a description of how the objectives for 
        each Program Component Area, and the objectives for 
        activities that involve multiple Program Component 
        Areas, relate to the objectives of the Program 
        identified in the strategic plan required under 
        subsection (e);
          (F) include--
                  (i) a description of the funding required by 
                the National Coordination Office to perform the 
                functions specified under section 102(b) for 
                the next fiscal year by category of activity;
                  (ii) a description of the funding required by 
                such Office to perform the functions specified 
                under section 102(b) for the current fiscal 
                year by category of activity; and
                  (iii) the amount of funding provided for such 
                Office for the current fiscal year by each 
                agency participating in the Program; and
          [(E)] (G) include an analysis of the progress made 
        toward achieving the goals and priorities established 
        for the Program and the extent to which the Program 
        incorporates the recommendations of the advisory 
        committee established under subsection (b).
  (b) Advisory Committee.--(1) The President shall establish an 
advisory committee on [high-performance computing] networking 
and information technology, in which the co-chairs shall be 
members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and 
Technology and with the remainder of the committee consisting 
of geographically dispersed non-Federal members, including 
representatives of the research, education, and library 
communities, network and related software providers, and 
industry representatives in the Program Component Areas, who 
are specially qualified to provide the Director with advice and 
information on [high-performance computing] networking and 
information technology. The recommendations of the advisory 
committee shall be considered in reviewing and revising the 
Program. The advisory committee shall provide the Director with 
an independent assessment of--
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Office of Management and Budget.--(1) Each Federal agency 
and department participating in the Program shall, as part of 
its annual request for appropriations to the Office of 
Management and Budget, submit a report to the Office of 
Management and Budget which--
          (A) identifies each element of its [high-performance 
        computing] networking and information technology 
        activities which contributes directly to the Program 
        Component Areas or benefits from the Program; and

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d) Periodic Reviews.--The agencies identified in subsection 
(a)(3)(B) shall--
          (1) periodically assess the contents and funding 
        levels of the Program Component Areas and restructure 
        the Program when warranted, taking into consideration 
        any relevant recommendations of the advisory committee 
        established under subsection (b); and
          (2) ensure that the Program includes large-scale, 
        long-term, interdisciplinary research and development 
        activities, including activities described in section 
        104.
  (e) Strategic Plan.--
          (1) In general.--The agencies identified in 
        subsection (a)(3)(B), working through the National 
        Science and Technology Council and with the assistance 
        of the National Coordination Office established under 
        section 102, shall develop, within 12 months after the 
        date of enactment of the Networking and Information 
        Technology Research and Development Act of 2009, and 
        update every 3 years thereafter, a 5-year strategic 
        plan to guide the activities described under subsection 
        (a)(1).
          (2) Contents.--The strategic plan shall specify near-
        term and long-term objectives for the Program, the 
        anticipated time frame for achieving the near-term 
        objectives, the metrics to be used for assessing 
        progress toward the objectives, and how the Program 
        will--
                  (A) foster the transfer of research and 
                development results into new technologies and 
                applications for the benefit of society, 
                including through cooperation and 
                collaborations with networking and information 
                technology research, development, and 
                technology transition initiatives supported by 
                the States;
                  (B) encourage and support mechanisms for 
                interdisciplinary research and development in 
                networking and information technology, 
                including through collaborations across 
                agencies, across Program Component Areas, with 
                industry, with Federal laboratories (as defined 
                in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
                Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703)), and 
                with international organizations;
                  (C) address long-term challenges of national 
                importance for which solutions require large-
                scale, long-term, interdisciplinary research 
                and development;
                  (D) place emphasis on innovative and high-
                risk projects having the potential for 
                substantial societal returns on the research 
                investment;
                  (E) strengthen all levels of networking and 
                information technology education and training 
                programs to ensure an adequate, well-trained 
                workforce; and
                  (F) attract more women and underrepresented 
                minorities to pursue postsecondary degrees in 
                networking and information technology.
  (3) National research infrastructure.--The strategic plan 
developed in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be accompanied 
by milestones and roadmaps for establishing and maintaining the 
national research infrastructure required to support the 
Program, including the roadmap required by subsection 
(a)(2)(E).
  (4) Recommendations.--The entities involved in developing the 
strategic plan under paragraph (1) shall take into 
consideration the recommendations--
          (A) of the advisory committee established under 
        subsection (b); and
          (B) of the stakeholders whose input was solicited by 
        the National Coordination Office, as required under 
        section 102(b)(3).
  (5) Report to congress.--The Director of the National 
Coordination Office shall transmit the strategic plan required 
under paragraph (1) to the advisory committee, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives.

[SEC. 102. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK.

  [(a) Establishment.--As part of the Program, the National 
Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department 
of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, and other agencies participating in 
the Program shall support the establishment of the National 
Research and Education Network, portions of which shall, to the 
extent technically feasible, be capable of transmitting data at 
one gigabit per second or greater by 1996. The Network shall 
provide for the linkage of research institutions and 
educational institutions, government, and industry in every 
State.
  [(b) Access.--Federal agencies and departments shall work 
with private network service providers, State and local 
agencies, libraries, educational institutions and 
organizations, and others, as appropriate, in order to ensure 
that the researchers, educators, and students have access, as 
appropriate, to the Network. The Network is to provide users 
with appropriate access to high-performance computing systems, 
electronic information resources, other research facilities, 
and libraries. The Network shall provide access, to the extent 
practicable, to electronic information resources maintained by 
libraries, research facilities, publishers, and affiliated 
organizations.
  [(c) Network Characteristics.--The Network shall--
          [(1) be developed and deployed with the computer, 
        telecommunications, and information industries;
          [(2) be designed, developed, and operated in 
        collaboration with potential users in government, 
        industry, and research institutions and educational 
        institutions;
          [(3) be designed, developed, and operated in a manner 
        which fosters and maintains competition and private 
        sector investment in high-speed data networking within 
        the telecommunications industry;
          [(4) be designed, developed, and operated in a manner 
        which promotes research and development leading to 
        development of commercial data communications and 
        telecommunications standards, whose development will 
        encourage the establishment of privately operated high-
        speed commercial networks;
          [(5) be designed and operated so as to ensure the 
        continued application of laws that provide network and 
        information resources security measures, including 
        those that protect copyright and other intellectual 
        property rights, and those that control access to data 
        bases and protect national security;
          [(6) have accounting mechanisms which allow users or 
        groups of users to be charged for their usage of 
        copyrighted materials available over the Network and, 
        where appropriate and technically feasible, for their 
        usage of the Network;
          [(7) ensure the interoperability of Federal and non-
        Federal computer networks, to the extent appropriate, 
        in a way that allows autonomy for each component 
        network;
          [(8) be developed by purchasing standard commercial 
        transmission and network services from vendors whenever 
        feasible, and by contracting for customized services 
        when not feasible, in order to minimize Federal 
        investment in network hardware;
          [(9) support research and development of networking 
        software and hardware; and
          [(10) serve as a test bed for further research and 
        development of high-capacity and high-speed computing 
        networks and demonstrate how advanced computers, high-
        capacity and high-speed computing networks, and data 
        bases can improve the national information 
        infrastructure.
  [(d) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 
Responsibility.--As part of the Program, the Department of 
Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, 
shall support research and development of advanced fiber optics 
technology, switches, and protocols needed to develop the 
Network.
  [(e) Information Services.--The Director shall assist the 
President in coordinating the activities of appropriate 
agencies and departments to promote the development of 
information services that could be provided over the Network. 
These services may include the provision of directories of the 
users and services on computer networks, data bases of 
unclassified Federal scientific data, training of users of data 
bases and computer networks, access to commercial information 
services for users of the Network, and technology to support 
computer-based collaboration that allows researchers and 
educators around the Nation to share information and 
instrumentation.
  [(f) Use of Grant Funds.--All Federal agencies and 
departments are authorized to allow recipients of Federal 
research grants to use grant moneys to pay for computer 
networking expenses.
  [(g) Report to Congress.--Within one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall report to the 
Congress on--
          [(1) effective mechanisms for providing operating 
        funds for the maintenance and use of the Network, 
        including user fees, industry support, and continued 
        Federal investment;
          [(2) the future operation and evolution of the 
        Network;
          [(3) how commercial information service providers 
        could be charged for access to the Network, and how 
        Network users could be charged for such commercial 
        information services;
          [(4) the technological feasibility of allowing 
        commercial information service providers to use the 
        Network and other federally funded research networks;
          [(5) how to protect the copyrights of material 
        distributed over the Network; and
          [(6) appropriate policies to ensure the security of 
        resources available on the Network and to protect the 
        privacy of users of networks.]

SEC. 102. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE.

  (a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a National 
Coordination Office with a Director and full-time staff.
  (b) Functions.--The National Coordination Office shall--
          (1) provide technical and administrative support to--
                  (A) the agencies participating in planning 
                and implementing the Program, including such 
                support as needed in the development of the 
                strategic plan under section 101(e); and
                  (B) the advisory committee established under 
                section 101(b);
          (2) serve as the primary point of contact on Federal 
        networking and information technology activities for 
        government organizations, academia, industry, 
        professional societies, State computing and networking 
        technology programs, interested citizen groups, and 
        others to exchange technical and programmatic 
        information;
          (3) solicit input and recommendations from a wide 
        range of stakeholders during the development of each 
        strategic plan required under section 101(e) through 
        the convening of at least 1 workshop with invitees from 
        academia, industry, Federal laboratories, and other 
        relevant organizations and institutions;
          (4) conduct public outreach, including the 
        dissemination of findings and recommendations of the 
        advisory committee, as appropriate; and
          (5) promote access to and early application of the 
        technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from 
        Program activities to agency missions and systems 
        across the Federal Government and to United States 
        industry.
  (c) Source of Funding.--
          (1) In general.--The operation of the National 
        Coordination Office shall be supported by funds from 
        each agency participating in the Program.
          (2) Specifications.--The portion of the total budget 
        of such Office that is provided by each agency for each 
        fiscal year shall be in the same proportion as each 
        such agency's share of the total budget for the Program 
        for the previous fiscal year, as specified in the 
        report required under section 101(a)(3).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 104. LARGE-SCALE RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

  (a) In General.--The Program shall encourage agencies 
identified in section 101(a)(3)(B) to support large-scale, 
long-term, interdisciplinary research and development 
activities in networking and information technology directed 
toward application areas that have the potential for 
significant contributions to national economic competitiveness 
and for other significant societal benefits. Such activities, 
ranging from basic research to the demonstration of technical 
solutions, shall be designed to advance the development of 
research discoveries. The advisory committee established under 
section 101(b) 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 institutions of higher education 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, including 
                from institutions of higher education and 
                Federal laboratories, to industry for 
                commercial development.
          (2) Cost-sharing.--In selecting applications for 
        support, the agencies shall give special consideration 
        to projects that include cost sharing from non-Federal 
        sources.
          (3) Agency collaboration.--If 2 or more agencies 
        identified in section 101(a)(3)(B), or other 
        appropriate agencies, are working on large-scale 
        research and development activities in the same area of 
        national importance, then such agencies shall strive to 
        collaborate through joint solicitation and selection of 
        applications for support and subsequent funding of 
        projects.
          (4) Interdisciplinary research centers.--Research and 
        development activities under this section may be 
        supported through interdisciplinary research centers 
        that are organized to investigate basic research 
        questions and carry out technology demonstration 
        activities in areas described in subsection (a). 
        Research may be carried out through existing 
        interdisciplinary centers, including those authorized 
        under section 7024(b)(2) of the America COMPETES Act 
        (Public Law 110-69; 42 U.S.C. 1862o-10).

SEC. 105. UNIVERSITY/INDUSTRY TASK FORCE.

  (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research 
and Development Act of 2009, the Director of the National 
Coordination Office established under section 102 shall convene 
a task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out 
collaborative research and development activities for cyber-
physical systems, including the related technologies required 
to enable these systems, through a consortium or other 
appropriate entity with participants from institutions of 
higher education, Federal laboratories, and industry.
  (b) Functions.--The task force shall--
          (1) develop options for a collaborative model and an 
        organizational structure for such entity under which 
        the joint research and development activities could be 
        planned, managed, and conducted effectively, including 
        mechanisms for the allocation of resources among the 
        participants in such entity for support of such 
        activities;
          (2) propose a process for developing a research and 
        development agenda for such entity, including 
        objectives and milestones;
          (3) define the roles and responsibilities for the 
        participants from institutions of higher education, 
        Federal laboratories, and industry in such entity;
          (4) propose guidelines for assigning intellectual 
        property rights and for the transfer of research 
        results to the private sector; and
          (5) make recommendations for how such entity could be 
        funded from Federal, State, and non-governmental 
        sources.
  (c) Composition.--In establishing the task force under 
subsection (a), the Director of the National Coordination 
Office shall appoint an equal number of individuals from 
institutions of higher education and from industry with 
knowledge and expertise in cyber-physical systems, of which 2 
may be selected from Federal laboratories.
  (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Networking and Information Technology Research 
and Development Act of 2009, the Director of the National 
Coordination Office shall transmit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives a report describing the findings and 
recommendations of the task force.

                      TITLE II--AGENCY ACTIVITIES

SEC. 201. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I--
          (1) the National Science Foundation shall provide 
        computing and networking infrastructure support for all 
        science and engineering disciplines, and support basic 
        research and human resource development in all aspects 
        of [high-performance computing and advanced high-speed 
        computer networking;] networking and information 
        research and development;
          (2) the National Science Foundation shall use its 
        existing programs, in collaboration with other 
        agencies, as appropriate, to improve the teaching and 
        learning of networking and information technology at 
        all levels of education and to increase participation 
        in networking and information technology fields, 
        including by women and underrepresented minorities;
          [(2)] (3) to the extent that colleges, universities, 
        and libraries cannot connect to the Network with the 
        assistance of the private sector, the National Science 
        Foundation shall have primary responsibility for 
        assisting colleges, universities, and libraries to 
        connect to the Network;
          [(3)] (4) the National Science Foundation shall serve 
        as the primary source of information on access to and 
        use of the Network; and
          [(4)] (5) the National Science Foundation shall 
        upgrade the National Science Foundation funded network, 
        assist regional networks to upgrade their capabilities, 
        and provide other Federal departments and agencies the 
        opportunity to connect to the National Science 
        Foundation funded network.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 202. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ACTIVITIES.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration shall conduct basic and applied research in 
[high-performance computing] networking and information 
technology, particularly in the field of computational science, 
with emphasis on aerospace sciences, earth and space sciences, 
and remote exploration and experimentation.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ACTIVITIES.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I, the Secretary of Energy shall--
          (1) conduct and support basic and applied research in 
        [high-performance computing and networking] networking 
        and information technology to support fundamental 
        research in science and engineering disciplines related 
        to energy applications; and

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 204. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I--
          (1) the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology shall--
                  (A) conduct basic and applied measurement 
                research needed to support various [high-
                performance computing systems and networks] 
                networking and information technology systems 
                and capabilities;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (C) be responsible for developing benchmark 
                tests and standards for [high-performance 
                computing] networking and information 
                technology systems and software; and

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 205. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I, the Environmental Protection Agency shall 
conduct basic and applied research directed toward the 
advancement and dissemination of [computational] networking and 
information technology techniques and software tools which form 
the core of ecosystem, atmospheric chemistry, and atmospheric 
dynamics models.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 206. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

  (a) General Responsibilities.--As part of the Program 
described in title I, the Secretary of Education is authorized 
to conduct basic and applied research in [computational 
research] networking and information technology research with 
an emphasis on the coordination of activities with libraries, 
school facilities, and education research groups with respect 
to the advancement and dissemination of computational science 
and the development, evaluation and application of software 
capabilities.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 208. FOSTERING UNITED STATES COMPETITIVENESS IN [HIGH-PERFORMANCE 
                    COMPUTING] NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
                    AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.

  (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
          (1) [High-performance computing and associated] 
        Networking and information technologies are critical to 
        the United States economy.
          (2) While the United States has led the development 
        of [high-performance computing] networking and 
        information technologies, United States industry is 
        facing increasing global competition.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (4) It is appropriate for Federal agencies and 
        departments to use the funds authorized for the Program 
        in a manner which most effectively fosters the 
        maintenance and development of United States leadership 
        in [high-performance computers and associated] 
        networking and information technologies in and for the 
        benefit of the United States.
          (5) It is appropriate for Federal agencies and 
        departments to use the funds authorized for the Program 
        in a manner, consistent with the Trade Agreements Act 
        of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), which most 
        effectively fosters reciprocal competitive procurement 
        treatment by foreign governments for United States 
        [high-performance computing and associated] networking 
        and information technology products and suppliers.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                     XX. Committee Recommendations

    On April 29, 2009, the Committee on Science and Technology 
favorably reported H.R. 2020.



    XXI: PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 2020, THE 
 NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 
                                  2009

                              ----------                              


                       WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2009

                  House of Representatives,
                                      Committee on Science,
                                                    Washington, DC.

    The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:03 a.m., in Room 
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Bart Gordon 
[Chair of the Committee] presiding.
    Chair Gordon. Good morning, everyone. The Committee will 
come to order pursuant to notice. The Committee on Science and 
Technology meets to consider the following measures: H.R. 2020, 
the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Act of 2009, H.R. 1736, the International Science 
and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009, and H.R. 1709, the STEM 
Education Coordination Act of 2009.
    I would like to thank Chair Lipinski and Ranking Member 
Ehlers and other Members of the Research and Science Education 
Subcommittee for their work to improve these bills at the 
Subcommittee level, and I think we should also in abstentia 
thank Jim Wilson. I hope that you will pass it onto him for 
leaving a good legacy to us, which was certainly improved with 
our current staff and Members.
    While the subject matter varies greatly, there is a common 
theme in all three of the bills before us today. They all 
strengthen an interagency coordination process to achieve the 
set of goals that no one agency can achieve on its own. In 
fact, this theme cuts across many of the priorities of the 
Science and Technology Committee of this Congress, beginning 
with the National Nanotechnology Initiative Bill that passed 
the House in February, to the National Water Research and 
Development Initiative Act of 2009, that passed the House by a 
vote of 413 to 10 just last week.
    H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development Act of 2009, continues to improve and 
update a program that was originally created by the Committee 
in the High Performance Competing Act of 1991. The NITRD 
Program, as it is known, involves a collaboration of more than 
a dozen federal research and development agencies for current 
total federal investment of approximately $3.5 billion. This 
may sound like a lot, but the European Union is investing $7 
billion over the next five years in cyber physical systems 
alone. To ensure that we make the most effective use of our own 
resources to remain a leader in these fields, it is critical 
that these many agencies come together to develop common goals 
and well-defined strategies for networking and information 
technology R&D.
    H.R. 2020 strengthens the interagency strategic planning 
process, formally authorizes the National Coordination Office 
that oversees and enforces this process, and requires that a 
wide range of industry and academic stakeholders have input 
into the process. Given how rapidly this field evolves, a 
regular and comprehensive look at the NITRD Program by Congress 
is timely.
    And I want to thank Mr. Hall for introducing this important 
piece of legislation with me, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
    H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology 
Cooperation Act of 2009, would create a committee under the 
National Science and Technology Council to coordinate 
international S&T activities at our federal agencies by 
bringing together the Department of State and the R&D 
activities to focus on the international component of national 
R&D priorities. A similar committee in the 1990s launched some 
important initiatives, most notably in the area of infectious 
diseases.
    It is critical that we don't miss opportunities to leverage 
our resources against those of other nations to tackle today's 
greatest global challenges, including energy and water, and to 
strengthen the contribution of U.S. science and technology to 
our national security. There is no existing entity whose 
primary purpose is to look across the Federal Government for 
such opportunities, and I commend Dr. Baird and Dr. Ehlers for 
introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
    H.R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009, 
would strengthen and elevate an existing committee under NSTC 
to coordinate STEM education activities across the Federal 
Government. When half the world's workers earn less than $2 a 
day, we cannot compete on numbers. To stay competitive we must 
keep feeding the marketplace with new ideas that lead to new 
U.S. companies and new highly-paying jobs. The foundation for 
this innovative economy is the 21st century skilled workforce.
    The Federal Government can play an important role in STEM 
education at all levels because of the richness of S&T 
resources at our science agencies. It may not surprise you to 
learn that our science agencies have little idea what other 
science agencies are funding in terms of STEM education and 
often don't even communicate between offices within a single 
agency. This is not an acceptable situation. Mr. Hall has 
joined me in introducing this bill because we agree that 
agencies need to be sharing best practices with each other, 
evaluating their programs for effectiveness and generally 
making more efficient and effective use of taxpayers' dollars.
    And I want to thank Mr. Hall and the Chair and Ranking 
Member of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee for 
introducing this bill with me, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
    These are three good bipartisan bills that strengthen 
interagency coordination and as President Obama has said in his 
inaugural, make our government smarter. I thank my colleagues 
and staff for their hard work on these bills, and I look 
forward to improving them even further with your amendments 
today.
    And I now recognize Mr. Hall, who will soon be recognizing 
his 49th what, birthday, several times over.
    Mr. Hall. My 39th.
    Chair Gordon. Thirty-ninth. Thirty-ninth.
    Mr. Hall. Thirty-ninth reunion of my 39th birthday.
    Chair Gordon. And I now recognize the spry Mr. Hall for 
his----
    [The prepared statement of Chair Gordon follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Chair Bart Gordon
    Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science and Technology meets 
to consider the following measures:

          H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology 
        Research and Development Act of 2009;

          H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology 
        Cooperation Act of 2009; and,

          H.R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act of 
        2009.

    As I mentioned, the Committee will consider three good bills today.
    I would like to thank Chairman Lipinski and Ranking Member Ehlers 
and other Members of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee 
for their work to improve these bills at the Subcommittee level.
    While the subject matter varies greatly, there is a common theme in 
all three of the bills before us today. They all strengthen an 
interagency coordination process to achieve a set of goals that no one 
agency can achieve on its own.
    In fact, this theme cuts across many of the priorities of the 
Science and Technology Committee this Congress, beginning with the 
National Nanotechnology Initiative bill that passed the House in 
February, to the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act 
of 2009 that passed the House by a vote of 413 to 10 just last week.
    H.R. 2020, the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Act of 2009, continues to improve and update a program that 
was originally created by this committee in the High Performance 
Computing Act of 1991.
    The NITRD Program, as it is known, involves a collaboration of more 
than a dozen federal research and development agencies for a current 
total federal investment of approximately $3.5 billion.
    This may sound like a lot, but the European Union is investing $7 
billion over the next five years in cyberphysical systems alone.
    To ensure that we make the most effective use of our own resources 
to remain a leader in these fields, it is critical that these many 
agencies come together to develop common goals and well defined 
strategies for networking and information technology R&D.
    H.R. 2020 strengthens the interagency strategic planning process, 
formally authorizes the National Coordination Office that oversees and 
enforces this process, and requires that a wide range of industry and 
academic stakeholders have input into the process. Given how rapidly 
this field evolves, a regular and comprehensive look at the NITRD 
program by Congress is timely.
    I thank Mr. Hall for introducing this important piece of 
legislation with me and I urge my colleagues to support it.
    H.R. 1736, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act 
of 2009, would recreate a committee under the National Science and 
Technology Council (NSTC) to coordinate international S&T activities at 
our federal agencies.
    By bringing together the Department of State and the R&D agencies 
to focus on the international component of national R&D priorities, a 
similar committee in the 1990's launched some important initiatives, 
most notably in the area of infectious diseases.
    It is critical that we don't miss opportunities to leverage our 
resources against those of other nations to tackle today's greatest 
global challenges, including energy and water, and to strengthen the 
contribution of U.S. science and technology to our national security.
    There is no existing entity whose primary purpose is to look across 
the Federal Government for such opportunities. I commend Dr. Baird and 
Dr. Ehlers for introducing this legislation and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
    H.R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009, would 
strengthen and elevate an existing committee under NSTC to coordinate 
STEM education activities across the Federal Government.
    When half the world's workers earn less than $2 a day, we cannot 
compete on numbers. To stay competitive, we must keep feeding the 
marketplace with new ideas that lead to new U.S. companies and new 
highly paying jobs. The foundation for this innovation economy is the 
21st century skilled workforce.
    The Federal Government can play an important role in STEM education 
at all levels because of the richness of the S&T resources at our 
science agencies. It may not surprise you to learn that our science 
agencies have little idea what other science agencies are funding in 
terms of STEM education and often don't even communicate between 
offices within a single agency.
    This is not an acceptable situation.
    Mr. Hall joined me in introducing this bill because we agree that 
agencies need to be sharing best practices with each other, evaluating 
their programs for effectiveness, and generally making more efficient 
and effective use of taxpayers' dollars. I thank Mr. Hall, and the 
Chair and Ranking Member of the Research and Science Education 
Subcommittee for introducing this bill with me and I urge my colleagues 
to support it.
    These are three good bipartisan bills that strengthen interagency 
coordination to, as President Obama said in his inaugural, make our 
government ``smarter.'' I thank my colleagues and staff for their hard 
work on these bills and I look forward to improving them even further 
with your amendments today.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks.

    Mr. Hall. Good morning, Mr. Chair, and I thank you for 
several reasons. I don't know why I have to thank you because 
it is your duty to schedule this markup, but I still thank you 
for doing it, and whoever wrote this for me thanks you, and 
that means that all of us on this side thank you. So--and you 
thank me, and we are all thanked today.
    It would appear that we are doing a great deal of 
coordinating, and that is true. In addition to authorizing the 
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development, 
the NITRD Program, we are also marking up legislation to 
improve STEM education coordination among the federal agencies 
and a bill to coordinate science and technology initiatives 
that can help foster international cooperation.
    All of these bills do exactly what this committee should be 
doing; ensuring that our government is effectively and 
efficiently using federal science and technology dollars to 
guarantee we stay on top of cutting-edge research, both 
domestically and internationally, while continuing to develop 
the best and brightest STEM workforce for our future.
    I am pleased to join you as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 
2020 and the Federal STEM Education Coordination Act, H.R. 2020 
and H.R. 1709. I also want to thank you for maintaining regular 
order with both H.R. 1709 and H.R. 1736 and giving everyone the 
opportunity to work on these at Subcommittee level first. That 
is the way you work things out.
    When it comes to STEM education in particular, I think we 
are all better served to have Dr. Ehlers involved in the 
beginning as he brings so much to the table along this line.
    I know that all--both of our staffs have worked diligently 
to get these bills to where we are today, and I look forward to 
a discussion and proposed amendments, and I thank you.
    I yield back.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Ralph M. Hall
    Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for scheduling this 
markup and for the bipartisan spirit in which the bills before us today 
have been handled. It would appear that we are doing a great deal of 
coordinating today. In addition to authorizing the Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program, we are 
also marking-up legislation to improve STEM education coordination 
among the federal agencies and a bill to help coordinate science and 
technology initiatives that can help foster international cooperation.
    All of these bills do exactly what this committee should be doing, 
ensuring that our government is effectively and efficiently using 
federal science and technology dollars to guarantee we stay on top of 
cutting edge research both domestically and internationally, while 
continuing to develop the best and brightest STEM workforce for our 
future.
    I am pleased to join you as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 2020, 
the NITRD Authorization Act, and H.R. 1709, the Federal STEM Education 
Coordination Act. I want to also thank you for maintaining regular 
order with both H.R. 1709 and H.R. 1736 and giving everyone the 
opportunity to work on these at the Subcommittee level first. When it 
comes to STEM education, in particular, I think we are all better 
served to have Dr. Ehlers involved from the beginning, as he brings so 
much to the table.
    I know both of our staffs have worked diligently to get these bills 
to where we are today, and I look forward to a discussion of proposed 
amendments.

    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Hall.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Mitchell follows:]
         Prepared Statement of Representative Harry E. Mitchell
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Today we will mark up the Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development Act, H.R. 2020, the International Science and 
Technology Cooperation Act, H.R. 1736, and the STEM Education 
Coordination Act, H.R. 1709.
    Last Congress, we took a critical step in encouraging students and 
teachers to focus on STEM education in the America COMPETES Act, which 
is now law. Ensuring that our students receive a top level STEM 
education is vital to grow our economy and remain competitive in the 
global economy.
    However, I have heard from STEM teachers in Arizona that they are 
struggling to identify federal resources to help them develop effective 
STEM lesson plans.
    H.R. 1709 would help STEM teachers in Arizona and nationwide by 
establishing a committee to coordinate federal programs and activities 
in support of STEM education through the Office of Science and 
Technology and Policy (OSTP).
    I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.
    I yield back.

    Chair Gordon. We will now consider H.R. 2020, the 
Networking----
    Mr. Baird. Mr. Chair.
    Chair Gordon. Dr. Baird is recognized.
    Mr. Baird. I know you are going to get to important 
business, but I just want to take the opportunity to share with 
all the Members of the Committee who may not know it, and lend 
my personal congratulations. Chair Gordon won for the 20th 
consecutive year, the Capital Challenge, a three-mile race. I 
think he ran it in 16:58, was it?
    Chair Gordon. That was a few years ago. No. Not quite that 
this year.
    Mr. Baird. But still 20 consecutive years, and he certainly 
doesn't look it, but the Chair is now 60 years old, and this is 
an extraordinary accomplishment, and I just want to express my 
congratulations to the Chair. He leads the Committee admirably, 
and he leads the race admirably as well, and with that I yield 
back and thank the Chair.
    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Dr. Baird. I may not look it, but 
I feel it.
    All right. Now, we will now consider H.R. 2020, the 
Networking Information Technology Research and Development Act 
of 2009. I will recognize myself.
    I think that this bill has been adequately described 
already in our earlier remarks, and I thank Mr. Hall for his 
remarks, and I also--Mr. Hall made a very good point in his 
remarks--and that is the regular order of going through a 
subcommittee process, I have to say that I think we have done a 
good job of that these last few years, and I think because of 
it we did better bills. But it also puts work on our 
Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members, and I want to thank 
them for the time. I don't think we have ever called upon our 
Ranking Members and our Subcommittee Chairs to do as much as we 
have here recently, and it helps us to do a better job.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks on the 
bill.
    [The prepared statement of Chair Gordon follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Chair Bart Gordon
    H.R. 2020 takes an already successful interagency program, known as 
NITRD and makes it even better by strengthening interagency 
coordination and the strategic planning process, facilitating 
technology transfer, and ensuring support for large-scale research in 
areas of national importance.
    I would like to thank Mr. Hall and several other Members of this 
committee for joining me in introducing this good bipartisan 
legislation. The bill draws upon the recommendations of a recent PCAST 
assessment of the program and two hearings held by this committee, 
including a hearing on a draft of the legislation we are considering 
today.
    H.R. 2020 strengthens interagency planning, coordination, and 
prioritization for NITRD by requiring the development and periodic 
update of a strategic plan informed by both industry and academia.
    This plan is meant to create a vision for information technology 
R&D across the Federal Government, and provide specific metrics for 
measuring progress toward that vision.
    Next, the bill calls for increased support of large-scale, long-
term, interdisciplinary research in networking and information 
technology that will help us tackle national challenges such as 
effective and efficient health care and energy delivery systems.
    Finally, H.R. 2020 promotes partnerships between the Federal 
Government, academia and industry to foster technology transfer, 
including for cyber-physical systems, and ensures that education of the 
future IT workforce remains an important component of the NITRD 
program. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks on the bill.

    Mr. Hall. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I already mentioned that I 
am pleased to join you as an original co-sponsor. Networking 
and information technology plays an enormous roll in our 
everyday lives, often in ways we don't even realize. Even more 
significant it is of vital importance to our homeland security 
and to our economy.
    The legislation is a combination of recommendations from 
the PCAST report and feedback we received from hearing 
witnesses and numerous organizations. You know, we have people 
come here to testify before us, and it takes their time to 
drive here to wherever they depart from, and it has taken them 
a lot of years to be capable and qualified to come and give us 
information, and then they give us their time to be here. So we 
are very fortunate to have that type of cooperation with the 
Chair, because the Chair invites them, and they do us a great 
service. Accordingly, we draw a lot of our testimony from them, 
and it finds its way into the bills. So they do a good job for 
us.
    And with the addition of the manager's amendment, I think 
it is a good, solid bill, and I understand that a few of my 
friends on the other side would like to tweak it a little bit 
more, and I am sure the Chair is going to maybe allow them to 
take a shot at it, but I yield back the balance of my time so 
they can get underway.
    Thank you, Mr. Chair.
    By the way, I ran the mile. Jim Ryun and I both ran the 
mile years ago. Together we ran a 10-minute mile. He ran his in 
four.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:]
     Prepared Statement of Representative Ralph M. Hall (H.R. 2020)
    I already mentioned that I am pleased to join you as an original 
co-sponsor of this measure. Networking and information technology plays 
an enormous role in our everyday lives, often in ways we don't even 
realize. Even more significant, it is of vital importance to our 
homeland security and to our economy. This legislation is a culmination 
of recommendations from the PCAST report and feedback we have received 
from hearing witnesses and numerous organizations. With the addition of 
the manager's amendment, I think it is a good, solid bill. However, I 
understand that a few of my friends on the other side would like to 
tweak it a bit more, so I yield back the balance of my time so that 
they may proceed.

    Chair Gordon. Does anyone else wish to be recognized?
    I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read 
and open to amendment at any point and that the Members proceed 
with the amendments in the order of the roster.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    The first amendment on the roster is a manager's amendment. 
The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 2020, Amendment number 019, 
offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee.
    Chair Gordon. I ask unanimous consent we dispense with the 
reading.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    I recognize myself for five minutes to explain the 
amendment.
    This amendment makes a technical correction to the 
underlying legislation. It replaces the term ``high-performance 
computing'' with the phrase ``networking and information 
technology.'' The scope of the original program established in 
1991, has expanded beyond R&D and high performance or super 
computing to include research and development in all areas of 
networking and information technology. The change in 
terminology more accurately reflects the breath of the current 
program. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
    [The prepared statement of Chair Gordon follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Chair Bart Gordon
    This amendment makes a technical correction to the underlying 
legislation; it replaces the term `high-performance computing' with the 
phrase `networking and information technology.'
    The scope of the original program established in 1991 has expanded 
beyond R&D in high-performance or supercomputing to include research 
and development in all areas of networking and information technology.
    The change in terminology more accurately reflects the breadth of 
the current program.
    I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

    Chair Gordon. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
    If no, the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say 
aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed 
to.
    The second amendment on the roster is an amendment offered 
by the gentlelady from California, Ms. Woolsey.
    Ms. Woolsey. Woolsey.
    Chair Gordon. Woolsey.
    Ms. Woolsey. Thank you, sir.
    Chair Gordon. And we are glad that you are out on bail and 
with us today. Are you ready to proceed with your amendment?
    Ms. Woolsey. Mr. Chair, I am. I have an amendment at the 
desk.
    Chair Gordon. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 2020, amendment number 132, 
offered by Ms. Woolsey of California.
    Chair Gordon. Ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    I recognize the gentlelady for five minutes to explain the 
amendment.
    Ms. Woolsey. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to say that 
Mr. Hall couldn't say my name ever either. So you--I am in good 
company with both--you are in good company.
    Mr. Chair, computing, networking, and information 
technology and the innovations they yield are critical to our 
American economy. Unfortunately, the current education pipeline 
does not meet the demands of these crucial industries.
    There are two major challenges that must be addressed if we 
are going to remain competitive with other countries when it 
comes to computing. First, we need to get more students exposed 
to innovative engaging and rigorous computer science curriculum 
at the K through 12 level, and second, we need to ensure that 
more of these students are girls and minorities. It is only--
well, under-represented minorities is what I should say. It is 
only by increasing the diversity of students, those who are 
being brought into the computer science fields, that we will be 
able to fulfill the need for this wide range of jobs.
    That is why I am offering this amendment to H.R. 2020, the 
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
Act. This amendment does two things. One, it requires NITRD as 
part of its required strategic plan to include diversity goals 
and programs to bring in more women and unrepresented 
minorities, and two, it requires the National Science 
Foundation to better coordinate and expand its education 
programs in the area of computer science education, with a 
special focus towards including more girls and minorities.
    It is clear we need to get more women involved in computer 
science. In fact, in 2008, only 17 percent of advanced 
placement, AP computer science test takers were women, even 
though women represent a 55 percent of all AP test takers. 
Participation in computer science AP tests among under-
represented minorities has increased in the past decade, but it 
is still only at 11 percent, compared to 19 percent of all AP 
test takers.
    Mr. Chair, these low participation numbers are truly 
disturbing. We must do more to strengthen computer science 
curricula and to expose and attract a more diverse population 
of students to computing of the K through 12 level. This 
amendment is an important step towards these goals. I urge my 
colleagues to support the Woolsey amendment, and go girl! I 
yield back the balance of my time.
    [The prepared statement of Ms. Woolsey follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Lynn Woolsey
    Mr. Chairman, computing, networking, and information technology . . 
. and the innovations they yield . . . are critical to our American 
economy. Unfortunately, the current education pipeline does not meet 
the demands of these crucial industries.
    There are two major challenges that must be addressed if we are 
going to remain competitive with other countries when it comes to 
computing. First, we need to get more students exposed to innovative, 
engaging, and rigorous computer science curriculum at the K-12 level.
    And second, we need to ensure that more of these students are girls 
and minorities. It's only by increasing the diversity of students who 
are being brought into the computer science fields that we will be able 
to fulfill the need for this wide range of jobs.
    That's why I am offering this amendment to H.R. 2020, the 
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) 
Act. This amendment does two things:

        1)  It requires NITRD, as part of its required strategic plan, 
        to include diversity goals and programs to bring in more women 
        and under-represented minorities; and,

        2)  It requires the National Science Foundation to better 
        coordinate and expand its education programs in the area of 
        computer science education, with a special focus towards 
        including more girls and minorities.

    It's clear we need to get more women involved in computer science. 
In fact, in 2008, only 17 percent of Advanced Placement (AP) computer 
science test-takers were women, even though women represented 55 
percent of all AP test-takers. Participation in computer science AP 
tests among under-represented minorities has increased in the past 
decade, but it is still only at 11 percent, compared to 19 percent of 
all AP test-takers.
    Mr. Chairman, these low participation numbers are truly disturbing. 
We must do more to strengthen computer science curricula, and to expose 
and attract a more diverse population of students to computing at the 
K-12 level. This amendment is an important step toward those goals.
    I urge my colleagues to support the Woolsey amendment, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.

    Chair Gordon. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
    If no, the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say 
aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and Ms. Woolsey, 
thank you again for carrying out your mission here. You have 
been very consistent and helpful in that.
    The third amendment on the roster is an amendment offered 
by the gentleman from New Mexico, Mr. Lujan. Are you ready to 
proceed with your amendment?
    Mr. Lujan. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
    Chair Gordon. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 2020, amendment number 014, 
offered by Mr. Lujan of New Mexico.
    Chair Gordon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    I recognize the gentleman for five minutes to explain his 
amendment.
    Mr. Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
    My amendment today promotes collaboration between our 
federal laboratories and higher learning institutions and 
industry so that laboratories and higher learning institutions 
research and development activities can assist industry's 
commercial development efforts.
    Our national labs are making tremendous technological 
advances every day, and we must take advantage of their 
discoveries and support their innovative research programs to 
improve America's economic competitiveness. In my district, Los 
Alamos National Laboratories has been utilizing super computers 
to analyze the cyber physical interface for many years.
    In addition, Mr. Chair, Los Alamos is at the forefront of 
modeling our nation's energy grid down to the substation level 
and to understand how to better manipulate and control the 
operating systems and mechanics. Our national laboratories are 
the world's leaders in advanced applications of super computing 
technology and software.
    My amendment today will ensure that their expertise and the 
resources and expertise of our colleges and universities are 
included in this legislation and that the United States 
continues to benefit from their knowledge.
    Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Lujan follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Ben R. Lujan
    Thank you Mr. Chairman. My amendment today promotes collaboration 
between federal laboratories, higher learning institutions, and 
industry--so that laboratories and higher learning institutions' 
research and development activities can assist industry's commercial 
development efforts. Our national labs are making tremendous 
technological advances every day, and we must take advantage of their 
discoveries and support their innovative research programs to improve 
America's economic competitiveness.
    In my district, Los Alamos National Laboratory has been utilizing 
supercomputers to analyze the cyber-physical interface for many years. 
In addition, Mr. Chairman, Los Alamos is at the forefront of modeling 
our nation's energy grid down to the substation level, and to 
understand how to better manipulate and control the operating systems 
and mechanics.
    Our national laboratories are the world leaders in advanced 
applications of supercomputing technology and software. My amendment 
today will ensure that their expertise is included in this legislation 
and that the United States continues to benefit from their knowledge.

    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Lujan.
    Are there any further discussion on Mr. Lujan's amendment?
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair.
    Chair Gordon. Mr. Hall is recognized.
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, I just would like to thank the 
gentleman from New Mexico for his willingness to modify his 
amendment to make sure we are not inadvertently missing a 
potential research breakthrough opportunity.
    I thank you, and I would like to ask Mr. Lujan a question. 
Were you related to Manuel Lujan?
    Mr. Lujan. Mr. Chair, that is an interesting question. I am 
actually Lujan on both sides of the family, and the former 
secretary, former Member of Congress, Manuel Lujan, his sister 
was my second grade elementary teacher, and Mr. Lujan is 
actually a distant cousin on Mom's side of the family, sir.
    Chair Gordon. Sounds like you are from the south.
    Mr. Lujan. Whether New Mexico or from the south it is 
something you understand.
    Mr. Hall. I don't really know what you were telling me.
    Chair Gordon. The answer is yes.
    Mr. Hall. I want to brag on your amendment anyway.
    Chair Gordon. Manuel Lujan was respected by all of us. He 
was a good Member of Congress.
    Is there further discussion on the amendment?
    If no, the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say 
aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The amendment is 
agreed to.
    Are there any other amendments?
    If no, then the vote is on the bill, H.R. 2020, as amended. 
All those in favor, say aye. All opposed, no. In the opinion of 
the Chair the ayes have it.
    I recognize Mr. Hall now for a motion.
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee favorably 
report H.R. 2020 as amended to the House with the 
recommendation that the bill as amended, do pass. Furthermore, 
I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the legislative 
report and make necessary technical and conforming changes and 
that the Chair take all necessary steps to bring the bill 
before the House for consideration.
    I yield back.
    Chair Gordon. The question is on the motion to report the 
bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by 
saying, aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is 
favorably reported.
    Without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the 
table. Members will have two subsequent calendar days in which 
to submit supplemental, Minority, or additional views on the 
measure.
    And let me point out to everyone, particularly our newer 
Members, we won't file this bill until next week, and so if any 
of you would like to become co-sponsors of any of these bills, 
we welcome that. I think you should all go home, take credit 
for these. These are good bills, and once again, I hope you are 
not disappointed that we are not arguing and fighting, and you 
know, and having a big rumpus here, but that doesn't mean that 
these aren't good, thoughtful bills. They went to the regular 
order, a law that was taken care of at the Subcommittee level, 
and so, again, we welcome all to be co-sponsors, and I want to 
thank the Members for their attendance.
    This concludes our markup.
    [Whereupon, at 10:51 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
                                Appendix

                              ----------                              


        H.R. 2020, Section-by-Section Analysis, Amendment Roster






                     Section-by-Section Analysis of
            H.R. 2020, NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
                  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2009

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    ``Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. PROGRAM PLANNING AND COORDINATION.

    Requires the NITRD agencies to periodically assess the program 
contents and funding levels and to update the program accordingly.
    Requires the NITRD agencies to develop and periodically update (at 
three-year intervals) a strategic plan for the program. The 
characteristics and content of the strategic plan are described, and 
include strengthening networking and information technology education, 
fostering technology transfer, and encouraging innovative, large-scale, 
and interdisciplinary research.
    Encourages a more active role for the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy (OSTP) in ensuring that the strategic plan is 
developed and executed effectively and that the objectives of the 
program are met.
    Ensures that the existing advisory committee for NITRD is closely 
linked to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 
while retaining the necessary breadth and depth of expertise in NIT 
fields.
    Specifies that the annual report now required for the NITRD program 
explicitly describe how the program activities planned and underway 
relate to the objectives specified in the strategic plan.
    Specifies that the annual report now required for the NITRD program 
include a description of research areas supported in accordance with 
section 3, including the same budget information as is required for the 
Program Component Areas.

SEC. 3. LARGE-SCALE RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

    Authorizes NITRD agencies to support large-scale, long-term, 
interdisciplinary research with the potential to make significant 
contributions to society and U.S. economic competitiveness and 
encourage collaboration between at least two agencies as well as cost-
sharing from non-federal sources.
    Characteristics of the projects supported include: collaborations 
among researchers in institutions of higher education and industry, and 
may involve nonprofit research institutions and federal laboratories; 
leveraging of federal investments through collaboration with related 
State initiatives, when possible; and plans for fostering technology 
transfer.
    Authorizes support of activities under this section through 
interdisciplinary research centers that are organized to investigate 
basic research questions and carry out technology demonstration 
activities.

SEC. 4. CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.

    Requires the program to support research and development in cyber-
physical systems, human-computer interactions, visualization, and 
information management.
    Requires the National Coordination Office (NCO) Director to convene 
a university/industry task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out 
collaborative research and development activities for cyber-physical 
systems with participants from universities, federal laboratories, and 
industry. The NCO is to report to Congress on any findings and 
recommendations from the task force on models for collaborative R&D.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE.

    Formally establishes the NCO; delineates the Office's 
responsibilities; mandates annual operating budgets; specifies the 
source of funding for the office (consistent with current practice); 
and stresses the role of the NCO in developing the strategic plan and 
in public outreach and communication with outside communities of 
interest.


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