[Senate Report 115-139]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                       Calendar No. 186
115th Congress         }                     {                 Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session           }                     {                 115-139
======================================================================



 
  DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE AND JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2018

                                _______
                                

                 July 27, 2017.--Ordered to be printed

           Mr. Shelby, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 1662]

    The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 1662) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and 
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes, reports 
favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.




Total obligational authority, fiscal year 2018

Total of bill as reported to the Senate\1\.............. $65,022,000,000
Amount of 2017 appropriations...........................  65,218,000,000
Amount of 2018 budget estimate..........................  59,941,833,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
    2017 appropriations.................................    -196,000,000
    2018 budget estimate................................  +5,080,167,000

\1\This level does not include -$11,317,000,000 in adjustments that the 
Congressional Budget Office [CBO] scores to the bill. With these 
scorekeeping adjustments, the bill totals $53,366,000,000 in 
discretionary budget authority.





                                CONTENTS

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page

Purpose of the Bill..............................................     3
Summary of the Bill..............................................     3
Fighting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.................................     5
Reprogrammings, Reorganizations, and Relocations.................     6
Congressional Budget Justifications..............................     7
Reporting Requirements...........................................     8
Reductions-in-Force..............................................     8
Appropriations Liaisons..........................................     8
Title I: Department of Commerce..................................     9
Title II: Department of Justice..................................    58
Title III: Science...............................................   100
    Office of Science and Technology Policy......................   100
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration................   101
    National Science Foundation..................................   114
Title IV: Related Agencies.......................................   122
    Commission on Civil Rights...................................   122
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission......................   122
    International Trade Commission...............................   123
    Legal Services Corporation...................................   124
    Marine Mammal Commission.....................................   124
    Office of the United States Trade Representative.............   125
    State Justice Institute......................................   126
Title V: General Provisions......................................   127
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the 
  Senate.........................................................   130
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c) Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the Senate.....................................................   133
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the Senate.....................................................   134
Budgetary Impact of Bill.........................................   134
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................   135

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The bill provides funding for: (1) the Department of 
Commerce [DOC]; (2) the Department of Justice [DOJ]; (3) 
several independent science agencies: the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy [OSTP], the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration [NASA], and the National Science Foundation 
[NSF]; and (4) several related commissions and agencies: the 
Commission on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission [EEOC], the International Trade Commission [ITC], 
the Legal Services Corporation [LSC], the Marine Mammal 
Commission, the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, and the State Justice Institute [SJI].

                          Summary of the Bill

    The total amount of discretionary budget authority 
recommended by the Committee for fiscal year 2018 is 
$53,366,000,000, which is $3,189,000,000 below the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level.
    The Committee's recommendation is consistent with the 
allocation for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related 
Agencies appropriations bill. Within these boundaries, the 
Committee has achieved a careful balance between the competing 
priorities of law enforcement, national security, economic 
development, scientific research, and space exploration.
    The Department of Commerce is charged with addressing 
several critical functions for our nation, which include: 
operating weather satellites and forecasting severe storms; 
enforcing trade laws to ensure American businesses can compete 
on a level playing field; completing a timely and accurate 
census; working with distressed communities to spur economic 
development; and properly managing our Nation's fisheries. The 
President's fiscal year 2018 request for the Department of 
Commerce is $1,423,270,000 below the 2017 enacted level, 
representing a 15-percent cut in the department's budget. While 
the bill adopts some of the requested cost saving measures, the 
Committee does not support some of the proposed cuts to core 
programs, such as advanced weather forecasting operations and 
research. The administration also proposes to eliminate 
important external competitive grant programs that partner with 
States and local communities across the nation, and which use 
matching funds to maximize any Federal investment. In contrast, 
the bill retains many of these grant programs which allow 
States and communities to steer financial priorities through a 
bottom-up approach instead of Federal agencies driving local 
decisions from afar.
    The constantly changing landscape of criminal activity at 
home and abroad tests the Department of Justice's ability to 
deal with emerging threats. The Committee believes that our 
Federal law enforcement agencies must work together--
particularly in tough budget environments--to focus limited 
resources in a manner that safeguards taxpayer dollars while 
preserving public safety. Despite the overall reduction in 
discretionary spending in fiscal year 2018, this bill provides 
increased funding for Federal law enforcement agencies, United 
States Attorneys, and the Executive Office for Immigration 
Review, while maintaining strong funding for State and local 
justice grants.
    The bill provides $3,636,000,000 to victims and victim 
services through the Crime Victims Fund [CVF], which is 
$1,063,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$636,000,000 above the request. The Committee notes that the 
Congressional Budget Office estimates of the fund's annual 
collections increased in fiscal year 2018. The Committee has 
ensured that the amount disbursed from the fund matches the 3-
year average of deposits into the CVF, a metric for CVF 
spending that has been called for by the Senate Budget 
Committee.
    While the Committee strives to disburse the appropriate 
amounts to victims and survivors of victims, the Committee is 
also mindful of the nature of collections deposited into the 
fund. The CVF was established to receive a broad array of 
different types of collections from offenders convicted of 
Federal crimes including criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, 
and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys' Offices. 
However, the dramatic increase in deposits into the fund during 
fiscal year 2017 highlights the need for accountability to 
monitor the scope of funds deposited into the CVF compared to 
other accounts in the Treasury that receive similar 
settlements. Therefore, the Committee directs that the DOJ 
submit a quarterly report to the Committee detailing the amount 
and source of each deposit made into the Fund.
    Balancing the Committee's consistent support for increased 
CVF spending with the Committee's concerns for fiscal 
oversight, this bill once again offsets $379,000,000 from the 
CVF for victim-related discretionary grants in the DOJ's State 
and local accounts. The stagnant fiscal climate, coupled with 
high spending out of the CVF and increased demand to provide 
higher funding for grant programs, makes supporting important 
victim-related programs with discretionary funding 
unsustainable. As a result of this offset, overall funding for 
all of these DOJ grant programs, which are widely supported by 
many members of the Committee, remains close to the fiscal year 
2017 enacted levels in this bill.
    For the science agencies, the administration proposes a 
reduction of 3 percent below the fiscal year 2017 spending 
level to NASA, and 11 percent to NSF. This budget request 
attempts to navigate a challenging fiscal environment, but the 
deep cuts to these science agencies would dramatically curtail 
ongoing missions and research, and, for NASA, delay future 
exploration for years to come. While leveraging some strategic 
reductions, this bill makes it possible for NASA and NSF to 
achieve balanced and cost-effective operations. NASA in 
particular will have sufficient financial resources to achieve 
its management plans and launch schedules for the agency's 
science and exploration missions, many of which will reach 
critical stages of development during fiscal year 2018.

                    Fighting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

    The departments, agencies, boards, and commissions funded 
in this bill can and should continue to reduce operating 
expenses by placing greater scrutiny on overhead costs. Savings 
can and should be achieved by reducing non-essential travel, 
office supply, rent, and utility costs. The Committee also 
calls on departments, agencies, boards, and commissions funded 
in this bill to continue to achieve savings by lowering travel 
contractor costs related to air fares. The Committee continues 
longstanding restrictions on first class travel.
    The Committee is extremely concerned about the persistent 
pattern of cost overruns and schedule slippages on major 
projects and missions carried out by the agencies within this 
bill. In addition, reports have exposed a culture within many 
agencies that exhibits a lack of accountability and oversight 
of grant funding. Therefore, the Committee has continued bill-
wide provisions to ensure greater oversight and fiscal 
responsibility of taxpayer dollars.
    First, the bill requires each agency to notify the 
Committee immediately upon identification of program cost 
overruns greater than 10 percent.
    Second, the bill requires the Inspectors General of the 
Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, NSF, and the Legal 
Services Corporation to conduct reviews of grant and contract 
funds to ensure funds are being spent appropriately. For 
projects with persistent accountability issues, such as the 
decennial census and weather satellites, special funding is 
provided for additional Inspector General scrutiny.
    Third, the bill requires all departments and agencies to 
link all contracts that provide award fees to successful 
acquisition outcomes, and prohibits funds to pay for award or 
incentive fees for contractors with below satisfactory 
performance.
    The Committee also supports long-standing provisions that 
were once solely included in this bill but have since become 
government-wide provisions. These include: requiring each 
department, agency, board, and commission funded in this act to 
report spending on large conferences to the Inspectors General 
for audit; requiring all departments and agencies funded in 
this act to provide full access to documents and data for their 
respective Inspectors General to conduct investigations and 
audits; and prohibiting funds from being used for contracts, 
memoranda of understanding, cooperative agreements, grants, or 
loan activities if the proposed recipient has unpaid Federal 
tax liabilities or was convicted of a felony criminal 
violation.
    Finally, the Committee intends to continue to work with the 
Government Accountability Office [GAO] to expand the review of 
selected large-scale acquisition and construction projects. 
Specifically, the Committee directs ongoing GAO reviews of 
large NASA projects, major research equipment and facilities 
construction at the National Science Foundation, and separate 
reviews of the James Webb Space Telescope, with reports to the 
Committee on a biannual basis.
    Agencies shall provide access to all necessary data, as 
determined by the GAO, in order for these reviews to be 
completed and provided in a timely manner to the Committee. The 
Committee believes that these project status reports are 
valuable in identifying cost overrun and schedule slippage 
problems early so they can be addressed immediately and has 
used information in the reviews to develop this recommendation.
    Representation Funds.--The Committee has reduced official 
reception and representation funds by 25 percent since fiscal 
year 2011. Modest representation funds are included for agency 
executives to provide necessary courtesies to our diplomatic 
partners and hold events to honor fallen officers, or to mark 
historic occasions such as space exploration missions or 
significant discoveries. However, savings can and should be 
achieved by reducing the costs of executive meetings, 
receptions, ceremonies, and conferences, and by purchasing 
fewer promotional items such as T-shirts, hats, mugs, key 
chains, and other similar items.
    Federal Vehicle Fleet Management.--The General Services 
Administration [GSA] issues guidance on Federal fleet 
management, but the Federal vehicle fleet is decentralized, 
with each agency maintaining flexibility to manage vehicle 
utilization as appropriate. In order to provide better 
transparency and accountability of funding for Federal 
vehicles, the Committee directs agencies funded in this bill to 
conduct an annual review of fleet utilization during the third 
quarter of each fiscal year and provide their corresponding 
Offices of Inspectors General [OIGs] with supporting 
documentation on the method used for determining optimal fleet 
inventories and justification for any deviation from GSA's 
Federal Property Management Regulations. OIGs shall be 
responsible for conducting annual audits of fleet management 
practices and make the subsequent results for non-law 
enforcement sensitive agencies publicly available.
    Reducing Duplication and Improving Efficiencies.--The 
Committee directs each agency funded in this bill to report to 
the Committee, within 1 year of enactment of this act, on all 
efforts made to address the duplication of Federal programs 
identified by annual GAO reports along with identifying 
substantive challenges and legal barriers to implementing GAO's 
recommendations, along with suggested legislative 
recommendations that could help the agency to further reduce 
duplication.

            Reprogrammings, Reorganizations, and Relocations

    Section 505, contained in the ``General Provisions'' of 
title V, provides procedures for the reprogramming of funds. To 
reprogram is to change the use of funds from the specific 
purposes provided for in the act and the accompanying report 
or, in the absence of direction from the Committee, from the 
specific purposes provided for in the administration's budget 
request. Each title of the bill has also traditionally included 
separate provisions that define permissible transfers of 
resources between appropriation accounts. These transfer 
authority provisions are also pursuant to section 505 and were 
initiated in the early 1990s to provide additional flexibility 
to the agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
    The Committee expects each department and agency to closely 
follow the reprogramming procedures listed in section 505. 
These procedures apply to funds provided under this act, 
provided under previous appropriations acts that remain 
available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2018, or 
provided from any accounts in the Treasury available to the 
agencies funded by this act. Section 505 requires that the 
Committee on Appropriations be notified by letter, at least 15 
days prior to reprogramming of funds, whether permanent or 
temporary, in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is 
less, between programs, projects, or activities. Section 505 of 
this act is also applicable in cases where funding for an 
activity is reduced by 10 percent. In addition, the Committee 
is to be notified of reprogramming actions which are less than 
these amounts if such actions would have the effect of: 
committing the agency to significant funding requirements in 
future years; increasing funds or personnel by any means for 
any program, project, or activity for which funds have been 
previously denied or restricted by Congress; creating new 
programs, offices, agencies, or commissions or substantially 
augmenting existing programs, offices, agencies, or 
commissions; relocating offices or employees; or reorganizing 
offices, programs, or activities.
    The Committee also expects that any items that are subject 
to interpretation will be reported. The Committee expects that 
each department and agency funded in the bill will follow these 
notification policies precisely and will not reallocate 
resources or reorganize activities prior to submitting the 
required notifications to the Committee. Reprogramming or 
transfer requests shall be submitted only in the case of an 
unforeseen emergency or situation that could not have been 
anticipated when formulating the budget request for the current 
fiscal year.

                  Congressional Budget Justifications

    The Committee directs that all departments and agencies 
funded within this bill shall submit all of their fiscal year 
2019 budget justifications concurrently with the official 
submission of the administration's budget to Congress. Further, 
all departments and agencies with classified programs funded 
within this act are directed to submit their classified budget 
justification documents to the Committee, through appropriate 
means, at the same time the unclassified budget justifications 
are transmitted.
    These justifications shall include a sufficient level of 
detailed data, exhibits, and explanatory statements to support 
the appropriations requests, including tables that outline each 
agency's programs, projects, and activities for fiscal years 
2018 and 2019. For example, when requesting an enhancement of 
resources, the justification should detail the existing program 
and what the new resources would buy. The Committee directs the 
chief financial officer of each department or agency funded in 
this act's jurisdiction to ensure that adequate justification 
is given to each increase, decrease, and staffing and function 
change proposed in the fiscal year 2019 budget, particularly 
within the departmental operations and management accounts.
    The Committee expects that the fiscal year 2019 submissions 
will include sufficient detail to justify all programs, 
projects, and activities contained in each department, agency, 
or commission budget request. Budget justifications are 
prepared not for the use of the agencies but are the primary 
tool of the Committee to evaluate the resource requirements and 
proposals requested by the administration.

                         Reporting Requirements

    The Committee directs the departments and agencies funded 
in this bill to submit reports by the deadlines detailed herein 
or to provide advance notification if there is sufficient 
reason why deadlines cannot be met, along with the expected 
date of submission.
    The Committee also recognizes that some enduring reporting 
requirements from previous Appropriations laws may no longer be 
necessary for Congressional oversight purposes. In the interest 
of reducing government waste and expediting responses to 
current report mandates, each department or agency is invited 
to submit a list of reporting requirements that it considers 
outdated or no longer relevant for the review of the Committees 
on Appropriations. Any list submitted for review shall cite the 
original authority as well as a justification for eliminating 
each reporting requirement.

                          Reductions-in-Force

    The Committee directs departments or agencies funded in the 
accompanying bill that are planning to conduct a reduction-in-
force to notify the Committee in writing 30 days in advance of 
the date of the proposed personnel action.

                        Appropriations Liaisons

    The Committee prefers to channel the majority of its 
inquiries and requests for information and assistance through 
the budget offices or comptroller offices of the departments 
and agencies which it oversees but reserves the right to call 
upon any individual or organization in any agency under its 
jurisdiction.

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

    The Committee recommends a total of $9,160,528,000 for the 
Department of Commerce [DOC]. The recommendation is $76,441,000 
below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,346,829,000 
above the budget request.
    The Department of Commerce is responsible for a variety of 
activities critical to our Nation's well-being, including 
economic development, intellectual property protection, 
standards and measurements, trade enforcement, weather 
forecasting, and fisheries management. Our Nation relies on the 
Department to maintain America's competitiveness within today's 
foreign markets while promoting and expanding international 
trade opportunities. The Department brings together a diverse 
set of bureaus, specialized experts, research laboratories, and 
applied technology programs to support and expand opportunities 
for growth in the private sector. Few departments have such 
potential to directly impact the strength and sustainability of 
our communities and local businesses.

                   International Trade Administration


                     OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $495,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     455,500,000
Committee recommendation................................     495,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $495,000,000 for 
the International Trade Administration [ITA]. The 
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $39,500,000 above the budget request. The discretionary 
appropriation is offset by $13,000,000 in fee collections.
    Offsetting Fee Collections.--ITA shall continue to identify 
and include an accurate assessment of expected fee collections 
and corresponding expenditures in its fiscal year 2018 spending 
plan and in its fiscal year 2019 budget request.
    Trade Enforcement.--The Committee provides $2,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for the Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance. ITA should make enforcement of 
antidumping and countervailing duties [AD/CVD] a priority, 
including thoroughly investigating dumping and subsidies 
causing injury to domestic businesses and expeditiously 
reducing trade remedy case backlogs.
    Additionally, the Committee is supportive of the 
Administration's request to self-initiate AD/CVD cases, as is 
authorized under current law. The process of preparing and 
filing a petition is time-consuming and expensive and, 
frequently, industry has already suffered injury in order to 
meet the statutory standard for initiating an AD/CVD 
investigation. ITA is encouraged to use funding under 
Enforcement and Compliance to provide direct assistance to 
industries in support of self-initiated cases and other AD/CVD 
enforcement.
    Trade Fraud and Evasion.--The Committee encourages ITA to 
coordinate with appropriate agencies, such as Customs and 
Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 
International Trade Commission, and the Departments of Justice 
and State, in order to report to the Committee on legislative 
remedies that may be needed to support U.S. Government-wide 
efforts to combat trade fraud and evasion.
    Additionally, the Committee notes that funding formerly 
requested for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center has been 
moved from ITA to the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative for the Interagency Center on Trade 
Implementation, Monitoring, and Enforcement, following passage 
of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 
(Public Law 114-125). As such, no funds are provided for these 
activities in ITA, but ITA shall continue to collaborate with 
all other Federal trade agencies to ensure U.S. trade laws and 
agreements are enforced fairly.
    U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.--The U.S. and Foreign 
Commercial Service [US&FCS] provides significant value to U.S. 
businesses looking to expand overseas export opportunities. The 
Committee rejects the proposed cuts to the US&FCS and directs 
ITA to fund US&FCS, and its core mission of export promotion, 
at the highest possible level in fiscal year 2018, and at no 
less than the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. At this 
funding level, the Committee does not anticipate the closure of 
any foreign or domestic offices. No offices shall be closed in 
fiscal year 2018 unless the Committee approves a reprogramming 
request to close such office or offices. Additionally, the 
Committee will not approve requests to close any domestic 
offices, called U.S. Export Assistance Centers, if such Center 
is the only one located in a given State.
    Additionally, ITA is directed to submit, in its fiscal year 
2018 spending plan and 2019 budget request, a breakdown of 
Global Markets funding for the US&FCS and for other activities.
    Report on Export Successes.--The Committee directs ITA to 
submit, not more than 90 days after enactment of this act, a 
plan to account for and publish U.S. export successes resulting 
from interactions with the US&FCS or other entities at ITA, to 
include information relating to industry, value, and States 
involved in such exports.
    SelectUSA.--Up to $10,00,000 is provided for SelectUSA, 
except that none of the funds provided may be used to 
facilitate foreign direct investment in the United States 
unless an updated protocol to ensure that SelectUSA activities 
do not encourage such investments in the United States by 
State-owned entities is delivered to the Committee within 30 
days of enactment of this act.
    China AD/CVD.--The Committee provides no less than 
$16,400,000 for China AD/CVD enforcement and compliance 
activities.
    Capture and Trade Enforcement.--The Committee has long 
supported and valued the importance of trade enforcement for 
ensuring American businesses and products can enter the global 
marketplace on a level playing field. The objectivity of trade 
officials at ITA is essential for the success of our trade 
enforcement laws. The Committee is aware that the nature of 
trade enforcement activities involves the risk of ``capture,'' 
which is the process in which regulating officials begin to 
identify with regulated parties. Capture is often unintentional 
and develops over long periods of time, but can significantly 
influence regulators' decisionmaking. To better ensure the 
objectivity of enforcement decisions against foreign entities, 
including decisions not to enforce trade laws, the Committee 
directs ITA to provide a report to the Committee and the Office 
of Inspector General [OIG] reviewing the policies and 
procedures the agency has in place to prevent capture of its 
Enforcement and Compliance employees. The report shall focus on 
those employees that interact most often with foreign regulated 
parties and the risk of capture for these types of employees 
with regard to the foreign businesses they regulate, and shall 
be delivered to the Committee and the OIG within 180 days of 
enactment of this act.
    Survey of International Air Travelers [SIAT].--The 
Committee does not adopt the administration's proposal to seek 
alternative funding sources for SIAT and directs ITA to 
continue funding SIAT out of its base budget. Within funds 
provided, ITA is encouraged to increase the sample size for 
SIAT.

                    Bureau of Industry and Security


                     OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $112,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     113,500,000
Committee recommendation................................     112,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $112,500,000 for 
the Bureau of Industry and Security [BIS]. The recommendation 
is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,000,000 
below the budget request.
    BIS is the principal agency involved in the development, 
implementation, and enforcement of export controls for 
commercial technologies and for many military technologies as a 
result of the President's export control reform initiative. The 
Export Enforcement Division detects, prevents, investigates, 
and assists in the sanctioning of illegal exports of such 
items.
    Export Control Reform.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of completing the Export Control Reform Initiative, 
which is designed to enhance U.S. national security and the 
competitiveness of American businesses in the global economy by 
simplifying and streamlining the export control system. The 
Committee directs BIS to continue to work with the Department 
of State, in consultation with the Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Banking, and with other 
interested parties to conclude work on the remaining categories 
on the U.S. Munitions List and directs the Department to 
provide a summary of its progress within 180 days of enactment 
of this act.
    Restrictive Regulations.--The Committee recognizes the 
rapid growth of technologies controlled under Category XII of 
the U.S. Munitions List and Category 6 of the Commerce Control 
List [CCL]. Photonic components such as optics, sensors, 
fibers, lasers, photodetectors, and light modulators constitute 
$182,000,000,000 global industry, supporting 190,000 jobs in 
the United States alone. Overly restrictive regulation on dual-
use technologies create barriers to business, research, and 
workforce development for U.S. manufacturers and exporters. 
Well-written, precise regulations that account for 
international availability and commercial uses of controlled 
technologies are critical to U.S. competitiveness, especially 
for small- and mid-size companies in the United States.

                  Economic Development Administration

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $276,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      30,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     254,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $254,000,000 for 
the Economic Development Administration [EDA]. The 
recommendation is $22,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $224,000,000 above the budget request.
    EDA provides grants to local governments and nonprofit 
agencies for public works, planning, and other projects 
designed to facilitate economic development. The Committee 
directs EDA to coordinate with regional development 
organizations to support projects that will address some of the 
pressing issues that challenge rural economic development, 
including the opioid epidemic and inequities in broadband 
access. Funding amounts for the two appropriations accounts 
under this heading are displayed below.

                ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $237,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................................
Committee recommendation................................     215,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $215,000,000 for 
Economic Development Assistance Programs. The recommendation is 
$22,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$215,000,000 above the budget request. EDA is directed to focus 
on its core programs and mission to aid the most distressed 
communities across the country. The Committee expects EDA to 
use all available carryover and prior year recoveries to the 
maximum extent possible. EDA shall consider geographic equity 
in making all award decisions and shall ensure that rural 
projects are adequately represented among those selected for 
funding. Of the amounts provided, funds are to be distributed 
as follows, and any deviation of funds shall be subject to the 
procedures set forth in section 505 of this act:

                ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Committee
                                                          recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Works............................................          100,00
Economic Adjustment Assistance..........................          37,000
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms...................          13,000
Regional Innovation Program.............................          21,000
Partnership Planning....................................          33,000
Technical Assistance....................................           9,500
Research and Evaluation.................................           1,500
                                                         ---------------
      Total.............................................         215,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Economic Adjustment Assistance [EAA].--EAA is EDA's most 
flexible economic development program, which provides access to 
appropriate funding for everything from disaster recovery to 
business accelerators and incubators. Within funding for EAA, 
the Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level to support EDA's collaborations with the Delta 
Regional Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission to 
assist distressed communities. In addition, $3,000,000 is 
provided for EDA to collaborate with the Northern Border 
Regional Commission to support the development of markets for 
wood products. The Committee encourages EDA to work with 
communities researching and developing new construction 
technologies, such as engineered wood products.
    Historic Railroad Corridors.--The Committee notes that 
projects to preserve historic railroad corridors through 
development of shared-use pedestrian, bicycle, and transit 
paths may be eligible for EDA funding. EDA is encouraged to 
consider such projects when consistent with a region's 
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
    Regional Innovation Program [RIP].--The Committee provides 
$21,000,000 to EDA for grants under RIP as authorized under the 
Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 
(Public Law 113-235). RIP awards competitive grants to regional 
entities in support of innovation and entrepreneurship. EDA 
shall continue to ensure that RIP awards go to multiple 
grantees in multiple and diverse geographic areas, including an 
increased focus on organizations and States that have not 
previously received funding from the program. Furthermore, 
within funds provided for RIP, EDA shall award not less than 40 
percent of grants to support rural communities.
    University-based Business Incubators.--Within funding 
provided under RIP, the Committee directs EDA to invest in 
university-based, high-tech business incubators to encourage 
entrepreneurship and promote technology commercialization 
through business startups. Funding awards should include 
support for incubator projects where Federal labs and 
universities are collaborating to stimulate commercialization 
of research. Furthermore, this activity should support private-
public partnerships for economic growth and job creation in 
areas of high unemployment.
    New Forest Products.--The Committee notes that many forest-
based economies have experienced disruption and decline in 
recent years. EDA is encouraged to work with communities and 
regions that have been adversely impacted by rapid changes in 
the timber marketplace and to support projects that help these 
communities develop related industries, including 
commercialization of new forest products using low-grade wood. 
This work may include the coordination of economic development 
efforts across multiple States or Economic Development 
Districts. Additionally, the Committee reiterates that 
communities facing job losses are eligible for all EDA 
programs.
    Denali Commission Federal Co-Chairperson.--The Committee 
notes that under the Denali Commission's enabling statute, the 
Federal Co-chairperson is specifically granted authority to 
respond to the Commission's work plan and is required to do so 
not later than 30 days after such plan has been published in 
the Federal Register. The Committee believes that the 
requirements of this statute might be met more efficiently by 
housing the Federal Co-chairperson in the Office of the 
Secretary. Not later than 45 days following enactment of this 
act, the Department shall review and report to the Committee on 
ways in which the Commission's work plans will be consistently 
and more efficiently responded to by the statutory deadline.
    STEM apprenticeships.--The Committee notes that over the 
past decade, the growth in jobs requiring sophisticated 
science, technology, engineering, and math [STEM] skills was 
three times faster than growth in non-STEM jobs. Yet, U.S. 
employers have struggled to fill jobs in these fields. Because 
more than 50 percent of jobs that require STEM skills do not 
require a bachelor's degree, nontraditional higher education, 
such as apprenticeships, will be instrumental in meeting the 
urgent demand for a STEM-literate workforce. The Committee 
encourages EDA to provide grants to communities to create and 
expand STEM apprenticeship and other workforce training models, 
as directed in section 312 of the American Innovation and 
Competitiveness Act, Public Law 114-329.
    Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Program 
[IMCP].--The Committee notes that no funding has been requested 
and no funding is provided for the IMCP for fiscal year 2018.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $39,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      30,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      39,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $39,000,000 for 
salaries and expenses. The recommendation is the same as the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $9,000,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee is concerned by the number of vacancies at 
EDA, particularly in its six regional offices. The Department 
is reminded that budget requests to Congress do not supersede 
current appropriations, and the Committee directs EDA to 
expedite its efforts to fill all outstanding vacancies 
regardless of any current or future budget requests.

                  Minority Business Development Agency


                     MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $34,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       6,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      34,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $34,000,000 for the 
Minority Business Development Agency [MBDA]. The recommendation 
is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and is 
$28,000,000 above the budget request. MBDA is the only Federal 
agency dedicated to promoting the growth of minority-owned 
firms and assists small, medium, and large minority business 
enterprises to increase revenues and create jobs.
    Annual Report.--The Committee recognizes the disparities in 
access to capital for minority-owned firms and businesses, 
including lower loan amounts, loan denials, and liquidated 
constraints. MBDA is encouraged to submit an annual report to 
Congress on the state of minority-owned businesses, which may 
include policy recommendations to ensure fair access to credit 
between minority-owned businesses and non-minority-owned 
businesses.
    Indian Tribes.--Within funds provided, MBDA is encouraged 
to address barriers to economic development for tribes and 
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian 
populations, including full implementation of Public Laws 106-
447 and 106-464.

                   Economic and Statistical Analysis


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $107,300,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      97,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      99,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $99,000,000 for 
Economic and Statistical Analysis [ESA]. The recommendation is 
$8,300,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$2,000,000 above the budget request. ESA conducts research to 
provide a better understanding of the U.S. economy, which helps 
Government make more informed policy decisions.
    The Committee does not object to the Department's proposed 
consolidation of the Economics and Statistics Administration 
and the Bureau of Economic Analysis [BEA]; however, the 
proposed consolidation will not be approved until a 
reprogramming package detailing the planned consolidation is 
approved by the Committee. The reprogramming should include 
additional information about the impacts of the consolidation, 
including whether Gross Domestic Product [GDP] estimates and 
other critical economic reports will be released by BEA or by 
the Office of the Secretary; an accounting of which positions 
will be moved to BEA or to the Office of the Secretary, or will 
be eliminated entirely; and how the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Economic Affairs will oversee BEA, the Bureau of the 
Census, and activities conducted within the Office of the 
Secretary.
    The Committee provides funding for continued development of 
the Regional Economic Dashboard, including improved local area 
statistics and providing GDP data by county. The Department is 
directed to continue development of these products. 
Additionally, the Committee encourages the Department to 
strengthen coordination with authorities and commissions, such 
as the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional 
Authority, and Northern Border Regional Commission, to improve 
economic development reporting and support State and local 
decision makers who use these data products to catalyze private 
sector investments in rural and geographically challenged 
areas.
    The Committee continues to support the Department's ongoing 
collaboration with the Federal Recreation Council and other 
Federal agencies to quantify the outdoor recreation sector's 
contributions to the U.S. economy and encourages the Department 
to prioritize existing resources to complete the analysis 
before the statutory deadline of December 8, 2018. The 
Department shall provide a written update on its efforts to 
fulfill the requirements of Public Law 114-249 within 30 days 
of enactment of this act, and semiannually thereafter, until 
such data products are released.

                          Bureau of the Census

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,470,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,497,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,521,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,521,000,000 for 
the Census Bureau. The recommendation is $51,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $24,000,000 above the budget 
request.

                      CURRENT SURVEYS AND PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $270,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     246,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     270,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $270,000,000 for 
current surveys and programs. The recommendation is equal to 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $24,000,000 above the 
budget request. This account provides for the salaries and 
expenses associated with the statistical programs of the Bureau 
of the Census, including measurement of the Nation's economy 
and the demographic characteristics of the population.

                     PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,200,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,251,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,251,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,251,000,000 for 
periodic censuses and programs. The recommendation is 
$51,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal 
to the budget request.
    This account provides for the constitutionally mandated 
Decennial Census as well as other cyclical programs. 
Additionally, individual surveys are conducted for other 
Federal agencies on a reimbursable basis.
    While the Committee provides the full requested amount for 
Periodic Censuses and Programs, the Committee is seriously 
concerned that the request may not be adequate to meet the 
Bureau's planning, testing, and development needs for the 2020 
Decennial Census, particularly in light of the 47-percent 
increase in the lifecycle cost estimate for the Census 
Enterprise Data Collection and Processing [CEDCaP]. The 
Committee understands that the Secretary of Commerce and the 
Office of Management and Budget [OMB] are in the process of 
reexamining the budget request, and the Committee will 
reevaluate any proposed changes to the request for Periodic 
Censuses and Programs when this assessment is complete. The 
Office of the Secretary and the Census Bureau are directed to 
work with OMB to complete their review as expeditiously as 
possible, and to consider the impact of fiscal year 2018 
testing and development on total lifecycle cost.
    To help ensure the Census Bureau is on track and managing 
its key decisions that still need to be made, Information 
Technology [IT] systems that need to be delivered, and risks 
that need to be managed, the Census Bureau shall provide the 
Committee and GAO with the following information not later than 
60 days after enactment of this act: (1) a list of all 
operations and IT systems, functionality, or infrastructure 
still being considered for the 2020 Census; (2) a list of all 
operations and IT systems, functionality, or infrastructure 
being considered for the 2020 Census that will not be in the 
2018 End-to-End Test, as well as the current estimates of when 
those elements will be operationally tested, if at all; (3) a 
list of all operations and IT systems, functionality, or 
infrastructure for which it is known that what or how it is 
being tested in the 2018 End-to-End test differs from what or 
how those elements will be used for the 2020 Census; (4) plans 
to manage and mitigate each ``red'' program-level risk 
identified for either the 2020 Census or CEDCaP programs; (5) a 
spend plan for the 2018 End-to-End Test, including quarter-by-
quarter expected obligations, and (6) an updated life-cycle 
cost estimate for the 2020 Census.
    Oversight of Periodic Census Programs.--The Committee's 
recommendation provides $2,580,000 for the OIG to continue 
oversight and audits of periodic censuses and to provide the 
Bureau and Congress with independent recommendations for 
improving operations, which will be useful for oversight of the 
2020 Decennial Census. The Committee directs the Bureau to 
follow the OIG's recommendations.
    Quarterly Status Reports.--The Census Bureau is directed to 
continue its quarterly status reports to the Committee as it 
prepares for the 2020 Decennial Census. As the 2020 Decennial 
Census approaches, the Bureau is reminded that these quarterly 
reports must be scheduled on a timely basis to keep the 
Committee informed of the progress in executing the Bureau's 
plans, to identify ongoing and emerging risks, and to provide 
early warnings when goals and cost schedules are not being 
achieved.
    2020 Decennial Census.--The Census Bureau is directed to 
prioritize spending for activities that have the greatest 
potential to reduce cost and risk for the 2020 Decennial 
Census. Controlling costs for the 2020 Decennial Census remains 
a top oversight concern for the Committee. The Bureau shall 
continue to work to bring down the cost of the 2020 Decennial 
Census to a level less than the 2010 Census, not adjusting for 
inflation.
    Administrative Records.--The Census Bureau plans to save 
money during the 2020 Decennial Census cycle by using existing 
records and data to reduce unnecessary and costly duplication 
and to conduct more efficient non-response follow up. The 
Bureau is directed to work with Federal, State, tribal, local, 
and other partners to obtain the necessary records. In order to 
identify progress and gaps in administrative records access, 
the Bureau is directed to provide the Committee, within 30 days 
of enactment of this act, a report that details which records 
the Bureau currently has access to and which additional records 
the Bureau is seeking, including the purpose of each category 
of records, a summary of their impact on reducing cost or 
burden in the 2020 Decennial Census, and steps taken to acquire 
them.
    Undercounting.--The Committee urges the Census Bureau to 
ensure that the impact of new enumeration methods do not 
negatively affect demographic groups identified in its 2010 
Census Coverage Measurement Survey as undercounted and directs 
the Bureau to provide a report within 60 days of enactment of 
this act providing the measures that are being taken to ensure 
potential undercounts of these groups are appropriately 
mitigated.
    American Community Survey [ACS].--The Committee supports 
the ACS and directs the Bureau to continue using the ACS as a 
testbed for innovative survey and data processing techniques 
that will help to save money and reduce risk during the 2020 
Decennial Census cycle. The Committee also notes that ACS is 
often the primary or only source of data available to State, 
local, and Federal agencies that need adequate information on a 
wide range of topics, including the needs of veterans, 
retirees, and families with school-age children, in order to 
reliably serve those communities. The ACS is especially 
important to Americans who live in small towns and rural areas, 
as this survey often provides the only reliable and consistent 
source of information about these communities, and the Bureau 
should ensure that rural areas are covered with the same 
accuracy as urban areas to the maximum extent practicable. The 
Committee further expects the Bureau to continue providing 
updates to the Committee on efforts to evaluate and, where 
possible, to reduce the number of questions included in the 
ACS, and the steps being taken to ensure that the ACS is 
conducted as efficiently and unobtrusively as possible.
    Local Service Organizations.--The Bureau should consider 
working with local service organizations as part of the overall 
strategy to maximize survey response, especially for homeless 
and displaced populations in rural areas.
    Asian American and Pacific Islanders.--Within funds 
provided, the Bureau is encouraged to continue collecting data 
and reporting on the homeownership rates of Asian American and 
Pacific Islanders and to include this data in a separate column 
in the Census Quarterly Press Release on Homeownership Rates by 
Race and Ethnicity of Householder.

       National Telecommunications and Information Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $32,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      36,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      32,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $32,000,000 for 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
[NTIA] salaries and expenses. The recommendation is the same as 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $4,000,000 below the 
budget request.
    The Committee retains language from previous years allowing 
the Secretary of Commerce to collect reimbursements from other 
Federal agencies for a portion of the cost resulting from the 
coordination of spectrum management, analysis, and operations. 
NTIA shall submit a report to the Committee no later than June 
1, 2018, detailing the collection of reimbursements from other 
agencies.
    Next Generation Broadband in Rural Areas.--The Committee 
remains concerned that next-generation broadband technologies 
have not been sufficiently deployed in rural areas of the 
nation. The Committee directs NTIA, in coordination with the 
Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee and the 
Broadband Opportunity Council, to study the impact that next-
generation broadband technologies can have on rural areas and 
to report to the Committee no later than 1 year after enactment 
of this act on policies to promote deployment of broadband 
technologies in rural areas, including identification of 
critical gaps in broadband access, hurdles to deployment, and 
establishment of goals and benchmarks by which to measure 
progress in future years.
    Federal Spectrum Management.--The Committee directs NTIA to 
continue to evaluate options for repurposing spectrum for 
broadband in support of making 500 megahertz [MHz] of spectrum 
available for wireless broadband use. NTIA shall also provide 
the Committee with quarterly updates on the progress in making 
500 MHz of spectrum available for commercial mobile use, 
including the strategy for freeing up additional spectrum from 
Federal agencies.
    Accelerating Spectrum Transitions.--Permitting Federal 
entities to accept certain payments, including in-kind payments 
and services, from private entities may expedite the 
implementation of Federal transition plans after spectrum 
auctions. The Committee directs NTIA to evaluate whether 
permitting eligible Federal entities to accept such payments 
could result in access to auctioned spectrum frequencies sooner 
than would otherwise occur without such payments, including any 
necessary legislative changes. NTIA is directed to report to 
the Committee and to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation no later than 180 days after the enactment 
of this act on the results of its evaluation.
    Spectrum Management for Science.--Preserving access to key 
portions of radio spectrum important for radio astronomy 
observations and other scientific uses is essential for 
scientific discovery. The Committee encourages NTIA, in 
coordination with the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] 
and other appropriate stakeholders, to continue ensuring 
spectrum access for radio astronomy as commercial use of radio 
spectrum increases.
    Low Power Television Translators.--The Committee directs 
NTIA to continue providing any requested technical assistance 
to the FCC in its efforts to address the needs of low power 
broadcasters.
    Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 
[ICANN].--The Committee directs NTIA to remain a strong 
advocate for American companies, consumers, and government 
interests through its participation within the Governmental 
Advisory Committee and other mechanisms within ICANN. The 
Committee directs NTIA to ensure that the principles of 
accountability, transparency, security, and stability of the 
Internet are protected for consumers, businesses, and 
Government users. NTIA shall report semiannually to the 
Committee on adopted ICANN policies, including whether or not 
NTIA supported any changes, and to report on any changes that 
affect the .gov, .mil, .edu, and .us domains.
    FirstNet.--The Committee is supportive of FirstNet 
continuing a funding agreement with the Department of 
Commerce's Inspector General for the purposes of oversight and 
accountability of FirstNet through the end of fiscal year 2018.

    PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, PLANNING, AND CONSTRUCTION

    The Committee provides bill language allowing NTIA to 
continue oversight and administration of previously awarded 
grants. NTIA shall not use unobligated balances to award new 
grants.

               United States Patent and Trademark Office


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $3,230,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   3,500,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,500,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $3,500,000,000 for 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office [USPTO], which is 
$270,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal 
to the budget request, to be derived from offsetting fee 
collections. Since fiscal year 2005, the Committee has refused 
to divert patent fees to other purposes.
    USPTO examines patent applications, grants patent 
protection for qualified inventions, and disseminates 
technological information disclosed in patents. USPTO also 
examines trademark applications and provides Federal 
registration to owners of qualified trademarks.
    Budget Execution.--The Committee continues to allow USPTO 
full access to patent and trademark fees and provides bill 
language allowing USPTO to retain any revenue in excess of 
appropriated levels.
    Transfer to Office of Inspector General [OIG].--The 
Committee provides $2,000,000 for OIG to continue oversight and 
audits of USPTO operations and budget transparency, and USPTO 
is directed to work with the Department of Commerce to 
implement all OIG recommendations.
    Reprogramming and Spend Plan.--USPTO shall follow the 
reprogramming procedures outlined in section 505 of this act 
before using excess fee collections to forward fund expenses 
beyond fiscal year 2018. Any deviations from the funding 
distribution provided for, including carryover balances, are 
subject to the standard reprogramming procedures set forth in 
section 505 of this act. USPTO is directed to provide, as part 
of the spending plan required in section 533 of this act, all 
carryover balances from previous fiscal years and a description 
of any changes to the patent or trademark fee structure. Any 
changes from the spending plan shall also be subject to section 
505 of this act. USPTO is directed to submit all reprogramming 
requests, spending plans, and budget justifications to the 
Committee through the Department of Commerce.
    Intellectual Property [IP] Attaches.--The Committee is 
concerned by reports that USPTO's IP attaches may not have 
adequate access to their foreign government counterparts and 
are not consistently involved in Embassy or consulate 
conversations regarding intellectual property matters. The 
Secretary is directed to work with USPTO, the US&FCS, and the 
Department of State to ensure that the attaches are 
appropriately utilized, including in discussions and 
negotiations at the Counselor rank and above.

             National Institute of Standards and Technology

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $952,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     725,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     944,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $944,000,000 for 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST]. The 
recommendation is $8,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and $219,000,000 above the budget request. Up to 
$9,000,000 may be transferred from the Scientific and Technical 
Research and Services account to the Working Capital Fund.
    NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial 
competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, 
and technology in ways that enhance economic security and 
improve our quality of life.
    A description of each NIST account and the corresponding 
Committee recommendation follows in the subsequent three 
headings.

             SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $690,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     600,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     695,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $695,000,000 for 
NIST Scientific and Technical Research and Services [STRS]. The 
recommendation is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and $95,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
directs NIST to provide a detailed spending plan for NIST's 
highest priority laboratory programs describing resources used 
for each program, project, or activity.
    Cybersecurity.--No less than the fiscal year 2017 amount is 
provided for cybersecurity research, outreach, industry 
partnerships, and other activities at NIST. Within funds 
provided, NIST is encouraged to update and enhance the NIST 
Cybersecurity Framework.
    National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence [NCCoE].--The 
Committee is still awaiting the report directed in fiscal year 
2017 regarding the NCCoE's absorption of the National Strategy 
for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace mission, personnel, and 
funding. No less than $33,000,000 is provided for the expanded 
NCCoE. NIST shall provide a detailed accounting for the NCCoE's 
budget and activities in its fiscal year 2018 spend plan.
    Internet of Things [IoT].--The Committee provides up to 
$2,000,000 to develop an IoT cybersecurity research initiative 
and partner, as appropriate, with academic entities and 
industry to address vulnerabilities of IoT devices. The 
initiative shall seek to improve security of IoT devices in 
consumer and industrial settings, including new designs, 
protocols, algorithms, system architectures, identity and 
lifecycle strategies, system hardware features, and proposed 
security standards.
    Forensic Sciences.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 amount for forensic science research. 
Additionally, the Committee provides $3,000,000 to support the 
Organization of Scientific Area Committees and $1,000,000 to 
support technical merit evaluations previously funded by 
transfer from DOJ.
    Disaster Resilient Buildings.--The Committee continues to 
recognize the importance of industry and municipal standards to 
better mitigate the impact of natural disasters and extreme 
weather events. However, because the private sector can provide 
meaningful contributions to these advancements, the Committee 
believes this program should be reduced by not less than 
$5,000,000 from the fiscal year 2017 enacted amount. 
Furthermore, no funding shall be provided through competitive 
external awards under STRS for Disaster Resilient Buildings.
    Helmet Safety.--The Committee is aware of scientific data 
that demonstrates a correlation between football-related 
collisions and concussions, as well as other traumatic brain 
injuries that can lead to debilitating neural diseases such as 
dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The Committee 
encourages NIST to investigate an effective national testing 
standard to better scientifically understand the inadequacies 
of sports helmets while exploring future product designs that 
can safely reduce the neural risk of playing football, hockey, 
and other high-impact sports. The academic community has 
substantial knowledge of these issues and NIST should work 
cooperatively with the academic community by funding research 
for advanced helmets and equipment and in developing new 
testing standards to ensure player safety. Additionally, NIST 
should consider establishing an effective national testing 
standard to inform the development of youth-specific helmet 
safety standards.
    Metals-Based Additive Manufacturing.--The Committee 
provides up to $5,000,000 for competitive external grants for 
academic institutions to support research, development, and 
workforce training to overcome barriers to high-volume additive 
manufacturing of metals. While the Committee is aware of recent 
breakthroughs in metals-based additive manufacturing, major 
technical barriers still exist to dramatically improving build 
rates that would enable commercial markets to benefit from 
high-volume, metals-based additive manufacturing.
    Plastics and Polymeric Materials.--The Committee recognizes 
the significant contributions that plastics have made to 
virtually all sectors of the economy, including in healthcare, 
infrastructure, food, and cosmetics, among many others. 
However, plastics take significant time to degrade in the 
environment due to their durability--a feature that makes them 
valuable for various societal uses. The Committee believes 
advancements in creating products from recycled plastics could 
provide a more sustainable option for their use. Many hurdles 
remain in manufacturing products from recycled plastics with 
the same strength, color, odor, and malleability of new plastic 
products. Therefore, the Committee provides up to $5,000,000 
for competitive external grants for academic institutions to 
investigate plastic and polymeric materials, as well as novel 
methods to characterize both known and newly developed 
materials. Such investigations should address ways to increase 
the strength of recycled plastics and better understand 
mechanical properties including tensile stress, compressive 
stress, thermal properties, and nanostructure of polymeric 
materials that could serve as industry standards for recycled 
plastic products.
    Pyrrhotite in Concrete Aggregate.--NIST shall consider 
establishing standards for acceptable levels of pyrrhotite in 
concrete aggregate, and shall continue providing technical 
assistance to those interested in pyrrhotite detection, 
prevention, and mitigation tools.
    Regenerative Medicine Standards.--The Committee recognizes 
the important role of standards in spurring the discovery and 
development of new, innovative therapies in regenerative 
medicine, cell and gene therapy. The Committee applauds NIST 
for its continued leadership and collaboration with the 
recently established Standards Coordinating Body [SCB], which 
facilitates standards development for the regenerative 
medicine, cell and gene therapy, and tissue engineering 
sectors. The Committee notes the SCB has formed a public-
private partnership with NIST and encourages NIST to continue 
its work through the SCB with the Food and Drug Administration 
[FDA], regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy product 
developers, contract manufacturers, standards development 
organizations, and other stakeholders. Further, as required 
under the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), the 
Committee directs NIST to continue its work with FDA and 
relevant stakeholders to engage in a public process to come up 
with standards for the development, evaluation, and review of 
regenerative medicines.
    Spectrum Challenge Prize.--The Committee encourages NIST, 
subject to the availability of funds, to conduct prize 
competitions to dramatically accelerate the development and 
commercialization of technology that improves spectrum 
efficiency and is capable of cost-effective deployment. NIST is 
encouraged to work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects 
Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and other 
relevant Federal agencies to assist in the design of the prize 
competitions.
    Urban Dome Program.--The Committee notes the value of 
NIST's Urban Dome program and the importance of accurate 
measurement science for environmental monitoring and human 
health, as more than half the world's population is living in 
urban areas, and this concentration is expected to intensify 
over the coming decades. The Committee provides no less than 
the fiscal year 2017 amount for the Office of Special Programs 
to maintain and consider expanding the number of urban dome 
locations in fiscal year 2018.
    Baldrige Performance Excellence.--The Committee provides 
$2,200,000 for costs associated with NIST's current level of 
personnel support and expertise that contribute to the Baldrige 
program. However, the Committee has previously directed the 
program to become self-sufficient and self-funded, and believes 
that with adequate fundraising and private sector support, 
appropriated funds will not be needed in future fiscal years. 
The Committee encourages the Secretary to work with the 
Baldrige program's private sector foundation to conduct a 
fundraising campaign to support the program as authorized in 
section 3(f) of Public Law 100-107.

                     INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $153,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      21,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     145,000,000

    The Committee provides $145,000,000 for Industrial 
Technology Services. The recommendation is $8,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $124,000,000 above the 
budget request. Supporting the Nation's manufacturers, 
especially small businesses, is critical to keeping America 
innovative in a global marketplace.
    Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program 
[MEP].--The Committee rejects the proposed elimination of MEP 
and instead provides $130,000,000 for the program. The 
Committee supports MEP's focus on strengthening the existing 
network of MEP centers and providing additional support to 
centers based on the documented performance of the center's 
activities and the manufacturing capacity of the area served by 
the center.
    Manufacturing USA.--The Committee provides the full request 
of $15,000,000 for NIST's activities in the National Network 
for Manufacturing Innovation [NNMI] (also known as 
``Manufacturing USA''), to include no more than $5,000,000 for 
coordination activities. The Manufacturing USA program promotes 
American competiveness by fostering the development of new 
manufacturing techniques and fields, accelerating 
commercialization, and providing technical assistance to U.S. 
companies. Within funding provided, NIST shall strive to 
minimize administrative costs in order to provide more direct 
support for research and development.

                  CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $109,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     104,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     104,000,000

    The Committee provides $104,000,000 for construction of 
research facilities. The recommendation is $5,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 
The funding provided includes $60,000,000 for the continued 
renovation of NIST's radiation physics laboratories. 
Additionally, NIST is directed to request sufficient funds in 
fiscal year 2019 to accelerate completion of the Building 1 
renovation, which has been underway since 2010 and is currently 
scheduled for completion in 2028.

            National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $5,675,425,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   4,770,699,000
Committee recommendation................................   5,590,284,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $5,590,284,000 for 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. The 
recommendation is $85,141,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $819,585,000 above the budget request. The 
Committee commends the Department for its work to bring down 
the costs of NOAA's Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction 
[PAC] accounts, which have continuously consumed nearly half of 
NOAA's budget. These costs were driven primarily by budget 
overruns and schedule slips in NOAA's flagship weather 
satellite programs, which limited the resources available for 
NOAA's other mission areas. The decrease in PAC resource needs 
in fiscal year 2018 reflects the Department's and the 
Committee's concerted efforts to rein in the cost of NOAA's 
satellite programs and put them on a sustainable path. While 
overall funding for NOAA is below the fiscal year 2017 level, 
the reduction in PAC resource needs alleviates the strain on 
other operations and research areas critical to NOAA's core 
mission. This allowed for an increase above the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level in NOAA's Operations, Research, and 
Facilities accounts.

                  OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $3,367,875,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   2,965,549,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,416,401,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $3,416,401,000 for 
NOAA's operations, research, and facilities. The recommendation 
is $48,526,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$450,852,000 above the budget request.

                      NOAA NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE

    The Committee's recommendation provides $533,219,000 for 
the National Ocean Service [NOS]. NOS programs provide 
scientific, technical, and management expertise to promote safe 
navigation; assess the health of coastal and marine resources; 
respond to natural and human-induced threats; and preserve 
coastal and ocean environments.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

       NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                          recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation, Observations and Positioning:
    Navigation, Observations and Positioning...........          153,947
    Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts...........           30,000
    Integrated Ocean Observing System--Regional                   33,700
     Observations......................................
                                                        ----------------
      Total, Navigation, Observations and Positioning..          217,647
                                                        ================
Coastal Science and Assessment:
    Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and                     74,472
     Restoration.......................................
    Competitive External Research......................           11,000
                                                        ----------------
      Total, Coastal Science and Assessment............           85,472
                                                        ================
Ocean and Coastal Management and Services:
    Coastal Zone Management and Services...............           42,500
    Coastal Management Grants..........................           85,000
    Coral Reef Program.................................           26,600
    National Estuarine Research Reserve System.........           25,000
    National Marine Sanctuaries........................           51,000
                                                        ----------------
      Total, Ocean and Coastal Management and Services.          230,100
                                                        ================
      GRAND TOTAL NOS..................................          533,219
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Navigation, Observations and Positioning.--The Committee 
strongly supports activities under Navigation, Observations and 
Positioning, including the full operational funding for NOAA's 
Navigation Response Teams.
    Hydrographic Surveys and Contracts.--The Committee 
continues to be concerned with NOAA's slow progress in reducing 
the backlog of hydrographic survey work for navigationally 
significant U.S. waters. Within the amount provided for 
Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts, NOAA is directed to 
accelerate the acquisition of survey data and the preparation 
of navigation charts needed to minimize the risks associated 
with increased maritime traffic. In addition, not more than 5 
percent of funds available for the Hydrographic Survey 
Priorities/Contracts program may be used for internal 
Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts program management 
costs.
    Hydrographic Charting in the Arctic.--Hydrographic survey 
work in the Arctic is subject to a shorter operational season 
than other U.S. coastal regions. The Committee believes Arctic 
surveys could be completed more efficiently through the use of 
locally available resources and expertise. Therefore, NOAA is 
directed to award contracts for hydrographic surveys in the 
Arctic as early in the calendar year as possible to maximize 
the operational season, utilizing effective and efficient 
contract services. In addition, where feasible, NOAA should 
consider awarding adjoining survey areas to a single contract 
provider to decrease logistical costs.
    Geospatial Modeling Grants.--The Committee provides 
$8,000,000 within Navigation, Observations and Positioning for 
the competitive Geospatial Modeling Grants program for which 
all funding shall be distributed externally.
    Hydrographic Research and Technology Development.--The 
Committee supports the intended use of funds requested for 
Hydrographic Research and Technology Development. In addition, 
the Committee provides $2,000,000 above the request for NOAA to 
designate and continue supporting joint ocean and coastal 
mapping centers in other areas of the country to be co-located 
with an institution of higher education as authorized by the 
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). 
The Committee emphasizes that additional funding is provided 
for the designation of other joint ocean and coastal mapping 
centers and therefore shall not decrease funding levels for any 
existing centers.
    Integrated Ocean Observing System [IOOS].--The Committee 
directs NOAA and the IOOS regions to work with Federal agencies 
collecting regional observations to better integrate and 
disseminate information with the goal of reducing duplication 
of effort and to provide users with streamlined access to 
observational information. In addition, within funding provided 
above the request for IOOS, NOS shall work to complete and 
operate the National High Frequency Radar System. Within funds 
provided for IOOS grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, 
the Committee directs each regional entity to assess current 
spending practices for resources that become damaged or 
unworkable as a result of hurricanes or other significant 
storms, including continually replacing damaged assets instead 
of repairing them or seeking to use hardened designs, and 
provide a cost-benefit analysis to the Committee on such 
practices within 120 days of enactment of this act.
    Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and Restoration.--
Within the funds provided for Coastal Science, Assessment, 
Response and Restoration, $2,372,000 shall be for operations 
and staffing of the Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center 
[DRC]. The DRC shall continue to serve as the Gulf Coast hub 
for NOAA's emergency preparedness, response, and recovery 
operations. Furthermore, within funds provided, NOAA is 
directed to expand regional emergency preparedness training and 
to develop and disseminate best practices for using data from 
past environmental disasters to better prepare for, respond to, 
and assess the environmental impacts of future events.
    Marine Debris.--The Committee provides an increase of 
$500,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for NOAA's 
Marine Debris Program. The Committee strongly supports ongoing 
efforts to address marine debris around the country including 
projects in rural and remote communities, as well as projects 
in urban communities that include removal of abandoned vessels 
and pilings that harm the ecosystem and hinder recreational 
fishing. Activities under the Marine Debris program should help 
lead to the development of cost-effective programmatic 
solutions to address land-generated marine debris.
    Harmful Algal Blooms [HABs].--The Committee recognizes the 
need to support local efforts to address [HABs]. Within funding 
for Coastal Science and Assessment, the Committee provides up 
to $3,000,000 to accelerate deployment of effective methods of 
intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, 
and impact of harmful algal bloom events in freshwater systems.
    HABs Regional Watershed Integrated Assessments and Action 
Strategies.--The Committee recognizes the importance of the 
Great Lakes Integrated Assessment and Action Strategy to 
harmful algal bloom prevention, control, and mitigation efforts 
in the Great Lakes region, and encourages the Federal Inter-
agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia, 
established under section 4001 of title 33, and the Interagency 
Working Group tasked with implementing the Harmful Algal Bloom 
and Hypoxia Research and Control Act to identify and prioritize 
additional watersheds that would benefit from the development 
of regionally-specific Integrated Assessments and Action Plans, 
including those regions that have been impacted by freshwater 
and saltwater harmful algal blooms.
    Integrated Water Prediction.--Within funding provided for 
Coastal Zone Management and Services, the Committee provides no 
less than the fiscal year 2017 level for NOS to continue 
supporting the development and operation of the Integrated 
Water Prediction program with NOAA's National Weather Service.
    Coastal Management Grants.--The Committee provides 
$85,000,000 for Coastal Management Grants. This includes 
$70,000,000 for Coastal Zone Management Grants and $15,000,000 
for Regional Coastal Resilience Grants [RCRG], which is equal 
to the fiscal year 2017 level. NOAA is encouraged to continue 
developing the RCRG program in coordination with other ocean 
and coastal funding opportunities to ensure that the broadest 
array of projects, geographic regions, and research needs for 
oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are met. NOAA is also 
encouraged to prioritize projects that are coordinated between 
State, Federal, and tribal partners; non-governmental 
organizations; and academia. However, NOAA may only award these 
funds to coastal State projects that have written support from 
the State's Governor.
    As NOAA explores ways to make coastal areas more resilient, 
NOAA should consider depositing up to $10,000,000 from the RCRG 
into the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund for grants 
as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 
(Public Law 114-113), subject to the reprogramming procedures 
set forth in section 505 of this act.
    Coral Reef Program.--As part of its research to assess the 
impacts of acidification and increasing temperatures on coral 
reefs, the Committee encourages NOAA to include temperate and 
cold water corals, such as the Northern Star Coral.
    Marine National Monuments.--Within funding provided for 
National Marine Sanctuaries, up to $500,000 may be used for 
competitive research and management grants for existing marine 
national monuments administered by NOS, provided such grants 
are subject to a 100 percent non-Federal match.
    National Estuarine Research Reserve System.--The Committee 
provides $25,000,000 for the National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System [NERRS], which is $25,000,000 above the 
President's request and $1,500,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level. NERRS sites provide mixed-use areas that are 
protected for long-term research, monitoring, education, and 
coastal stewardship. The program is a positive example of State 
and Federal partnership.
    NOAA is further encouraged to work with its NERRS and 
National Marine Sanctuary partners on efforts for early 
detection, rapid response, and control of invasive species, 
especially those that jeopardize endangered or threatened 
native species.

                 NOAA NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

    The Committee's recommendation provides $867,034,000 for 
the National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS]. NMFS programs 
provide for the management and conservation of the Nation's 
living marine resources and their environment, including fish 
stocks, marine mammals, and endangered species.
    Committee recommendations are displayed in the following 
table:

 NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protected Resources Science and Management:
    Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Other Species....           113,342
    Species Recovery Grants...........................             7,000
    Atlantic Salmon...................................             6,224
    Pacific Salmon....................................            62,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Protected Resources Science and                     188,566
       Management.....................................
                                                       =================
Fisheries Science and Management:
    Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Programs and                 141,327
     Services.........................................
    Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and                      164,749
     Assessments......................................
    Observers and Training............................            43,655
    Fisheries Management Programs and Services........           117,051
    Aquaculture.......................................            15,000
    Salmon Management Activities......................            35,469
    Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions.......            35,871
    Interjurisdictional Fisheries Grants..............             3,004
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Fisheries Science and Management.........           556,126
                                                       =================
Enforcement...........................................            69,000
                                                       =================
Habitat Conservation and Restoration..................            53,342
                                                       =================
      GRAND TOTAL NMFS................................           867,034
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Marine Mammal Protection.--The Committee supports NMFS's 
mission under this activity to monitor, protect, and recover 
at-risk marine mammal species listed under the Endangered 
Species Act [ESA] in 2005, but whose populations continue to 
decline. The Committee encourages NMFS to utilize funding for 
the protection and recovery of marine mammal species at risk 
due to factors such as limited prey species, water-borne toxin 
accumulation, and vessel and sound impacts.
    Hawaiian Monk Seals and Sea Turtles.--Within funding for 
Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Other Species, the Committee 
provides NOAA no less than the fiscal year 2017 amount for 
Hawaiian Monk Seals and Hawaiian Sea Turtles.
    Prescott Grants.--Within Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and 
Other Species, no less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted amount 
is provided for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue 
Assistance grant program.
    Atlantic Salmon.--NOAA has identified major threats to 
Atlantic salmon, including interrelated effects of freshwater 
salmon habitat loss, lost prey buffering, and marine derived 
nutrients from declines of co-evolved diadromous species. 
Within funding provided for Atlantic Salmon, the Committee 
directs NOAA to enable a broader use of funds for restoration 
of diadromous species and habitats that support salmon recovery 
by providing ecological functions critical to the Atlantic 
salmon life cycle. The Committee further directs NOAA to ensure 
that adequate resources continue to be provided for State 
agencies to implement the recovery strategy effectively.
    Pacific Salmon.--Within funding provided for Pacific 
salmon, NOAA shall consider expanding salmonid monitoring 
activities, including through the use of tags and acoustic 
tracking to utilize real-time monitoring to avoid impacts to 
protected species. NOAA is also encouraged to work with 
partners to address the backlog of hatchery genetic management 
plans and expedite approval.
    Promote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research Funding 
Transfer.--The bill maintains the provision restricting the use 
of the Promote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research 
funds transferred from the Department of Agriculture to NOAA in 
a way that better meets the intended purpose of the transfer 
mandated by the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. None of the funds may 
be used for internal NOAA or DOC management, but rather funds 
may only be used for activities that directly benefit U.S. 
fisheries and fishery communities. Specifically, these funds 
may only be used for: cooperative research; annual stock 
assessments; efforts to improve data collection, including 
catch monitoring and reporting for commercial, charter, and 
recreational fisheries; interjurisdictional fisheries grants; 
and Fisheries Information Networks.
    As part of the fiscal year 2018 spending plan, NOAA shall 
include a clear accounting of how the Promote and Develop 
transfer funds will be allocated based on the funding criteria 
described in this bill.
    Saltonstall-Kennedy [S-K] Grant Program.--The Committee 
rejects the Administration's proposal to eliminate the S-K 
grant program and further directs that not less than 15 percent 
of the total amount of the transferred funds shall be provided 
for the competitive S-K grant program. The Committee also 
directs NOAA to obligate no less than 80 percent of the S-K 
grant program funds externally through a competitive grant 
process. NOAA shall consult with a diverse group of industry 
participants representing the entirety of the supply chain, 
from all regions of the country, to identify funding 
priorities. Prior to obligating these funds, NOAA shall provide 
the Committee with a detailed spending plan describing which 
fisheries activities will be funded in each of the regions and 
how the plan incorporates regional priorities. The Committee 
further encourages NOAA to prioritize marketing and development 
of the seafood industry, as was the original intent of the S-K 
grant program.
    NMFS Staffing.--The Committee encourages NMFS regional 
offices to locate research staff within their respective 
research regions to the greatest extent possible.
    Aleutian Island Pollock.--When Congress created the 2005 
Pollock allocation for the economic improvement of Adak, 
Alaska, provided in section 803 of the Departments of Commerce, 
Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2004 (division B of Public Law 108-199), it 
recognized the difficult task of making a viable community and 
attempted to provide a revenue stream to offset the burdens of 
a remote location. Due to the Stellar Sea Lion's Endangered 
Species Act listing in 1990 and subsequent protective measures 
put into place, fishery restrictions closed nearly all vital 
fishing grounds in the Aleutian Islands. Thus, the allocation 
could not be utilized at any point and the community of Adak 
has not realized any economic benefits or prosperity from the 
Pollock fishery. The Committee agrees that the intended 
beneficiaries should have a right to derive these lost benefits 
by assigning their Pollock allocation to others for monetary 
remuneration. Therefore, NMFS is directed to help Adak receive 
the economic benefits of their originally designated Pollock 
allocation and shall provide a report to the Committee on such 
action within 120 days of enactment of this act.
    Red Snapper Management Activities.--Within the amount 
provided for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys, and 
Assessments, the Committee provides $5,000,000 to continue the 
State-led pilot programs for reef fish management in the Gulf 
of Mexico, which Congress initially funded in fiscal year 2017. 
These State-led pilot programs should serve as a test-bed for 
alternative approaches to reef fish management in off-shore 
zones designated by each Gulf State in consultation with NMFS. 
In addition, the Committee continues to direct NMFS to 
incorporate agency-independent and alternative approaches to 
stock assessments into the agency's own stock assessments used 
for the management of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Furthermore, all stock assessments used by NMFS for Gulf reef 
fish should include fishery data collected on artificial reefs, 
offshore oil platforms, and other offshore fixed energy 
infrastructure. Not later than 60 days after enactment of this 
act, NOAA shall report to the Committee on how the State-led 
pilot programs are progressing.
    In addition, if an increase is made to the acceptable 
biological catch for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico as a 
result of the direction provided in this report for stock 
assessments, the Committee urges NOAA to consider allocating 
not less than 80 percent of any total above 10 million pounds 
of quota to the recreational sector. While all sectors have 
faced challenges in the gulf red snapper fishery, the private-
boat recreational sector has been especially impacted.
    Ecosystem Imbalance.--NOAA shall take into consideration 
any imbalance in the ecosystem that may be occurring between 
larger red snapper and other fish species before accepting 
amendments to existing regulations or implementing new 
regulations that directly affect red snapper quotas in the Gulf 
of Mexico.
    South Atlantic Reef Fish.--NMFS shall consider employing 
the independent and alternative stock assessment strategies 
directed by the Committee for the Gulf of Mexico to NMFS 
assessments of reef fish in the South Atlantic. The Committee 
notes deficiencies that have plagued reef fish management in 
the Gulf of Mexico also affect NMFS management of reef fish in 
the South Atlantic.
    Fishing Gear Selectivity Study.--Within funding provided 
for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments, NOAA 
shall consider conducting a multiyear, agency-independent study 
to evaluate the selectivity and potential bias of different 
gears used to assess reef fish populations in the South 
Atlantic region, which should build on recent work being 
conducted by state agencies on red snapper. Specifically, the 
study should address whether the use of certain gear by the 
South Atlantic Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and 
Prediction survey, such as Chevron traps, fail to adequately 
sample across age classes of reef fish, including red snapper, 
due to the different behaviors and habits exhibited by larger 
and smaller fish within the same or similar species. NOAA is 
further encouraged to initiate a multiyear, agency-independent 
study using multiple hooked-gears to sample South Atlantic Red 
Snapper for age composition, sexual maturity, and egg 
production.
    Epipelagic Apex Predators.--The Committee acknowledges 
growing evidence that yellowfin tuna and other epipelagic apex 
predators are aggregating at offshore oil platforms in a 
similar manner to their more traditional aggregation points. 
These offshore platforms may alter yellowfin or other 
epipelagic apex predator movements, diet, diseases, growth, age 
at maturity, and spawning. However, NOAA lacks fundamental data 
on how this new association may impact these important species. 
Within funding provided, NOAA shall continue to examine the 
impact of offshore oil platforms on the biology of highly 
migratory species, such as yellowfin tuna, and report to the 
Committee on such activities within 60 days of enactment of 
this act.
    Fisheries Information Networks.--Within funding provided 
for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys, and Assessments, 
$22,500,000 is provided for Fisheries Information Networks.
    Marine Recreational Information Program [MRIP].--The 
Committee recognizes the ongoing improvements being made to 
MRIP, but is concerned that these changes will be insufficient 
to meet management requirements for many offshore recreational 
fisheries, such as reef fish. Significant advances in 
technology, such as smartphone apps, allow anglers to 
electronically record their catch. The recent adoption of 
mobile electronic records technologies by State fish and 
wildlife agencies has demonstrated that these programs can 
provide comparable and compatible data to current MRIP 
estimates with faster collection and analyses. However, 
additional studies are needed to fully understand the 
suitability of angler-provided electronic data as a supplement 
to MRIP.
    Not later than 1 year after enactment of this act, NOAA 
shall provide a report to the Committee on electronic data 
collection as an option for the Fishing Effort Survey, 
including through use of smartphone apps, electronic diaries 
for prospective data collection, and an online option for 
anglers. The study should list specific actions the agency has 
taken to date and identify additional steps to be taken in the 
future, including pilot studies to explore the suitability of 
electronic data collection as a supplement to MRIP. 
Furthermore, NOAA should consider providing technical 
assistance to States currently employing such electronic data 
collection systems and expedite approval of these programs as a 
supplement or replacement to MRIP.
    Northeast Groundfish Research.--The Committee is concerned 
about the decline of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery and the 
health of fishing stocks in the Gulf of Maine. Within funding 
provided for Fisheries Ecosystem Science Programs and Services, 
the Committee provides $2,000,000 for groundfish research, with 
a focus on the effects of changing climatic conditions and 
warming waters on the fishery, including stock health and 
natural mortality. NOAA is further encouraged to prioritize 
research regarding relative gear efficiency and stock 
boundaries. This funding is intended to support research 
conducted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, research 
conducted separately by or in collaboration with outside 
partners such as higher education institutions or State 
agencies, and research conducted in cooperation with the 
fishing industry.
    Cooperative Research.--Depleted fish stocks result in 
significant economic losses to our Nation. At a time when 
fishing opportunities are constrained by uncertainty in stock 
assessments and increased access to healthy stocks depends on 
better data, the Committee believes that maintenance of ongoing 
monitoring programs, surveys, and improved research is 
critical. The Committee encourages the NMFS to continue to 
prioritize long-time series surveys that are conducted 
cooperatively with industry and States. NMFS is also encouraged 
to focus on improved understanding of natural mortality and 
relative gear efficiency to ensure accurate measures of 
catchability. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is 
directed to work collaboratively with the fishing industry to 
update and publish the Northeast Cooperative Research Strategic 
Plan, including: the identification of science priorities; a 
process for greater involvement of fishermen in data 
collection; and better communication of how the results of 
cooperative fisheries research are used.
    Baseline Data for Gulf of Mexico.--The Committee directs 
NOAA to continue supporting baseline research for fisheries 
health in the Gulf of Mexico, including studies of pelagic 
species. NOAA is encouraged to increase and continue 
collaborations in the Gulf to establish an integrated and 
comprehensive ecosystem-level fisheries monitoring enterprise 
and sentinel species program.
    Charter Vessels.--To help improve the quality and abundance 
of fishery data used for stock assessments, the Committee 
continues to encourage NOAA to expand the agency's activities 
in chartering commercial fishing vessels to serve as research 
and fishery survey vessels. Other parts of NOAA, including the 
National Ocean Service and the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research line offices, are also encouraged to 
charter commercial fishing vessels, when appropriate, to 
augment ongoing survey and research activities.
    Electronic Monitoring and Reporting.--Within Fisheries 
Ecosystem Science Programs and Services, the Committee provides 
no less than the fiscal year 2017 amount for Electronic 
Monitoring and Electronic Reporting [EM/ER] to support the 
development, testing, and installation of EM/ER technologies 
across the country. The Committee recognizes that advancements 
in EM/ER have the potential to cut costs and improve data 
collection for most U.S. fisheries. NMFS is directed to 
prioritize EM/ER implementation in fiscal year 2018, and 
expedite to the fullest extent practicable the transition to 
full EM/ER. Within the funds provided for these activities, not 
less than $3,500,000 shall be available, in accordance with 16 
U.S.C. 3701, for collaborative partnerships that include non-
Federal matching funds to implement cost-shared EM/ER programs 
that support fisheries conservation and management. During the 
development and implementation of electronic reporting and 
monitoring programs, NOAA shall consult directly with industry 
and work through the Fishery Management Councils (established 
under sections 1851 and 1852 of title 16) to develop 
appropriate cost-sharing arrangements that are commensurate 
with the ex-vessel value of the fishery.
    Furthermore, NMFS shall continue to work in fiscal year 
2018 with the charter for-hire recreational fishery fleet in 
the Gulf of Mexico; the Northeast Multispecies/groundfish 
fishery fleet, including small vessels within that fleet; and 
any regional fishery fleet interested in implementing EM/ER 
technologies to better track information that is currently 
collected through the use of human observers.
    Northeast Multispecies Fishery.--The Committee recognizes 
that the New England groundfish fisheries in particular have 
struggled to bear monitoring costs in recent years. Section 537 
of the bill directs NOAA to prioritize payment of At Sea 
Monitors prior to payment for standardized bycatch reporting 
methodology requirements monitors. However, NOAA is directed to 
submit a plan to the Committee not less than 180 days after 
enactment of this act that will establish fully operational 
electronic monitoring and reporting procedures for the 
Northeast Multispecies Fishery not later than September 30, 
2021. The plan should include NOAA's proposal to cover vessel 
equipment and installation costs, with daily, half-day, or 
quarter-day operational costs to be borne by the fishing 
vessels. The Committee notes that while participation in EM/ER 
observer coverage will remain voluntary after the September 30, 
2021 deadline, vessels not participating in EM/ER coverage will 
also be required to cover their daily, half-day, or quarter-day 
observer costs after that date.
    EM/ER Central Repository and Cost Estimations.--NOAA shall 
develop a central repository for EM/ER documentation and 
information sharing to facilitate regional access to complete, 
organized, and accurate information. NOAA shall also consider 
developing an EM/ER cost estimation template, to include all 
necessary cost components, which shall be shared with regions 
and Fishery Management Councils and used to determine further 
deployment of EM/ER technologies.
    Market Rate Observer Coverage.--The Committee is concerned 
by reports that NOAA is paying above-market rates for fisheries 
observers in certain regions and sectors. NOAA is directed to 
work with the Councils and the Commissions to negotiate the 
lowest possible rates, including half-day and quarter-day 
rates, for the 2018 fishing season, and to report to the 
Committee on those rates not later than 30 days before the 
start of any fishing season.
    Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated [IUU] Fishing.--Under 
Fisheries Management Programs and Services, the Committee 
provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 amount to combat IUU 
fishing. NOAA is directed to continue strengthening its efforts 
to detect and deter illegally harvested and improperly 
documented seafood, including working with other U.S., 
international, and foreign agencies to ensure fair competition 
for our country's domestic fishermen and safety for American 
consumers.
    The Committee encourages NOAA to work with U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection to improve and expand efforts to identify 
high-risk shipments and collect critical import data in order 
to increase enforcement of import restrictions on IUU seafood 
products and expand investigations of foreign IUU hotspots.
    Additionally, the Committee supports NOAA's Office of Law 
Enforcement and its efforts to combat IUU fishing. NOAA is 
directed to consider how innovative remote sensing technology 
could help fulfill its mission, including satellite imaging and 
traceability, and shall consider developing a comprehensive IUU 
enforcement strategy in consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard. 
NOAA may also confer with the Federal Law Enforcement Training 
Center [FLETC] and may contract with FLETC to assess and 
provide technical assistance to improve NOAA's current law 
enforcement strategy.
    Bycatch Reduction.--The development and implementation of 
practical bycatch solutions is a priority for U.S. and 
international fisheries management and protected species 
conservation. The Committee supports the requested amount for 
reducing bycatch, of which NMFS is directed to make no less 
than the fiscal year 2017 amount available for competitive 
grants to non-Federal researchers working with U.S. fishermen 
on the development of improved fishing practices and innovative 
gear technologies.
    Bowhead Whale Health.--Within funding provided for 
Fisheries Management Programs and Services, up to $720,000 may 
be used to document bowhead whale health, as may be required 
for efficient and humane subsistence harvest of bowhead whales, 
and to fulfill other U.S. obligations for such activities as 
regulated by the International Whaling Commission.
    Regional Aquaculture Coordinators.--The Committee 
encourages NMFS to designate a Regional Aquaculture Coordinator 
[RAC] for each of the six National Marine Fisheries Regions, to 
be located at each respective regional office. The goal of each 
RAC should be to liaise with aquaculture stakeholders and 
industry as well as relevant Federal, State, local, and tribal 
government entities; assist with Federal grants management and 
training programs; and foster science collaborations among 
stakeholders, academics, and governments within their 
designated fisheries region.
    Regional Pilots in Sustainable Aquaculture.--The NMFS 
Aquaculture Office is directed to continue regional pilot 
programs for partnerships between the seafood industry and 
community partners that can develop, validate, and deploy 
economically and environmentally sustainable aquatic farming 
techniques and regional business practices to grow domestic 
seafood production. To maximize the impact of these pilot 
grants, NMFS is encouraged to give priority consideration to 
promising but less commercially developed technologies, such as 
those targeting shellfish, seaweed, and other relative 
newcomers to the domestic aquaculture industry. The Committee 
provides $2,500,000 in the NMFS Aquaculture budget for this 
purpose. This funding is in addition to the laboratory funding 
for NOAA's fisheries science centers engaged in aquaculture 
research, which shall be funded at no less than the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level.
    Aquaculture Activities at Fisheries Science Centers.--The 
Committee is concerned by reports that NMFS fisheries science 
centers are cutting resources and staff positions dedicated to 
aquaculture research. NOAA is expected to maintain viable 
financial and personnel resources at the Northeast and 
Northwest Fisheries Science Centers, including refraining from 
cutting aquaculture funding or staff resources and 
expeditiously filling open positions.
    Oyster Aquaculture, Research, and Restoration.--Within the 
increased funds provided for NMFS Aquaculture, the Committee 
provides up to $5,000,000 to support ongoing research in off-
bottom oyster production in coastal areas, particularly those 
new to this method of production, including the Gulf of Mexico, 
and encourages NMFS to dedicate resources for further research 
in oyster genetics, disease, and economic modeling. NMFS is 
also encouraged to support regional partnerships to classify 
and preserve natural genetic variation in oysters.
    In addition, the Committee recognizes that the shellfish 
farming industry is composed of thousands of small farmers who 
are unable to fund critical research in the fields of shellfish 
disease, food safety, warming waters, and ocean acidification. 
To improve coordination and consistency, the Committee directs 
NMFS Aquaculture to engage and partner with industry, academic 
institutions, and States to conduct collaborative research to 
address the challenges facing this growing industry.
    Salmon Management Activities.--Within the amount provided 
for Salmon Management activities, the Committee recommends 
$14,000,000, an increase of $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2017, 
to enable States and tribal communities to implement necessary 
Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements. The Committee fully supports 
all other aspects of the budget request for Salmon Management 
activities that are essential to meeting these treaty 
obligations. The Committee also provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 amount for the operation and maintenance of 
Mitchell Act hatcheries.
    In addition, the Committee again notes the number of 
California Sea Lions in the Columbia River Estuary and their 
impact on endangered wild salmon survival. NMFS has 
authorization for the lethal removal of sea lions in accordance 
with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, meant to 
reduce the impacts of sea lion predation on salmon stocks. The 
Committee directs NMFS to review the current lethal removal 
program in order to monitor and assess the impacts of removal 
efforts on adult spring salmon migration survival within the 
Columbia River Estuary and to report its findings to Congress 
within 60 days of enactment of this act.
    Fishery Councils and Commissions.--No less than $35,871,000 
is provided to support the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, Interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions, and 
International Fisheries Commissions, provided any increase 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted amounts shall be distributed 
only among the Interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions and 
International Fisheries Commission.
    Furthermore, the Committee recognizes the important role 
that regional management plays in sustaining a balanced 
ecosystem and healthy fish populations and the advantage that 
aggregate data can provide in understanding emerging trends 
across our Nation's fisheries. The Committee directs the 
Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions to prioritize 
research and monitoring of high priority species in the face of 
changing environmental conditions.
    Economics and Social Sciences Research.--The Committee 
recognizes that saltwater recreational and commercial fisheries 
are significant contributors to the Nation's economy and is 
concerned that economic information is not sufficiently taken 
into account when fisheries management decisions are made that 
may adversely impact fishing communities. The Committee 
believes that the Regional Fishery Management Councils may lack 
sufficient guidance and procedures for how economic impacts 
should be factored into management decisions, and therefore 
fail to consider how to mitigate social, cultural, and economic 
impacts. Within 1 year of enactment of this act, NOAA shall 
provide the Committee with a description of procedures for how 
socioeconomic information could be better considered and 
weighed by the Councils and NMFS in the development and 
amending of Fishery Management Plans.
    Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund.--The Committee 
directs NOAA to provide, within 90 days of enactment of this 
act, a complete account of the last 5 years of funding activity 
of the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, and any 
other fund or grant program controlled or managed by the 
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, including 
the use of such funds to influence administrative processes in 
any State or Territory. NOAA is further directed to conduct 
such accountings annually and to publish the reports online.
    Horseshoe Crab Survey.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the inability to estimate the abundance of the mid-
Atlantic horseshoe crab population. Adequate data is required 
to ensure State and interstate managers can effectively manage 
the stock, which is important to the biomedical and commercial 
fishing industries, as well as to the ecology of the mid-
Atlantic region. The Committee encourages NMFS to continue this 
important survey to generate the data necessary to ensure the 
mid-Atlantic horseshoe crab stock remains on a sustainable 
path.
    Seafood Reporting.--The United States leads the world in 
responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture, and the 
Committee supports NOAA's activities to inform consumers about 
our Nation's sustainable fisheries through the agency's 
FishWatch program. However, the Committee is concerned that the 
exclusive use or recognition of third-party certifications for 
seafood sustainability by the Department could have unintended 
consequences for various domestic fisheries. The Committee 
acknowledges that some U.S. fisheries voluntarily utilize 
third-party seafood sustainability certification schemes, but 
believes it is not the Department's role to adopt such 
certification schemes when doing so could result in the 
Department arbitrarily influencing the U.S. domestic seafood 
market. The Committee believes support for third-party 
certifications is best presented in non-governmental forums. 
Therefore, the Committee directs the Department not to adopt, 
use, or promote any third-party certification scheme for 
seafood sustainability but to instead continue providing 
consumers with independent and accountable information 
generated from within the Department.
    Economic Impact of Turtle Excluder Devices [TEDs].--The 
Committee understands NMFS is considering a new rule to require 
all skimmer trawls, pusher-head trawls, and wing nets rigged 
for fishing to use TEDs. The Committee expects NMFS to ensure 
that any potential rule on this issue be based on meritorious, 
evidence-based science. Further, the Committee notes that these 
potential changes will have a significant negative impact on 
small fishing businesses, as stated by NOAA in its Draft 
Economic Impact Statement. Within 45 days of enactment of this 
act, NOAA shall provide a report to the Committee outlining 
specific steps NMFS would consider to eliminate the negative 
economic effects of any newly proposed rule requiring TEDs.
    Technical Drafting Assistance.--The Committee understands 
that several members have requested NOAA to provide assistance 
in drafting language that would authorize a more streamlined 
process for fishery buyback implementation and loans, including 
for refinancing existing buyback loans, but the agency has 
failed to respond. The Committee directs NOAA to respond to 
these congressional member requests and supply language 
appropriate for technical drafting assistance within 45 days of 
the enactment of this act.
    Habitat Conservation and Restoration.--The Committee 
provides $53,342,000 for Habitat Conservation and Restoration 
activities. Within the amount provided, NOAA is encouraged to 
include funding for the multi-year Habitat Blueprint Focus Area 
partnership agreements developed under the Habitat Blueprint 
initiative. The Committee encourages NOAA to include a broader 
ecosystem-based management philosophy; expand criteria to 
include recreational species, managed commercial species, and 
forage species; and prioritize proposals that engage local 
communities. NOAA should continue to emphasize the value of 
partnerships when evaluating grant applications.

                 NOAA OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

    The Committee's recommendation provides $477,725,000 for 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research [OAR]. OAR programs provide 
environmental research and technology needed to improve NOAA 
weather forecasts, climate predictions, and marine services. To 
accomplish these goals, OAR supports a network of scientists in 
its Federal research laboratories, universities, and joint 
institutes and partnership programs.
    Committee recommendations are displayed in the following 
table:

  OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH OPERATIONS, RESEARCH AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate Research:
    Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes..........            60,000
    Regional Climate Data and Information............            38,000
    Climate Competitive Research.....................            60,000
                                                      ------------------
      Total, Climate Research........................           158,000
                                                      ==================
Weather and Air Chemistry Research Programs:
    Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes..........            75,000
    U.S. Weather Research Program....................            18,600
    Tornado Severe Storm Research/Phased Array Radar.            12,622
    Joint Technology Transfer Initiative.............             2,000
                                                      ------------------
      Total, Weather and Air Chemistry Research......           108,222
                                                      ==================
Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research:
    Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes..........            36,000
    National Sea Grant College Program...............            65,000
    Marine Aquaculture Research......................            11,500
    Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring......            42,823
    Integrated Ocean Acidification...................            11,000
    Ocean Exploration................................            30,000
    Oceans, Coastal and Great Lakes Joint Technology              3,000
     Transfer Initiative [O-JTTI]....................
                                                      ------------------
      Total, Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research.           199,323
                                                      ==================
High Performance Computing Initiatives...............            12,180
                                                      ==================
      GRAND TOTAL OAR................................           477,725
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.--The Committee 
provides $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
for Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research Laboratories and 
Cooperative Institutes and expects the administration to fully 
fund Cooperative Institutes at appropriate levels in future 
years, including those currently supporting NOAA 's coastal 
resilience mission.
    Additionally, not less than 90 days after enactment of this 
act, NOAA is directed to update its ``Prospectus for 
Cooperative Institutes in the 21st Century'' plan to include 
the procedures under which a university or other academic 
institution can apply for Cooperative Institute status. The 
Committee continues to strongly support well established 
institutes, including those focused on watershed effects on 
marine ecosystems, remote sensing, and long-term monitoring of 
oil spill impacts on marine ecosystem health.
    Autonomous Glider Demonstration.--Within increased funding 
provided for Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research, OAR is 
directed to demonstrate how an autonomous ocean glider could 
address critical gaps in NOAA's physical, chemical, biological, 
and other observational needs, particularly those observational 
needs of NOAA's IOOS program. OAR shall report to the Committee 
within 180 days of enactment of this act on the progress of 
achieving the Committee's directive.
    Climate Research.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted amount for supporting and expanding 
the National Integrated Drought Information System, including 
the Regional Drought Early Warning Information System.
    Arctic Research.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted amount for arctic research funded 
under OAR's Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes and 
Regional Climate Data and Information.
    Weather & Air Chemistry Laboratories and Cooperative 
Institutes.--The Committee rejects OAR's proposed elimination 
of the Air Resources Laboratory [ARL], as well as OAR's 
proposed closing of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS] Program 
Office. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 
2017 enacted amount for ARL and the UAS Program Office and 
encourages arctic research activities using UAS assets.
    Multi-Function Phased Array Radar [MPAR] Program.--The 
Committee recognizes the importance of the MPAR program in the 
development and implementation of the next generation weather 
and aircraft radar surveillance network. The Committee directs 
NOAA to maintain its leadership in the MPAR research and 
development effort as the program transitions to the Spectrum 
Efficient National Surveillance Radar [SENSR] program, and 
encourages continued work on a Memorandum of Understanding 
among NOAA, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department 
of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security that 
delineates each agency's or Department's needs regarding the 
function and timeline of a joint multi-use and multi-function 
radar system.
    Vortex-Southeast [Vortex-SE].--The southeast United States 
commonly experiences devastating tornadoes under variables and 
conditions that differ considerably from the Midwest, where 
tornado research has historically been focused. Within funds 
provided for Weather and Air Chemistry Research Programs, no 
less than $5,000,000 is provided for OAR to continue 
collaborating with the National Science Foundation's Vortex-SE 
initiative to better understand how environmental factors that 
are characteristic of the southeast United States affect the 
formation, intensity, and storm path of tornadoes for this 
region.
    Remote Sensing for Snowpack and Soil Moisture.--The 
Committee strongly supports NOAA's continued development of the 
National Water Model to improve operational forecasts at NOAA's 
National Water Center. Within funding provided for OAR's U.S. 
Weather Research Program, no less than $6,000,000 is for 
research activities to improve fine and large-scale 
measurements of snow depth and soil moisture data that can be 
used to expand and improve the National Water Model and 
contribute directly to the mission of NOAA's National Water 
Center.
    Airborne Phased Array Radar [APAR].--Within funding for 
NOAA's U.S. Weather Research Program, no less than $2,600,000 
is provided to research and develop aircraft-based hazardous 
weather observing systems, such as APAR. NOAA shall coordinate 
these research and development activities with the National 
Science Foundation.
    Infrasonic Weather Monitoring Research.--Within funding 
provided for the U.S. Weather Research Program, the Committee 
provides up to $2,000,000 to support external research 
opportunities with academic institutions in infrasonic 
monitoring methods of violent weather. The Committee believes 
that advanced infrasound signal processing methodologies and 
studies, deployed through a network of infrasound arrays to 
detect tornadoes and hurricanes, have the potential to improve 
forecast accuracy.
    National Sea Grant College Program.--The Committee flatly 
rejects the administration's proposed elimination of NOAA's Sea 
Grant program. Instead, the Committee provides an increase of 
$2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted amount for Sea 
Grant and its research, education, extension, and outreach 
activities, which are critical for coastal communities and 
benefit the entire nation. This level of funding supports the 
key focus areas in the program's strategic plan: sustainable 
fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, 
healthy coastal ecosystems, environmental literacy, and 
workforce development. In addition, the Committee directs NOAA 
to continue funding all Sea Grant STEM education and fellowship 
programs. Further, NOAA is directed to continue its partnership 
with academic programs that provide legal expertise related to 
Sea Grant's mission.
    Not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, NOAA 
will provide a report to the Committee detailing how the Sea 
Grant program aligns with the agency's core missions, the 
number of jobs created by the Sea Grant program across 
participating states since its inception, and the role Sea 
Grant will play in the administration's stated efforts to boost 
domestic production of seafood to lower the United States' 
abysmal seafood trade deficit.
    Additionally, the Committee understands that the Sea Grant 
program provides no less than $1,000,000 in annual base 
funding, or $4,000,000 over the course of the 4-year grant 
cycle, to each Sea Grant program with Institutional or College 
Program status. NOAA is directed to continue this funding model 
for Sea Grant programs receiving Institutional or College 
Program status in fiscal year 2018.
    Sea Grant Fellowship Program.--NOAA's Sea Grant is reminded 
that the Committee's broad support is due to the program's 
historically objective standards, State-driven goals, and non-
partisan priorities. Within NOAA's Sea Grant program, the 
National Sea Grant Fellowship program serves as a valuable 
pipeline for our Nation's future ocean science and policy 
experts. The Fellowship program should remain objective and 
apolitical, and should increase its efforts to recruit 
qualified, non-partisan candidates who are committed to working 
on oceans and coastal issues for any Member of Congress, 
regardless of political affiliation.
    Fisheries-Related Research.--The Committee remains 
concerned about the negative impacts of the short recreational 
fishing season for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. While the 
relief provided by the administration for the 2017 fishing 
season is welcomed, the Committee notes it is only a short-term 
solution with the potential to further restrict fishing access 
in the future. Additional data sources and assessment 
approaches are needed and should be pursued by entities other 
than NOAA's regulating line office, NMFS. Therefore, the 
Committee continues to provide up to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level within Sea Grant to research and develop 
alternative approaches to data collection and analyses.
    American Lobster Research.--In 2015, lobster represented 
the species of highest landed value in the nation, with over 95 
percent of landings coming from the Gulf of Maine American 
lobster fishery. If current water temperature trends continue, 
the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock could face recruitment 
failure similar to the Southern New England lobster stock. 
Therefore, the Committee directs NOAA's Sea Grant to support 
Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank American lobster research 
priorities, including studying the effects of environmental 
changes on migration, growth, and maturity of the American 
lobster.
    Aquaculture Research.--The Committee provides $11,500,000 
for marine aquaculture research. NOAA is directed to support 
marine aquaculture research and development in partnership with 
universities. Similar research efforts have led to beneficial 
outcomes such as the development and commercialization of new 
technologies to meet the domestic demand for seafood, including 
finfish, shrimp, and oysters. As the administration strives to 
reduce our Nation's significant trade deficit in aquaculture-
raised seafood, NOAA shall report to the Committee within 90 
days of enactment of this act on the important contributions 
Aquaculture Research grants have made to domestic seafood 
production.
    Ocean Exploration.--The Committee directs NOAA to use a 
portion of the funding provided for Ocean Exploration to make 
competitive external awards to academic institutions that have 
partnered with OAR's Ocean Exploration program in the past. 
This includes those institutions with ocean-going assets, such 
as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles [AUV], to support new 
exploration missions, expeditions, and deep-sea research in the 
Gulf of Mexico.
    NOAA is also encouraged to work with the Department of 
Defense and other relevant agencies to continue fundamental 
ocean exploration in which open source data are collected for 
the oceanographic community and private industries in real-time 
through telepresence technology. Furthermore, the Committee 
encourages NOAA to leverage partnerships with universities to 
increase capacity for deepwater AUVs as a means to sustain 
utility of AUV assets. The Committee also encourages NOAA to 
work with the Department of Defense, especially the Naval 
Meteorology and Oceanography Command, to leverage assets and 
facilities to support deepwater AUV program development.
    Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research Joint Technology 
Transfer Initiative [O-JTTI].--The Committee provides 
$3,000,000 for OAR to identify, prioritize, and fund the 
transition of the most promising research into operations, 
applications, and commercialization. However, no funding under 
this heading shall be used to support ``research-to-
operations'' [R2O] projects that are not directly related to 
NOAA's core mission areas as funded within Ocean, Coastal and 
Great Lakes Research. In addition to funds provided for O-JTTI, 
OAR shall continue to leverage other NOAA funding to accelerate 
R2O.

                     NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

    The Committee's recommendation provides $987,491,000 for 
the National Weather Service [NWS]. NWS programs provide timely 
and accurate meteorologic, hydrologic, and oceanographic 
warnings and forecasts to ensure the safety of the population, 
mitigate property losses, and improve the economic productivity 
of the Nation. NWS is also responsible for issuing operational 
climate forecasts for the United States. The Committee has made 
saving lives and livelihoods through accurate weather 
forecasting a priority.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

      NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Observations..........................................           224,363
Central Processing....................................            92,790
Analyze, Forecast, and Support........................           487,325
Dissemination.........................................            46,013
Science and Technology Integration....................           137,000
                                                       -----------------
      GRAND TOTAL NWS.................................           987,491
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Information Technology Officers [ITOs].--The Committee does 
not approve the NWS proposal to consolidate ITOs in fiscal year 
2018. NWS was invited to submit a proposal in its 2018 spending 
plan for a single pilot Regional Enterprise Application 
Development and Integration [READI] team comprised of volunteer 
ITOs. However, the Committee has not yet received such a 
proposal. Should NWS decide to submit a plan for a single pilot 
READI team project, its subsequent successes and challenges 
will assist the Committee in evaluating the larger 
consolidation proposal if resubmitted in future fiscal years.
    NWS Staffing.--The Committee is very concerned with the 
continued number of NWS employee vacancies. Given the 
importance of the NWS mission to protect the lives and property 
of our Nation's citizens, extended vacancies are unacceptable--
particularly when the Committee has provided more than adequate 
resources and direction to fill vacancies expeditiously for the 
past several fiscal years. Because NWS has failed to respond 
satisfactorily to the Committee's concerns regarding these 
vacancies, NOAA is directed to present a separate accounting of 
all NWS filled and open positions, including the length of time 
the positions have been unfilled, in its fiscal year 2018 spend 
plan. The spend plan shall also include the specific funding 
proposed for all NWS employees and associated expenses that are 
separate from other program costs.
    The Committee also recognizes that some vacant NWS 
positions may be redundant and invites the Department to submit 
a justification for eliminating redundant unfunded vacancies in 
its fiscal year 2019 budget request, to include a full list of 
positions proposed for elimination, including reasoning for 
each elimination. Until such time as a plan to eliminate those 
vacancies is approved, NWS is directed to continue efforts to 
fill all vacancies as expeditiously as possible.
    Operations and Workforce Analysis [OWA].--The Committee 
approves the requested decrease resulting from reduced testing, 
evaluation, and implementation of the OWA initiated in fiscal 
year 2014. Results from the OWA should be used to address the 
Committee's concerns for staffing and provide guidance for the 
Department's request for NWS staffing in fiscal year 2019.
    Report on NWS Staffing in Alaska.--Within 60 days of 
enactment of this act, the Committee directs NWS to provide a 
report on staffing cuts in the State of Alaska and how NWS 
plans to maintain or improve forecasting and communication 
around the State, especially in the most remote areas.
    National Mesonet Program.--The Committee provides 
$19,000,000 for the continuation and expansion of the National 
Mesonet Program. Funds should be made available through a 
competitive weather data procurement that sustains coverage of 
areas currently included within the national mesonet, as well 
as an expansion of coverage in high risk areas. NOAA is also 
encouraged to add new observations such as total lightning 
data, regional aircraft observations, and vertical column 
measurements in tornado-prone areas. Additionally, within funds 
provided, NOAA is encouraged to incorporate state mesonet data 
into the national mesonet network. NOAA should require that 
awardees provide mesonet data in formats that can be integrated 
by NWS for use in forecasts and severe weather alerts. Of the 
funds provided, up to $500,000 may be used for Meteorological 
Assimilation Data Ingest System activities, and up to $500,000 
may be used for costs associated with the National Mesonet 
Program Office. The Committee views the national mesonet as an 
important component of any effort to effectively develop a 
``Weather-Ready Nation'' and expects that future NOAA budget 
requests will continue to reflect it as a priority.
    National Centers for Environmental Prediction [NCEP].--The 
Committee does not adopt the NWS proposal to consolidate 
centers under NCEP in fiscal year 2018.
    Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services Expansion [AHPS].--
The Committee rejects NWS's proposal to slow the expansion of 
AHPS, which will enable greater information on the magnitude 
and likelihood of floods and droughts across certain areas of 
the nation. No less than the fiscal year 2017 amount is 
provided for AHPS activities.
    National Data Buoy Center [NDBC].--The Committee provides 
sufficient funding to maintain, at a minimum, NDBC operations 
at 80 percent data availability. The Committee directs NOAA to 
provide adequate funding to support maintenance and service of 
the Tropical Atmosphere/Ocean Array [TAO] and Deep Ocean 
Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis [DART] array across the 
equatorial Pacific. The Committee further directs NOAA to 
include a schedule to restore existing data buoy operability 
and its strategy to minimize outages in the future as part of 
the agency's spending plan.
    Tsunami Warning Program.--The Committee rejects NWS's 
proposed cut to the Tsunami Warning Program. Funding is 
provided at no less than the fiscal year 2017 amounts, 
including for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation program 
grants, to ensure high-quality tsunami watches, warnings, and 
advisories are issued to safeguard lives and property.
    Integrated Water Prediction [IWP] and the National Water 
Model.--The Committee does not approve the requested decrease 
to the IWP program, which is funded across multiple NWS budget 
lines. Instead, the Committee provides no less than the fiscal 
year 2017 amount for IWP. Similarly, the Committee rejects 
slowing the development of the National Water Model and 
provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 level for its 
continued and expedited development.
    National Water Center.--The Committee provides no less than 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for operations and staffing 
of the National Water Center [NWC] to develop and operate IWP. 
NWS shall leverage this funding with resources provided to NOS 
for IWP and resources provided to OAR for remote sensing of 
snowpack and soil moisture measurements.
    The Committee is pleased with research-to-operations 
efforts at the NWC between NWS and the University Corporation 
for Atmospheric Research. This relationship highlights how 
separate entities and agencies can work together to transfer 
research into operational solutions that benefit the nation. 
The NWC serves as the first ever clearinghouse for research and 
operational forecasting of all water-related issues facing our 
Nation, including: severe floods, storm surge, droughts, and 
water quality, among others. Given the importance of NWC to 
better protect lives and property of our Nation's citizens, 
NOAA is directed to expedite staffing and operations at NWC to 
achieve full operating capability as soon as possible. The 
Committee directs NOAA to provide a report no less than 45 days 
after enactment of this act with an updated staffing plan that 
includes an update on commitments from partner agencies and a 
timeline for achieving baseline operating capability in the 
first quarter of fiscal year 2018.
    Consumer Option for an Alternative System To Allocate 
Losses [COASTAL] Act Implementation.--Within funding provided 
for Science and Technology Integration, the Committee provides 
not less than $5,000,000 for the continued development and 
implementation of the COASTAL Act, which was included in the 
Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112-141). The Committee supports NOAA's work to assist 
homeowners impacted by destructive winds and storm surges 
associated with hurricanes and super-storms. The Committee 
directs NOAA to continue to leverage existing Federal assets, 
expertise, and partnerships in carrying out COASTAL Act 
activities. Furthermore, NOAA is directed to provide the 
Committee with updates every 6 months on progress made and 
challenges related to implementation, as well as any proposed 
solutions.
    Science and Technology Integration.--The Committee provides 
no less than the fiscal year 2017 level for Mid-Range Weather 
Outlooks, including seasonal to subseasonal forecasting, and 
Investments in Numerical Weather Prediction Modeling, which 
provides critical support to Hurricane Forecast Improvement 
Project, among other important forecasting activities. 
Furthermore, the Committee urges NOAA to expedite the project 
plan described by the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Act 
(Public Law 115-25). The Committee encourages NWS to reduce 
errors in tracking and intensity forecasts of hurricanes by 
identifying technology and methods available to significantly 
improve hurricane forecasting.
    NWS Radar and Satellite Spectrum Studies.--As NOAA begins 
its study to evaluate sharing the 1675-1680 MHz GOES band, the 
Committee directs the agency to consult with private industry 
about the potential application of spectrum sharing technology 
for shared commercial use. Furthermore, NOAA is encouraged to 
study opportunities for early entry and flexible access to the 
1300-1350 MHz spectrum band through use of private sector 
spectrum sharing technologies that protect Federal incumbents 
while making spectrum available for commercial use. The 
Committee believes such a study may provide additional options 
for the Spectrum Efficient National Surveillance Radar [SENSR] 
program to both enable commercial use of the 1300-1350 MHz 
spectrum band and reduce technology risk in the 
multistakeholder SENSR program.

  NOAA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE

    The Committee's recommendation provides $234,330,000 for 
National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service 
[NESDIS] operations. NESDIS programs operate environmental 
polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites and collect and 
archive global environmental data and information for 
distribution to users in commerce, industry, agriculture, 
science, and engineering, the general public, and Federal, 
State, and local agencies.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

     NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE
                  OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Satellite Observing Systems:
    Office of Satellite and Product Operations........           143,214
    Product Development, Readiness & Application......            29,426
    Commercial Remote Sensing Licensing & Enforcement.             1,200
    Office of Space Commercialization.................               800
    Group on Earth Observations [GEO].................               500
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Environmental Satellite Observing Systems           175,140
                                                       =================
National Centers for Environmental Information........            59,190
                                                       -----------------
      GRAND TOTAL NESDIS..............................           234,330
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    National Centers for Environmental Information [NCEI].--The 
Committee recommends $59,190,000 for NCEI, which consolidated 
several programs previously funded separately. While the 
Committee supports the current budget structure for NESDIS, it 
is essential to ensure that key programs continue to receive 
adequate funding. Specifically, the Committee provides not less 
than the fiscal year 2017 enacted levels of $6,000,000 for 
Regional Climate Services, $3,650,000 for Regional Climate 
Centers, and an increase of $933,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level for Coastal Data Development. Within NCEI, the 
Committee encourages NOAA to fully support critical 
international partnerships, including the Global Climate 
Observing System.

                          NOAA MISSION SUPPORT

    The Committee's recommendation provides $265,032,000 for 
NOAA's mission support activities. These programs provide for 
overall NOAA management, including staffing of the Under 
Secretary's office and services to NOAA field offices. These 
programs also support NOAA's Education Office consistent with 
the recommendations of the Joint Ocean Commission. The 
facilities subactivity provides for repair and maintenance to 
existing facilities, planning and design, and environmental 
compliance.
    Committee recommendations are displayed in the following 
table:

          PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Services:
    Executive Leadership..............................            27,000
    Mission Services and Management...................           147,982
    IT Security.......................................            10,050
    Payment to DOC Working Capital Fund...............            53,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Corporate Services.......................           238,032
                                                       =================
NOAA Education Program................................            27,000
                                                       =================
      GRAND TOTAL, MISSION SUPPORT....................           265,032
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Corporate Services.--Within the increased funding provided 
for Corporate Services, NOAA is directed to focus on improving 
workforce management, particularly expediting the hiring 
process to fill extended vacancies with highly qualified 
candidates across the agency's line offices. NOAA shall also 
focus on improving its management of acquisition and grant 
services.
    Facilities.--NOAA's requested cut for facilities under 
Mission Services and Management is not approved at this time. 
While the Committee generally supports NOAA's proposal to have 
individual line offices account for their respective facilities 
costs, such proposal should come with a transparent accounting 
for the necessary increases to line office budgets. NOAA failed 
to clearly account for the facility cost increases that would 
result from this proposal in its budget request. Therefore, the 
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level for facilities repair and maintenance under Mission 
Services and Management.
    Education.--The Committee rejects the proposal to eliminate 
NOAA's Office of Education. Within the funds provided for 
NOAA's Education Program, $5,000,000 is for competitive 
educational grants, which includes continued support for 
Environmental Literacy Grants and for improving geographic 
literacy; $14,500,000 is for the Educational Partnership 
Program with minority-serving institutions; and $7,500,000 is 
for Bay-Watershed Education and Training regional programs.
    Outstanding Loan Balances.--The Committee encourages NOAA 
and its respective line offices to work with communities and 
businesses, on a case-by-case basis, to resolve outstanding 
balances in a manner that considers the borrower's current 
financial ability but remains fair to American taxpayers.

             NOAA OFFICE OF MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS

    The Committee's recommendation provides $213,070,000 for 
NOAA's marine and aviation operations. The Office of Marine and 
Aviation Operations provides aircraft and marine data 
acquisition, repair, and maintenance of the existing fleet; 
planning of future modernization; and technical and management 
support for NOAA-wide activities through the NOAA Commissioned 
Officer Corps.

   OFFICE OF MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine Operations and Maintenance.....................           178,838
Aviation Operations...................................            34,232
                                                       -----------------
      GRAND TOTAL, OMAO...............................           213,070
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Capital Assets.--Any decisions related to laying up any 
vessels, grounding any aircraft, or decommissioning any capital 
asset are subject to the standard reprogramming procedures set 
forth in section 505 of this act. Any changes from the spending 
plan shall also be subject to section 505 of this act. NOAA 
shall continue to provide the Committee with a monthly 
operational status of the fleet and aircraft.
    Aviation Operations.--The Committee provides the full 
amount requested for NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center [AOC]. 
The Committee maintains its direction for NOAA to provide a 
comprehensive plan to find a permanent, cost-effective home in 
the Gulf Coast region, potentially co-located with a Federal 
partner that can meet NOAA's operational needs.
    Unmanned Surface Vehicles [USVs].--The Committee is 
concerned about NOAA's ability to meet the demand for at-sea 
research days with its current combination of an aging fleet 
and charter vessels, as well as responding to emerging mission 
requirements. The Committee recognizes that USVs are not a 
replacement for manned research ships, but are a synergistic 
complement to manned ships' capabilities, and encourages NOAA 
to examine competitive acquisition of unmanned surface vehicle 
data as a cost-effective augmentation for relevant research 
missions and fisheries data collection. Not later than 1 year 
after enactment of this act, NOAA shall report to the Committee 
on USV technology and the best application to NOAA mission 
requirements and operational considerations, including an 
assessment of how USVs could lower operational costs across 
NOAA line offices.
    Feasibility of Monitoring Atmospheric Rivers.--Not later 
than 120 days after enactment of this act, NOAA shall submit a 
report to the Committee regarding the feasibility and potential 
benefit of using airborne assets to conduct regular storm 
monitoring off the West Coast of the United States, 
particularly with regard to Atmospheric Rivers.

            NOAA PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $2,242,610,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,807,801,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,111,534,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $2,111,534,000 for 
NOAA's procurement, acquisition, and construction. The 
recommendation is $131,076,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $303,733,000 above the budget request.
    Committee recommendations are displayed in the following 
table:

                PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Ocean Service:
    National Estuarine Research Reserve Construction..             1,900
    Marine Sanctuaries Construction/Acquisition.......             2,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total National Ocean Service--PAC...............             3,900
                                                       =================
Ocean and Atmospheric Research:
    Research Super Computing..........................            41,000
                                                       =================
National Weather Service:
    Observations......................................            32,755
    Central Processing................................            66,761
    Dissemination.....................................            34,619
    WFO Construction..................................             7,650
                                                       -----------------
      Total, National Weather Service--PAC............           141,785
                                                       =================
National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information
 Services:
    Geostationary Systems [GOES-R]....................           518,532
    Joint Polar Satellite System [JPSS]...............           775,777
    Polar Follow-on...................................           419,000
    Cooperative Data and Rescue Services [CDARS]......             5,000
    Space Weather Follow-on...........................             5,000
    COSMIC-2..........................................             6,100
    Satellite Ground Services.........................            53,000
    System Architecture and Advanced Planning.........             4,929
    Projects, Planning, and Analysis..................            37,185
    Satellite CDA Facility............................             2,450
    Commercial Weather Data Pilot.....................             2,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, NESDIS--PAC..............................         1,828,973
                                                       =================
Mission Support:
    NOAA Construction.................................            13,498
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Mission Support--PAC.....................            13,498
                                                       =================
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations:
    Fleet Capital Improvements & Tech Infusion........            12,878
    New Vessel Construction...........................            75,000
    Aircraft Recapitalization.........................            12,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, OMAO--PAC................................            99,878
                                                       =================
Unobligated balances from prior years.................           -17,500
                                                       -----------------
      GRAND TOTAL, PAC................................         2,129,034
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    National Estuarine Research Reserve [NERR] Construction.--
The Committee provides an increase of $200,000 above the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted amount for NERR Construction to support the 
expansion of the NERR system. Furthermore, the Committee 
remains concerned about the increased costs and lack of 
transparency associated with certain third-party green building 
rating systems. The use of certain green building standards can 
arbitrarily discriminate against domestic building materials 
such as wood that could be locally sourced, thereby increasing 
costs to taxpayers without significant benefits in energy and 
water savings. The Committee again directs NOAA to use funding 
provided for NERR Construction subject only to green building 
rating systems or standards that are voluntary consensus 
standards; have achieved American National Standard Institute 
[ANSI] Designation; or were developed by an ANSI Audited 
Designator, and take into consideration the environmental and 
economic benefits of building materials through lifecycle 
analysis. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, 
NOAA shall notify the Committee of any new, existing, or 
planned construction projects at NERRS sites that receive 
accreditation for energy savings from a third-party green 
building rating system.
    High Performance Computing.--The Committee recognizes 
NOAA's high performance computing needs and its current 
limitations on providing high fidelity results in near real-
time. Within funding provided for OAR Research Supercomputing, 
$15,000,000 shall be used to continue to develop a dedicated 
high performance computing facility in collaboration with 
partners that have existing high performance computing 
expertise and scientific synergies.
    NWS Observations.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level for Observations under NWS PAC, 
which includes the full funding for the Automated Surface 
Observing System and Next Generation Weather Radar Service Life 
Extension Programs.
    Integrated Water Prediction [IWP].--The Committee provides 
no less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for Central 
Processing under NWS PAC, which includes not less than 
$4,500,000 to procure operational high performance computing 
resources to enable modeling improvements associated with the 
IWP initiative.
    Weather Satellites.--The Committee provides full funding 
for the continued procurement and acquisition of the Joint 
Polar Satellite System [JPSS] and the Geostationary Operational 
Environmental Satellite R-series [GOES-R], NOAA's flagship 
weather satellite programs. NOAA is directed to prioritize 
satellite programs directly related to weather forecasting and 
that result in the greatest reduction of risk to lives and 
property. Keeping JPSS and GOES-R programs on budget and on 
schedule is critical, as is maintaining their respective cost 
controls, particularly when NOAA's satellite missions continue 
to dominate the agency's annual budget requirements. The 
Committee reiterates its previous direction to NOAA to find 
savings from operating expenses and to reduce duplicative 
Government overhead shared with the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration [NASA].
    Polar Follow-On [PFO].--The Committee strongly rejects the 
administration's proposed cut to PFO, which would be more than 
a 45 percent reduction from the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 
Funding for PFO is critical for maintaining polar orbiting 
satellite data, which is already at risk for a potential gap 
due to program mismanagement and funding shortfalls in PFO's 
predecessor programs. These satellites provide 85 percent of 
data required for the National Weather Service's Numerical 
Weather Prediction models. These data are required for accurate 
forecasts 3-7 days in advance of a severe weather event, 
including hurricanes and superstorms. Accurate forecasts allow 
emergency managers and communities to make timely decisions to 
protect lives and property. In light of the critical role that 
these satellites play in protecting American lives and 
property, the Committee finds it perplexing that the Department 
of Commerce and NOAA would propose to cut this program. This 
cut, and the proposed but unspecified postponement of the JPSS-
3 and JPSS-4 satellites, would introduce a weather forecasting 
risk that this Committee is unwilling to accept. Therefore, the 
Committee provides $419,000,000 for PFO, which represents the 
full amount required in fiscal year 2018 to keep the program on 
its original schedule as determined in the Department's 
December 2016 PFO Milestone Decision Memorandum.
    Space Weather Follow-On.--The Committee provides $5,000,000 
for space weather follow-on activities. The Federal Government 
needs an operationalized space weather architecture that allows 
sufficient warning times to protect our communications and 
electrical infrastructure from severe space weather events. In 
architecting the follow-on missions, NOAA should consider using 
lower cost satellites, following NASA's Explorer class model. 
The Committee expects a detailed account of how this funding 
will be spent and accompanying deliverables to be submitted to 
the Committee with the fiscal year 2018 spend plan and for NOAA 
to coordinate with NASA on the nation's space weather research 
needs, as discussed under the NASA Heliophysics section of this 
report.
    Satellite CDA Facility.--The Committee provides NESDIS's 
full requested increase to accelerate electrical infrastructure 
renewal at the Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station 
[FCDA]. Electrical infrastructure failures have plagued the 
site since early 2015, interrupting and damaging satellite 
ground systems. NOAA is directed to address these failures at 
FCDA as soon as possible to ensure its important mission can be 
conducted without impediments caused by electrical power 
outages.
    Metop-C.--The Committee provides NESDIS's full request for 
Projects, Planning, and Analysis to support pre-launch testing 
and Ground Support Equipment of U.S. instruments on Metop-C, 
which is scheduled for launch in October 2018. These 
instruments will provide complementary data to the JPSS morning 
orbit in polar satellite data and are critical for maintaining 
Numerical Weather Prediction model accuracy for 3-7 day 
forecasts.
    Commercial Weather Data Pilot.--The Committee provides 
$2,000,000 to support the assessment and potential use of 
commercial data in NOAA's weather modeling and forecasting 
through pilot purchases of commercial data.
    NOAA Satellite Reporting.--The Committee directs NOAA to 
provide quarterly programmatic and procurement status reports 
of all satellites actively orbiting, in space but in standby 
mode, and under development unless any reprogramming, system 
failure, construction delay, or other extraordinary 
circumstance warrants an immediate update. As part of the 
agency's quarterly satellite briefing, NOAA shall include 
updates on preparations and enhancements necessary to 
accommodate an increased volume of satellite data and shall 
compare initial cost estimates to actual expenditures.
    NOAA Fleet Recapitalization.--In November 2016, the 
Committee approved NOAA's updated Fleet Recapitalization Plan, 
which established a foundation for new vessel construction over 
the next 10 years. The Committee is pleased that NOAA's fiscal 
year 2018 budget request includes $75,000,000 for new vessel 
construction, which follows the Committee's direction and tempo 
for revitalizing the agency's aging fleet. The Committee 
commends NOAA's plan to leverage work done by the U.S. Navy to 
reduce design risk, ship acquisition cost, and vessel delivery 
time. The Committee further urges NOAA to continue efforts to 
find additional ship acquisition efficiencies. Furthermore, in 
recognition of the economic and national security importance of 
the domestic shipbuilding industrial base, the Committee urges 
NOAA to make every effort to acquire, consistent with its 
schedule and cost competition requirements, only U.S. 
manufactured components of the following type: auxiliary 
equipment (including pumps) for shipboard services; propulsion 
equipment (including engines, reduction gears, and propellers); 
shipboard cranes; and spreaders for shipboard cranes. NOAA is 
directed to continue providing the Committee quarterly updates 
on progress and plans to recapitalize the fleet.
    NOAA Aircraft Recapitalization.--NOAA operates nine 
aircraft, including hurricane hunter observation platforms and 
several unmanned aerial vehicles that are critical for 
forecasting severe weather, conducting emergency response, and 
supporting research missions. Some of these platforms are 
rapidly approaching their operational life expectancy, 
including the aging jet prop aircraft that conducts valuable 
soil moisture, water resources, and gravity-based vertical 
datum survey missions. The Committee provides $12,000,000 to 
replace this asset with a comparable aircraft that provides 
better uniformity within NOAA's current inventory. Within 120 
days of enactment of this act, NOAA shall submit an updated 
NOAA Aircraft Recapitalization Business Case and Timeline to 
the Committee that encompasses the agency's entire aerial 
assets and associated mission requirements and shall include 
any changes in risk related to unscheduled repairs to the 
Gulfstream IV during the 2016 hurricane season. As part of the 
report, NOAA is directed to consider options for augmenting its 
airborne capabilities to conduct primary mission work or to 
provide secondary backup capacity. In addition to procuring new 
aircraft, NOAA should evaluate leasing or contracting assets, 
consistent with the requirements of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-25).
    NOAA Marine Operation Facilities.--The Committee provides 
$2,000,000 under Mission Support PAC to continue the necessary 
environmental assessments, permitting activities, and design 
work for new berthing facilities at Newport, Rhode Island, 
which will permanently accommodate the NOAA Ship Henry B. 
Bigelow and other vessels in future fiscal years. Within 120 
days of enactment of this act, NOAA shall submit a 
comprehensive plan to the Committee outlining the cost, scope, 
and timeline for constructing and outfitting this facility, 
which is co-located on United States Navy property. As part of 
this plan, NOAA shall outline its partnership with the United 
States Navy and the United States Coast Guard on the associated 
shared responsibilities for constructing and using this 
facility.
    Mission Support, Facilities Initiative.--Within funding 
provided under Mission Support PAC for NOAA Construction, 
$10,500,000 is for wet lab and syphon system repairs and 
construction at NOAA's Mukilteo fisheries laboratory, in 
accordance with funding requested and provided for these 
activities in fiscal year 2017.
    Fishing Community Presence.--NOAA shall consider all viable 
ports when undertaking capital planning reviews, including 
those that do not currently have a significant NOAA presence.

                  PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY FUND

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $65,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................................
Committee recommendation................................      65,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $65,000,000 for the 
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The recommendation is 
equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $65,000,000 
above the budget estimate. Funds are for conservation and 
restoration of Pacific salmon populations. State and local 
recipients of this funding will provide matching contributions 
of at least 33 percent of Federal funds. In addition, funds 
will be available to tribes without a matching requirement.

                      FISHERMEN'S CONTINGENCY FUND

Appropriations, 2017....................................        $350,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................         349,000
Committee recommendation................................         349,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $349,000 for the 
Fishermen's Contingency Fund. The recommendation is $1,000 
below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal to the 
President's request.

                   FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2017....................................       -$410,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      -3,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      -3,000,000

    The Committee recommends that direct loans administered 
through this account for individual fishing quotas may not 
exceed $24,000,000. Traditional direct loans may not exceed 
$100,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and budget request.

                                 OTHER


                        Departmental Management


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $58,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      63,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      58,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $58,000,000 for 
Departmental Management Salaries and Expenses. The 
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $5,000,000 below the budget request.
    Within Departmental Management, the Salaries and Expenses 
account provides funding for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, 
and support staff. Responsibilities involve policy development 
and implementation affecting U.S. and international activities, 
as well as establishing internal goals for operations of the 
Department.
    Not less than 90 days after enactment of this act, the 
Department shall submit to the Committee a report detailing 
actions taken to cut costs and a detailed account of funds 
saved by such actions across the Department's bureaus.
    Working Capital Funds.--For each of the three working 
capital funds within DOC, the following are to be provided to 
the Committee and the Office of Inspector General by November 
30 of each fiscal year: (1) A comparison of the final budget or 
spending plan at the project or activity level to the actual 
year-end data as of September 30 of the prior fiscal year, 
including detailed narratives for variances greater than 5 
percent at the project or activity; (2) the initial budget or 
spending plan by project or activity for the current fiscal 
year; and (3) a detailed schedule of fiscal year-end 
unobligated and carryover balances by source funding category 
and by expiring budget fiscal year, to include: direct 
authority, Federal and intragovernmental reimbursable authority 
by trading partner, non-Federal reimbursable authority, amounts 
held for future asset replacement, and other categories.
    Concrete Masonry Products.--The Committee recognizes that 
concrete block is a durable product used in the construction of 
public infrastructure, commercial facilities, and homes. The 
Committee recognizes the need for legislation to enable 
concrete masonry manufacturers to establish, finance, and carry 
out a coordinated program of research, education, and promotion 
of markets for concrete masonry products and that would give 
the Department legal authority for the program's operation and 
to maintain oversight.
    Small Business Innovation Research.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the Small Business Innovation 
Research [SBIR] program and its previous accomplishments in 
facilitating commercial successes from federally funded 
research and development projects. The SBIR program encourages 
small domestic businesses to engage in Federal research and 
development and creates jobs in the smallest firms. The 
Committee therefore directs the DOC to place an increased focus 
on awarding SBIR grants to firms with fewer than 50 people.
    Unobligated Balances.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the amount of unobligated funding within DOC. As directed 
in section 507 of this act, the Department is directed to 
continue reporting all unobligated balances to the Committee on 
a quarterly basis.
    Spending Plans.--Under section 533 of this act, the 
Department is required to submit a spending plan within 45 days 
of the enactment of this act. That plan should describe the 
programs, projects, and activities of the Department so that 
the Committee receives detailed descriptions of how the 
Department intends to operationalize the funding provided in 
annual appropriations bills. The Committee expects a detailed 
accounting of each bureau's spending, including reimbursable, 
fee-funded, or working capital fund spending, particularly with 
regard to specific programs, projects, and activities described 
in the bill and accompanying report. The Department shall 
continue to work with the Committee to ensure that its spending 
plans provide adequate information for continued oversight of 
the Department.

                      RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $4,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       1,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       1,000,000

    The Committee recommendation provides $1,000,000, which is 
$3,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal 
to the budget request, for building renovation at the 
Department. Furthermore, unobligated balances of discretionary 
funds appropriated for DOC may be transferred to and merged 
with this account subject to certain limitations and the 
procedures set forth in section 505 of this act.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $32,744,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      32,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      32,744,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $32,744,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The recommendation is equal 
to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $744,000 above the 
budget request.
    In addition to funds provided under this heading, the 
Committee has recommended transfers to the OIG: $2,000,000 from 
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; $1,302,000 from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and $2,580,000 
from the Census Bureau for oversight and audits of those 
activities. The Committee directs the OIG to continue strict 
oversight activities for satellite procurements, cybersecurity, 
and the decennial census.
    Working Capital Fund Audits.--The Committee continues to 
direct the OIG to audit all of the working capital funds within 
the Department to evaluate the Department's budgetary controls 
over all funds. The OIG shall assess: the controls in place to 
develop reimbursement formulas; the relationship of 
reimbursements to client services; the appropriateness of the 
level of fund balances; and compliance with appropriations law 
and direction. As part of this assessment, the Inspector 
General shall pay particular attention to the increasing 
amounts of funding needed to support the Department's Office of 
General Counsel, including the justification and metrics for 
how such funding is being levied against each agency and, 
reciprocally, how the agencies account for the services they 
receive from the OIG. If at any point during these audits the 
OIG encounters problems with accessing any necessary 
information or data from the Department, the OIG is directed to 
notify the Committee immediately.
    Audits and Investigations.--The Committee believes that 
robust investigations and audits are essential to rooting out 
waste, fraud, and abuse, but that limiting inquiries only to 
individuals in the Department does not necessarily lead to 
comprehensive findings and recommendations. The Committee 
directs the OIG to modify its policies and procedures to ensure 
that investigations or reports include interviews with all 
parties to the project or program in question, including, but 
not limited to, contractors responsible for projects under 
review. The Committee cautions the OIG against issuing 
preliminary findings prior to interviewing a majority of the 
entities involved with the program or project under 
investigation, unless the OIG believes the findings are time 
sensitive or additional interviews are immaterial.

               General Provisions--Department of Commerce

    Section 101 makes Commerce Department funds available for 
advanced payments only upon certification of officials 
designated by the Secretary that such payments are considered 
to be in the public interest.
    Section 102 makes appropriations for salaries and expenses 
available for the hire of passenger motor vehicles, and for 
services, uniforms, and allowances as authorized by law.
    Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds 
between Department of Commerce accounts. The provision makes 
transfers subject to the Committee's standard reprogramming 
procedures and requires notification to the Committee prior to 
capital asset disposal.
    Section 104 extends congressional notification requirements 
for the NOAA satellite programs.
    Section 105 provides authority for the Secretary of 
Commerce to furnish certain services within the Herbert C. 
Hoover Building.
    Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the 
Department of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography, 
copyright infringement, or any other unlawful activity over 
their networks.
    Section 107 provides NOAA the authority to share resources 
with entities outside the agency.
    Section 108 requires that, before charging for 
congressional reports, the National Technical Information 
Service [NTIS] advise the public of free ways to receive or 
access these reports. For those reports that cannot be found 
free of charge or when a customer requires a mailed, hard copy, 
NTIS may only charge a de minimus copying and mailing fee.
    Section 109 allows the Secretary of Commerce to waive the 
bond requirement for research vessel repair and construction 
contracts that would align Commerce's authorities with those of 
other Federal agencies and address difficulties NOAA has 
experienced in obtaining competitive bids for ship repairs.
    Prior to exercising waiver authority under section 109 of 
this act, the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate 
regulations specifying criteria under which waiver authority 
may be used, including the types of contracts eligible for 
consideration, surety alternatives, and acceptable risk 
profiles in order to protect the taxpayer and ensure that NOAA 
maximizes cost-savings. The Department is directed to notify 
the Committee not less than 15 days prior to any waiver issued 
under this section. In addition, the Department shall, not 
later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this act, 
prepare a report including the actual costs of repairing, 
rehabilitating, and replacing vessels in fiscal years 2014, 
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and annually thereafter, including an 
indication of those vessels for which NOAA waived the Miller 
Act.
    Section 110 allows NOAA to be reimbursed by Federal and 
non-Federal entities for performing certain activities.
    The Committee remains concerned that agreements for 
offsetting collections provided for under this section could 
result in a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a 
conflict of interest, for the Department. The Department is 
directed to exercise caution and consider any unintended 
consequences that could result from such agreements, including, 
but not limited to, augmentation of appropriations, initiation 
of new programs not authorized by this act or any other act of 
Congress, and liabilities extending beyond the period of any 
such agreement. The Department shall provide to the Committee 
monthly updates on all offsetting fee collections, including 
each entity participating in the agreement, as well as the 
terms of and specific activities funded by the agreement. 
Additionally, estimates of anticipated fee collections shall be 
included in the Department's annual spend plans. To further 
ensure the Committee maintains sufficient oversight for 
activities carried out under this section, language is included 
specifying that any offsetting collection would require the 
consent of each party subject to the agreement and all 
offsetting collections shall be subject to procedures set forth 
by section 505 of this act.
    Section 111 provides authority for the programs of the 
Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census to enter into 
cooperative agreements in order to assist in improving 
statistical methodology and research.

                                TITLE II

                         DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

    The Committee recommends a total of $29,068,210,000 for the 
Department of Justice [DOJ]. The recommendation is $120,713,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 funding level and $739,705,000 above 
the budget request. The Committee's recommendation emphasizes 
key priorities regarding funding for the Department's critical 
ongoing missions and activities to protect the safety, 
security, and rights of our citizens.
    Countering the Heroin and Opioid Epidemic.--The Committee 
continues its commitment to helping States and local 
communities in the fight against heroin and the illegal use of 
opioids through comprehensive programs covering law 
enforcement, prevention, and treatment. A total of $174,000,000 
is provided for these purposes, including $158,000,000 in DOJ 
grant funding, to help our State and local partners tackle this 
epidemic. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Administration 
[DEA] is provided $2,535,351,000, of which $12,500,000 is 
provided to continue the four heroin enforcement teams funded 
in fiscal year 2017 for interdiction and intervention efforts 
including the support of DEA's 360 Strategy. The Committee 
supports the Bureau of Prisons' drug treatment programs, 
including the Residential Drug Assistance Program, at no less 
than the fiscal year 2017 level of $116,000,000. Rather than 
take critical programming resources from the DEA's Diversion 
Control Fee Account, the Executive Office of the United States 
Attorneys [EOUSA] is directed to dedicate Assistant U.S. 
Attorneys to focus on criminal and civil diversion cases.
    Trafficking in Persons.--The fight against human and sex 
trafficking, including the apprehension of perpetrators who use 
classified ads on Web sites to facilitate the sexual 
exploitation of children, crosses many jurisdictions within the 
Department. The Department shall dedicate no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 level for the Human Trafficking Prosecution 
Unit [HTPU] and the Committee encourages HTPU and the Anti-
Trafficking Coordination Teams to continue working with victim 
service providers and non-governmental organizations to ensure 
victim needs are prioritized as part of the overall strategy to 
combat human trafficking and forced labor in the United States. 
Furthermore, the Committee directs the HTPU to provide a report 
on human trafficking victims, as specified in Senate Report 
114-239 and codified by Public Law 115-31, to the Committee no 
later than 90 days following enactment of this act.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] is directed to 
provide no less than the fiscal year 2017 level to investigate 
severe forms of trafficking in persons. As the lead Federal law 
enforcement agency, the FBI's ability to combat trafficking and 
forced labor requires resources devoted specifically to the 
growing problem of trafficking and forced labor. Funding shall 
be used for investigations into human trafficking and forced 
labor and providing victim witness coordinators when needed on 
an emergency basis through the Office of Victim Assistance via 
the Office of Victims of Crime. The Committee also directs that 
the FBI designate a lead agent in each field office as a point 
of contact for slavery and human trafficking investigations.
    In addition, the Committee directs the FBI to submit a 
report for Innocence Lost Operations encompassing the previous 
5 years that details the: (1) number of traffickers arrested, 
(2) the number of adults arrested on charges of prostitution, 
(3) the number of minor victims identified, (4) the number of 
minor victims criminally charged, and (5) the placement and 
social service support secured for each child in each State 
operation within 180 days of enactment of this act.
    The EOUSA and the FBI shall continue to follow direction as 
outlined by the Committee in Senate Report 114-66 regarding 
designated points of contact and improved processes for T-visas 
for EOUSA and support for victims of trafficking through 
Continued Presence for the FBI.
    The Committee is disturbed by recent reporting on the use 
of labor that may have been subject to human trafficking to 
harvest fish in international waters. Due to the complex legal 
and jurisdictional issues involved, the Committee directs the 
DOJ to lead a multi-agency task force to address this issue. 
The task force should convene experts from Federal agencies 
that handle law enforcement, labor law and international issues 
to develop a coordinated response regarding the proper 
application of U.S. law and resolution of any jurisdictional 
issues. The Department is directed to report back to the 
Committee on the establishment and progress of this multi-
disciplinary task force not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this act and issue a final report along with 
any related funding, policy recommendations and legal decisions 
within 1 year of enactment of this act.
    Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] Enforcement.--The 
Committee expects the Department to continue to make IPR 
enforcement an investigative and prosecutorial priority. 
Sophisticated, often transnational, criminal enterprises engage 
in a range of illegal activity, including identity theft, 
connected to the theft of copyrighted content. Given the strong 
links to other illegal activity, the Department's IP-dedicated 
personnel should investigate U.S.-based sites and apps that are 
engaged in such criminal activity. The FBI shall submit a 
report to the Committee, not later than 90 days after enactment 
of this act, detailing the activities of its dedicated agents 
investigating IPR cases, particularly in the area of creative 
content theft.
    The Committee reminds United States Attorneys Offices 
[USAO] to remain focused on IPR crimes. Based on a new wave of 
digital copyright piracy involving devices and software that 
connect televisions directly to copyright-theft sites, the 
Committee directs the USAOs to place an emphasis on the 
investigation and prosecution of criminal enterprises 
distributing such illicit copyright-theft devices.
    Cybersecurity.--The Department has several offices with 
cybersecurity responsibilities, including those within the FBI, 
the National Security Division, the Criminal Division, and 
USAO. At a minimum, the Committee directs the Department to 
maintain its cybersecurity posture at no less than the fiscal 
year 2017 level to defend and respond to current and emerging 
attacks that threaten its own infrastructure and activities. In 
other cases, such as with the USAO, DEA, and the FBI, the 
Committee has specific direction detailed later in this report 
to provide increased funding for cyber-related investigations 
and to prosecute additional cybercrimes. Throughout this title, 
the Committee directs the Department to provide no less than 
the fiscal year 2017 level for cybersecurity-related 
activities.
    Strengthening Police-Community Relations.--The Committee 
continues to recognize and support the important need for 
lasting collaborative relationships between local police and 
the public and directs that no less than the fiscal year 2017 
funding level be allocated towards these efforts. $92,500,000 
is provided for State and Local and Community Oriented Policing 
Services [COPS] Office grant programs. Strong partnerships 
between the police and the communities they protect reduce 
crime, ensure that citizens' civil rights are protected, and 
improve officer safety.
    The Committee supports the FBI's June 10, 2016, guidance 
affirming the Criminal Justice Information Services [CJIS] 
Advisory Policy Board recommendation that all law enforcement 
agencies be National Incident-Based Reporting System [NIBRS] 
compliant by January 1, 2021. The FBI's NIBRS captures detailed 
crime incident data, beyond what the Uniform Crime Reporting 
System currently tracks, such as arrests and officer-involved 
shootings, is not only critical in aiding State and local law 
enforcement agencies as they work to keep our communities safe, 
but also increases transparency and accountability of law 
enforcement to the public. To assist in this effort, the 
Committee again funds the National Crime Statistics Exchange 
[NCS-X] at $5,000,000 to help additional law enforcement 
agencies make the transition into NIBRS and allow the Bureau of 
Justice Statistics to produce nationally representative 
estimates of crimes known to the police that can be 
disaggregated by victim-offender characteristics, the 
circumstances of the crime, victim-offender relationship, and 
other important elements of criminal events.
    Federal Water Usage Violations.--The Committee is aware 
that the Department should receive notifications from the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] regarding violations of Federal 
water contracts involving multi-State river basins. The 
Committee directs the Department to provide a report within 60 
days of enactment of this act that includes: an audit of all 
Federal water contract violations in multi-State water basins 
since 2005; an audit of any contract violation notifications 
DOJ has received from USACE regarding all multi-State river 
basins since 2005; a record of how DOJ has handled these 
violations and notifications; and a comprehensive plan for how 
DOJ intends to enforce the law and respond to these contract 
violations now and in the future. The Committee also directs 
the Department to enter into an agreement with USACE whereby 
the Department contemporaneously receives all water contract 
violation notifications produced or issued by the USACE, in 
whatever form. Upon receipt of any contract violations, the 
Attorney General shall ensure that the information is provided 
to the appropriate United States Attorney's offices of 
jurisdiction to determine if civil or criminal prosecution is 
warranted.
    Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act.--The 
Committee fully supports the goals of the Emmett Till Unsolved 
Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114-325) to investigate and prosecute previously unresolved 
civil rights era ``cold case'' murders suspected of having been 
racially motivated, through a partnership among the Civil 
Rights Division [CRT], the FBI, the Community Relations Service 
[CRS], State and local law enforcement officials, and other 
eligible entities. To continue supporting Emmett Till 
activities, the Committee urges the Department to: use such 
sums as may be necessary from within the base budget for the 
CRT's Cold Case Initiative; for the FBI to pursue Emmett Till 
Act cold cases; and for the CRS to partner with law enforcement 
agencies and communities to help resolve conflicts resulting 
from the investigation of unsolved civil rights era cases. 
Additionally, the Committee directs the National Institute of 
Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Office for 
Victims of Crime to continue providing grants for cold case DNA 
investigations to aid State and local law enforcement agencies 
in their investigation and prosecution of unsolved civil rights 
cold cases.
    Working Capital Fund [WCF].--The Committee expects the 
Department to execute funding to the fullest extent possible 
without any carryover balances. The Committee directs DOJ to 
continue to use the WCF only as a repository for reimbursable 
funds from components and to obligate and execute that funding 
expeditiously. The DOJ shall provide a report to the Committee 
within 45 days of enactment of this act regarding balances in 
the WCF including carryover funds, the intended uses of those 
funds, and a spending plan. The spending plan shall include: 
the amount each component contributes to the WCF; a detailed 
accounting of collections into the WCF from appropriations, 
reimbursable funds, and alternative sources of funding 
including the Three Percent Fund; a list of settlements and 
collections from the Three Percent Fund in excess of $3,000,000 
and a categorical accounting of obligations out of the WCF 
including a breakdown of services provided from the Department 
to each component. The Department is further directed to 
provide quarterly updates on the WCF to the Committee.
    Cell-Site Simulator [CSS] Technology.--Funds provided in 
this act shall be used only to deploy or facilitate the use of 
CSS technology for criminal investigations if such use complies 
fully with DOJ's guidance issued on September 3, 2015. The 
Department shall ensure that this guidance is followed strictly 
by Federal, State, and local entities that receive funding 
under this act, to include compliance with requirements of the 
Fourth Amendment and the Pen Register Act. As directed in the 
guidance, CSS technology must be configured only as pen 
registers and may not be used to collect content of any 
communication or subscriber account information. In addition, 
the departmental guidance requires comprehensive and consistent 
training on the appropriate use of CSS technology; adopting 
rigorous practices for handling and retaining data acquired 
through the use of this technology; and scrupulously auditing 
the use of such technology. The Committee directs the 
Department to submit a report, within 120 days of enactment of 
this act, on DOJ's use of CSS technology and its compliance 
with the guidance.
    Crime Victim and Sexual Assault Survivor Rights 
Implementation.--The Committee strongly supports the 
Department's continued efforts to promote the rights of crime 
victims, including new rights for sexual assault survivors 
enacted as part of the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114-70). Sexual assault remains one of the most 
underreported crimes in our criminal justice system. Formal 
recognition of the rights of survivors remains a critical 
component of the larger effort to increase reporting of these 
crimes by creating an environment that allows survivors to feel 
comfortable coming forward. To that end, the Committee directs 
the Department to report within 90 days of enactment of this 
act on its efforts to update its prosecution, victim, and 
witness assistance guidelines, protocols, procedures, and other 
relevant regulations in order to be consistent with recent 
changes in the law associated with crime victims and sexual 
assault survivors rights, including those victim and survivor 
rights that apply regardless of whether the victim participates 
in a subsequent investigation or whether or not a report 
results in a formal charge or indictment.
    Travel Scams.--The Committee is aware of rising incidences 
of online hotel booking scams targeting U.S. citizens. The 
Committee encourages the Department to collaborate with the 
Federal Trade Commission to develop a strategy to reduce and 
prevent incidences of consumers being subjected to booking 
scams, with a particular focus on deceptive websites and call 
centers that pose as legitimate hotel or travel companies.
    Compliance with Recently Enacted Laws.--The Committee 
reminds the Department of the recent enactment of the Justice 
for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-324) and 
Title XIV of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), 
titled ``Mental Health and Safe Communities,'' and expects the 
Department to fully comply with these laws in administering the 
funding provided under this act.
    Spending Plan.--In compliance with section 533 of this act, 
the Committee directs the Department to submit a spending plan, 
signed by the Attorney General, within 45 days of enactment of 
this act.

                         General Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $114,124,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     114,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     114,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $114,000,000 for 
General Administration salaries and expenses. The 
recommendation is $124,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request.
    The General Administration account provides funding for 
senior policy officials responsible for departmental management 
and policy development. The specific offices funded by this 
account include: the immediate Office of the Attorney General; 
the immediate Office of the Deputy Attorney General; the 
immediate Office of the Associate Attorney General; Office of 
Legal Policy; Office of Public Affairs; Office of Legislative 
Affairs [OLA]; Office of Professional Responsibility; Office of 
Intergovernmental and Public Liaison; and the Justice 
Management Division [JMD].
    Wildlife Trafficking.--The Committee notes the dramatic and 
disconcerting increase of criminal activity involving wildlife 
that includes the illegal trade in rhinoceros horns and 
elephant ivory, poaching of wild animals for their parts, 
illegal capture and transport of endangered animals, and 
illegally harvested timber, as well as money laundering that 
comes with these products' sale on the black market. There are 
indisputable linkages between these activities and the 
financing of armed insurgencies and transnational organized 
crime that threaten the stability and development of African 
countries and pose a serious threat to U.S. security interests.
    The Committee directs the Attorney General to continue to 
report on the specific steps the Department is taking to 
further address wildlife trafficking and the illegal natural 
resources trade, as specifically outlined in Senate Report 114-
239 and codified in Public Law 115-31. The report should also 
include the investigative efforts of INTERPOL programs like 
Operation Worthy II and Operation Paws, as well as the issuance 
of Red Notices for criminals engaging in these activities, and 
efforts to carry out the new authorities and penalties under 
the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act 
of 2016 (Public Law 114-231), which allows the Federal 
Government to seek stronger penalties under existing money 
laundering statutes in order to prosecute high-value criminal 
violations of wildlife trafficking laws.
    Office of Legislative Affairs.--While the Committee 
primarily communicates with the Department through JMD, it 
reserves the right to call upon any individual or organization 
within its jurisdiction for requests for information, including 
the Department's Office of Legislative Affairs [OLA]. The 
Committee again reminds DOJ that it has both budgetary and 
oversight capabilities, and requests for additional information 
from the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, or Ranking Members or their 
staffs to OLA should be treated as a priority for the 
Department and responded to both courteously and expeditiously.
    Special Counsel.--The Committee directs the leadership of 
the Department to adhere faithfully to all of its established 
processes and regulations regarding the operations of any 
Special Counsel.
    DOJ's Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety and 
Subcommittee on Forensics.--The Committee directs the 
Department to provide a report not later than 90 days after 
enactment of this act with the following: an explanation of the 
methods and programs by which the DOJ will be assisting the 
State, local, and tribal forensic science community in tackling 
the opioid crisis through the work of the Subcommittee on 
Forensics; a plan as to how the Office of Forensic 
Investigative Sciences, within the National Institute of 
Justice, will solicit the input of State, county, local and 
tribal forensic science service providers, agencies and 
practitioners regarding grant programs; and how the DOJ plans 
to coordinate with NIST's Organization of Scientific Area 
Committees.
    Native Children's Commission.--The Committee supports the 
need to address issues affecting Native children and directs 
DOJ to continue to support the important work of the Commission 
on Native Children as specified in the Alyce Spotted Bear and 
Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children's Act (Public Law 
114-244).

                 JUSTICE INFORMATION SHARING TECHNOLOGY

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $31,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      30,941,000
Committee recommendation................................      30,941,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $30,941,000 for 
Justice Information Sharing Technology [JIST]. The 
recommendation is $59,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request.

                EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $440,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................  \1\500,397,000
Committee recommendation................................     500,397,000

\1\The budget request for the Executive Office for Immigration Review is 
requested within a separate heading that includes other accounts.

    The Committee's recommendation provides $500,397,000 for 
the Executive Office for Immigration Review, of which 
$4,000,000 is a transfer from the U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services [USCIS] Immigration Examiners Fee Account. 
The recommendation is $60,397,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and is the same as the budget request.
    This account funds the Executive Office for Immigration 
Review [EOIR], including the Board of Immigration Appeals 
[BIA], immigration judges, and administrative law judges who 
decide through administrative hearings whether to admit or 
exclude aliens seeking to enter the country, and whether to 
deport or adjust the status of aliens whose status has been 
challenged.
    EOIR Backlog of Cases and Immigration Judge Hiring.--The 
Committee directs EOIR to promptly resume submitting monthly 
performance and operating reports, which have provided the 
Committee with clear statistics on the dire situation at EOIR 
with regard to the backlog of cases and the hiring of new 
Immigration Judge [IJ] Teams to process them. In fiscal year 
2017, these mandatory reports have not been transmitted in a 
timely manner pursuant to the Committee's direction. EOIR's 
immigration court caseload continues to escalate as a result of 
heightened border enforcement efforts, and at the end of June 
2017 the backlog of cases pending adjudication had reached a 
crisis level of 607,755.
    For fiscal year 2017, the Committee provided funding to 
hire 10 new IJ Teams and equipped them with the necessary 
technology and support to do their jobs efficiently, and the 
requested increase in funding provided for fiscal year 2018 is 
for an additional 65 new IJ teams. The Committee is concerned, 
however, about the Department's ability to expeditiously fill 
these and many other vacant positions at EOIR. The Committee 
directs EOIR to ensure that all newly hired IJs are highly 
qualified and trained to conduct fair, impartial hearings 
consistent with due process and are drawn from a diverse pool 
of candidates that includes a balance of candidates with non-
governmental, private bar experience in addition to government 
experience.
    In Senate Report 114-239, the Committee directed the 
Department to prioritize hiring new immigration judges as a 
primary means to reverse the alarming growth in the caseload 
backlog. The Committee was pleased to learn that the Department 
is developing a revised, expedited hiring process for new IJs, 
but the Committee is troubled that the key details of this plan 
have not been shared. Left unanswered are questions regarding 
the applicant pool for new hires and the means by which 
candidate vetting will be accelerated while remaining thorough. 
Furthermore, the Department has announced plans to surge IJs to 
areas with the largest case backlogs, but the Committee is 
still awaiting important information regarding this 
announcement in order to properly perform its oversight 
responsibilities. Within 30 days of enactment of this act, the 
Committee directs EOIR to submit their streamlined IJ hiring 
plan, to detail the number of IJs being reassigned to the 
southwest border and where they are being moved from, and to 
explain how the caseload of IJs reassigned to the southwest 
border will be covered.
    Immigration Judge Training.--The Committee was alarmed by 
EOIR's recent cancellation of continued training and education 
courses for IJs. Given the ever changing landscape of 
immigration laws, orders, policies and court cases, it is 
critical that IJs receive continuous training throughout the 
length of their careers. This training helps to ensure they 
have the most up-to-date information on not only rules and 
regulations, but how to best handle cases with vulnerable 
populations, such as children, as well as ethics courses. 
Within 90 days of enactment of this act, the Committee directs 
a report detailing the level of training each IJ receives when 
entering EOIR service, and the annual number of hours of 
training and courses required for IJs currently on the bench.
    Legal Orientation Program [LOP].--The Committee's 
recommendation maintains the fiscal year 2017 level of no less 
than $10,400,000 for LOP. This includes funding for LOP for 
Custodians [LOPC], including efforts, pursuant to the 
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 
(Public Law 110-457), for custodians of unaccompanied, 
undocumented children to address the custodian's responsibility 
for the child's appearance at all immigration proceedings, and 
to protect the child from mistreatment, exploitation, and 
trafficking. Recognizing that LOP currently serves detained 
individuals in a limited number of States, the Committee 
directs that attention be paid to geographic equity as LOP 
expands the reach of its services to additional detention 
centers. The Committee notes the particular need for legal 
services at more remote immigration detention sites that are 
far from legal service providers in urban centers.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $95,583,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      95,328,000
Committee recommendation................................      96,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $96,500,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The recommendation is 
$917,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$1,172,000 above the budget request.
    This account finances the activities of the OIG, including 
audits, inspections, investigations, and other reviews of 
programs and operations of the Department to promote efficiency 
and effectiveness, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and 
abuse, as well as violations of ethical standards arising from 
the conduct of Department employees in their numerous and 
diverse activities.
    Oversight of Crime Victims Fund Grants.--Section 510 of 
this act maintains $10,000,000 for the OIG to continue its 
expanded audits of the Crime Victims Fund [CVF] including 
funding set aside for Indian tribes. The Committee remains 
concerned that the Department is not doing enough to 
proportionately adjust its grant monitoring activities to 
reflect significant changes in CVF spending in order to avoid 
waste, fraud and abuse. The Committee directs the OIG to 
continue its audits of CVF awards and assist the Department to 
ensure these important funds are used appropriately and 
effectively.

                    United States Parole Commission


                         salaries and expenses

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $13,308,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      13,283,000
Committee recommendation................................      13,308,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $13,308,000 for the 
United States Parole Commission. The recommendation is equal to 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $25,000 above the budget 
request.

                            Legal Activities


            SALARIES AND EXPENSES, GENERAL LEGAL ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $897,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     899,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     897,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $897,500,000 for 
General Legal Activities salaries and expenses. The 
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $1,500,000 below the budget request.
    This bill funds the establishment of litigation policy, 
conduct of litigation, and various other legal responsibilities 
through the Office of the Solicitor General, the Tax Division, 
the Criminal Division [CRM], the Civil Division, the 
Environmental and Natural Resources Division, the Civil Rights 
Division [CRT], the Office of Legal Counsel, and INTERPOL 
Washington.
    INTERPOL Washington.--From within funds provided for 
General Legal Activities, the Committee directs the Department 
to provide no less than the fiscal year 2017 level for INTERPOL 
Washington. The Committee has provided no-year authority in the 
amount of $685,000 to ensure sufficient resources are available 
for INTERPOL Washington's dues payments and help the Department 
better manage fluctuations in currency exchange rates. INTERPOL 
Washington's command center [IOCC] operates 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year, responding to requests for 
international criminal investigative and humanitarian 
assistance from more than 18,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies 
and their counterparts in 189 other INTERPOL-member countries. 
INTERPOL Washington's responsibility to respond to increasing 
foreign and domestic requests places additional operational 
demands on the resources of this organization.
    Civil Rights.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level to continue its efforts to 
enforce civil rights laws; expand its capacity to prosecute and 
provide litigation support for human trafficking, hate crimes, 
and unsolved civil rights era crimes; carry out its 
responsibilities associated with the civil rights of 
institutionalized persons and the access rights of the 
disabled; investigate and prosecute police misconduct; and 
enhance the enforcement of fair housing and fair lending laws.
    Civil Rights Violations in State and Local Prisons and 
Jails.--The Committee continues to be concerned by reports of 
civil rights violations in State and local prisons and jails, 
and directs the CRT to increase efforts to investigate and 
address violations of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized 
Persons Act in State and local prisons and jails. The Committee 
directs the CRT to use such sums as necessary from amounts 
appropriated in fiscal year 2018 to address such issues in 
State and local prisons and jails.
    Human Rights Crimes.--The Committee remains concerned by 
the large number of suspected human rights violators from 
foreign countries who have found safe haven in the United 
States and directs the CRM to continue its efforts to 
investigate and prosecute serious human rights crimes, 
including genocide, torture, use or recruitment of child 
soldiers, and war crimes. For this purpose, the Committee's 
recommendation supports continued funding for the CRM to 
investigate and prosecute individuals who violate Federal laws 
regarding serious human rights abuses.
    Enforcement of Federal Hate Crime Laws.--The Committee is 
concerned by reports of increased incidents of bias-motivated 
crimes and directs the Civil Rights Division to aggressively 
prosecute hate crimes and work with the FBI, U.S. Attorneys, 
and the Community Relations Service to improve hate crime 
reporting and prevent hate crimes from taking place in the 
first instance.
    International Training.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the instability of budget and staffing challenges faced 
by the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance 
and Training [OPDAT] and International Criminal Investigative 
Training Assistance Program [ICITAP] programs under the current 
funding structure provided via the Department of State. While 
the Committee encourages the Departments of Justice and State 
to maintain open communications regarding programmatic and 
resource needs to truly execute their missions, OPDAT and 
ICITAP should ideally receive a transfer of funds from State 
within 90 days of enactment of this act. Should an immediate 
source of funding be needed ahead of a completed transfer of 
funds, the Committee suggests that the Department of Justice 
notify the Committee immediately.

               THE NATIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINE INJURY ACT

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       9,340,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides a reimbursement of 
$10,000,000 for legal costs. The recommendation is equal to the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and is $660,000 above the budget 
request.
    This account covers the Department's expenses associated 
with litigating cases under the National Childhood Vaccine 
Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660).

               SALARIES AND EXPENSES, ANTITRUST DIVISION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $164,977,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     164,663,000
Committee recommendation................................     164,977,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $164,977,000 for 
the Antitrust Division. The recommendation is equal to the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and is $314,000 above the budget 
request. This appropriation is offset by $126,000,000 in pre-
merger filing fee collections, resulting in a direct 
appropriation of $38,977,000.

                        UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $2,035,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   2,057,252,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,057,252,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $2,057,252,000 for 
the Executive Office for United States Attorneys [EOUSA] and 
the 94 U.S. Attorneys [USAs] offices. The recommendation is 
$22,252,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and is 
equal to the budget request.
    As in past years, the Committee directs the USAs to focus 
their efforts on those crimes where the unique resources, 
expertise, or jurisdiction of the Federal Government can be 
most effective.
    Diversion of Opioids.--In order to take steps to eliminate 
overprescribing and diversion of opioids, the Committee directs 
that no less than $2,500,000 be used for EOUSA to conduct 
criminal and civil prosecutions into the illegal prescribing 
and dispensing of opioids. The Committee believes that the 
existing structure of EOUSA, rather than the creation of a new 
DEA prosecutorial force using Diversion Control Fee Account 
funding, is the appropriate way to target these complex cases 
which often involve Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
    Adam Walsh Act Implementation.--The Committee expects the 
EOUSA to continue to focus on investigations and prosecutions 
related to the sexual exploitation of children, as authorized 
by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 
(Public Law 109-248), and as part of Project Safe Childhood. 
The recommendation fully funds the budget request of 
$48,341,000 for this purpose in fiscal year 2018.
    Combating Financial and Mortgage Fraud.--The Committee 
directs the EOUSA to prioritize resources and provide no less 
than the fiscal year 2017 level to conduct criminal 
investigations and prosecutions of mortgage and financial 
fraud, including financial fraud against seniors; predatory 
lending; and market manipulation matters to ensure that reports 
of financial fraud are thoroughly addressed and the 
perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.
    Civil Rights Prosecutions.--The Committee's recommendation 
provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 level for continued 
civil rights enforcement that will advance both criminal and 
civil litigations, including the prosecution of sex and labor 
trafficking.
    Cybercrime.--As national and international cyber threats 
become increasingly sophisticated, our Federal prosecutors must 
become better versed in digital forensic evidence. The 
Committee's recommendation provides no less than $59,968,000, 
which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 level and $4,875,000 
above the budget request, for cybercrime activities. The USAO 
will be able to increase the number of investigations and 
prosecutions of cyber attacks and cyber intrusions, and provide 
the high-caliber level of training on cybercrime and digital 
evidence needed for Assistant U.S. Attorneys to be able to 
analyze and present digital evidence across all types of 
criminal cases.
    The Committee does not support proposed funding cuts for 
Intellectual Property and Child Pornography activities, and 
instead directs USAO to provide no less than the fiscal year 
2017 funding level for prosecution of these cyber-related 
crimes.
    Annual Report for the United States Attorney's Office for 
the District of Columbia.--The Committee is troubled by reports 
that the USA's Office for the District of Columbia has failed 
to provide basic information regarding its investigation and 
prosecution of sexual assault cases to the Bureau of Justice 
Statistics. Lack of transparency regarding the conduct of 
Federal prosecutors not only creates a culture of mistrust and 
frustration among local advocates, survivors, and the general 
public, but it can also frustrate this Committee's ability to 
conduct constitutionally mandated oversight. To that end, the 
Committee directs the Department to review recent data 
disclosures from the USA's Office for the District of Columbia 
to determine whether information provided regarding 
investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults is consistent 
with other USAOs. The Committee further directs the Department 
to ensure that moving forward any criminal justice data in its 
Annual Report for the USA's Office for the District of Columbia 
includes the same information as its other offices, 
particularly with respect to investigation and prosecution of 
sexual crimes.

                   UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $225,908,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     225,479,000
Committee recommendation................................     225,908,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $225,908,000 for 
the United States Trustee System Fund. The recommendation is 
equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $429,000 above 
the budget request. The appropriation is offset by $135,000,000 
in fee collections.
    The United States Trustee Program, authorized by 28 U.S.C. 
581 et seq., is the component of the Department with 
responsibility for protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy 
system by overseeing case administration and litigation to 
enforce the bankruptcy laws.

      SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $2,374,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       2,409,000
Committee recommendation................................       2,409,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $2,409,000 for the 
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. The recommendation is 
$35,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and is equal 
to the budget request.
    The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission settles claims of 
American citizens arising from nationalization, expropriation, 
or other takings of their properties and interests by foreign 
governments.

                     FEES AND EXPENSES OF WITNESSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $270,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     270,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     270,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $270,000,000 for 
fees and expenses of witnesses. The recommendation is equal to 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the budget request.
    This appropriation, which is considered mandatory for 
scorekeeping purposes, provides for fees and expenses of 
witnesses who appear on behalf of the Government in cases in 
which the United States is a party, including fact and expert 
witnesses. These funds are also used for mental competency 
examinations and witness and informant protection. The 
Committee includes bill language prohibiting the Department 
from transferring funds out of this account.
    The Committee expects that no funds will be expended for 
expert witness services, including the payment of fees and 
expenses of expert witnesses, from any other DOJ accounts but 
Fees and Expenses of Witnesses.

           SALARIES AND EXPENSES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $15,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      14,419,000
Committee recommendation................................      15,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $15,500,000 for the 
Community Relations Service [CRS]. The recommendation is equal 
to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,081,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Community Relations Service, established by title X of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provides assistance to 
communities and persons in the prevention and resolution of 
disagreements arising from discriminatory practices.
    Hate Crimes Prevention.--Within funds provided, the 
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2017 level to 
handle the workload and responsibilities stemming from passage 
of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes 
Prevention Act [HCPA] (Public Law 111-84). The HCPA expanded 
the CRS's mandate, requiring that it help communities prevent 
and respond to violent hate crimes committed on the basis of 
gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and 
disability, in addition to race, color, and national origin. 
This funding will maximize the CRS crisis response nationwide 
and enable CRS to fulfill both its original mandate and 
expanded mandate under the HCPA.

                         ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $20,514,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      21,475,000
Committee recommendation................................      20,514,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $20,514,000 for the 
Assets Forfeiture Fund [AFF]. The recommendation is equal to 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $961,000 below the 
budget request.

                     United States Marshals Service

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $2,713,454,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   2,802,971,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,820,971,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides a total of 
$2,820,971,000 for the United States Marshals Service [USMS]. 
The recommendation is $107,517,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and is $18,000,000 above the budget request.

                         salaries and expenses

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,249,040,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,252,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,270,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,270,000,000 for 
USMS salaries and expenses. The recommendation is $20,960,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $18,000,000 above 
the budget request. The core missions of USMS include the 
apprehension of fugitives; protection of the Federal judiciary 
and witnesses; execution of warrants and court orders; and the 
custody and transportation of unsentenced prisoners.
    In addition to receiving direct appropriations, the 
Committee is aware that USMS also receives funding from the 
Department's Assets Forfeiture Fund [AFF] to augment salaries 
and expenses that are intended to directly administer AFF-
related activities like the management and sale of forfeited 
assets. In an effort to increase transparency to USMS's use of 
AFF funding, the Department is directed to provide the 
Committee with quarterly reports that include: a detailed list 
of USMS's AFF expenditures; the number of Federal employees and 
contractor staff, including the assigned division for each, for 
any personnel expenses using AFF funds; and justifications for 
each expenditure, including connections with AFF-related 
operations.
    Investigative Operations.--The Committee directs USMS to 
provide no less than the fiscal year 2017 levels to maintain 
its missions regarding gang enforcement, International Megan's 
Law, and sex offender apprehension. The Committee expects USMS 
to continue efforts to strengthen support for its aircraft 
fleet, a key part of the agency's fugitive apprehension 
mission. Per Senate Report 114-239, the Committee expects USMS 
to continue the process to establish an additional Regional 
Fugitive Task Force.
    Judicial Protection.--With increasing threats on the 
Federal judiciary, the Committee is concerned that USMS's 
budget to meet its judicial security mission is stretched thin. 
Should USMS need additional resources to fully fund this 
effort, the Committee reminds the Department that it may submit 
a reprogramming request for use of unobligated balances for 
this important function.
    International Operations.--Given that fugitives know no 
geographical bounds when it comes to attempting to evade the 
law, the Committee was disappointed not to see an enhanced 
request for resources to assist with international operations. 
Within 90 days of enactment of this act, the Committee requests 
that USMS provide a report on its extradition program detailing 
workload to include the number of extraditions and 
deportations, district cooperation, and extradition requests 
made by foreign counterparts. The Committee directs the 
Department to pursue danger pay for deputy U.S. marshals 
[DUSMs] through the authorization process and to provide 
requested travel resources to ensure DUSMs can safely travel 
while tracking fugitives outside of the United States, 
particularly when traveling through dangerous portions of 
Mexico.

                              CONSTRUCTION

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      14,971,000
Committee recommendation................................      14,971,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $14,971,000 for 
construction in space controlled, occupied, or utilized by the 
USMS in Federal courthouses and buildings, including but not 
limited to the creation, renovation, and expansion of prisoner 
movement areas, elevators, and other law enforcement and court 
security support space. The recommendation is $4,971,000 above 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal to the budget 
request.

                       FEDERAL PRISONER DETENTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,454,414,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,536,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,536,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,536,000,000 for 
Federal Prisoner Detention [FPD]. The recommendation is 
$81,586,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, including 
offsetting funds from other accounts, and is equal to the 
budget request.
    The Committee expects USMS to anticipate the true funding 
needs for this account in order to avoid funding shortfalls and 
the need for emergency reprogrammings to avert deficiencies. 
The Committee directs USMS to report to the Committee on a 
quarterly basis the current number of individuals in the 
detention system, the projected number of individuals, and the 
associated annualized costs.

                       National Security Division


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $96,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     101,031,000
Committee recommendation................................     101,031,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $101,031,000 for 
the National Security Division [NSD]. The recommendation is 
$5,031,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal 
to the budget request.
    The NSD coordinates the Department's national security and 
counterterrorism missions through law enforcement 
investigations and prosecutions, and handles counterespionage 
cases. The NSD works in coordination with the FBI, the 
Intelligence Community, and the U.S. Attorneys. Its primary 
function is to prevent acts of terrorism and espionage from 
being perpetrated in the United States by foreign powers.
    Combating Cyber Threats to National Security.--The 
Committee's recommendation provides not less than the fiscal 
year 2017 level for cybersecurity activities within the NSD for 
investigative, prosecutorial, intelligence collection, and 
oversight abilities that support the Intelligence Community in 
identifying and disrupting cyber threats to national security.
    Foreign Agents Registration Act.--The Committee 
acknowledges the Office of the Inspector General's September 
2016 audit of the National Security Division's enforcement and 
administration of the Foreign Agents Registration Act [FARA], 
which included important recommendations for legislative 
authorities to improve the FARA Office's ability to administer 
and enforce the act. The Committee supports further 
consideration of these recommendations, including authorizing 
civil investigative demand authority for the FARA Office.

                      Interagency Law Enforcement


                 INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $517,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     526,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     517,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $517,000,000 for 
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement. The recommendation is 
equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $9,000,000 
below the budget request.
    The Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement account funds 
the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces [OCDETF]. 
The mission of the OCDETF is to ensure a coordinated, multi-
agency, intelligence-based, and prosecutor-led approach to 
identifying, disrupting, and dismantling those drug trafficking 
and money laundering organizations primarily responsible for 
the Nation's illicit drug supply and drug-related violence.
    International Drug Enforcement.--OCDETF is urged to 
continue to coordinate with the DEA and other Federal law 
enforcement partners to play a role in the interception and 
disruption of foreign drug shipments, including working with 
international law enforcement agencies on eradication of poppy 
fields, methamphetamine labs, and fentanyl production 
facilities before these illicit substances make it to the 
United States.

                    Federal Bureau of Investigation


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $8,767,201,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   8,722,582,000
Committee recommendation................................   8,832,201,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $8,832,201,000 for 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] salaries and 
expenses. The recommendation is $65,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $109,619,000 above the budget 
request.
    Criminal Justice Information Services [CJIS].--The 
Committee recommends the full funding request for CJIS, 
including fee collections. The recommendation provides up to 
$121,000,000 for the FBI to continue improvements to the 
National Instant Criminal Background Check System [NICS] to 
increase the capacity and efficiency of the existing NICS 
system to perform background checks on prospective firearms 
buyers. The Committee's recommendation does not support the 
full request to rescind funds from the CJIS fee collections and 
instead directs the FBI to invest an appropriate amount of the 
fee collections into making necessary upgrades to CJIS's 
systems.
    Cybersecurity.--The FBI remains the only agency with the 
statutory authority, expertise, and ability to combine 
counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal 
investigatory resources to neutralize, mitigate, and disrupt 
illegal domestic computer-supported operations. The Committee 
supports the requested adjustments-to-base and programmatic 
increases for cybersecurity activities throughout the FBI.
    Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center [TEDAC].--The 
Committee's recommendation provides no less than the fiscal 
year 2017 level for full operational funding to TEDAC and the 
additional operational support associated with the TEDAC campus 
in fiscal year 2018, which will continue to strengthen the role 
of TEDAC as the U.S. Government's strategic-level improvised 
explosive device exploitation center and provide the resources 
necessary to fully staff the facility.
    Hazardous Devices School [HDS].--HDS is the only U.S. 
Government entity for accrediting and certifying U.S. public 
safety bomb squads and bomb technicians. The Committee supports 
the budget request for HDS and the Weapons of Mass Destruction 
Directorate [WMDD], and provides full funding for operations at 
not less than the fiscal year 2017 level and includes not less 
than $10,000,000 to support the Bureau's ongoing development of 
a WMDD detector canine operation and technological innovation 
program.
    Human Rights Violations.--The Committee directs the FBI to 
continue its efforts to investigate and support the DOJ's 
criminal prosecution of serious human rights crimes committed 
by foreign nationals, including genocide, torture, use or 
recruitment of child soldiers, and war crimes. The Committee's 
recommendation continues funding this effort at the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level.
    Innocent Images National Initiative.--The Committee's 
recommendation provides the fiscal year 2017 base level of 
$87,056,000 for the Innocent Images National Initiative, which 
is $5,943,000 above the requested level, allowing the FBI to 
target and investigate sexual predators on the Internet. The 
Committee is concerned that the proposed reductions to the base 
program are insufficient to cover the current Innocent Images 
caseload that combat child sexual exploitation and child 
victimization.
    Law Enforcement Medical Demonstration.--Within 60 days of 
enactment of this act, the FBI shall submit a plan to the 
Committee on formalizing existing external partnerships within 
the Operational Medicine Program to aid in development of 
methods, standards and research in public safety operational 
medical planning for Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
agencies and medical centers. The plan shall leverage existing 
technologies and practices, in partnership with a civilian 
academic medical center, and utilize existing infrastructures, 
including a statewide medical communications system and Level I 
trauma center to support contingency planning and improve the 
delivery of medical care for high risk law enforcement 
missions.

                              CONSTRUCTION

Appropriations, 2017.................................... \1\$420,178,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      51,895,000
Committee recommendation................................     155,000,000

\1\The total $420,178,000 of fiscal year 2017 appropriations for this 
account included $239,178,000 in direct appropriations and $181,000,000 
derived by transfer from the Department of Justice's Working Capital 
Fund.

    The Committee's recommendation provides $155,000,000 for 
FBI construction. The recommendation is $265,178,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $103,105,000 above the 
budget request.
    FBI Headquarters Consolidation.--The Committee is 
disappointed with the Administration's July 11, 2017, decision 
to cancel the procurement for the new FBI headquarters 
consolidation project. The Administration cited financial 
concerns as the underlying reason for the cancelation despite 
the fact that in fiscal year 2017 Congress committed to moving 
forward with additional appropriations for the new facility in 
fiscal year 2018. Congress endorsed the project and was willing 
to work with the FBI and the General Services Administration to 
explore financial solutions to make the project a success, 
whereas the Administration failed to adapt to the reality that 
securing $1,405,000,000 in a single fiscal year in this 
financial environment was simply unattainable. Rather than 
adjust, the Administration abandoned a 10-year planning 
process, and now the FBI is left with no plan for a new 
procurement and no path forward on how to make its currently 
deteriorating headquarters facility structurally sustainable.
    Within 30 days of enactment of this act, the FBI shall 
provide the Committee with a report on: the plan for 
consolidating into a new headquarters facility; the necessary 
FBI employees that are currently dispersed between the J. Edgar 
Hoover building and approximately 13 leased offices in the 
National Capital region; a justification for the project's 
cancellation; the scope and cost for keeping the current FBI 
headquarters operational until a move occurs; and a 
justification for how the fiscal year 2017 funding appropriated 
for the new headquarters will be spent.
    21st Century Facilities.--The Committee continues to 
support the FBI's long-term vision for improving its operations 
that compliments the eventual transition into a new 
headquarters and takes into consideration its changing 
footprint at Quantico. The recent decision to cancel the 
procurement for the new FBI headquarters consolidation project 
only exacerbates the need to secure viable space for supporting 
a variety of missions, workforce, and land requirements. The 
Committee recommendation provides $103,000,000 to further 
support the FBI's 21st Century Facility plans to better 
leverage current agency investments in the co-location of 
TEDAC, HDS, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate 
explosives-related training operations. As part of this 21st 
Century Planning, the FBI should consider public-private 
partnership opportunities, provided that the annual lease and 
operating costs are reasonable and the facilities can be 
securely constructed and maintained at a level that meets the 
FBI's requirements.

                    Drug Enforcement Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $2,485,638,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   2,583,625,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,535,351,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides total resources of 
$2,535,351,000 for the Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA], 
of which $419,574,000 is derived from the DEA's Diversion 
Control Fee Account [DCFA]. The recommendation is $49,713,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $48,274,000 below 
the budget request. Within the funds provided, $10,000,000 is 
for assistance to State and local law enforcement for proper 
removal and disposal of hazardous materials at clandestine 
methamphetamine labs, and to initiate container programs.
    The DEA's mission is to enforce the controlled substances 
laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the 
criminal and civil justice system of the United States--or any 
other competent jurisdiction--those organizations and principal 
members of organizations involved in the growing, 
manufacturing, or distribution of controlled substances 
appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United 
States; and to support non-enforcement programs aimed at 
reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on 
the domestic and international markets.
    DCFA Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys.--While the Committee 
strongly supports efforts to fight the heroin and illegal 
opioid epidemic, it does not approve of DEA using DCFA funding 
for the use of Special U.S. Attorneys. Rather than creating a 
new prosecutorial force within DEA, a function that is outside 
of DEA's mission, the Committee believes the proper 
prosecutorial channel for cases involving over-prescription and 
illegal diversion is through EOUSA.
    Drug Diversion at Veterans Health Administration 
Facilities.--The Committee remains alarmed by the rates of 
prescription drug opioid abuse and related overdoses among 
veterans, as well as allegations of diversion of prescription 
opioids from Veterans Health Administration [VHA] facilities 
into the illicit drug market. According to a February 2017 
Government Accountability Office report, the oversight of 
controlled substances within VHA remains a significant problem. 
That VHA facilities continue to be a source for the illicit 
distribution and use of opioids is extremely concerning, and 
the Committee directs the DEA to ensure that investigations of 
drug diversion in VHA facilities remain a priority. As stated 
in Senate Reports 114-66 and 114-239, the Committee continues 
to expect the DEA to take steps to ensure that sufficient 
resources are allocated for investigations of drug diversion at 
VHA facilities.
    Pending Applications.--The Committee is concerned with the 
delay in DEA's consideration of applications filed pursuant to 
21 CFR Part 1301 and directs DEA to move expeditiously to 
resolve pending applications.
    Cooperation with State and Local Forensic Crime Laboratory 
Community.--The Committee encourages the DEA to collaborate and 
share any available resources with State and local forensic 
crime laboratories in their critical efforts to combat the 
growing use of synthetic drugs.
    Cybersecurity.--Within the funding provided, the Committee 
does not support the proposed funding cuts to cybersecurity 
activities at DEA and instead provides no less than the fiscal 
year 2017 level of $30,750,000.

          Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,258,600,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   1,273,776,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,273,776,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,273,776,000 for 
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF]. 
The recommendation is $15,176,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and equal to the budget request. ATF has diverse 
law enforcement responsibilities, and the funding increase is 
provided to allow ATF to carry out these duties and to fill 
existing positions that are currently vacant.
    ATF reduces the criminal use of firearms and illegal 
firearms trafficking, and assists other Federal, State, and 
local law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and violence. 
ATF investigates bombing and arson incidents and assists with 
improving public safety by reducing the criminal misuse of and 
trafficking in explosives, combating acts of arson and arson-
for-profit schemes, and removing safety hazards caused by 
improper and unsafe storage of explosive materials.
    Combating Gun Violence and Enforcing Existing Gun Laws.--
The Committee's recommendation maintains ATF's ability to 
enforce existing firearms laws and perform regulatory oversight 
and training, including through the National Integrated 
Ballistics Information Network [NIBIN]. This funding will 
enable ATF to continue to collect, report, and share ballistic 
intelligence with Federal, State, local, and tribal law 
enforcement partners to identify, target, and disrupt violent 
criminals, including serial shooters. Funds will support work 
with State and local law enforcement agencies and laboratories 
to collect ballistic hit information to provide leads to 
Firearms Intelligence Groups for investigations and document 
successful prosecutions as a result of NIBIN.
    United States-Mexico Firearms Trafficking.--The Committee 
continues to support the ATF's efforts to combat weapon 
trafficking on the border. The ATF shall continue to provide 
the Committee with annual data on the total number of firearms 
recovered by the Government of Mexico, and of those, the number 
for which an ATF trace is attempted, the number successfully 
traced, and the number determined to have originated in the 
United States prior to being recovered in Mexico.
    National Center for Explosives Training and Research 
[NCETR].--The Committee supports the enhancements at NCETR, 
including additional advanced explosives disposal techniques 
courses for public safety bomb technicians. Given that NCETR 
serves as the Bureau's Center of Excellence for arson and 
explosives training, the Committee supports co-locating the 
Bureau's canine training operations for explosives and 
accelerant detection at NCETR in fiscal year 2018 and directs 
ATF to provide details on the merger as part of the 
Department's spending plan. The Committee also supports NCETR's 
research expertise and encourages further investigations into 
the functions and effects of explosive devices in order to 
better exploit design weaknesses. Within the increased funds 
provided for ATF in fiscal year 2018, up to $2,500,000 may be 
made available for an advanced counter explosive device 
research program focusing on hypervelocity impact and 
hypervelocity flight dynamics.

                         Federal Prison System


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $7,008,800,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   7,085,248,000
Committee recommendation................................   7,080,248,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $7,080,248,000 for 
Bureau of Prisons [BOP] salaries and expenses. The 
recommendation is $71,448,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $5,000,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee supports the Department's request to increase funding 
for BOP's cybersecurity, including improving network defenses 
and mitigating insider threats.
    BOP Hiring.--The Committee is concerned that the Department 
has maintained the January 20, 2017, Federal Government hiring 
freeze for BOP when the Department has since lifted the 
moratorium for other DOJ agencies. The inmate to correctional 
officer ratio is currently 8.3 to 1, a level that is unsafe for 
staff and should immediately be corrected. The Committee urges 
DOJ to revise this policy to ensure BOP is able to 
appropriately staff its facilities across the United States, 
particularly hiring of correctional officers at medium- and 
high-security facilities without being hindered by an arbitrary 
staffing level.
    Augmentation.--While BOP reports that there is a higher 
incidence of serious assaults by inmates on staff at high- and 
medium-security institutions than at the lower security 
facilities, to meet staffing needs, the BOP still routinely 
uses a process called ``augmentation'', whereby a non-custody 
employee is assigned custody responsibilities. The Committee 
directs the BOP to curtail its overreliance on augmentation and 
instead hire additional full-time correctional staff before 
continuing to augment existing staff. BOP is further directed 
to submit quarterly reports to the Committee on the inmate-to-
correctional officer ratios at each facility.
    Alleviating Overcrowding at High-Security Facilities.--The 
overcrowding rate at high-security prisons remains high at 25 
percent. The Committee supports BOP's efforts to alleviate 
overcrowding at high-security facilities through the process of 
activating additional prisons. The Committee expects BOP to 
adhere to the activation schedule included in BOP's budget 
submission regarding these prison facilities, including the 
acceptance of high-security inmates at the United States 
Penitentiary [USP] in Thomson, Illinois, as BOP estimates 
overcrowding at high-security facilities to be reduced to 19 
percent with the full opening of USP Thomson.
    Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion.--The Committee 
directs that no less than the fiscal year 2017 level be 
provided for BOP to continue the medication-assisted treatment 
program for inmates with heroin and opioid addiction. This 
voluntary pilot program treats approximately 200 inmates in 
residential reentry centers. The Department is directed to 
immediately assist BOP with fully staffing this program for its 
expansion into the Northeast Region.
    Federal Detainers.--In an effort to ensure that criminal 
aliens are not improperly released into our communities, the 
Committee directs BOP to offer Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement [ICE] the first opportunity to take into custody 
and remove an individual with a Federal detainer instead of BOP 
and ICE automatically deferring to States and municipalities 
who are seeking custody of the same individual. ICE's decision 
to exercise this right of first refusal with BOP will be 
informed, in part, by the State or municipality's willingness 
to cooperate with Federal authorities on ICE detainers.
    Compassionate Release.--The Committee notes that BOP 
expanded the grounds for and streamlined the process of 
considering requests for compassionate release in 2013. The 
Committee is also aware that the Department of Justice Office 
of Inspector General [OIG] recommended additional reforms to 
the compassionate release program in a 2013 review of the 
program. In 2016, the U.S. Sentencing Commission [USSC] amended 
the criteria for compassionate release and encouraged BOP to 
file a motion for those prisoners who meet the criteria the 
Commission identified.
    Within 60 days of enactment of this act, the Committee 
directs BOP to submit to the Committee the following: (1) any 
steps taken by BOP to implement the OIG and USSC's 
recommendations; (2) for those recommendations not met, BOP's 
plan for meeting them or reasons why they cannot be 
implemented; (3) the number of prisoners granted and denied 
compassionate release during each of the last 5 years; (4) for 
each year, the number of requests initiated by or on behalf of 
prisoners, categorized by the criteria relied on as grounds for 
a reduction in sentence; (5) for each year, the number of 
requests approved by the Director of the BOP, categorized by 
the criteria relied on as grounds for a reduction in sentence; 
(6) for each year, the number of denials by the Director of the 
BOP, categorized by the criteria relied on as grounds for a 
reduction in sentence and the reason given for the denial; (7) 
for each year, the time elapsed between the date the request 
was received by the warden and the final decision, categorized 
by the criteria relied on as grounds for a reduction in 
sentence; and (8) for each year, the number of prisoners who 
died while their compassionate release requests were pending 
and, for each, the amount of time that had elapsed between the 
date the request was received by the warden.
    BOP Contract Prisons.--In August 2016, the OIG issued 
``Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Monitoring of 
Contract Prisons.'' The report found, ``that in a majority of 
the categories we examined, contract prisons incurred more 
safety and security incidents per capita than comparable BOP 
institutions'' and ``that the BOP needs to improve the way it 
monitors contract prisons.'' For example, none of BOP's 
procedures for monitoring contract compliance with regard to 
health services measured whether inmates actually received 
basic medical care. The OIG cited numerous incidents and made 
four recommendations to improve monitoring and oversight of 
contract prisons.
    Within 90 days of enactment of this act, BOP is directed to 
provide a report to the Committee describing BOP's use of 
contract facilities for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The report 
shall include the number of contract facilities utilized by 
BOP, to include the companies providing these services, the 
status of these contracts explaining any terminations or 
renewals during the periods under review, and compliance status 
of any remedial or corrective actions recommended by BOP or OIG 
for each company and contract; details of inspections, 
evaluations, or incident reports, including the number of 
safety and security incidents at each facility, whether these 
incidents resulted in injury or death, and any evaluations of 
incidents conducted in response to the OIG recommendation, 
issued by BOP or OIG regarding any of these facilities during 
the period under review, including a current analysis of the 
condition of each facility under contract and whether BOP 
believes that such facilities remain suitable for use; the 
percentage of both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals housed 
in each facility; verification of whether each facility is 
providing basic medical services such as medical exams and 
immunizations; verification of actual correctional officer 
staffing levels as compared to contracted levels; a detailed 
accounting of the progress made in addressing the OIG's 
recommendations; and any information regarding announced 
changes in contract specifications for current or future 
contracts for each facility, including bed capacity limits, and 
the justification for and budgetary impact of such changes.
    Residential Reentry Centers.--The Committee is concerned 
with recent actions by the Bureau of Prisons [BOP] to cancel 
and modify contracts for Residential Reentry Centers [RRCs) 
without consultation with the Committee or BOP contractors. A 
recent Department of Justice Inspector General report found 
that between October 2013 and April 2016, 74,100 inmates were 
placed in RRCs or home confinement. The Committee recognizes 
that RRCs play a vital role in transitioning individuals back 
to the community after incarceration by employing evidence-
based practices that reduce recidivism. The Committee expects 
BOP to maintain its support for RRCs and requires BOP to alert 
the Committee before adopting any significant change in policy 
or practice involving RRCs or other recidivism-reduction 
measures.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $130,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     113,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      60,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $60,000,000 for the 
construction, modernization, maintenance, and repair of prison 
and detention facilities housing Federal prisoners. The 
recommendation is $70,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $53,000,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee notes that BOP has a high level of unexpended 
balances in this account.
    The Committee includes bill language in Title V--General 
Provisions stipulating that no BOP resources may be used for 
facilities to house detainees from the United States Naval 
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
    Reporting.--The Committee believes that the consideration 
of any new facility or facility expansion should be based upon 
a long-term strategic plan which incorporates a robust capital 
planning process including leading capital planning practices 
as outlined in OMB and GAO guidance. The Committee directs the 
BOP to continue providing quarterly reports to the Committee on 
the progress of its efforts, including funding for new prison 
construction if merited in future requests.
    The Committee also directs the BOP to continue providing 
the Committee with the most recent monthly status of 
construction report, and to notify the Committee of any 
deviations from the construction and activation schedule 
identified in that report, including detailed explanations of 
the causes of delays and actions proposed to address them.

                FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

                (LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES)

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $2,700,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       2,695,000
Committee recommendation................................       2,700,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides a limitation on the 
administrative expenses of $2,700,000 for the Federal Prison 
Industries, Inc. The recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and is $5,000 above the budget request.

               State and Local Law Enforcement Activities

    In total, the Committee recommends $2,334,300,000 for State 
and local law enforcement and crime prevention grant programs, 
including: $1,955,300,000 in discretionary appropriations and 
in mandatory appropriations, and $379,000,000 from funds 
provided under section 510 of this act. The total is 
$59,500,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$247,000,000 above the budget estimate.
    Management and Administration Expenses.--The Department 
shall, in preparing its fiscal year 2018 spending plan, assess 
management and administration [M&A] expenses compared to 
program funding. The Committee directs the Department to ensure 
that its assessment methodology is equitable and, for programs 
funded through the Crime Victims Fund, that the assessment 
reflects a fair representation of the share of each program 
devoted to common M&A costs. The Committee also directs grant 
offices to minimize administrative spending in order to 
maximize the amount of funding that can be used for grants or 
training and technical assistance. The Committee reiterates the 
direction provided in Public Law 113-76 that the Department 
shall detail, as part of its budget submission for fiscal year 
2019 and future years, the actual costs for each grant office 
with respect to training, technical assistance, research and 
statistics, and peer review for the prior fiscal year, along 
with estimates of planned expenditures by each grant office in 
each of these categories for the current year and the budget 
year.
    Compliance with Federal Laws.--The Committee directs the 
Department to ensure that all applicants for Edward Byrne 
Memorial Justice Assistance Grants [Byrne JAG], Community 
Oriented Policing Services [COPS] grants, and State Criminal 
Alien Assistance Program [SCAAP] funds are required to attest 
and certify that the potential grant recipients are in 
compliance with all applicable Federal laws, and shall be 
required to continue to remain compliant throughout the 
duration of their grant award period.
    Duplication of DOJ Grant Programs.--The Committee believes 
that, as the Federal budget continues to experience fiscal 
constraints, there is an ever-increasing need to ensure that 
governmental resources, including those awarded through grants 
and subgrants, are appropriately targeted and that unnecessary 
duplication is mitigated. Recent GAO reports have found that, 
as established in statute, some of the grant programs 
administered by the Office of Justice Programs [OJP], Office on 
Violence Against Women [OVW], and the COPS Office are similar 
in scope and grant applicants can apply for and receive grant 
awards from more than one program. Moreover, grant recipients 
may choose to award a portion of their grant to subgrantees. 
These subgrantees may also apply directly to Justice for 
funding through other grant programs for the same or similar 
purposes.
    Yet, the Department's ability to characterize the landscape 
of potential duplicative programs and overlapping award 
opportunities remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the Attorney 
General shall continue to submit a report to the Committee 
within 90 days of enactment of this act that includes the 
parameters and direction prescribed in Senate Report 114-239, 
which was codified in Public Law 115-31.
    Grant Funding Set-Asides.--The Committee notes the 
significant number of reductions in grant funding allowable for 
various purposes, including training, technical assistance, 
research, evaluation and statistics activities with set-asides 
ranging anywhere from 2 percent to 10 percent of total grant 
funding provided. To that end, the Committee directs the 
Department to continue providing a comprehensive report 
concurrently with the spending plan that details the total 
amount provided for each grant program in this act, the 
specific reductions taken, the purpose for those reductions and 
the final use of those resources, including any transfers that 
may occur among OJP, OVW, and COPS. The Committee expects that 
the report will provide a complete analysis of the final 
amounts externally awarded and the amounts retained internally 
for other purposes.
    Grant Funds for Rural, High Poverty Areas.--The Committee 
is concerned about the needs of rural, high poverty areas, 
especially those communities with high crime rates. The 
Committee wants to ensure that the challenges encountered by 
the residents of these areas are being addressed through the 
equitable use of grant funding. The Committee reminds the 
Department to consider the unique needs of rural, high poverty 
communities when making grant awards through the numerous 
programs funded under this act.
    Flexible Tribal Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
funding tribal grant programs by permitting 7 percent of 
discretionary grant and reimbursement program funds, a total of 
$110,705,000 made available to the OJP and COPS, to be used for 
tribal criminal justice assistance, and continues to strongly 
support efforts to help tribes improve the capacity of their 
criminal justice systems. The OJP is expected to consult 
closely with tribal stakeholders in determining how tribal 
assistance funds will be awarded for detention facilities, 
including outdated detention facilities that are unfit for 
detention purposes and beyond rehabilitation, courts, alcohol 
and substance abuse programs, civil and criminal legal 
assistance, and other priorities. The Committee directs the OJP 
to submit, as part of the Department's spending plan for fiscal 
year 2018, a plan for the use of these funds that has been 
informed by such consultation. The Committee notes that the 
bill includes additional grant funding for tribal victim 
assistance programs through OVW, and a 5 percent set aside 
within the CVF.
    Submission of Officer Training Information.--The Committee 
directs the Department to continue following direction provided 
in fiscal year 2017 regarding the submission of officer 
training data as part of the Byrne-JAG and COPS hiring grant 
process.
    Financial Exploitation.--The Committee commends the work of 
the Office for Victims of Crime [OVC] to address the issue of 
financial exploitation of older Americans by guardians, 
conservators, and other fiduciaries. The Committee encourages 
OVC to continue working with stakeholders to develop mechanisms 
to preserve, recoup, or minimize loss of the assets of 
individuals subject to conservatorship. In addition, OVC shall 
work to improve access to the legal system by victims of 
conservatorship exploitation, and develop a list of best 
practices to help train victim advocates.

                    Office on Violence Against Women

       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2017.................................... \1\$481,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................  \2\480,000,000
Committee recommendation................................  \3\483,500,000

\1\Of the $481,500,000 provided in this heading, $326,000,000 is derived 
by transfer from funding available under section 510 of this act.
\2\Of the $480,000,000 provided in this heading, $445,000,000 is 
requested to be derived from funding available under section 510 of this 
act.
\3\Of the $483,500,000 provided in this heading, $379,000,000 is derived 
by transfer from funding available under section 510 of this act.

    The Committee's recommendation provides $483,500,000 for 
OVW grants. The recommendation is $2,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level, and $3,500,000 above the budget 
request. Resources are provided to the OVW to respond to the 
needs of all victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, 
dating violence, and stalking, including, but not limited to, 
Native women, immigrants, LGBT victims, college students, 
youths, and public housing residents.
    The table below displays the Committee's recommendations 
for the programs under this office.

       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                        Program                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP Grants............................................         215,000
Transitional Housing Assistance........................          31,000
National Institute of Justice Research and Evaluation             3,000
 on Violence Against Women.............................
Consolidated Youth Oriented Program....................          11,000
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies....................          53,000
    Homicide Reduction Initiative......................          [4,000]
Sexual Assault Victims Services........................          35,000
Rural Domestic Violence Assistance Grants..............          36,000
Violence on College Campuses...........................          20,000
Civil Legal Assistance.................................          45,000
Elder Abuse Grant Program..............................           5,000
Family Civil Justice...................................          16,000
Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims.....           6,000
National Center on Workplace Responses.................             500
Research--Violence Against Indian Women................           1,000
Sex Assault in Indian Country Clearinghouse............             500
Tribal Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction.           4,000
Rape Survivor Child Custody Act........................           1,500
      Total............................................         483,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    STOP Grants.--Within the discretionary budget authority 
appropriated, $215,000,000 is for formula grants to the States. 
This is equal to the budget request and equal to the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level. The recommendation supports increasing 
access to comprehensive legal services for victims, providing 
short-term housing assistance and support services for domestic 
violence victims, and education and training to end violence 
against and abuse of women with disabilities.
    Sexual Assault Services Act [SASA].--The Committee's 
recommendation provides $35,000,000, which is equal to the 
budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, to 
directly fund the needs of sexual assault victims.
    As part of VAWA 2005 and reauthorized by VAWA 2013, the 
Sexual Assault Services Program addresses considerable gaps in 
services to sexual assault victims. The Committee supports a 
dedicated stream of funding to provide a broad range of 
services to male, female, and child sexual assault victims and 
their families through the well-established and well-regarded 
system of community-based rape crisis centers throughout the 
United States, and maintains its strong commitment to ensuring 
that these rape crisis centers have access to technical 
assistance, training, and support.
    Campus Sexual Assault.--The Committee supports the 
Department's continued development and testing of a pilot 
campus climate survey. The pilot's results suggest the majority 
of campus sexual assaults are not reported to authorities, do 
not come to the attention of university officials and, 
therefore, are not represented in official Federal statistics. 
The Committee encourages the Department to examine expanding 
this survey, possibly through the assistance of the research 
set-aside provided in section 212 of this bill, and developing 
a cost-effective, standardized, and methodologically rigorous 
nationwide research program on campus sexual assault.

                       Office of Justice Programs

    The Office of Justice Programs [OJP] is responsible for 
providing leadership, coordination, and assistance to its 
Federal, State, local, and tribal partners to enhance the 
effectiveness and efficiency of the U.S. justice system in 
preventing, controlling, and responding to crime. As most of 
the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to 
law enforcement officers in States, cities, and other 
localities, the Federal Government is effective in these areas 
only to the extent that it can enter into successful 
partnerships with these jurisdictions. Therefore, OJP is tasked 
with administering grants; collecting statistical data and 
conducting analyses; identifying emerging criminal justice 
issues; developing and testing promising and innovative 
approaches to address these issues; evaluating program results; 
and disseminating these findings and other information to 
State, local, and tribal governments. The Committee directs the 
OJP to submit a quarterly report on grant programs that have 
not received a sufficient number of qualified applicants.
    Gang Prevention Grants and Crime Rates.--The Committee 
remains concerned about gang activity and violent crime 
throughout the country, noting that Federal partnership with 
law enforcement is essential not only in our largest cities, 
but also in suburban and rural jurisdictions, where gang 
activity and violent crime rates can exceed national averages. 
To strengthen Federal partnerships across all jurisdictions, 
the Committee directs OJP to review the criteria by which OJP 
awards discretionary grants relating to gang violence and 
prevention under the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance 
and Juvenile Justice Programs on a per capita basis of 
applicant cities and jurisdictions where gang activity and 
violent crime rates exceed national averages.
    The Committee recognizes the threat posed by foreign-
influenced gangs in small, rural communities and the need for 
greater coordination among Federal, State, and local law 
enforcement agencies to address this problem. Such gang 
activity has the potential to overwhelm local law enforcement 
resources in rural areas, particularly in communities with 
populations under 25,000. The Committee urges OJP to find ways 
to assist these communities within existing State and local 
assistance programs for reducing criminal gang activity in 
small, rural communities.
    Combating Online Crime, Hate, and Terror Groups.--The 
Committee encourages OJP to provide funding within existing 
grant opportunities targeted at expanding the ability of 
academic forensic technology programs to assist in identifying 
and profiling online crime, hate, and terror groups.

                  RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $89,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     111,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      85,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $85,000,000 for the 
Research, Evaluation and Statistics account. The recommendation 
is $4,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$26,000,000 below the budget request.
    Funding in this account provides assistance in the areas of 
research, evaluation, statistics, hate crimes, DNA and 
forensics, criminal background checks, and gun safety 
technology, among others.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

                   RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                       Program                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Justice Statistics.........................            45,500
    NCS-X Implementation Program.....................            [5,000]
National Institute of Justice........................            39,500
    Domestic Radicalization Research.................            [4,000]
                                                      ------------------
      TOTAL, Research, Evaluation and Statistics.....            85,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Spending Plans.--The Department shall submit to the 
Committee as part of its spending plan for State and Local Law 
Enforcement Activities a plan for the use of all funding 
administered by the National Institute of Justice and the 
Bureau of Justice Statistics, respectively, for approval by the 
Committee prior to the obligation of any such funds.
    Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS].--The Committee's 
recommendation provides $45,500,000 for the BJS. Within the 
funds provided, $5,000,000 is provided for the National Crime 
Statistics Exchange [NCS-X]. NCS-X will improve the collection 
and reporting into the National Incident-Based Reporting System 
[NIBRS], which provides more detailed criminal data such as 
officer-related shooting incidents.
    National Institute of Justice [NIJ].--The Committee's 
recommendation provides $39,500,000 for the NIJ, in addition to 
$4,000,000 transferred from the OVW for research and evaluation 
on violence against women and Indian women. Within the funds 
provided for NIJ, $4,000,000 is provided for domestic 
radicalization research. The NIJ's mission is to advance 
scientific research, development, and evaluation to advance the 
administration of justice and public safety.
    Justice Reform.--From within funds available for the NIJ, 
the Committee directs NIJ to provide a program, ideally 
partnering with an institution of higher learning, to educate 
and train the next generation of justice leaders. The program 
shall engage postsecondary students as well as criminal justice 
professionals and academics wishing to broaden their 
understanding of justice systems and restorative approaches 
either through a degree program, a summer institute, short 
courses, or other means.
    Forensic Initiative.--Due to the sunset of DOJ's National 
Commission on Forensic Science on April 23, 2017, direct 
funding for Scientific Working Groups is provided in Title I 
under the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

               STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $1,258,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................  \1\940,500,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,171,000,000

\1\The request includes $73,000,000 to be derived by transfer from funds 
provided under section 510 of this act.

    The Committee's recommendation provides $1,171,000,000 for 
State and local law enforcement assistance. The recommendation 
is $87,500,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and 
$230,500,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

               STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                       Program                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants.............           404,500
    Officer Robert Wilson III VALOR Initiative.......            [7,500]
    Smart Policing...................................            [5,000]
    Smart Prosecution................................            [2,500]
    NamUS............................................            [2,400]
    National Training Center to improve Police-Based             [2,500]
     Responses to People with Mental Illness.........
    Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction.............            [6,500]
    John R. Justice Grant Program....................            [2,000]
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program..............           100,000
Victims of Trafficking Grants........................            45,000
Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review....             2,500
Economic, High-tech, White Collar and Cybercrime                 14,000
 Prevention..........................................
    Intellectual Property Enforcement Program........            [2,500]
    Cybercrime Prosecutor Pilot Program..............            [1,000]
    Digital Investigation Education Program..........            [1,000]
Adam Walsh Act Implementation........................            20,000
Bulletproof Vests Partnerships.......................            22,500
    Transfer to NIST/OLES............................            [1,500]
National Sex Offender Public Website.................             1,000
National Instant Criminal Background Check System                73,000
 (NICS) Initiative...................................
    NICS Act Record Improvement Program..............           [25,000]
Paul Coverdell Forensic Science......................            13,500
DNA Initiative.......................................           125,000
    Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants..................          [117,000]
    Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing                 [4,000]
     Grants..........................................
    Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants......            [4,000]
Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit                 45,000
 (SAK) Backlog.......................................
CASA-Special Advocates...............................             9,000
Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry...................            70,000
    Smart Probation..................................            [6,000]
    Children of Incarcerated Parents Demo Grants.....            [5,000]
    Pay for Success..................................            [7,500]
    Project HOPE Opportunity Probation with                      [4,000]
     Enforcement.....................................
Comprehensive School Safety Initiative...............            50,000
Community Trust Initiative...........................            65,000
    Body Worn Camera Partnership Program.............           [22,500]
    Justice Reinvestment Initiative..................           [25,000]
    Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program........           [17,500]
Opioid Initiative....................................           111,000
    Drug Courts......................................           [43,000]
    Veterans Treatment Courts........................            [7,000]
    Residential Substance Abuse Treatment............           [14,000]
    Prescription Drug Monitoring.....................           [14,000]
    Mentally Ill Offender Act........................           [12,000]
    Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP)........           [21,000]
                                                      ------------------
      TOTAL, State and Local Law Enforcement                  1,171,000
       Assistance....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.--
The Committee recommends $404,500,000 for Byrne-JAG. Funding is 
not available for luxury items, real estate, or construction 
projects. The Department should expect State, local, and tribal 
governments to target funding to programs and activities that 
conform with evidence-based strategic plans developed through 
broad stakeholder involvement. The Committee directs the 
Department to make technical assistance available to State, 
local, and tribal governments for the development or update of 
such plans. Funding is authorized for law enforcement programs 
including those that promote data interoperability between 
disparate law enforcement entities; prosecution and court 
programs; prevention and education programs; corrections 
programs; drug treatment and enforcement programs; planning, 
evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and crime 
victim and witness programs, other than compensation.
    In order to meet challenges faced by prosecutors, the 
Committee provides $2,500,000 within the Byrne-JAG program for 
the Smart Prosecution program, which supports partnerships 
between prosecutors and researchers focused on developing and 
implementing innovative prosecution-based criminal justice 
programs and strategies that are effective, efficient, and 
economical. The Committee encourages OJP to remind awardees 
that many prosecutorial technology and case management 
modernization needs may be addressed through the Byrne-JAG 
program.
    Training for Forensic Services.--The Committee is 
interested in solution-based approaches to train local law 
enforcement officers and utilize available technology to reduce 
court backlogs and prosecutions. To the extent appropriate, OJP 
should explore ways to provide resources for multi-
jurisdictional forensic service providers, in collaboration 
with universities and nonprofits, to provide access to forensic 
expertise, assistance, and continuing education to law 
enforcement agencies. The Committee encourages OJP to remind 
awardees that these objectives could also be met through the 
Byrne-JAG program.
    VALOR Initiative.--The Committee's recommendation provides 
$7,500,000 within Byrne-JAG for the Officer Robert Wilson III 
Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer Resilience 
and Survivability Initiative [VALOR]. The Committee expects 
Federal law enforcement agencies to continue and expand on 
efforts to provide local police with information as to whether 
or not a suspect has a violent history, to the extent that 
transfer of such information is allowable and available via 
Federal law enforcement databases, in an effort to prevent 
officer deaths. The Committee notes that an additional 
$7,500,000 is provided under the COPS heading for Protecting 
Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion [POLICE] Act (Public Law 
114-199) programs which help to provide active shooter training 
programs for State and local law enforcement officers.
    National Instant Criminal Background Check System [NICS] 
Initiative Grants.--The Committee funds the program at 
$73,000,000, which is $5,000,000 above the budget request, to 
continue to improve the submission of State criminal and mental 
health records to NICS. This investment will strengthen the 
national background check system by assisting States in finding 
ways to make more records available in the NICS system, 
especially mental health records, thereby addressing gaps in 
Federal and State records currently available in NICS. Those 
gaps significantly hinder the ability of NICS to quickly 
confirm whether a prospective purchaser is prohibited from 
acquiring a firearm. The Committee expects OJP to track whether 
grant recipients are submitting data in a timely manner into 
the NICS system.
    Grants to Combat Human Trafficking.--Trafficking victims 
are subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse and need 
various types of assistance to begin healing and recovery, 
including counseling, housing, medical care, support groups, 
and legal assistance. The Committee's recommendation provides 
$45,000,000 for services and task force activities for U.S. 
citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals who are 
victims of trafficking. The OJP shall consult with stakeholder 
groups in determining the overall allocation of Victims of 
Trafficking funding and shall provide to the Committee a plan 
for the use of these funds as part of the Department's fiscal 
year 2018 spending plan.
    The Committee notes that funding provided in this program 
may be used for victims of sex and labor trafficking who are 
minors, as authorized under VAWA 2013. Child trafficking 
victims require specialized care, and these resources can be 
used for items like residential care, emergency social 
services, mental health counseling, and legal services.
    Funding to assist State and local law enforcement in 
strengthening and expanding the investigation and prosecution 
of human trafficking and training law enforcement personnel on 
the identification of trafficking victims was authorized under 
VAWA 2013. The Committee recommends that funds be made 
available for human trafficking task forces, particularly those 
that combat the sex trafficking of minors in High Intensity 
Child Prostitution areas identified by the FBI. Trafficking 
task forces can also use funding for innovative technological 
instruments to assist in the rescue of trafficking victims.
    Bulletproof Vests.--Within the $22,500,000 provided for 
bulletproof vests, $1,500,000 is to be transferred directly to 
the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards [OLES] to continue 
supporting ballistic- and stab-resistant material compliance 
testing programs. The Committee expects the BJA to continue 
strengthening internal controls to manage the Bulletproof Vest 
Partnership program. Improving grantee accountability in the 
timely use of Federal funds to purchase body armor will help 
every police officer who needs a vest to get one, thus saving 
officers' lives.
    Second Chance Act Grants and Drug Treatment.--The 
recommendation provides $70,000,000 for Second Chance Act [SCA] 
grants. The Committee expects that SCA funding will support 
grants that foster the implementation of strategies that have 
been proven to reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful 
reentry back to their communities of adults released from 
prisons and jails. The SCA supports activities such as 
employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, 
local transportation, mentoring, family programming, and victim 
support. SCA grants will also support demonstration projects 
designed to test the impact of new strategies and frameworks.
    The Committee continues to support the Office of Management 
and Budget's scoring mechanism for SCA grant funding as it 
relates to opioid abuse and the heroin epidemic. In addition, 
when awarding SCA grants the Committee directs the OJP to 
consider the impact of reentry of prisoners on communities in 
which a disproportionate number of individuals reside upon 
release from incarceration. The OJP shall assess the reentry 
burdens borne by local communities and local law enforcement 
agencies; review the resources available in such communities to 
support successful reentry and the extent to which those 
resources are used effectively; and make recommendations to 
strengthen the resources in such communities which are 
available to support successful reentry and to lessen the 
burden placed on such communities by the need to support 
reentry.
    DNA Backlog and Crime Lab Improvements.--The Committee is 
once again extremely disappointed that the Department's budget 
request slashes funding by $20,000,000 for critical grant 
programs to help State and local agencies address their 
backlogs and test forensic evidence. The Committee continues 
its strong support for DNA backlog and crime lab improvements 
by recommending $125,000,000 to strengthen and improve Federal 
and State DNA collection and analysis systems that can be used 
to accelerate the prosecution of the guilty while 
simultaneously protecting the innocent from wrongful 
prosecution. Within funds provided, $117,000,000 is for Debbie 
Smith DNA Backlog Reduction grants, $4,000,000 is for Kirk 
Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing grants, and $4,000,000 
is for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners grants.
    From within the funding provided for Debbie Smith DNA 
Backlog Reduction grants, the Committee expects the Department 
to prioritize reducing rape kit backlogs, given that it is the 
primary reason why the Committee continues to provide robust 
funding for these grants. As clarified in the Justice For All 
Reauthorization Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-324), the Committee 
directs the Department to provide not less than 75 percent of 
the total grant amounts for direct testing activities to reduce 
the backlog. The Committee further directs DOJ to provide at 
least 5 percent of funds to law enforcement agencies to conduct 
audits of their backlogged rape kits and to prioritize testing 
in those cases in which the statute of limitations will soon 
expire, as authorized by the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence 
Reporting Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-4).
    The Committee expects that the OJP will make funding for 
DNA analysis and capacity enhancement a priority in order to 
meet the purposes of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant 
Program. The Committee directs the Department to submit to the 
Committee as part of its spending plan for State and Local Law 
Enforcement Activities a plan with respect to funds 
appropriated for DNA-related and forensic programs, including 
the alignment of appropriated funds with the authorized 
purposes of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.
    Reducing the Rape Kit Backlog.--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $45,000,000 to continue a competitive 
grant program started in fiscal year 2015 as part of the 
initiative to reduce the backlog of rape kits at law 
enforcement agencies. The NIJ shall provide competitively 
awarded grants with a comprehensive community-based approach to 
addressing the resolution of cases in the backlog. The 
Committee directs the NIJ to provide a report not later than 90 
days after enactment of this act on its progress in developing 
a strategy and model to serve as best practices for discovering 
and testing kits, training law enforcement, and supporting 
victims throughout the process as required by Public Law 113-
235.
    Comprehensive School Safety.--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $50,000,000 to continue a competitive 
grant program as part of the Comprehensive School Safety 
Initiative [CSSI] started in fiscal year 2014. The NIJ shall 
provide competitively awarded grants with strong research and 
evaluation components to local school districts and State 
educational agencies to support the implementation of school 
safety interventions under the existing construct. The 
Committee urges NIJ that schools participating in grants funded 
through CSSI shall employ an evidence-based school threat 
assessment and intervention program. The Committee directs the 
NIJ to provide a report not later than 90 days after enactment 
of this act, on the continued development of a strategy and 
model for comprehensive school safety.
    Economic, High-Tech, White Collar, and Cybercrime 
Prevention.--The Committee recommends $14,000,000 to assist 
State and local law enforcement agencies in the prevention, 
investigation, and prosecution of economic, high-tech, and 
Internet crimes. Given the importance of protecting our 
Nation's new technologies, ideas, and products, the Committee 
includes the request of $2,500,000 for competitive grants that 
help State and local law enforcement tackle intellectual 
property [IP] thefts, such as counterfeiting and piracy.
    With the growing prevalence of cybercrimes and the 
ubiquitous nature of the existence of digital evidence in 
nearly every crime committed, the Committee is concerned that 
insufficient training and support of law enforcement, 
prosecutors, and judges could hinder the investigation and 
prosecution of cyber and traditional crimes. Within the funds 
provided, $1,000,000 is for the continuation of a Cybercrime 
and Digital Evidence Resource Prosecutor Pilot Program to 
provide State and local prosecutors with training and trial 
experience in cybercrimes and digital evidence.
    Additionally, the Committee recognizes the need to expand 
opportunities for computer and digital forensics education at 
both the undergraduate and graduate levels in order to prepare 
for these challenges. Within the funds provided, $1,000,000 
shall be dedicated to establish a partnership with an 
institution for higher learning for the purposes of furthering 
educational opportunities for students training in computer 
forensics and digital investigation.
    Community Trust Initiative.--The Committee's recommendation 
provides $65,000,000 for the Community Trust Initiative 
programs aimed at building cooperation and trust between law 
enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Funding is 
provided for three programs within this Initiative at levels of 
(1) $22,500,000 for the Body-Worn Camera Partnership Program, 
to be used for matching grants to equip law enforcement 
officers with body-worn cameras, and jurisdictions must 
illustrate that training has been provided in the proper use of 
body-worn cameras and have privacy and data retention policies 
already in place; (2) $25,000,000 for the Justice Reinvestment 
Initiative, a data driven approach to improving public safety; 
and (3) $17,500,000 for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation 
Program, which provides demonstration grants in communities to 
support innovative, evidence-based approaches to fighting crime 
and improving public safety, as well as addressing underlying 
problems.
    Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act [CARA] Programs.--
The Committee provides a total of $111,000,000 for CARA 
programs, including $43,000,000 for drug courts; $7,000,000 for 
veterans treatment courts; $14,000,000 for Residential 
Substance Abuse Treatment; $14,000,000 for prescription drug 
monitoring; $12,000,000 for the Mentally Ill Offender Act; and 
$21,000,000 for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program [COAP] 
comprised of other programs authorized by CARA.
    While OJP is in the process of finalizing awards made under 
COAP for fiscal year 2017, OJP believes the demand for grants 
in this area far exceeds the availability of funding, resulting 
in only 14 to 19 percent of COAP applicants receiving funding. 
In order to meet this demand, the Committee provides an 
increase of $8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 level. Of the 
$21,000,000 for COAP no less than $2,500,000 shall be made 
available for additional replication sites employing the Law 
Enforcement Assisted Diversion [LEAD] model, with applicants 
demonstrating a plan for sustainability of LEAD-model diversion 
programs.

                       JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $247,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................  \1\229,500,000
Committee recommendation................................     260,000,000

\1\The request includes $92,000,000 to be derived by transfer from funds 
provided under section 510 of this act.

    The Committee's recommendation provides $260,000,000 for 
juvenile justice programs. The recommendation is $13,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $30,500,000 above 
the budget request.
    The Committee strongly supports a comprehensive approach of 
substantial funding for a robust portfolio of programs that 
work to improve the lives of the youth in our communities. 
Title II State Formula and title V juvenile delinquency 
prevention grants are the backbone of programs assisting State 
and local agencies to prevent juvenile delinquency and ensure 
that youth who are in contact with the juvenile justice system 
are treated fairly. Combined with other critical programs like 
youth mentoring, the Committee believes that a balanced level 
of programming is the way to best help at-risk and vulnerable 
youth and their families.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

                        JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                        Program                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part B-State Formula Grants............................          60,000
    Emergency Planning-Juvenile Detention Facilities...            [500]
Youth Mentoring Grants.................................          80,000
Title V-Delinquency Prevention Incentive Grants........          19,000
    Gang and Youth Violence Education and Prevention...          [4,000]
    Children of Incarcerated Parents Web Portal........            [500]
    Girls in the Justice System........................          [2,000]
    Community-Based Violence Prevention Initiatives....          [8,000]
Victims of Child Abuse Programs........................          21,000
Missing and Exploited Children Programs................          76,000
Training for Judicial Personnel........................           2,000
Improving Juvenile Indigent Defense....................           2,000
                                                        ----------------
      TOTAL, Juvenile Justice..........................         260,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any deviation from the above plan is subject to the 
reprogramming requirements of section 505 of this act.
    Part B: State Formula Grants.--The Committee provides 
$60,000,000 for grants to implement comprehensive State 
juvenile justice plans, including community-based prevention 
and intervention programs and activities for juvenile 
offenders. This amount is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $2,000,000 above the budget request.
    Within the amount provided, the Committee recommends 
$500,000 for competitive demonstration grants for State, local, 
and tribal juvenile justice detention facilities and systems to 
meet the needs of children and adolescents housed in detention 
facilities in preparation for, during, and after a disaster, as 
detailed in the 2011 emergency planning guidance issued by the 
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [OJJDP].
    The Committee directs the OJP to submit as part of its 
spending plan for State and Local Law Enforcement Activities a 
plan for the administration of Part B State Formula Grants. The 
Committee expects this plan to include details pertaining to 
the formulas utilized in awarding grants under this heading.
    The Committee urges DOJ to encourage title II grant 
recipients to coordinate with their State education agencies to 
support continuity of education opportunities for adjudicated 
youth.
    The Committee notes that nearly two-thirds of children in 
the U.S. have been exposed to violence, which can impact 
development, health, and educational outcomes and perpetuate 
the cycle of violence. The Committee supports efforts to 
provide services and training, increase awareness, and conduct 
research on State collaboration to identify and support 
children exposed to violence and encourages the Department to 
continue to give grant consideration to organizations 
performing such activities.
    Youth Mentoring Grants.--To support the critical work of 
national, regional, and local organizations in nurturing and 
mentoring at-risk children and youth, the Committee recommends 
$80,000,000 for competitive, peer-reviewed youth mentoring 
grants. Within 45 days of enactment of this act, the OJP is 
directed to provide a report and spend plan to the Committee 
detailing the criteria and methodology that will be used to 
award these grants, as well as an explanation of any deviations 
from the criteria and Committee directions used in fiscal year 
2017. The Committee expects that the OJJDP will take all steps 
necessary to ensure fairness and objectivity in the award of 
these and future competitive grants.
    The Committee expects OJP to explore how OJJDP may expand 
eligibility for local mentoring programs, particularly in rural 
areas, that are unaffiliated with national mentoring 
organizations. The Committee also expects OJP and OJJDP to 
collaborate with mentoring stakeholders to expand youth 
mentoring services in rural areas inordinately effected by 
substance abuse, particularly heroin and opioids, and that are 
considered at-risk.
    Preventing Trafficking of Girls and Involvement in the 
Juvenile Justice System.--Girls in the United States with a 
history of sexual and physical abuse, school failure, substance 
dependency, and involvement in the welfare system, and who live 
in impoverished communities or are homeless, are at an 
increased risk of becoming victims of domestic human 
trafficking. The Committee provides $2,000,000 for the ``Girls 
in the Justice System'' grant program, which will enable 
organizations, including nonprofit entities, with a successful 
track record of administering prevention and early intervention 
programs for girls vulnerable to trafficking and who are most 
likely to end up in the juvenile justice system, at a local or 
state-level, to replicate these programs at a national level. 
Funding for this program will further support prevention and 
early intervention strategies and curricula throughout the 
country, and place vulnerable girls on a path toward success, 
stability, and long-term contribution to society.
    Victims of Child Abuse Act.--The Committee's recommendation 
provides $21,000,000 for the various programs authorized under 
the Victims of Child Abuse Act (Public Law 101-647) and directs 
the OJJDP to ensure that not less than 90 percent of the grants 
awarded are for the purposes of developing and maintaining 
child advocacy centers, including training and accreditation. 
Within the funds provided, $5,000,000 shall be for Regional 
Children's Advocacy Centers [RCACs] Programs. The RCACs were 
established to provide information, consultation, training, and 
technical assistance to communities, and to help establish 
child-focused programs that facilitate and support coordination 
among agencies responding to child abuse.
    The Committee recognizes the excellent work of Children's 
Advocacy Centers [CAC] in coordinating State and local 
agencies' intervention in cases of child abuse, and the 
valuable collaboration that has arisen between CACs and 
military installations through memoranda of understanding. The 
Committee encourages CACs to continue to explore ways in which 
their unique model and expertise can be leveraged to help 
military installations address cases of child abuse, and 
provides $1,000,000 from within the funds provided to continue 
to support a pilot project to identify, develop, and 
operationalize best practices.
    Missing and Exploited Children Programs.--The Committee 
recommends $76,000,000 for Missing and Exploited Children 
Programs and expects the Department to allocate no less than 
the current funding level for task force grants, training and 
technical assistance, research and statistics, and 
administrative costs for the Internet Crimes Against Children 
[ICAC] program. The Committee directs the OJP to provide a 
spending plan for the use of these funds as part of the 
Department's spending plan for fiscal year 2018, which shall 
include only investments in authorized national programs that 
serve as a resource center and clearinghouse on missing and 
exploited children.
    The DOJ's National Strategy for Child Exploitation 
Prevention and Interdiction, published in April 2016, 
identified key investigative objectives for continuing the 
fight against child exploitation. Within funds provided, the 
Committee directs up to $3,000,000 for a competitive grant 
program to increase the technological investigative capacity 
and associated training of law enforcement to support the 
development, refinement, and advancement of widely used 
investigative tools, methods and technologies that address 
child pornography, exploitation and sex trafficking. The 
Committee directs the OJJDP to continue providing training and 
technical assistance to improve forensic interview training for 
investigation and prosecution professionals, evidence-based 
community prevention programs for child protection 
professionals, and undergraduate and graduate curricula on the 
maltreatment and exploitation of children.

                    PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS BENEFITS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $89,300,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     108,300,000
Committee recommendation................................     108,300,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $108,300,000 for 
public safety officers benefits. The recommendation is 
$19,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal 
to the budget estimate. This program provides a one-time death 
benefit payment to eligible survivors of Federal, State, and 
local public safety officers whose death was the direct and 
proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of 
duty or certain eligible heart attacks or strokes. Within funds 
provided, $92,000,000 is for death benefits for survivors, an 
amount estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and 
considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes.
    The Committee also recommends $16,300,000, as requested, 
for disability benefits for injured officers and education 
benefits for the families of officers who have been permanently 
disabled or killed in the line of duty.

                  Community Oriented Policing Services


             COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $221,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     218,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     226,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $226,500,000 for 
community oriented policing services. The recommendation is 
$5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$8,500,000 above the budget request.
    Local law enforcement is not only essential to ensuring the 
safety of the public, but also plays a critical role in 
preventing and responding to terrorist threats. Since its 
creation, the Community Oriented Policing Services [COPS] 
Office has assisted State and local law enforcement agencies by 
providing grants, training, and technical assistance that not 
only ensure public safety from traditional crime, but also 
better enable law enforcement officers to address the growing 
threat from terrorist organizations.
    The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the 
following table:

                  COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                        Program                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COPS Hiring Grants.....................................         207,500
Community Policing Development/Training and Technical            [5,000]
 Assistance............................................
Collaborative Reform Model.............................         [10,000]
Regional Information Sharing Activities................         [36,000]
POLICE Act.............................................          [7,500]
Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces.......................           7,000
Anti-Heroin Task Forces................................          12,000
                                                        ----------------
      TOTAL, Community Oriented Policing Services......         226,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any deviations from the above plan are subject to the 
reprogramming requirements of section 505.
    COPS Hiring Program.--The Committee recommends $207,500,000 
for COPS Hiring grants to help State, local, or tribal law 
enforcement agencies to create and preserve police officer 
positions and to increase community policing capacity and crime 
prevention efforts. As in the request, the grants will have an 
award cap of $125,000 and require grantees to provide a 25 
percent local match. The Committee encourages the COPS Office 
to focus on efforts to train and increase the capacity of law 
enforcement agencies, executives and managers serving rural 
communities to enhance the use of community policing practices 
and innovations in policing to expand the effectiveness of 
limited resources.
    Regional Information Sharing Activities.--The Committee 
recommends $36,000,000, an increase of $6,000,000 above the 
budget request and $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level, to support activities that enable the sharing of 
nationwide criminal intelligence and other resources with 
State, local, and other law enforcement agencies and 
organizations. Such activities should address critical and 
chronic criminal threats, including gangs, terrorism, 
narcotics, weapons and officer safety or ``event 
deconfliction,'' and should reflect regional as well as 
national threat priorities. In addition, funds shall be 
available to support local-to-local law enforcement data and 
information sharing efforts focused on solving routine crimes 
by sharing law enforcement information not categorized as 
criminal intelligence. All activities shall be consistent with 
national information-sharing standards and requirements as 
determined by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
    Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces.--The Committee's 
recommendation provides $7,000,000 for the COPS Office to make 
competitive grants to law enforcement agencies in States with 
high seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, 
laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. These funds shall 
be utilized for investigative purposes to locate or investigate 
illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories, 
or methamphetamine traffickers.
    Anti-Heroin Task Forces.--The Committee reiterates concerns 
over the dramatic rise of heroin abuse, deaths, and related 
crime in the United States. The need for additional resources 
and training to address these challenges is apparent, and the 
Committee created the anti-heroin program within the COPS 
Office in fiscal year 2015, continually providing funding in 
succeeding fiscal years. Despite the plea for additional 
resources from law enforcement as well as the interest of the 
Committee, the Department eliminated this program as part of 
the fiscal year 2018 budget request. The Committee provides 
$12,000,000 for the COPS Office to make competitive grants to 
law enforcement agencies in States with high per capita levels 
of primary treatment admissions for both heroin and other 
opioids. These funds shall be utilized for drug enforcement, 
including investigations and activities related to the 
distribution of heroin or unlawful diversion and distribution 
of prescription opioids. Priority shall be given to those drug 
task forces, managed and operated by the State, serving a 
majority of counties in the State.
    Policing Practices and Accountability Initiative.--The 
Committee supports the COPS Office's efforts to integrate the 
Task Force on 21st Century Policing recommendations and urges 
the Policing Practices and Accountability Initiative to 
continue its work across Department of Justice programs and 
agencies to provide support and best practices for law 
enforcement agencies working to address issues of public trust.

               General Provisions--Department of Justice


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    The Committee recommends the following general provisions:
    Section 201 limits the amount of funding the Attorney 
General can use for official reception and representation.
    Section 202 prohibits the use of funds in this title to pay 
for an abortion except where the life of the mother would be in 
danger, or in the case of rape or incest.
    Section 203 prohibits the use of funds in this title to 
require a person to perform or facilitate an abortion.
    Section 204 requires female prisoners to be escorted when 
off prison grounds.
    Section 205 allows the Department of Justice, subject to 
the Committee's reprogramming procedures, to transfer up to 5 
percent between appropriations, but limits to 10 percent the 
amount that can be transferred into any one appropriation.
    Section 206 limits the placement of maximum or high 
security prisoners to appropriately secure facilities.
    Section 207 restricts Federal prisoner access to certain 
amenities.
    Section 208 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General 
and the Department's Investigative Review Board prior to the 
obligation or expenditure of funds for major technology 
projects.
    Section 209 requires the Department to follow reprogramming 
procedures prior to any deviation from the program amounts 
specified in this title or the reuse of specified deobligated 
funds provided in previous years.
    Section 210 prohibits the use of funds for OMB Circular A-
76 competitions for work performed by employees of the Bureau 
of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated.
    Section 211 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from simultaneously 
holding multiple jobs outside of the scope of a U.S. Attorney's 
professional duties.
    Section 212 permits up to 3 percent of grant and 
reimbursement program funds made available to the Office of 
Justice Programs to be used for training and technical 
assistance, and permits up to 2 percent of grant and 
reimbursement program funds made available to that office to be 
transferred to the National Institute of Justice or the Bureau 
of Justice Statistics for criminal justice research and 
statistics.
    Section 213 permits up to 7 percent of discretionary grant 
and reimbursement program funds made available to OJP and COPS 
to be used for tribal criminal justice assistance. The 
Committee continues to strongly support efforts to help tribes 
improve the capacity of their criminal justice systems.
    Section 214 gives the Attorney General the authority to 
waive matching requirements for Second Chance Act adult and 
juvenile reentry demonstration projects; State, tribal and 
local reentry courts; and drug treatment programs. If a waiver 
is granted, the Attorney General shall document any factors and 
material presented by a grantee upon determining that a fiscal 
hardship exists prior to making an award.
    Section 215 waives the requirement that the Attorney 
General reserve certain funds from amounts provided for 
offender incarceration.
    Section 216 prohibits funds, other than funds for the 
national instant criminal background check system established 
under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being 
used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a 
known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement 
personnel do not continuously monitor or control such firearm.
    Section 217 permits the Department of Justice to 
participate in Performance Partnership Pilot collaboration 
programs.

                               TITLE III

                                SCIENCE

                Office of Science and Technology Policy

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $5,555,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       5,544,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,544,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $5,544,000 for the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy. The recommendation is 
$11,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request.
    The Office of Science and Technology Policy [OSTP] was 
created by the National Science and Technology Policy, 
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-282) 
and coordinates science and technology policy for the White 
House. OSTP provides scientific and technological information, 
analyses, and advice for the President and the executive 
branch; participates in the formulation, coordination, and 
implementation of national and international policies and 
programs that involve science and technology; maintains and 
promotes the health and vitality of U.S. science and technology 
infrastructure; reviews and analyzes, with the Office of 
Management and Budget, the research and development budgets for 
all Federal agencies; and coordinates research and development 
efforts of the Federal Government to maximize the return on the 
public's investment in science and technology and to ensure 
Federal resources are used efficiently and appropriately.
    Scientific Review.--The Committee maintains a firm belief 
that a long-standing investments in basic research have 
resulted in transformational discoveries and dramatic 
improvements in the economy, healthcare, infrastructure, 
communications, national security, and many other sectors. Much 
of this success can be attributed to the process of peer review 
for the allocation of research funding and publication, and on 
community prioritization, such as through utilizing decadal 
surveys, which provide clear priorities for Federal investment 
and valuable oversight benchmarks. The Committee directs OSTP 
to ensure Federal science agencies continue to rely on peer 
review and prioritization efforts from the scientific 
community.
    Open Access to Federal Research.--The Committee has 
received reports by OSTP on the progress of all Federal 
agencies in developing and implementing policies to increase 
public access to federally funded scientific research. The 
Committee is pleased by the progress, but previously instructed 
OSTP to have all relevant departments' and agencies' plans 
approved by the end of calendar year 2014 with implementation 
occurring by early calendar year 2017. OSTP is directed to 
continue providing quarterly reports to the Committee in order 
to keep Congress apprised of the remaining progress needed to 
make federally funded research accessible to the public as 
expeditiously as possible.
    Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
Education.--The Committee continues to support effective 
mission-oriented science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics [STEM] education programs at NASA, NOAA, NSF, and 
NIST within this bill, and encourages OSTP to work with non-
Federal education and outreach communities.
    Emerging Contaminants.--Emerging contaminants are 
increasingly being detected at low levels in drinking water 
systems across the country. Prolonged exposure to unregulated 
drinking water contaminants may pose human health risks, and 
the lack of research on potential health effects has hindered 
Federal and State efforts to develop and strengthen the 
effectiveness of drinking water advisories or standards for 
these materials. The OSTP Director shall identify current 
research gaps in addressing these issues and submit to the 
Committee, within 180 days of enactment of this act, a 
coordinated cross-agency plan for addressing critical research 
gaps related to emerging contaminants.
    National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee.--The 
Committee understands the importance of engaging and recruiting 
a diverse talent pool to work in STEM fields. The Committee 
also believes that limited Federal budgets require innovative 
approaches that are collaborative and build upon existing 
training to promote a diverse Federal workforce and make the 
most efficient use of limited resources. The Committee directs 
the OSTP to continue its work with the Office of Personnel 
Management, the NSF, and the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology [NIST] to create a NIST Council Subcommittee to 
build on existing efforts and develop and implement STEM 
inclusion training for use in both the Federal Government and 
academe. The training should address advancement barriers for 
underrepresented groups in STEM careers, including implicit 
bias, stereotype threat, and work/life balance and caregiving 
issues so as to foster more inclusive workplace environments. 
Related legal requirements, including those under title IX, 
should also be addressed.
    National Space Council.--The bill provides for the funding 
of the National Space Council [NSC] which was reinstated 
through Executive Order 13803, signed on June 30, 2017. The 
Committee understands that the newly reconstituted NSC is in 
the early phases of standing up its staffing and operations, 
and expects that further information on the appropriate funding 
levels will be presented to the Committee before the end of the 
current fiscal year. In the absence of that information, the 
Committee has chosen to initially fund the NSC in fiscal year 
2018 through OSTP and will consider separate funding as further 
information is presented in the coming months.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Appropriations, 2017.................................... $19,653,300,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................  19,092,200,000
Committee recommendation................................  19,529,300,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $19,529,300,000 for 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA]. The 
recommendation is $124,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $437,100,000 above the budget request.
    NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space 
Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-568) to conduct space and 
aeronautical research and development and to conduct flight 
activities for peaceful purposes. NASA's unique mission of 
exploration, discovery, and innovation is intended to preserve 
the United States' role as both a leader in world aviation and 
as the pre-eminent space-faring nation. It is NASA's mission 
to: advance human and robotic exploration, use, and development 
of space; advance and communicate scientific knowledge and 
understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe; 
and research, develop, verify, and transfer advanced 
aeronautics and space technologies.
    For Science, the Committee's recommendation strives to keep 
NASA's near-term launches on track to continue progress in 
exploring our solar system and the universe, understanding the 
sun, and observing our planet. The Committee expects NASA to 
continue making progress on the recommendations of the National 
Academies' decadal surveys, now and in the future.
    The Committee believes this bill represents a solid path 
forward for human spaceflight that reaches beyond low-Earth 
orbit with NASA developed crew and launch vehicles; invests in 
the burgeoning domestic launch industry that is bringing cargo, 
and eventually crew, to the International Space Station; and 
supports NASA's science and technology programs. These elements 
should be viewed as complementary pieces of a balanced whole.
    NASA utilizes a broad variety of launch vehicles, from 
suborbital to heavy configurations, in order to successfully 
execute its missions. The Committee encourages NASA to choose 
those launch vehicles that prioritize their manifests such that 
NASA has a high confidence level that missions can be reliably 
launched on schedule. NASA is directed to continue providing 
the Committee with a quarterly launch schedule, by mission, 
that describes risks associated with launch delays due to 
problems with the launch vehicle; impacts of launch delays to 
other missions in the launch queue, and a budget estimate of 
the anticipated carrying costs for missed launch windows.
    The Committee is supportive of NASA's STEM education 
efforts that provide hands-on learning experiences at NASA 
centers for middle, high school, and college students, 
including space launch activities, and therefore rejects the 
proposed cancellation of education programs. These types of 
programs allow students to experience the full range of STEM-
related skills involved in designing, testing, and launching 
vehicles and payloads to deepen their interest in science and 
engineering fields.
    The Committee is counting on NASA to maintain focus on 
improving oversight and accountability throughout the agency. 
NASA's acquisition management continues to be on the GAO ``high 
risk'' list. The Committee notes that NASA is making progress 
in strengthening its financial management. GAO's most recent 
assessment of NASA's large-scale projects found the agency's 
cost and schedule performance on major projects has improved 
since GAO's first assessment in 2009. NASA is directed to 
cooperate fully and to provide timely program analysis, 
evaluation data, and relevant information to the GAO so that 
GAO can report to Congress shortly after the annual budget 
submission of the President and semiannually thereafter on the 
status of large-scale NASA programs, projects, and activities 
based on its review of this information.
    In addition, NASA is directed to provide the Committee, 
with its budget justification, the reserves assumed by NASA to 
be necessary within the amount proposed for each directorate, 
theme, program, project, and activity, or, if the proposed 
funding level for a directorate, theme, program, project, or 
activity is based on confidence level budgeting, the confidence 
level and reserves assumed in the proposed funding level.
    The Committee understands that NASA projects undergo major 
reviews in addition to regular oversight throughout the year. 
When one of these reviews results in changing the cost profile 
of a project in the current or budget request year, the 
Committee expects to be informed in a timely fashion so that 
its actions can reflect the most recent NASA analysis and 
expectation. Keeping the Committee up to date should reduce 
NASA's propensity to submit spending plans that disregard 
Congressional direction.
    The Federal funding priorities for NASA set forth in this 
bill and report should not be interpreted as a suggestion from 
the Committee. Rather they should be interpreted like any other 
statutory requirement levied upon NASA. The Committee objects 
to NASA's efforts in recent fiscal years to redirect funding 
away from priorities clearly set by the Congress in law. NASA's 
continued use of section 505 of this bill in this manner will 
result in limited funding flexibility in the future.
    The Committee has chosen to articulate the funding levels 
of programs, where appropriate, in the form of tables and, if 
necessary, supplemented with explanatory report language.

                                SCIENCE

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $5,764,900,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   5,711,800,000
Committee recommendation................................   5,571,800,000

    The Committee provides $5,571,800,000 for Science, which is 
$193,100,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$140,000,000 below the budget request. The Science account 
encompasses: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, 
the James Webb Space Telescope, Heliophysics, and Education. 
This funding supports NASA programs that seek to answer 
fundamental questions concerning the ways in which Earth is 
changing; the comparison of Earth with other planets in the 
solar system and around other stars; the connections between 
the Sun and Earth; and the origin and evolution of planetary 
systems, the galaxy, and the universe, including the origin and 
distribution of life in the universe. These objectives are 
assisted by input from the scientific community through decadal 
surveys and are achieved through robotic flight missions, 
ground-based scientific research and data analysis, and the 
development of new technologies for future missions. NASA shall 
continue its progress toward implementing the recommendations 
of decadal surveys in Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary 
Science, and Astrophysics.

                                 SCIENCE
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                         recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Science.........................................        1,921,000
Planetary Science.....................................        1,611,900
Astrophysics..........................................          816,700
James Webb Space Telescope............................          533,700
Heliophysics..........................................          688,500
Education.............................................          [44,000]
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Science..................................        5,571,800
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Earth Science.--Within the amount for Earth Science, the 
Committee recommendation includes $198,000,000 for Landsat 9 to 
maintain a 2020 launch profile, $147,000,000 for the Plankton, 
Aerosol, Cloud ocean Ecosystem [PACE] mission to maintain a 
2022 launch date, $28,000,000 for CLARREO Pathfinder to 
continue progress on a Tier-1 decadal survey recommendation, 
$9,500,000 for OCO-3, and $1,900,000 for NASA instruments on 
the Deep Space Climate Observatory. The amount provided for 
PACE reflects the project's successful passage of Key Decision 
Point B in July 2017. The recommendation fully supports Earth 
Venture and NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar at no less than 
the request level.
    Radiation Budget Instrument.--The Committee is aware of 
challenges reported by GAO on NASA's Radiation Budget 
Instrument [RBI] program, to include problems controlling scope 
of requirements against desired costs and maintaining schedule 
to meet the JPSS-2 need date with sufficient time for 
integration on the satellite and testing prior to the JPSS-2 
launch. NASA shall report in writing to the Committee within 14 
days of the date of enactment whether RBI can meet the launch 
date under the development parameters that the Committee had 
already established for this instrument in previous 
appropriations bills, and does not meet the programmatic cost 
overruns outlined in section 521 of this act. If such 
conditions are favorably met, then NASA shall continue the RBI 
program in fiscal year 2018 with appropriated funds within 
Earth Science subject to section 505 reprogramming guidelines. 
NASA shall update the Committee on RBI cost and schedule 
immediately after the completion of the Critical Design Review 
in September 2017.
    The Committee is also supportive of efforts for the 
development of aircraft instrumentation and arrays that can 
conduct remote sensing for scientific and operational research, 
and directs the agency to continue partnering with non-Federal 
researchers to test new technologies for analyzing snow, ice 
and soil moisture.
    Planetary Science.--The Committee recommendation includes 
$660,000,000 for Mars Exploration and $66,000,000 for Near 
Earth Object Observations, including no less than the fiscal 
year 2017 amount for Double Asteroid Redirection Test [DART]. 
The Near Earth Object Observations program supports a network 
of search and characterization observatories and the data 
processing and analysis required to understand the near-Earth 
population of small bodies. The Committee urges NASA to meet 
the congressionally mandated goal of detecting and 
characterizing at least 90 percent of the potentially hazardous 
Near Earth Objects [NEO] 140 meters or larger by 2020. NASA 
shall develop a plan for its planetary defense activities, 
including DART and subsequent activities, which will support 
successive space-based surveys/surveillance missions and/or 
technology demonstration and rapidly advance the Nation's 
planetary defense capabilities.
    Green Bank Observatory.--The Committee recognizes the 
significant investment the NSF has made to develop the world-
class scientific facility at the Green Bank Telescope 
Observatory [GBO]. NASA is encouraged to continue its use of 
GBO to support its Planetary Science Research program, 
including orbital debris monitoring activities, and to 
coordinate with NSF and other government agencies to develop 
potential multi-agency management plans for GBO. NASA shall 
include in its fiscal year 2019 budget request any planned 
support for the subsequent 5 fiscal years.
    Astrophysics.--The Committee recommendation includes no 
less than $98,300,000 for the Hubble Space Telescope, no less 
than $10,000,000 for search for life technology development, 
and $150,000,000 for the Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope 
[W-FIRST]. The Committee supports the independent analysis of 
W-FIRST and other large projects to ensure sustainable cost and 
schedule and encourages NASA to establish a cost cap for W-
FIRST based on that analysis. The Committee reiterates its 
expectation that NASA will streamline W-FIRST science 
operations to take advantage of scientific and operational 
experience and synergies with Hubble and the James Webb Space 
Telescope, including linking science operations and the science 
archive.
    James Webb Space Telescope.--The Committee maintains its 
strong support for the completion of the James Webb Space 
Telescope [JWST], and provides $533,700,000, the same as the 
budget request. The bill maintains an overall development cost 
ceiling for JWST at $8,000,000,000, and the Committee intends 
to hold NASA and its contractors to that commitment. The 
Committee expects to be kept fully informed on issues relating 
to program and risk management, achievement of cost and 
schedule goals, and the program's technical status. The 
Committee appreciates GAO's continuing work to monitor JWST 
progress, costs, and schedule.
    Heliophysics.--The Committee recognizes that a greater 
understanding of our Sun and the accompanying technologies 
developed for that purpose will help to mitigate the hazards 
that solar activity poses to the ground- and space-based 
platforms that strengthen our national security, economic 
competitiveness, and scientific prowess. As recommended by the 
National Research Council Decadal Survey, the Committee directs 
NASA to implement a 2-year cadence of alternating Small 
Explorer [SMEX] and Mid-sized Explorer [MIDEX] missions, and 
enable a regular selection of Missions of Opportunity [MOs] to 
allow heliophysics researchers to rapidly respond to and 
participate in missions both inside and outside of NASA. The 
Committee also supports implementation of the Diversify, 
Realize, Integrate, Venture, Educate [DRIVE] initiative, a top 
priority of the National Research Council Decadal Survey, which 
would increase the competitive Heliophysics research program 
from 10 percent to 15 percent of the budget request to enable 
the development of new technologies, and establish 
competitively-awarded Heliophysics Science Centers. The 
Committee recognizes the increasingly multidisciplinary nature 
of Heliophysics, and so seeks to provide researchers with the 
necessary tools to enable continued scientific progress in this 
field.
    Space Weather Research.--In response to the Space Weather 
Action Plan and the recommendations of the Decadal Survey, the 
Committee recommendation provides $10,000,000 for establishing 
a space weather research program. NASA should coordinate with 
NOAA and the Department of Defense to ensure that NASA is 
focused on research and technology that enables other agencies 
to dramatically improve their operational space weather assets 
and the forecasts they generate using data from those assets 
including current and future ground-based telescopes and 
instruments that are expected to come on line, such as the 
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.
    Science Mission Directorate, Education.--The Committee 
provides no less than $44,000,000 for education as reflected in 
a more transparent single line within the SMD funding chart. 
The Committee supports the recommendation that the Astrophysics 
program administer this SMD-wide education funding. The 
Committee encourages SMD-funded investigators to be directly 
involved in outreach and education efforts. NASA should 
continue to prioritize funding for on-going education efforts 
linked directly to its science missions.

                              AERONAUTICS

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $660,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     624,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     650,000,000

    The Committee provides $650,000,000 for Aeronautics, which 
is $10,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$26,000,000 above the budget request. The Aeronautics account 
funds research in key areas related to the development of 
advanced aircraft technologies and systems, including those 
related to aircraft safety, ultra-efficient vehicles and fuel 
efficiency, and research that supports the Next Generation Air 
Transportation System in partnership with the Joint Planning 
and Development Office.
    The Committee is encouraged by NASA's proposal for a Low 
Boom Flight Demonstrator X-plane, referred to as the Low Boom 
Flight Demonstrator [LBFD], with an anticipated first flight in 
fiscal year 2021. NASA's work to demonstrate quiet supersonic 
flight over land should assist in eliminating the technical 
barriers to practical, commercial supersonic flight. The 
Committee also believes that additional subsonic flight 
demonstrations can contribute to continued U.S. leadership in 
the global aerospace industry and directs NASA to provide a 
report within 180 days of enactment on the plan, including 
resources needed, for additional X-plane demonstrations beyond 
LBFD.
    Advanced Materials Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
role NASA and university research institutions play in 
developing advanced materials platforms for next generation air 
and space vehicles. NASA is encouraged to partner with academic 
institutions that have strong capabilities in aviation, 
aerospace structures, and materials testing and evaluation to 
advance aeronautics materials research.
    Unmanned Aerial Systems [UAS] Research.--NASA conducts 
research to reduce technical barriers associated with 
integrating UAS into the National Airspace System [NAS]. This 
research remains a national priority with the potential to 
increase public safety and bring economic benefits to a wide 
range of industries. The Committee provides $5,000,000 for NASA 
to conduct further research in a broad range of public safety 
applications over land and maritime environments at the Federal 
Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Centers of 
Excellence on UAS use.
    Advanced Composites.--To address the ongoing need for 
improved methods, tools, and protocols to reduce the 
development and certification timeline for composite materials 
and structures, the Committee funds advanced composites at the 
fiscal year 2018 request level.

                            SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $686,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     678,600,000
Committee recommendation................................     700,000,000

    The Committee provides $700,000,000 for Space Technology, 
which is $13,500,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $21,400,000 above the budget request. The Space Technology 
Program funds basic research that can advance multi-purpose 
technologies to enable new approaches to NASA's current 
missions. It includes NASA's Small Business Innovative Research 
[SBIR] and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
    The Committee is supportive of many of the technologies 
being developed within Space Technology, which will have wide 
ranging benefits for NASA missions and throughout the agency. 
Of particular note are the enabling technologies of Solar 
Electric Propulsion, the laser communications relay 
demonstration, and composite tanks and structural materials. 
These key supporting technologies will provide enabling 
capabilities for multiple robotic and human exploration 
missions.
    Satellite Servicing/RESTORE-L.--The Committee recommends 
$130,000,000 for continued formulation activities and 
acquisition of the mission's bus module to maintain a schedule 
that targets a launch in calendar year 2019 allowing Landsat-7 
to be refueled before its original fuel supply is depleted. 
This project is built upon three decades of on-orbit satellite 
rendezvous, capture and servicing experience and involves 
substantially more robust technological maturity and 
capability. By focusing on low-Earth orbiting satellites, it 
avoids competing against industry and holds the potential to 
save money by allowing government satellites longer operational 
life. The Committee believes this work is complementary to 
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA] work in 
geostationary orbit and encourages NASA to share expertise and 
lessons learned with DARPA and to accept any financial 
contributions from DARPA to its work.
    Nuclear Propulsion.--NASA is continuing its work to develop 
the foundational technologies and advance low-enriched uranium 
nuclear thermal propulsion systems that can provide 
significantly faster trip times for crewed missions than non-
nuclear options. The Committee provides $75,000,000 for ongoing 
nuclear thermal propulsion technologies for space 
transportation and exploration. This funding is provided for 
NASA to work towards the goal of being able to conduct a 
propulsion subscale ground test by 2020.
    Laser Communications.--The Committee recognizes the 
potential technological breakthroughs enabled by laser 
communications that provide much higher data rates for 
connections between spacecraft and Earth. The Committee directs 
NASA to continue its investments in optical communication 
research, development, and testing to support NASA missions and 
potentially to create spin off technologies that advance 
American leadership in communications technologies and support 
rural broadband deployment.
    Flight Opportunities Program.--The recommendation includes 
up to $20,000,000 for the Flight Opportunities Program.
    Advanced Propulsion Research.--The Committee notes that 
NASA has funded preliminary fusion energy research that could 
eventually assist in shortening transit time for interplanetary 
missions. The Committee strongly encourages NASA to pursue 
academic led research opportunities as continued early 
technology development is advanced.
    Small Business Innovation Research.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the SBIR program and its previous 
success in commercialization of results from federally funded 
research and development projects. The SBIR program encourages 
domestic small businesses to engage in Federal research and 
development, and creates jobs. The Committee therefore directs 
NASA to place an increased focus on awarding SBIR awards to 
firms with fewer than 50 employees.

                              EXPLORATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $4,324,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   3,934,097,000
Committee recommendation................................   4,395,000,000

    The Committee provides $4,395,000,000 for Exploration, 
which is $71,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $460,903,000 above the budget request. The Exploration 
account funds the capabilities required to develop, 
demonstrate, and deploy the transportation, life support, and 
surface systems that will enable sustained human presence 
beyond low-Earth orbit and throughout the solar system. The 
Committee believes the Nation deserves a safe and robust human 
spaceflight program to explore beyond low-Earth orbit.

                               EXPLORATION
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                                                          recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Space Launch System....................................        2,150,000
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.......................        1,350,000
Exploration Ground Systems.............................          545,000
Exploration Research and Development...................          350,000
                                                        ----------------
      TOTAL............................................        4,395,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Space Launch System [SLS], Orion multi-purpose crew 
vehicle [Orion], and Exploration ground systems are all 
critical infrastructure for the development and sustainment of 
the Nation's human exploration goals. These investments will 
enable the human exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit, 
and provide flexibility for a variety of mission destinations.
    NASA's human exploration program is made up of three 
distinct, but equally important pieces: SLS heavy-lift launch 
vehicle, Orion, and the supporting ground systems that process 
and launch these vehicles. If any of these activities are 
delayed, then the entire exploration enterprise of launching 
humans beyond low Earth orbit by NASA is also hindered. 
Therefore, it is important to view these programs as part of a 
complete system and to budget accordingly so that the Nation 
can advance its exploration goals.
    The Committee provides: $2,150,000,000 for SLS, of which no 
less than $300,000,000 is for development of the Exploration 
Upper Stage [EUS] engine; $1,350,000,000 for Orion; and 
$545,000,000 for Exploration Ground Systems. In addition to 
this funding, $95,900,000 is further provided under 
Construction of Facilities for Exploration related 
construction, bringing the total for ground systems to 
$640,900,000. The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2018 
request for SLS includes $59,000,000 planned for RS-25 and SLS 
core stage green run testing as part of a longer-term testing 
plan leading to EUS testing and qualification activities to be 
conducted in fiscal year 2019 and beyond. Of the funds provided 
for EUS, $20,000,000 is for advance planning and preliminary 
test stand engineering for associated follow-on testing and 
engine qualification for the EUS. NASA is directed, within 60 
days of enactment, to provide the Committee its preliminary 
plan for EUS testing and qualification that incorporates the 
funding provided within this Act. These funding levels reflect 
consistent programmatic funding to ensure the earliest possible 
crewed launch, as well as prepare for future crewed launches.
    It is important to note that the funding levels provided by 
the Committee support the development of multiple iterations of 
launch and crew test articles and flight vehicles that are 
being developed and produced during fiscal year 2018. Together 
these comprise a complete system that includes work needed for 
future launches beyond Exploration Missions 1 and 2.
    The Committee understands that NASA will determine the 
initial launch date for Exploration Mission 1 after a review of 
the program currently being conducted and expects NASA to 
provide the Committee with details of this analysis at the 
conclusion of the review.
    To allow for NASA to transition SLS, Orion, and their 
associated ground infrastructure from a developmental program 
to an operating launch system, the Committee has included bill 
language permitting NASA to continue to acquire crew vehicles, 
launch vehicles, ground systems and their associated components 
under incremental funding within appropriation limits for the 
duration of these programs.
    Advanced Exploration Systems.--The amount provided for 
Advanced Exploration Systems enables NASA to continue current 
activities within NASA and with industry related to VASIMR 
propulsion technology, In Situ Resource Utilization, and Lunar 
CATALYST. The Committee also encourages NASA to continue to 
study and quantify potential exposure to cosmic rays through 
initiatives such as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. The 
Committee further includes the request level of $119,700,000 
for habitat systems research and development. The Committee 
expects NASA to establish in fiscal year 2018 a habitat 
development program office at a center that holds proficiency 
and heritage in habitation, life support systems development, 
and science operations to oversee and support NASA's current 
and future in-space habitat development activities.

                            SPACE OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $4,950,700,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   4,740,803,000
Committee recommendation................................   4,751,500,000

    The Committee provides $4,751,500,000 for Space Operations, 
which is $199,200,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $10,697,000 above the budget request. The Space Operations 
account funds the International Space Station [ISS] and the 
supporting functions required to conduct operations in space. 
The ISS is a complex of research laboratories in low-Earth 
orbit in which American, Russian, and international partner 
astronauts conduct unique scientific and technological 
investigations in a microgravity environment.
    Space Transportation.--The Committee provides the requested 
amounts of $1,683,200,000 for the delivery of cargo and 
payments for current and future crew services to the ISS, and 
up to $731,900,000 for payment of successfully completed crew 
development milestones.
    The Committee notes that the GAO has reported in ``NASA: 
Assessments of Major Projects'' that an analysis by the 
Commercial Crew Program indicates the certification of both 
contractors will likely be delayed until 2019 and that despite 
a fixed price contract, payments to contractors have increased 
by a combined $138,000,000 through the use of reserve funds. 
The Committee encourages NASA to regain the ability to launch 
astronauts to ISS from the United States in a safe and timely 
manner but is concerned that further delays to the crew program 
will lead to additional unanticipated crew transportation costs 
beyond the current payments to other crew transportation 
providers in the future. NASA shall inform the Committee of the 
causes of any delays to certification dates and any additional 
associated costs, including additional payments for alternative 
transportation services, at the time they are determined by 
NASA, and not wait to disclose them as part of the regular 
quarterly reporting requirement.
    Rocket Propulsion Test Program.--The Committee recommends 
the fiscal year 2018 requested amount for the NASA Rocket 
Propulsion Test program to ensure test infrastructure remains 
adequate to support the Space Launch System and other 
propulsion development programs.
    Testing Infrastructure.--The Committee encourages NASA to 
develop plans to fully utilize NASA-owned rocket testing 
infrastructure for commercially developed launch vehicles to 
ensure that these vehicles are not only tested in the same 
manner as Government-developed launch vehicles, but also at the 
same facilities, to ensure consistency in testing across all 
potential vehicles.
    Space and Flight Support Launch Services.--The Committee 
believes that the small launch vehicle development will lead to 
a capability that will maximize benefits to the government, the 
private sector, and universities while promoting increased 
participation in the small launch market. The recommendation 
includes $30,000,000 for NASA to continue activities through 
the appropriate program office to advance technologies for 
launch vehicles of small payloads to increase opportunities for 
improved access to suborbital and orbital launch opportunities 
once the current round is completed.
    Solid Rocket Motor Materials.--Within 60 days of enactment 
of this bill, NASA shall provide a briefing to the Committee 
regarding NASA's strategy to procure large solid rocket motors 
at the best value to U.S. taxpayers. The briefing will include 
a description of their present supply chain, as well as future 
costs and availability of solid rocket motor input materials 
including ammonium perchlorate and spherical aluminum powder as 
well as anticipated impacts of existing, pending and planned 
contracts by NASA and other government entities.
    21st Century Launch Complex program.-- The Committee notes 
that the 21st Century Launch Complex program ended in fiscal 
year 2017. The program helped to maintain multiple launch sites 
contribute to assured access to the ISS in case of natural 
disaster, national security event, or launch accident. With the 
end of this program, future funding requests for construction, 
maintenance, and revitalization of multiple launch facilities 
to maintain this capability are expected to be funded through 
the Construction account where capital improvements to NASA's 
infrastructure are located.

                               EDUCATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $100,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      37,300,000
Committee recommendation................................     100,000,000

    The Committee provides $100,000,000 for Education, which is 
the same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $62,700,000 
above the budget request. The Education account funds science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] education 
activities to educate and inspire our next generation of 
explorers and innovators.
    The Committee does not agree with the proposed cancellation 
of the activities within Education and has provided funding for 
the programs for the upcoming fiscal year. However, if NASA 
determines that the programs would be better managed, executed, 
and evaluated in other places within NASA, the Committee is not 
averse to considering funding these activities either within a 
revised Education directorate or other alternative locations. 
The Committee directs NASA to use fiscal year 2018 to review 
the Education Mission Directorate, along with its other 
education-related activities, in order to inform the 
appropriate location and activities NASA should undertake in 
future years. As part of this activity, NASA is directed to 
consider maintaining administrative costs at no more than five 
percent and provide the Committee a report on the results of 
this comprehensive review not less than 90 days from enactment 
of this Act.
    The funds provided are to ensure continuity in the ongoing 
programs as NASA evaluates its role in STEM education and 
development of students in science and engineering fields.

                                EDUCATION
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Committee
                                                          recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASA Space Grant........................................          40,000
Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research             18,000
 [EPSCOR]...............................................
Minority University Research and Education Project......          32,000
STEM Education and Accountability Projects..............          10,000
                                                         ---------------
    TOTAL...............................................         100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Space Grant.--The Committee provides $40,000,000 for Space 
Grant and directs NASA to support an extension of the current 
Space Grant program, and to allocate the entire funding amount 
for consortia-led institutions in all 52 participating 
jurisdictions according to the percentage allocation provided 
to States in the current 5-year grant award.
    Competitive Program.--The Committee provides up to 
$10,000,000 for the Competitive Program for Science, Museums, 
Planetariums, and NASA Visitors Centers within the STEM 
Education and Accountability Projects. This competitive grant 
program creates interactive exhibits, professional development 
activities, and community-based programs to engage students, 
teachers, and the public in science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics.
    Space Law.--As the civilian space market continues to grow 
and national policies are developed for remote sensing and 
commercial space launches for cargo and crew, there is an 
increasing need for education on the legal aspects of human use 
of aerospace technologies. To encourage legal research in this 
area, the Committee provides up to $1,000,000 for space law 
education and outreach. NASA shall provide a spending plan to 
the Committee within 45 days of enactment of this act on how 
NASA will implement this direction.

                 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MISSION SERVICES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $2,768,600,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   2,830,200,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,826,900,000

    The Committee provides $2,826,900,000 for Safety, Security, 
and Mission Services, which is $58,300,000 above the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $3,300,000 below the budget 
request. The Safety, Security, and Mission Services account 
funds agency management, including headquarters and each of the 
nine NASA field centers, as well as the design and execution of 
non-programmatic Construction of Facilities and Environmental 
Compliance and Restoration activities.
    Independent Verification and Validation [IV&V] Program.--
Within the amounts provided for cross-agency support, the 
Committee recommends $39,100,000 for NASA's IV&V Program.
    Cybersecurity.--The Committee's recommendation includes the 
full request for Agency Information Technology [IT] Services to 
support shifting NASA's IT model to one that enhances 
cybersecurity with strong governance and strong information 
security practices.
    National Center for Critical Information Processing and 
Storage.--The National Center for Critical Information 
Processing and Storage [NCCIPS], managed by NASA, was 
established to consolidate efforts across Federal agencies to 
store and secure data. The Committee encourages NASA to make 
agencies aware of NCCIPS capabilities in order to help the 
Federal Government reduce IT costs and more rapidly achieve IT 
modernization. The Committee urges NASA to offer NCCIPS to 
other agencies in order to take full financial advantage of 
this secure data facility, to help the Federal Government 
reduce IT costs, and to more rapidly achieve IT modernization.
    NASA Shared Services Center.--The Committee is aware that 
NASA is considering a divestment of the NASA Shared Services 
Center [NSSC] and transitioning it to another Federal shared 
services provider or designating it as an independent 
performance based organization. The Committee supports these 
efforts only if the final proposal adheres to ongoing 
government-wide data consolidation efforts, reduces hardware, 
software, and operating costs for its Federal customers, and 
aids in its ability to attract new Federal agencies. If NASA 
chooses to divest the NSSC, NASA shall provide the Committee 
its justification for divestment and the plan for 
implementation.

       CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $360,700,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     496,100,000
Committee recommendation................................     496,100,000

    The Committee provides $496,100,000 for Construction and 
Environmental Compliance and Restoration, which is $135,400,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the 
budget request. The Construction and Environmental Compliance 
and Restoration account provides for design and execution of 
programmatic, discrete and minor revitalization, construction 
of facilities projects, facility demolition projects, and 
environmental compliance and restoration activities.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $37,900,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      39,300,000
Committee recommendation................................      38,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $38,000,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General [OIG], which is $100,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,300,000 below the budget 
request. The Office is responsible for promoting efficiency and 
preventing and detecting crime, fraud, waste, and 
mismanagement.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    The Committee includes bill language regarding the 
availability of funds for certain prizes.
    The Committee also includes bill language regarding 
transfers of funds between accounts and the NASA spending plan 
for fiscal year 2018.

                      National Science Foundation

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $7,472,215,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   6,652,888,000
Committee recommendation................................   7,311,083,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $7,311,083,000 for 
the National Science Foundation [NSF]. The recommendation is 
$161,132,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$658,195,000 above the budget request.
    The National Science Foundation was established as an 
independent agency by the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950 (Public Law 81-507) and is authorized to support research 
and education programs that promote the progress of science and 
engineering in the United States. The Foundation supports 
research and education in all major scientific and engineering 
disciplines through grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, 
and other forms of assistance in all parts of the United 
States. The Foundation also supports unique domestic and 
international large-scale research facilities.

                    RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2017....................................  $6,033,645,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................   5,361,650,000
Committee recommendation................................   5,917,803,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $5,917,803,000. The 
recommendation is $115,842,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $556,153,000 above the budget request.
    The Research and Related Activities [R&RA] appropriation 
funds scientific discovery, trains a dynamic workforce, and 
supports broadly accessible state-of-the-art tools and 
facilities. Research activities will contribute to the 
achievement of these outcomes through expansion of the 
knowledge base; integration of research and education; 
stimulation of knowledge transfer between academia and the 
public and private sectors; and international activities, and 
will bring the perspectives of many scientific disciplines to 
bear on complex problems important to the Nation. The 
Foundation's discipline-oriented R&RA account includes: 
Biological Sciences; Computer and Information Science and 
Engineering; Engineering; Geosciences; Mathematical and 
Physical Sciences; Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences; 
Office of Cyberinfrastructure; Office of International Science 
and Engineering; Office of Polar Programs; Integrative 
Activities; and the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
    The Committee's fiscal year 2018 recommendation supports 
Federal long-term basic research that has the potential to 
transform our economy and our way of life in the context of a 
constrained Federal budget.
    Scientific Facilities and Instrumentation.--A critical 
component of the Nation's scientific enterprise is the 
infrastructure that supports researchers in discovery science. 
Investments to advance the frontiers of research and education 
in science and engineering are critical to the Nation's 
innovation enterprise. The Committee encourages the NSF to 
fully fund its U.S. scientific research facilities and 
instruments to adequately support scientists and students 
engaged in sustained, cutting-edge research.
    Astronomy.--U.S.-based astronomy researchers and facilities 
funded through NSF continue to make groundbreaking discoveries 
utilizing world-class scientific research instruments and 
facilities. NSF funding enables research in the U.S., at 
facilities across the globe, and at observatories operated by 
universities, including the National Optical Astronomy 
Observatories, the National Radio Astronomy Observatories, and 
the National Solar Observatory. As NSF determines the 
appropriate levels of support for astronomy research grants by 
scientists and students engaged in ground-breaking research and 
investments, the Committee expects the NSF to continue its 
support of world-class scientific research facilities and 
instrumentation to maximize its investments in research. In 
addition to this support, partnerships should be explored when 
feasible to maximize research capabilities at such facilities.
    Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
[EPSCoR].--The Committee underscores the importance of the 
EPSCoR program in spurring innovation and strengthening the 
research capabilities of institutions that are historically 
underserved by Federal research and development [R&D] funding. 
The EPSCoR program is funded at no less than $160,000,000, the 
same amount as fiscal year 2017. NSF shall make every effort to 
achieve efficiencies to ensure that no more than 5 percent of 
the amounts provided for the program are used for 
administration and other overhead costs.
    Study of Woodland and Alpine Ecosystems and Ecoregions.--
The Committee encourages NSF to support research on unique 
mountain and woodland ecosystems, and to advance research in 
this area in order to better understand and sustain the health 
and vitality of mountain ecosystems.
    Mathematical Sciences Institutes.--The Committee recognizes 
the importance of the NSF Mathematical Sciences Institutes 
across the country, which provide important basic research in 
multiple fields.
    VORTEX-SE.-- NSF has been working in conjunction with the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] to build 
up to a full research campaign to study the unique 
characteristics of tornadoes in the southeast. The VORTEX-SE 
field campaigns in calendar years 2016 and 2017 have provided 
important new insights into the observing strategy for the 
large VORTEX-SE field campaign expected to take place in spring 
of 2020. NSF currently plans on conducting additional workshops 
ahead of the full campaign to fully incorporate lessons learned 
from the initial field work that has recently been completed. 
In preparation for the 2020 field campaign, the Committee 
expects that future budget requests for VORTEX-SE will include 
adequate budgetary resources for associated research and 
instrumentation. The Committee directs NSF to include a 
coordinated funding plan and timeline for conducting VORTEX-SE 
as part of future budget requests.
    As part of VORTEX-SE, the Committee directs NSF to look 
beyond the traditional research disciplines and programs 
utilized in previous Vortex programs and to include and utilize 
the collaborative opportunities of the Prediction of and 
Resilience against Extreme Events program for co-funding grants 
that enhance understanding of the fundamental natural processes 
and hazards of tornadoes in the southeast and to improve models 
of these seasonal extreme events.
    Ice Sheet Instability.--Within Office of Polar Programs, 
the Committee encourages NSF to prioritize research into the 
current stability of Antarctic ice sheets, including the West 
Antarctic Ice Sheet, and any impacts of future instability.
    High-Performance Computing.--The Committee commends NSF on 
its continuing commitment to its high-performance computing and 
data analysis capabilities and urges NSF to make timely and 
significant investments in high-performance computing. NSF 
should remain committed to developing and supporting systems 
that facilitate tremendous leaps in computational simulation 
and data analyses that enable a broad range of scientific 
research and encourages NSF to release a public roadmap 
outlining the scope and timing of these investments.
    Domestic Manufacturing.--The Committee encourages NSF to 
continue to support meritorious research on the U.S. steel 
industry.
    Cybersecurity.--The Committee's recommendation includes no 
less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for cybersecurity 
research.
    Innovation Corps.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2017 amount for the Innovation Corps [I-Corps] 
program to build on the successes of its innovative public-
private partnership model. Technology transfer is an important 
contributor to American innovation, and NSF plays a critical 
role in enabling our Nation's brightest academic minds to bring 
their ideas and ingenuity to the marketplace. Scientists are 
trained in discovery but need help turning their research into 
real-world products and profits. Programs like I-Corps create 
jobs in our laboratories today and jobs in American industries 
tomorrow. The Committee encourages NSF to facilitate greater 
participation in the program from academic institutions in 
States that have not previously received awards.
    HBCUs Excellence in Research.--The Committee continues to 
believe in the importance of additional Federal research 
opportunities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
[HBCUs]. Because NSF's primary research directorates continue 
to have a troubling track record of funding HBCUs, the 
Committee provides $10,000,000 for the competitive HBCUs 
Excellence in Research program, to be separate and distinct 
from awards made to HBCUs under grant opportunities made 
available to all colleges and universities, and separate and 
distinct from programs to support HBCUs under the Education and 
Human Resources directorate. The goal of this program is to 
provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, 
particularly for those who have not been successful in larger 
NSF R&RA competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable 
improvement in their research and development capacity. NSF is 
further encouraged to use research infrastructure improvement 
grants, co-funding programs, and other innovative mechanisms to 
achieve these goals. NSF shall provide a detailed outline of 
the proposed execution of the HBCUs Excellence in Research 
program as part of its fiscal year 2018 spending plan.
    Engineering of Biomedical Systems [EBMS].--EBMS provides 
research opportunities to develop novel ideas into discovery-
level and transformative projects that integrate engineering 
and life sciences in solving biomedical problems that serve 
humanity in the long-term. The Committee encourages NSF to find 
opportunities for minority serving institutions, such as HBCUs, 
to broaden participation in EBMS.
    Fire Research.--The Committee recognizes the significant 
impact that fire has on numerous industries in the United 
States, including the aerospace, manufacturing, and agriculture 
sectors. Improving the scientific understanding of fire will 
support key industries as well as improve communities' ability 
to safeguard property and lives. The Committee encourages NSF 
to examine its current portfolio of fire research to ensure 
that it is adequately addressing this area and appropriately 
coordinating with academic, industry, and government experts in 
this field.
    Sustainable Chemistry Research.--The Committee continues to 
urge NSF to support sustainable chemistry, including developing 
a long-term vision for sustainable chemistry research and 
development, as authorized by Public Law 111-358, Section 509, 
and endorsed in Public Law 114-329, Section 114.
    Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering 
Careers [ADVANCE].--The Committee is supportive of the ADVANCE 
program, which funds efforts to address the systemic barriers 
to women's STEM careers. To maintain these efforts, the 
Committee provides $18,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 
2017 funding level.

          MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $209,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     182,800,000
Committee recommendation................................     182,800,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $182,800,000 for 
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction [MREFC]. 
The recommendation is $26,200,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and the same as the budget request.
    The MREFC appropriation supports the acquisition, 
procurement, construction, and commissioning of unique national 
research platforms and facilities as well as major research 
equipment. Projects supported by this appropriation push the 
boundaries of technology and offer expanded opportunities for 
the science and engineering community. Preliminary design and 
development activities, ongoing operations, and maintenance 
costs of the facilities are provided through the R&RA 
appropriation account.
    The Committee's recommendation includes funding at the 
requested level for the continued construction of the Daniel K. 
Inouye Solar Telescope and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, 
as well as the requested funding for planning and construction 
of three regional class research vessels.
    The Committee encourages GAO to continue its annual review 
of programs funded within MREFC so that GAO can report to 
Congress shortly after each annual budget submission of the 
President and semiannually thereafter on the status of large-
scale NSF projects and activities based on its review of this 
information. The Committee notes that MREFC has a `no cost 
overrun' policy and expects GAO's analysis to address any NSF 
adjustments to proposed activities and scope.

                     EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $880,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     760,550,000
Committee recommendation................................     862,400,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $862,400,000 for 
this account. The recommendation is $17,600,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $101,850,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Education and Human Resources appropriation supports a 
comprehensive set of programs across all levels of education in 
STEM. The appropriation supports activities that unite school 
districts with institutions of higher learning to improve 
precollege education. Other precollege activities include the 
development of the next generation of STEM education leaders, 
instructional materials, and the STEM instructional workforce. 
Undergraduate activities support curriculum, laboratory, and 
instructional improvement; expand the STEM talent pool; attract 
STEM participants to teaching; augment advanced technological 
education at 2-year colleges; and develop dissemination tools. 
Graduate support is directed to research and teaching 
fellowships, internships, and instructional workforce 
improvement by linking precollege education systems with higher 
education. Programs also seek to broaden the participation of 
groups underrepresented in the STEM enterprise and promote 
informal science education.
    Advanced Technological Education.--The Committee provides 
funding for Advanced Technological Education at not less than 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
    Fellowships and Scholarships.--The Committee does not adopt 
the proposed funding reductions for the NSF Scholarships in 
STEM, Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, or the Graduate 
Research Fellowship and instead provides the fiscal year 2017 
funding level for these programs.
    CyberCorps: Scholarships for Service.--The CyberCorps 
program has awarded more than 3,000 scholarships to train 
Federal cybersecurity professionals. Nearly half of the 
program's graduates are placed in national security and defense 
agencies. The Committee provides no less than $55,000,000 for 
the CyberCorps: Scholarships for Service program, of which not 
less than $7,500,000 should be used to continue work with 
community colleges that have been designated as a Center of 
Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education 
[CAE2Y] by the National Security Agency and the Department of 
Homeland Security, including through providing scholarships to 
students at CAE2Y's who will not transfer into a 4-year 
program, such as career-changers who possess 4-year degrees and 
veterans of the Armed Forces. Additionally, the Committee urges 
NSF to collaborate with the National Initiative for 
Cybersecurity Education at NIST on their efforts to develop 
cybersecurity skills in the workforce, especially in support of 
non-traditional or technical degree qualifications.
    Informal Science Education.--The Committee maintains its 
strong support for NSF's informal science education program and 
provides no less than $62,500,000 for Advancing Informal STEM 
Learning and $51,880,000 for STEM+C Partnerships. The Committee 
encourages NSF to coordinate and provide necessary support for 
investments in both in- and out-of-school time STEM education 
programs across Federal agencies, including support for 
extracurricular STEM programs. The Education and Human 
Resources directorate is further encouraged to continue its 
NSF-wide efforts to support informal STEM education programs, 
including leveraging the research directorates to support 
activities that match their respective content areas.
    Division of Research on Learning [DRL] in Formal and 
Informal Settings.--As part of the research funded through the 
DRL, the Committee recognizes the importance of out-of-school 
time STEM mentor-led engagement programs, including STEM 
networks, festivals, and competitions. Such programs are highly 
effective in filling the higher education STEM pipeline. The 
Committee urges NSF to focus on populations underrepresented in 
the STEM fields and encourages NSF to fund out-of-school time 
STEM engagement program activities.
    Division on Human Resource Development.--The Committee 
recommends $35,000,000 for the Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities [HBCUs] Undergraduate Program, $8,000,000 for the 
Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, 
$46,000,0000 for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority 
Participation, $14,000,000 for the Tribal Colleges and 
Universities Program, and $24,000,000 for Centers for Research 
Excellence in Science and Technology.
    Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSI] Program.--Hispanic 
Americans continue to be underrepresented in science and 
engineering disciplines. The Committee provides $15,000,000 as 
authorized under 42 U.S.C. 1862o-12 for NSF to implement an HSI 
Program that is designed to increase the recruitment, 
retention, and graduation rates of Hispanic students pursuing 
associate or baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields.

                 AGENCY OPERATIONS AND AWARD MANAGEMENT

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $330,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     328,510,000
Committee recommendation................................     328,510,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $328,510,000 for 
Agency Operations and Award Management. The recommendation is 
$1,490,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request.
    The appropriation provides salaries and expenses, 
including: staff salaries, benefits, travel, training, rent, 
advisory and assistance services, communications and utilities 
expenses, supplies, equipment, and other operating expenses 
necessary for management of NSF's research and education 
activities.
    The Committee continues to believe that NSF should include 
criteria that evaluates how a proposal will advance our 
Nation's national security and economic interests, as well as 
promote the progress of science and innovation in the United 
States.
    The Committee reiterates its long-standing requirement that 
NSF submit reprogrammings when initiating new programs or 
activities of more than $500,000 or when reorganizing 
components. The Committee expects to be notified of 
reprogramming actions which involve less than the above-
mentioned amount if such actions would have the effect of 
changing the agency's funding requirements in future years, or 
if programs or projects specifically cited in the Committee's 
reports are affected.

                  OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $4,370,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       4,370,000
Committee recommendation................................       4,370,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $4,370,000 for the 
Office of the National Science Board. The recommendation is the 
same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the 
budget request.
    The National Science Board is the governing body of NSF and 
is charged with serving as an independent adviser to the 
President and Congress on policy matters related to science and 
engineering research and education.
    Operations and Maintenance Costs.--The Committee is 
concerned that operations and maintenance costs for NSF-funded 
research facilities require an increasingly large percentage of 
the funding for Research and Related Activities, especially in 
a budget environment where overall domestic spending is 
restrained and annual operations and maintenance costs increase 
faster than overall NSF spending. The Committee is waiting for 
the Board's report, directed in fiscal year 2017, on whether 
this issue merits a change in NSF's funding principles or 
budgetary formulation processes.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $15,200,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      15,008,000
Committee recommendation................................      15,200,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $15,200,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The recommendation is the 
same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $192,000 above 
the budget request.
    The OIG appropriation provides audit and investigation 
functions to identify and correct deficiencies that could lead 
to instances of fraud, waste, or mismanagement.

                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

    The bill includes one administrative provision to allow 
limited transfers of funds among accounts.

                                TITLE IV

                            RELATED AGENCIES

                       Commission on Civil Rights

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $9,200,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       9,183,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,200,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $9,200,000 for the 
salaries and expenses of the Commission on Civil Rights, the 
same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $17,000 above 
the request.
    State Advisory Committees [SAC].--The SACs represent the 
eyes and ears of the Commission in their respective States, and 
the significant proportion of unchartered SACs inhibits the 
Commission in carrying out its mission across the Nation. The 
Committee is pleased with the Commission's progress in 
extending all existing SAC charters from 2 years to 4 years and 
looks forward to the improvements in work quality that can be 
attributed to this change. The Commission is directed to update 
its report to the Committee not later than 90 days after 
enactment of this act detailing the number of SAC charters 
covering 4 years remaining to be approved by the Commission, 
any SAC charters that were submitted but not approved by the 
Commission, and the criteria used by the Commission to approve 
or deny any charter submitted for approval.
    Donations..--The bill includes authority for the Commission 
to accept donations to carry out its mission, similar to 
authority provided to the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission. The Commission shall provide to the Committee 
quarterly updates on all gifts and donations, as well as the 
terms of and specific activities funded by the gift or 
donation. Additionally, anticipated funding from gifts or 
donations shall be included in the Commission's annual spend 
plan.

                Equal Employment Opportunity Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $364,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................     363,807,000
Committee recommendation................................     364,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $364,500,000 for 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] salaries and 
expenses. This recommendation is the same as the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and $693,000 above the request.
    The EEOC is the leading Federal agency dedicated to 
eradicating employment discrimination in both the public and 
private sectors on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
sex, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, and family medical 
history or genetic information. The EEOC serves both U.S. 
public and private workplaces by helping provide a fair and 
inclusive workplace, which engenders employee satisfaction and 
commitment, and enhances employee retention, productivity, and 
profitability.
    Inventory Backlog Reduction.--At the end of fiscal year 
2016 the EEOC had a private sector inventory of nearly 76,000 
cases and a substantial Federal sector hearing inventory. Using 
appropriated funds for activities that do not directly resolve 
this backlog of existing and incoming claims denies cases with 
complainants the opportunity of a timely resolution. EEOC's own 
budget submission states that justice delayed is justice 
denied. Therefore, the Committee directs the EEOC to prioritize 
its staffing and resources toward reducing the number of 
current and outstanding unresolved private sector pending 
charges and public sector hearings.
    Public Comment on EEOC Guidance.--The Committee is 
concerned that as the EEOC conducts its business in protecting 
against employment discrimination, its guidance proposals can 
be adopted without the opportunity of public input prior to 
implementation and enforcement. Therefore, if requested by at 
least two Commissioners, the EEOC shall make any new guidance 
available for public comment in the Federal Register for not 
less than 30 days prior to taking any potential action on 
proposed guidance.
    State and Local Enforcement Assistance.--The Committee 
recommends up to $29,500,000 to assist State and local 
enforcement agencies. This will help ensure that EEOC provides 
adequate resources to its State partners.

                     International Trade Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $91,500,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      87,615,000
Committee recommendation................................      91,500,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $91,500,000. The 
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and is $3,885,000 above the budget request.
    The International Trade Commission [ITC] is an independent, 
quasi-judicial agency responsible for conducting trade-related 
investigations and providing Congress and the President with 
independent technical advice related to U.S. international 
trade policy. The Committee reminds the administration and the 
Office of Management and Budget that Congress granted ITC 
specific bypass authority for submitting its budget estimate to 
the Legislative Branch, pursuant to section 175 of the Trade 
Act of 1974. Therefore, all future budget estimates for ITC 
should be transmitted to Congress without revision by the 
President, pursuant to such act.

                       Legal Services Corporation


               PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Appropriations, 2017....................................    $385,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      33,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     385,000,000

    The Committee's recommendation rejects the proposal to 
terminate the payment to the Legal Services Corporation [LSC] 
and provides $385,000,000 for payment to the LSC. The 
recommendation is the same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and $352,000,000 above the President's budget request.
    The Committee's recommendation provides $352,000,000 for 
basic field programs, to be used for competitively awarded 
grants and contracts; $19,000,000 for management and 
administration; $4,000,000 for client self-help and information 
technology; $5,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General 
[OIG]; $1,000,000 for loan repayment assistance; and $4,000,000 
for the LSC's Pro Bono Innovation Fund.
    Governance and Management.--The LSC must continue to 
improve its governance and management in order to further 
restore the transparency of the organization and direct 
additional funds into legal aid, where resources are 
desperately needed. The Committee expects the Inspector General 
of the LSC to continue conducting annual audits of LSC grantees 
to ensure that funds are not being used in contravention of the 
restrictions by which LSC grantees are required to abide.
    Pro Bono Innovation Fund.--The Committee's recommendation 
provides no less than $4,000,000 to continue the Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund. This fund will support innovative projects 
that promote and enhance pro bono initiatives throughout the 
Nation, as well as leverage Federal dollars to increase free 
legal aid for low-income Americans by engaging private 
attorneys.

          ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION--LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

    The Committee's recommendation continues the administrative 
provisions contained in the fiscal year 1998 appropriations act 
(Public Law 105-119) regarding operation of this program to 
provide basic legal services to disadvantaged individuals and 
the restrictions on the use of LSC funds.
    LSC funds cannot be used to engage in litigation and 
related activities with respect to a variety of matters 
including: (1) redistricting; (2) class action suits; (3) 
representation of illegal aliens; (4) political activities; (5) 
abortion; (6) prisoner litigation; (7) welfare reform; (8) 
representation of charged drug dealers during eviction 
proceedings; and (9) solicitation of clients. The exception to 
the restrictions occurs in a case where there is imminent 
threat of physical harm to the client or prospective client.

                        Marine Mammal Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $3,431,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       2,449,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,431,000

    The Committee rejects the proposed elimination of the 
Marine Mammal Commission and instead provides $3,431,000. The 
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $982,000 above the budget request.
    The Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals provide oversight and 
recommend actions on domestic and international topics to 
advance policies and provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act. The Commission provides precise, up-to-date scientific 
information to Congress on issues related to the safety of 
marine mammals.

            Office of the United States Trade Representative


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................     $62,000,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................      57,600,000
Committee recommendation................................      57,600,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $57,600,000 for the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative [USTR]. The 
recommendation is $4,400,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request. The agreement provides 
up to $10,000,000 in funding for enforcement of trade 
agreements and other activities outlined in the Trade 
Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 
4405), subject to reprogramming requirements. USTR is 
responsible for developing and leading international 
negotiations for the United States on policies regarding 
international trade, direct investment, and commodities. Its 
areas of responsibility include all matters relating to the 
World Trade Organization; trade, commodity, and direct 
investment matters dealt with by certain international 
institutions; industrial, agricultural, and services trade 
policy; and trade-related protection of intellectual property 
and the environment.
    Within funds provided, the Committee continues to support 
USTR's accepting full financial responsibilities of the 
Interagency Center on Trade Implementation, Monitoring, and 
Enforcement (formerly named the Interagency Trade Enforcement 
Center) in fiscal year 2018.
    De minimis thresholds.--The Committee recognizes that the 
current disparity in de minimis thresholds have a 
disproportionate impact on small businesses, who often take 
advantage of e-commerce to send low-value shipments to 
customers in foreign countries. USTR is encouraged to consider 
these impacts when negotiating with trading partners to address 
excessively low de minimis thresholds.
    Economy Act Transfers.--USTR is directed to continue 
isolating Economy Act payments as individual transfers and to 
submit documentation of and justification for all Economy Act 
transfers, regardless of amount, to and from other Federal 
agencies, to the Committees not less than 15 days before such 
transfers of sums are made.
    Travel.--USTR is directed to provide monthly travel reports 
detailing all trips outside of the United States, including the 
purposes and costs of such trips. Additionally, USTR shall 
continue to provide the Committee with quarterly reports 
outlining the status of ongoing trade negotiations, enforcement 
activities, and objectives achieved for existing trade 
agreements.

                        State Justice Institute


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017....................................      $5,121,000
Budget estimate, 2018...................................       5,111,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,121,000

    The Committee's recommendation provides $5,121,000 for the 
State Justice Institute. The recommendation is the same as the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $10,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Institute was created in 1984 to further the 
development and adoption of improved judicial administration in 
State courts.

                                TITLE V

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    The Committee recommends the following general provisions 
for the departments, agencies and commissions funded in the 
accompanying act. Similar provisions were included in the 
fiscal year 2017 act.
    Section 501 prohibits the use of appropriations for certain 
publicity and propaganda purposes.
    Section 502 prohibits any appropriations contained in this 
act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current 
fiscal year unless expressly provided.
    Section 503 limits funds for certain consulting purposes.
    Section 504 provides that, should any provision of the act 
be held to be invalid, the remainder of the act would not be 
affected.
    Section 505 stipulates the policy and procedures by which 
funding available to the agencies funded under this act may be 
reprogrammed for other purposes.
    Section 506 provides for a penalty for persons found to 
have falsely mislabeled products.
    Section 507 requires agencies to provide quarterly reports 
to the Appropriations Committees regarding unobligated 
balances.
    Section 508 requires agencies and departments funded in 
this act to absorb any necessary costs related to downsizing or 
consolidation within the amounts provided to the agency or 
department.
    Section 509 limits funds for the sale or export of tobacco 
or tobacco products.
    Section 510 stipulates obligation of receipts and the use 
of certain funds for victim services available under the Crime 
Victims Fund.
    Of the funds set aside for Indian tribes, the Committee 
expects that the Office for Victims of Crime [OVC] will award 
such funds to Indian tribes that have not been designated high-
risk grantees by the Department of Justice and that comply with 
grant application requirements. OVC is expected to provide 
instructional model grant applications and other guidance to 
aid tribes in preparing grant applications. Grant-receiving 
tribes will need to certify that grant funds will not be used 
to supplant funds otherwise available for tribal victim 
assistance so that OVC can ensure grant accountability and that 
grants are being used effectively to improve services for 
tribal victims of crime.
    Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice 
funds for programs that discriminate against, denigrate, or 
otherwise undermine the religious beliefs of students 
participating in such programs.
    Section 512 limits transfers of funds between agencies.
    Section 513 expedites a program for monitoring imported 
seafood.
    Section 514 requires the Inspectors General of the 
Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and 
the Legal Services Corporation to conduct reviews of activities 
funded in this act and requires certifications regarding 
conflicts of interest.
    Section 515 prohibits funds for information technology 
acquisitions unless the acquiring department or agency has 
assessed the supply chain risk of the technology, including 
risks from technology originating in China, Russia, Iran, and 
North Korea.
    Section 516 prohibits the use of funds to support or 
justify the use of torture.
    Section 517 limits funds pertaining to certain activities 
related to the export of firearms.
    Section 518 limits funds that would deny permits to import 
certain products.
    Section 519 prohibits funds for activities that seek to 
include certain language in new trade agreements.
    Section 520 prohibits funds to authorize a national 
security letter in contravention of the statutes authorizing 
the FBI to issue national security letters.
    Section 521 requires notification to the Committees in the 
event of cost overruns.
    Section 522 authorizes funds appropriated for intelligence 
activities for the Department of Justice during fiscal year 
2018 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2018.
    Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess 
of $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee has 
certified in writing that he or she has filed all Federal tax 
returns, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the 
IRS Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment.
    Section 524 specifies rescissions of prior appropriations.
    Section 525 prohibits the use of funds to purchase first 
class or premium airline travel in contravention of current 
regulations and improves reporting.
    Section 526 prohibits the use of funds to pay for the 
attendance of more than 50 employees at any single conference 
outside the United States and limits the cost of any such 
conference incurred by an agency.
    Section 527 prohibits the use of funds in this act for the 
transfer or release of certain individuals detained at Naval 
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or within the United States, 
its territories or possessions.
    Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this act to 
construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United 
States, its territories, or possessions to house certain 
individuals who, as of June 24, 2009, were located at Naval 
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or 
imprisonment in the custody or control of the Department of 
Defense.
    Section 529 requires agencies funded in this act to report 
on undisbursed balances.
    Section 530 prohibits the use of funds by the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] or the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy [OSTP] to engage in bilateral 
activities with China or a Chinese-owned company or effectuate 
the hosting of official Chinese visitors at certain facilities 
unless the activities are authorized by subsequent legislation 
or NASA or OSTP have made a certification pursuant to 
subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
    Section 531 prohibits funds made available by this act from 
being used to deny the importation of certain shotgun models.
    Section 532 prohibits the use of funds to establish or 
maintain a computer network that does not block pornography, 
except for law enforcement purposes.
    Section 533 requires departments and agencies funded in 
this bill to submit spending plans to the House and Senate 
Appropriations Committees within 45 days of enactment of this 
act.
    Section 534 prohibits the use of funds to implement the 
Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of 
ratification for the Treaty.
    Section 535 prohibits funds to pay for award or incentive 
fees for contractors with below satisfactory performance or 
performance that fails to meet the basic requirements of the 
contract. The Committee directs any head of any executive 
branch department, agency, board, commission, or office funded 
by this act to require that all contracts within their purview 
that provide award fees to link such fees to successful 
acquisition outcomes, specifying the terms of cost, schedule, 
and performance.
    Section 536 prohibits the use of funds by the Department of 
Justice to prevent States from implementing laws related to a 
certain section of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    Section 537 prioritizes the obligation of funds within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

  COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Rule XVI, paragraph 7 requires that every report on a 
general appropriation bill filed by the Committee must identify 
items of appropriation not made to carry out the provisions of 
an existing law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution 
previously passed by the Senate during that session.
    The Committee recommends funding for the following programs 
or activities that currently lack an authorization for fiscal 
year 2018, either in whole or in part, and therefore fall under 
this rule:

         APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW--FISCAL YEAR 2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Last year of
                     Agency/program                        authorization
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Commerce:
    International Trade Administration:
        Export Promotion................................            1996
    Bureau of Industry and Security:
        Export Administration...........................            2001
    Economic Development Administration:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2008
        Economic Development Assistance Programs:
            Public Works and Economic Development.......            2008
    Bureau of the Census:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2015
    National Telecommunications and Information
     Administration:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            1993
    National Institute of Standards and Technology:
        Scientific and Technical Research and Services..            2013
        Industrial Technology Services..................            2013
        Construction of Research Facilities.............            2013
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
        Operations, Research, and Facilities:
            National Ocean Service:
                Coral Reef Conservation.................            2004
                Hydrographic Services...................            2007
                Coastal Zone Management.................            1999
                Marine Protection, Research,                        2005
                 Preservation & Sanctuaries.............
            National Marine Fisheries Service:
                Endangered Species Act Amendment........            1992
                Marine Mammal Protection................            1999
                NOAA Marine Fisheries Program...........            2000
                Interjurisdictional Fisheries...........            2012
                Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation               2013
                 and Management.........................
                Estuary Restoration.....................            2012
            Oceanic and Atmospheric Research:
                National Sea Grant College Program......            2008
        Procurement, Acquisition and Construction:
            National Ocean Service:
                Marine Protection, Research,                        2005
                 Preservation & Sanctuaries.............
Department of Justice:
    General Administration:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
        Justice Information Sharing Technology..........            2009
    Administrative Review & Appeals:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
    Office of Inspector General:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
    U.S. Parole Commission:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
    Legal Activities:
        General Legal Activities:
            Salaries and Expenses.......................            2009
        Antitrust Division:
            Salaries and Expenses.......................            2009
        U.S. Attorneys:
            Salaries and Expenses.......................            2009
        Foreign Claims Settlement Commission:
            Salaries and Expenses.......................            2009
        Fees and Expenses of Witnesses..................            2009
        Community Relations Service:
            Salaries and Expenses.......................            2009
        Assets Forfeiture Fund Current Budget Authority.            2009
    U.S. Marshals Service...............................            2009
        Salaries and Expenses...........................             N/A
        Federal Prison Detention........................             N/A
        Construction....................................             N/A
    National Security Division:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................             N/A
    Interagency Law Enforcement:
        Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement..........            2009
    Federal Bureau of Investigation.....................            2009
        Salaries and Expenses...........................             N/A
        Construction....................................             N/A
    Drug Enforcement Administration:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2009
    Federal Prison System...............................            2009
        Salaries and Expenses...........................             N/A
        Buildings and Facilities........................             N/A
    Office on Violence Against Women Programs:
        National Institute of Justice Research and                   N/A
         Evaluation on Violence Against Women...........
        Consolidated Youth Oriented Program.............             N/A
            Homicide Reduction Initiative...............             N/A
        Research--Violence Against Indian Women.........            2015
        Sexual Assault in Indian Country Clearinghouse..             N/A
    Office of Justice Programs:
        Research, Evaluation, and Statistics:
            National Institute of Justice...............            1995
            Bureau of Justice Statistics................            1995
    State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance:
        Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants........            2012
            Body-Worn Camera Partnership................             N/A
            VALOR Initiative............................             N/A
            Smart Policing..............................             N/A
            Smart Prosecution...........................             N/A
        John R. Justice Grant Program...................            2014
        Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program.......             N/A
        Adam Walsh Act..................................            2009
        State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.........            2011
        Residential Substance Abuse Treatment...........            2000
        Drug Courts.....................................            2008
        Economic, High Tech, White Collar and Cybercrime             N/A
         Prevention.....................................
        Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry..............            2010
            Smart Probation.............................             N/A
            Children of Incarcerated Parents Demo Grants             N/A
            Pay for Success (Discretionary).............             N/A
            Pay for Success (Permanent Supportive                    N/A
             Housing Model).............................
        Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction............             N/A
        National Sex Offender Website...................             N/A
        National Instant Criminal Background Check                  2013
         System (NICS)..................................
        Criminal Records Upgrade (NCHIP)................            2007
        Veterans Treatment Courts Program...............             N/A
        Rape Kit Backlog................................             N/A
        Justice Reinvestment Initiative.................             N/A
        Project HOPE Opportunity Probation with                      N/A
         Enforcement....................................
        Comprehensive School Safety Initiative..........             N/A
    Juvenile Justice Programs:
        Part B--State Formula...........................            2007
            Emergency Planning in Juvenile Justice                   N/A
             Facilities.................................
        Title V--Local Delinquency Prevention Incentive             2008
         Grants.........................................
            Gang/Youth Violence Education and Prevention       N/A; 2007
        Community-Based Violence Prevention Initiatives.       N/A; 2007
        Missing and Exploited Children Programs.........     2004; 2018;
                                                                    2018
        Competitive Grants for Girls in the Justice            N/A; 2007
         System.........................................
        Children of Incarcerated Parents Web Portal.....             N/A
    COPS Programs:
        COPS Hiring Program.............................            2009
        Regional Information Sharing Activities.........            2003
        Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces................             N/A
        Anti-Heroin Task Forces.........................             N/A
National Aeronautics and Space Administration:
    Science.............................................            2017
    Aeronautics.........................................            2017
    Exploration.........................................            2017
    Space Operations....................................            2017
    Education...........................................            2017
    Safety, Security and Mission Services...............            2017
    Construction and Environmental Compliance and                   2017
     Restoration........................................
    Office of the Inspector General.....................            2017
National Science Foundation.............................            2013
Related Agencies:
    U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2000
    Commission on Civil Rights:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            1995
    International Trade Commission:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2004
    Payment to the Legal Services Corporation:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            1980
    Marine Mammal Commission:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            1999
    Office of the U.S. Trade Representative:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2004
    State Justice Institute:
        Salaries and Expenses...........................            2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\NOAA authorizations are spread across over 60 separate statutory
  authorities. In many cases, the authorizations do not match exactly to
  specific programs.

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on July 27, 2017, 
the Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 1662) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and 
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes, provided, 
that the bill be subject to amendment and that the bill be 
consistent with the subcommittee funding guidance, and provided 
that the Chairman of the Committee or his designee be 
authorized to offer the substance of the original bill as a 
Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute to the House 
companion measure, by a recorded vote of 30-1, a quorum being 
present. The vote was as follows:
        Yeas                          Nays
Chairman Cochran                    Mr. Lankford
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Daines
Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Rubio
Mr. Leahy
Mrs. Murray
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
Mr. Manchin
Mr. Van Hollen

 COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 12 of the rule XXVI requires that Committee 
reports on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any 
statute or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the 
statute or part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and 
(b) a comparative print of that part of the bill or joint 
resolution making the amendment and of the statute or part 
thereof proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through 
type and italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate 
typographical devices the omissions and insertions which would 
be made by the bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form 
recommended by the Committee.''
    In compliance with this rule, no changes to existing law 
are displayed because this bill proposes no changes.
                                ------                                


                        BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL


  PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
                                                     AMENDED
                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Budget authority                 Outlays
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee    Amount  in     Committee    Amount  in
                                                           guidance\1\      bill       guidance\1\      bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee
 guidance to its subcommittees of amounts for 2018:
 Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
 Agencies:
    Mandatory...........................................          339           339           350        \2\350
    Discretionary.......................................       53,366        53,366        64,701     \2\64,701
        Security........................................        5,266         5,266            NA            NA
        Nonsecurity.....................................       48,100        48,100            NA            NA
Projection of outlays associated with the
 recommendation:
    2018................................................  ............  ............  ............    \3\42,284
    2019................................................  ............  ............  ............       13,399
    2020................................................  ............  ............  ............        3,484
    2021................................................  ............  ............  ............        1,407
    2022 and future years...............................  ............  ............  ............        4,383
Financial assistance to State and local governments for            NA        -9,015            NA       \3\-291
 2018...................................................
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\There is no section 302(a) allocation to the Committee on Appropriations for fiscal year 2018.
\2\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\3\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
 
NA: Not applicable.


  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
                                                                        YEAR 2018
                                                                [In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Senate Committee recommendation
                                                                                                                            compared  with (+ or -)
                             Item                                     2017         Budget estimate      Committee    -----------------------------------
                                                                  appropriation                      recommendation         2017
                                                                                                                        appropriation    Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
              International Trade Administration
 
Operations and administration.................................          495,000           455,500           495,000   ................          +39,500
Offsetting fee collections....................................          -12,000           -13,000           -13,000            -1,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Direct appropriation....................................          483,000           442,500           482,000            -1,000           +39,500
 
                Bureau of Industry and Security
 
Operations and administration.................................           76,500            75,500            74,500            -2,000            -1,000
    Defense function..........................................           36,000            38,000            38,000            +2,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Bureau of Industry and Security..................          112,500           113,500           112,500   ................           -1,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
              Economic Development Administration
 
Economic development assistance programs......................          237,000   ................          215,000           -22,000          +215,000
Salaries and expenses.........................................           39,000            30,000            39,000   ................           +9,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Economic Development Administration..............          276,000            30,000           254,000           -22,000          +224,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
             Minority Business Development Agency
 
Minority business development.................................           34,000             6,000            34,000   ................          +28,000
 
                  Bureau of Economic Analysis
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................          107,300            97,000            99,000            -8,300            +2,000
 
                     Bureau of the Census
 
Current surveys and programs..................................          270,000           246,000           270,000   ................          +24,000
Periodic censuses and programs................................        1,200,000         1,251,000         1,251,000           +51,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Bureau of the Census.............................        1,470,000         1,497,000         1,521,000           +51,000           +24,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
  National Telecommunications and Information Administration
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           32,000            36,000            32,000   ................           -4,000
 
           United States Patent and Trademark Office
 
Salaries and expenses, current year fee funding...............        3,230,000         3,500,000         3,500,000          +270,000   ................
Offsetting fee collections....................................       -3,230,000        -3,500,000        -3,500,000          -270,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, United States Patent and Trademark Office........  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
        National Institute of Standards and Technology
 
Scientific and technical research and services................          690,000           600,000           695,000            +5,000           +95,000
Industrial technology services................................          153,000            21,000           145,000            -8,000          +124,000
    Adjustment for prior year recoveries......................          (-2,000)  ................  ................          (+2,000)  ................
    Manufacturing extension partnerships......................         (130,000)           (6,000)         (130,000)  ................        (+124,000)
    National network for manufacturing innovation.............          (25,000)          (15,000)          (15,000)         (-10,000)  ................
Construction of research facilities...........................          109,000           104,000           104,000            -5,000   ................
Working Capital Fund (by transfer)............................           (9,000)           (9,000)           (9,000)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Institute of Standards and Technology...          952,000           725,000           944,000            -8,000          +219,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 
Operations, research, and facilities..........................        3,367,875         2,965,549         3,416,401           +48,526          +450,852
    (By transfer).............................................         (130,164)         (144,000)         (144,000)         (+13,836)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................        3,367,875         2,965,549         3,416,401           +48,526          +450,852
 
Procurement, acquisition and construction.....................        2,242,610         1,807,801         2,111,534          -131,076          +303,733
Pacific coastal salmon recovery...............................           65,000   ................           65,000   ................          +65,000
Fishermen's Contingency Fund..................................              350               349               349                -1   ................
Fisheries Finance Program Account.............................             -410            -3,000            -3,000            -2,590   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration..        5,675,425         4,770,699         5,590,284           -85,141          +819,585
                                                               =========================================================================================
                    Departmental Management
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           58,000            63,000            58,000   ................           -5,000
Renovation and modernization..................................            4,000             1,000             1,000            -3,000   ................
Office of Inspector General...................................           32,744            32,000            32,744   ................             +744
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Departmental Management..........................           94,744            96,000            91,744            -3,000            -4,256
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title I, Department of Commerce..................        9,236,969         7,813,699         9,160,528           -76,441        +1,346,829
          (By transfer).......................................          139,164           153,000           153,000           +13,836   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
                TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
 
                    General Administration
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................          114,124           114,000           114,000              -124   ................
Justice information sharing technology........................           31,000            30,941            30,941               -59   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, General Administration...........................          145,124           144,941           144,941              -183   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
Administrative review and appeals.............................  ................          505,367   ................  ................         -505,367
Executive Office for Immigration Review.......................          440,000   ................          500,397           +60,397          +500,397
    Transfer from immigration examinations fee account........           -4,000            -4,000            -4,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Direct appropriation..................................          436,000           501,367           496,397           +60,397            -4,970
Office of Inspector General...................................           95,583            95,328            96,500              +917            +1,172
 
                United States Parole Commission
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           13,308            13,283            13,308   ................              +25
 
                       Legal Activities
 
Salaries and expenses, general legal activities...............          897,500           899,000           897,500   ................           -1,500
Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund........................           10,000             9,340            10,000   ................             +660
Salaries and expenses, Antitrust Division.....................          164,977           164,663           164,977   ................             +314
    Offsetting fee collections--current year..................         -125,000          -126,000          -126,000            -1,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Direct appropriation..................................           39,977            38,663            38,977            -1,000              +314
Salaries and expenses, United States Attorneys................        2,035,000         2,057,252         2,057,252           +22,252   ................
United States Trustee System Fund.............................          225,908           225,479           225,908   ................             +429
    Offsetting fee collections................................         -163,000          -135,000          -135,000           +28,000   ................
    New fees (Sec. 218) (legislative proposal)................  ................         -150,000   ................  ................         +150,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Direct appropriation..................................           62,908           -59,521            90,908           +28,000          +150,429
Salaries and expenses, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission...            2,374             2,409             2,409               +35   ................
Fees and expenses of witnesses................................          270,000           270,000           270,000   ................  ................
Salaries and expenses, Community Relations Service............           15,500            14,419            15,500   ................           +1,081
Assets Forfeiture Fund........................................           20,514            21,475            20,514   ................             -961
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Legal Activities.................................        3,353,773         3,253,037         3,403,060           +49,287          +150,023
                                                               =========================================================================================
                United States Marshals Service
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................        1,249,040         1,252,000         1,270,000           +20,960           +18,000
Construction..................................................           10,000            14,971            14,971            +4,971   ................
Federal Prisoner Detention....................................        1,454,414         1,536,000         1,536,000           +81,586   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, United States Marshals Service...................        2,713,454         2,802,971         2,820,971          +107,517           +18,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
                  National Security Division
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           96,000           101,031           101,031            +5,031   ................
 
                  Interagency Law Enforcement
 
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement........................          517,000           526,000           517,000   ................           -9,000
 
                Federal Bureau of Investigation
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................        3,556,853         3,538,751         3,582,853           +26,000           +44,102
    Counterintelligence and national security.................        5,210,348         5,183,831         5,249,348           +39,000           +65,517
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Salaries and expenses.........................        8,767,201         8,722,582         8,832,201           +65,000          +109,619
 
Construction..................................................          420,178            51,895           155,000          -265,178          +103,105
    Transfer from available balances of Working Capital Fund..         -181,000   ................  ................         +181,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Construction..................................          239,178            51,895           155,000           -84,178          +103,105
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Bureau of Investigation..................        9,006,379         8,774,477         8,987,201           -19,178          +212,724
                                                               =========================================================================================
                Drug Enforcement Administration
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................        2,485,638         2,583,625         2,535,351           +49,713           -48,274
    Diversion control fund....................................         -382,662          -419,574          -419,574           -36,912   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Drug Enforcement Administration..................        2,102,976         2,164,051         2,115,777           +12,801           -48,274
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................        1,258,600         1,273,776         1,273,776           +15,176   ................
 
                     Federal Prison System
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................        7,008,800         7,085,248         7,080,248           +71,448            -5,000
Buildings and facilities......................................          130,000           113,000            60,000           -70,000           -53,000
Limitation on administrative expenses, Federal Prison                     2,700             2,695             2,700   ................               +5
 Industries, Incorporated.....................................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Prison System............................        7,141,500         7,200,943         7,142,948            +1,448           -57,995
                                                               =========================================================================================
          State and Local Law Enforcement Activities
 
Office on Violence Against Women:
    Prevention and prosecution programs.......................          155,500            35,000           104,500           -51,000           +69,500
        (By transfer).........................................         (326,000)         (445,000)         (379,000)         (+53,000)         (-66,000)
 
Office of Justice Programs:
    Research, evaluation and statistics.......................           89,000           111,000            85,000            -4,000           -26,000
    State and local law enforcement assistance................        1,258,500           867,500         1,171,000           -87,500          +303,500
        Edward Byrne Memorial Grants (Public Law 114-254, Div             7,000   ................  ................           -7,000   ................
         A, Sec. 154).........................................
        (By transfer).........................................  ................          (73,000)  ................  ................         (-73,000)
    Juvenile justice programs.................................          247,000           137,500           260,000           +13,000          +122,500
        (By transfer).........................................  ................          (92,000)  ................  ................         (-92,000)
    Public safety officer benefits:
        Death benefits........................................           73,000            92,000            92,000           +19,000   ................
        Disability and education benefits.....................           16,300            16,300            16,300   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal............................................           89,300           108,300           108,300           +19,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Office of Justice Programs...................        1,690,800         1,224,300         1,624,300           -66,500          +400,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
 
Community Oriented Policing Services:
    COPS programs.............................................          221,500           218,000           226,500            +5,000            +8,500
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, State and Local Law Enforcement Activities.......        2,067,800         1,477,300         1,955,300          -112,500          +478,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title II, Department of Justice..................       28,947,497        28,328,505        29,068,210          +120,713          +739,705
                                                               =========================================================================================
                      TITLE III--SCIENCE
 
Office of Science and Technology Policy.......................            5,555             5,544             5,544               -11   ................
 
         National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 
Science.......................................................        5,764,900         5,711,800         5,571,800          -193,100          -140,000
Aeronautics...................................................          660,000           624,000           650,000           -10,000           +26,000
Space technology..............................................          686,500           678,600           700,000           +13,500           +21,400
Exploration...................................................        4,324,000         3,934,097         4,395,000           +71,000          +460,903
Space operations..............................................        4,950,700         4,740,803         4,751,500          -199,200           +10,697
Education.....................................................          100,000            37,300           100,000   ................          +62,700
Safety, security and mission services.........................        2,768,600         2,830,200         2,826,900           +58,300            -3,300
Construction and environmental compliance and restoration.....          360,700           496,100           496,100          +135,400   ................
Office of Inspector General...................................           37,900            39,300            38,000              +100            -1,300
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Aeronautics and Space Administration....       19,653,300        19,092,200        19,529,300          -124,000          +437,100
                                                               =========================================================================================
                  National Science Foundation
 
Research and related activities...............................        5,966,125         5,290,650         5,846,803          -119,322          +556,153
    Defense function..........................................           67,520            71,000            71,000            +3,480   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................        6,033,645         5,361,650         5,917,803          -115,842          +556,153
 
Major research equipment and facilities construction..........          209,000           182,800           182,800           -26,200   ................
Education and human resources.................................          880,000           760,550           862,400           -17,600          +101,850
Agency operations and award management........................          330,000           328,510           328,510            -1,490   ................
Office of the National Science Board..........................            4,370             4,370             4,370   ................  ................
Office of Inspector General...................................           15,200            15,008            15,200   ................             +192
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Science Foundation......................        7,472,215         6,652,888         7,311,083          -161,132          +658,195
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title III, Science...............................       27,131,070        25,750,632        26,845,927          -285,143        +1,095,295
                                                               =========================================================================================
                  TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
 
                  Commission on Civil Rights
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................            9,200             9,183             9,200   ................              +17
 
            Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................          364,500           363,807           364,500   ................             +693
 
                International Trade Commission
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           91,500            87,615            91,500   ................           +3,885
 
                  Legal Services Corporation
 
Payment to the Legal Services Corporation.....................          385,000            33,000           385,000   ................         +352,000
 
                   Marine Mammal Commission
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................            3,431             2,449             3,431   ................             +982
 
            Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           62,000            57,600            57,600            -4,400   ................
Trade Enforcement Trust Fund (non-add)........................          (15,000)  ................          (10,000)          (-5,000)         (+10,000)
 
                    State Justice Institute
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................            5,121             5,111             5,121   ................              +10
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title IV, Related Agencies.......................          920,752           558,765           916,352            -4,400          +357,587
                                                               =========================================================================================
                  TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
DOC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,                    -18,000   ................          -20,000            -2,000           -20,000
 Operations, Research and Facilities (rescission).............
DOC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,                     -5,000   ................  ................           +5,000   ................
 Procurement Acquisition and Construction (rescission)........
Economic development assistance programs (rescission).........          -10,000           -47,000           -15,000            -5,000           +32,000
DOJ, Working Capital Fund (rescission)........................         -300,000          -144,768          -399,627           -99,627          -254,859
DOJ, Assets Forfeiture Fund (rescission, temporary)...........         -302,000   ................         -152,000          +150,000          -152,000
DOJ, Assets Forfeiture Fund (rescission, permanent)...........         -201,196          -304,000          -152,000           +49,196          +152,000
 
FBI, Salaries and expenses:
    (Fees) nondefense (rescission)............................          -56,798           -79,111   ................          +56,798           +79,111
    (Fees) defense (rescission)...............................          -83,202          -115,889   ................          +83,202          +115,889
    Nondefense (rescission)...................................          -20,934   ................          -63,042           -42,108           -63,042
    Defense (rescission)......................................          -30,666   ................          -92,348           -61,682           -92,348
Federal Prisoner Detention (rescission).......................          -24,000   ................  ................          +24,000   ................
DOJ, Drug Enforcement Administration (rescission).............          -12,092   ................  ................          +12,092   ................
DOJ, Federal Prison System, Buildings and facilities                     -3,400          -444,000   ................           +3,400          +444,000
 (rescission).................................................
Violence against women prevention and prosecution programs              -10,000           -15,000           -15,000            -5,000   ................
 (rescission).................................................
Office of Justice programs (rescission).......................          -50,000           -40,000           -50,000   ................          -10,000
Crime Victims Fund (rescission)...............................  ................       -1,310,000   ................  ................       +1,310,000
COPS (rescission).............................................          -15,000           -10,000           -10,000            +5,000   ................
NASA Emergency Repairs (emergency)............................          109,000   ................  ................         -109,000   ................
Emergency Law Enforcement Assistance..........................           15,000   ................  ................          -15,000   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title V, General Provisions......................       -1,018,288        -2,509,768          -969,017           +49,271        +1,540,751
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Grand total.............................................       65,218,000        59,941,833        65,022,000          -196,000        +5,080,167
          Appropriations......................................      (66,251,288)      (62,451,601)      (65,991,017)        (-260,271)      (+3,539,416)
          Rescissions.........................................      (-1,142,288)      (-2,509,768)        (-969,017)        (+173,271)      (+1,540,751)
          Emergency appropriations............................         (109,000)  ................  ................        (-109,000)  ................
      (By transfer)...........................................         (465,164)         (763,000)         (532,000)         (+66,836)        (-231,000)
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