[House Report 116-269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress }                                            { Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session   }                                            { 116-269

======================================================================

 
                        MSI STEM ACHIEVEMENT ACT

                                _______
                                

November 5, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Ms. Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                  Technology, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 4372]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 4372) to direct Federal science 
agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to 
undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate 
STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the 
Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment 
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
  IV. Committee Hearings..............................................6
   V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................7
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
 VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............7
VIII. Committee Views.................................................8
  IX. Cost Estimate...................................................9
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................9
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)...........12
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............12
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........12
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................12
  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs................................12
 XVI. Earmark Identification.........................................12
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch........................12
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........12

 XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........13
  XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................13

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``MSI STEM Achievement Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

  Congress makes the following findings:
          (1) Evidence suggests that the supply of STEM workers is not 
        keeping pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the public and 
        private sector, resulting in a deficit often referred to as a 
        STEM skills shortage.
          (2) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United 
        States will need one million additional STEM professionals than 
        it is on track to produce in the coming decade.
          (3) STEM occupations offer higher wages, more opportunities 
        for advancement, and a higher degree of job security than non-
        STEM occupations.
          (4) The composition of the STEM workforce does not reflect 
        the current or projected diversity of the Nation, with 
        Hispanics, African Americans, and other racial and ethnic 
        minorities, significantly underrepresented in the STEM 
        workforce compared to their presence in the workforce more 
        generally.
          (5) A stronger national commitment to increasing the 
        diversity of the STEM workforce is needed to help address the 
        STEM skills shortage.
          (6) According to a 2019 National Academies of Sciences, 
        Engineering, and Medicine report entitled ``Minority Serving 
        Institutions: America's Underutilized Resource for 
        Strengthening the STEM Workforce'', two- and four-year minority 
        serving institutions enroll nearly 30 percent of all 
        undergraduate students--a percentage that is expected to grow 
        in the coming years--in the United States higher education 
        system and play a critical role in providing important pathways 
        to STEM-related education, training, and careers for students 
        of color.
          (7) HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs are highly successful at educating 
        underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and can serve 
        as best practice models for other colleges and universities to 
        further expand participation of underrepresented minorities in 
        the STEM workforce.
          (8) Increased investment in STEM infrastructure at HBCUs, 
        TCUs, and MSIs has the potential to increase these 
        institutions' ability to educate even more students in the STEM 
        disciplines.
          (9) With the demand for STEM skills exceeding the supply of 
        STEM graduates, success of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in educating 
        and training science and engineering leaders is increasingly 
        important for United States economic growth and 
        competitiveness.

SEC. 3. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW.

  Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress--
          (1) an inventory of competitive funding programs and 
        initiatives carried out by Federal science agencies that are 
        targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs or partnerships with HBCUs, 
        TCUs, and MSIs;
          (2) an assessment of Federal science agency outreach 
        activities to increase the participation and competitiveness of 
        HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in the funding programs and initiatives 
        identified in paragraph (1); and
          (3) recommendations of the Comptroller General to increase 
        the participation of and the rate of success of HBCUs, TCUs, 
        and MSIs in competitive funding programs offered by Federal 
        science agencies.

SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

  (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher 
education or nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) to--
          (1) conduct research described in subsection (b) with respect 
        to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
          (2) conduct activities described in subsection (c) to build 
        the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to graduate students who 
        are competitive in attaining and advancing in the STEM 
        workforce;
          (3) build the research capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs, 
        TCUs, and MSIs in STEM disciplines; and
          (4) identify and broadly disseminate effective models for 
        programs and practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs that promote 
        the education and workforce preparation of minority students 
        pursuing STEM studies and careers in which such students are 
        underrepresented.
  (b) Research.--Research described in this subsection is research on 
the contribution of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to the education and training 
of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and to the meeting 
of national STEM workforce needs, including--
          (1) the diversity with respect to local context, cultural 
        differences, and institutional structure among HBCUs, TCUs, and 
        MSIs and any associated impact on education and research 
        endeavors;
          (2) effective practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and 
        associated outcomes on student recruitment, retention, and 
        advancement in STEM fields, including the ability for students 
        to compete for fellowships, employment, and advancement in the 
        workforce;
          (3) contributions made by HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to local, 
        regional, and national workforces;
          (4) the unique challenges and opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, 
        and MSIs in attaining the resources needed for integrating 
        effective practices in STEM education, including providing 
        research experiences for underrepresented minority students;
          (5) the access of students at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to STEM 
        infrastructure and any associated outcomes for STEM competency;
          (6) models of STEM curriculum, learning, and teaching 
        successful at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs for increasing 
        participation, retention, and success of underrepresented 
        minority students; and
          (7) successful or promising partnerships between HBCUs, TCUs, 
        and MSIs and other institutions of higher education, private 
        sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and 
        international research institutions.
  (c) Capacity Building.--Activities described in this subsection 
include the design, development, implementation, expansion, and 
assessment of--
          (1) metrics of success to best capture the achievements of 
        HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and students of such institutions to 
        account for institutional context and missions, faculty 
        investment, student populations, student needs, and 
        institutional resource constraints;
          (2) enhancements to undergraduate STEM curriculum at HBCUs, 
        TCUs, and MSIs to increase the participation, retention, degree 
        completion, and success of underrepresented students;
          (3) professional development programs to increase the numbers 
        and the high-quality preparation of STEM faculty at HBCUs, 
        TCUs, and MSIs, including programs to encourage STEM doctoral 
        students to teach at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
          (4) mechanisms for institutions of higher education that are 
        not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs to partner with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs 
        on STEM education, including the facilitation of student 
        transfer, mentoring programs for students and junior faculty, 
        joint research projects, and student access to graduate 
        education.
  (d) Research Experiences.--Grants under this section may fund the 
development or expansion of opportunities for the exchange of students 
and faculty to conduct research, including through partnerships with 
institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs, 
private sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and 
international research institutions.
  (e) Partnerships.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
Director of the National Science Foundation shall--
          (1) encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and consortia thereof and 
        partnerships with one or more HBCU, TCU, or MSI, to submit 
        proposals;
          (2) require proposals submitted in partnership with one or 
        more HBCU, TCU, or MSI include a plan for establishing a 
        sustained partnership that is jointly developed and managed, 
        draws from the capacities of each institution, and is mutually 
        beneficial; and
          (3) encourage proposals submitted in partnership with the 
        private sector, non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, 
        and international research institutions, as appropriate.
  (f) MSI Centers of Innovation.--Grants under this section may fund 
the establishment of no more than five MSI Centers of Innovation to 
leverage successes of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in STEM education and 
research training of underrepresented minority students as models for 
other institutions, including both HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and 
institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs. 
Such centers will be located on campuses of selected institutions of 
higher education and serve as incubators to allow institutions of 
higher education to experiment, pilot, evaluate, and scale up promising 
practices.
  (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation 
$170,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, 
$180,000,000 for fiscal year FY 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year 
2023, and $190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

  (a) In General.--In consultation with outside stakeholders and the 
heads of the Federal science agencies, the Director shall develop a 
uniform set of policy guidelines for Federal science agencies to carry 
out a sustained program of outreach activities to increase clarity, 
transparency, and accountability for Federal science agency investments 
in STEM education and research activities at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
  (b) Outreach Activities.--In developing policy guidelines under 
subsection (a) the Director shall include guidelines that require each 
Federal science agency--
          (1) to designate a liaison for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs 
        responsible for--
                  (A) enhancing direct communication with HBCUs, TCUs, 
                and MSIs to increase the Federal science agency's 
                understanding of the capacity and needs of such 
                institutions and to raise awareness of available 
                Federal funding opportunities at such institutions;
                  (B) coordinating programs, activities, and 
                initiatives while accounting for the capacity and needs 
                of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                  (C) tracking Federal science agency investments in 
                and engagement with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
                  (D) reporting progress toward increasing 
                participation of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in grant 
                programs;
          (2) to publish annual forecasts of funding opportunities and 
        proposal deadlines, including for grants, contracts, 
        subcontracts, and cooperative agreements;
          (3) to conduct on-site reviews of research facilities at 
        HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, as practicable, and make recommendations 
        regarding strategies for becoming more competitive in research;
          (4) to hold geographically accessible or virtual workshops on 
        research priorities of the Federal science agency and on how to 
        write competitive grant proposals;
          (5) to ensure opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to 
        directly communicate with Federal science agency officials 
        responsible for managing competitive grant programs in order to 
        receive feedback on research ideas and proposals, including 
        guidance on the Federal science agency's peer review process;
          (6) to foster mutually beneficial public-private 
        collaboration among Federal science agencies, industry, Federal 
        laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--
                  (A) identify alternative sources of funding for STEM 
                education and research at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                  (B) provide access to high-quality, relevant research 
                experiences for students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, 
                and MSIs;
                  (C) expand the professional networks of students and 
                faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                  (D) broaden STEM educational opportunities for 
                students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
                  (E) support the transition of students of HBCUs, 
                TCUs, and MSIs into the STEM workforce; and
          (7) to publish an annual report that provides an account of 
        Federal science agency investments in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, 
        including data on the level of participation of HBCUs, TCUs, 
        and MSIs as prime recipients/contractors or subrecipients/
        subcontractors.
  (c) Strategic Plan.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director, in collaboration with the 
        head of each Federal science agency, shall submit to Congress a 
        report containing a strategic plan for each Federal science 
        agency to increase the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to 
        compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements and to encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to 
        participate in Federal programs.
          (2) Considerations.--In developing a strategic plan under 
        paragraph (1), the Director and each head of each Federal 
        science agency shall consider--
                  (A) issuing new or expanding existing funding 
                opportunities targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                  (B) modifying existing research and development 
                program solicitations to incentivize effective 
                partnerships with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                  (C) offering planning grants for HBCUs, TCUs, and 
                MSIs to develop or equip grant offices with the 
                requisite depth of knowledge to submit competitive 
                grant proposals and manage awarded grants;
                  (D) offering additional training programs and 
                individualized and timely guidance to grant officers 
                and faculty researchers at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to 
                ensure they understand the requirements for an 
                effective grant proposal; and
                  (E) other approaches for making current competitive 
                funding models more accessible for under-resourced 
                HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
  (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Director shall 
report to Congress on the implementation by Federal science agencies of 
the policy guidelines developed under this section.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
          (2) Federal laboratory.--The term ``Federal laboratory'' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Stevenson-
        Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703).
          (3) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science 
        agency'' means any Federal agency with an annual extramural 
        research expenditure of over $100,000,000.
          (4) HBCU.--The term ``HBCU'' has the meaning given the term 
        ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
          (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution 
        of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001).
          (6) Minority serving institution.--The term ``minority 
        serving institution'' or ``MSI'' means Hispanic-Serving 
        Institutions as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C 1101a); Alaska Native Serving 
        Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions as 
        defined in section 317 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1059d); and Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian 
        American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving 
        Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal 
        Institutions as defined in section 371 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)).
          (7) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term 
        in the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).
          (8) TCU.--The term ``TCU'' has the meaning given the term 
        ``Tribal College or University'' in section 316 of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

     The purpose of the bill is to direct Federal science 
agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to 
undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate 
STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the 
Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    As industries across all sectors become increasingly 
reliant on advanced technologies, the demand for STEM skills is 
at an all-time high. There are not enough graduates who are 
prepared to enter the workforce equipped with the STEM 
knowledge and skills employers need. The Bureau of Labor 
Statistics predicts a significant shortage of STEM workers in 
the coming decade. One of the key challenges facing the U.S. 
science and engineering enterprise is a lack of diversity in 
the STEM workforce.
    Demographic shifts in the U.S. population are approaching 
an inflection point. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 
2045, white Americans will no longer comprise the majority of 
the population. During that year, non-Hispanic whites will 
comprise 49.7 percent of the population, while Hispanics will 
comprise 24.6 percent, African Americans 13.1 percent, Asians 
7.9 percent, and multiracial populations 3.8 percent. Although 
the Nation as a whole is diversifying, the STEM workforce has 
been slow to respond.
    Compared with their proportions in the U.S. population, 
members of racial and ethnic minority groups are significantly 
underrepresented in the STEM workforce. While the 
representation of American Indians in STEM occupations 
increased from 1993 (0.2 percent) to 2006 (0.4 percent), that 
progress was reversed and only 0.2 percent of STEM occupations 
were held by American Indians in 2015. While Hispanic 
employment in STEM occupations has steadily increased (from 2.9 
to 6 percent) from 1993 to 2015, progress for African Americans 
has been much slower (from 3.6 to 4.8 percent).
    Underrepresented minority students have long been an 
untapped resource for U.S. science and technology capacity, but 
as the Nation becomes more diverse the Nation can no longer 
afford to ignore this valuable source of STEM talent. MSIs have 
a proven track record of recruiting, retaining, and graduating 
students from underrepresented groups with the STEM skills 
employers need. However, more investment and outreach is needed 
to enable MSIs to fully realize their potential to contribute 
to the STEM workforce.
    The National Academy of Sciences released a 2018 report 
entitled ``Minority Serving Institutions: America's 
Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce'' 
that highlights MSI contributions to the STEM workforce. 
Included in the Committee's recommendations was a call for 
funding agencies to continue to develop and expand grant 
competition programs that serve the nations MSIs.

                         IV. Committee Hearings

    On May 9, 2019, the full Committee held a hearing entitled, 
``Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM Workforce.'' The 
purpose of the hearing was to explore the need for a diverse 
STEM workforce and assess the lessons learned, model programs, 
enduring challenges, and future opportunities for expanding 
access to STEM studies and careers.
    Five witnesses testified: (1) Dr. Mae Jemison, Principal, 
100 Year Starship. Dr. Jemison provided testimony on a National 
Academies of Science study underway to examine ``the evidence 
behind the most successful policies, practices, and strategies 
that have demonstrated effectiveness in opening doors to 
women's participation and success'' in STEM. (2) Dr. Shirley 
Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change, American 
Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Malcom provided 
testimony on the SEA Change initiative and other AAAS 
activities in support of increasing diversity in STEM. (3) Dr. 
Lorelle Espinosa, Vice President for Research, American Council 
on Education. Dr. Espinosa provided testimony on the findings 
and recommendations of the 2018 National Academies of Science 
report entitled Minority Serving Institutions: America's 
Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce. 
(4) Dr. James L. Moore III, Vice Provost for Diversity and 
Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, The Ohio State 
University. Dr. Moore provided testimony on activities at The 
Ohio State University institution to address the issue of 
diversity and the role that public and land-grant universities 
play in broadening participation in STEM. (5) Ms. Barbara Whye, 
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Vice President of Human 
Resources, Intel. Ms. Whye provided testimony on efforts 
underway at Intel to increase the diversity of its workforce.

                  V. Committee Consideration and Votes

    On September 18, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and 
Representative Michael Waltz introduced H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM 
Achievement Act. The bill was referred to the House Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology.
    On September 25, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology met to consider H.R. 4372. Ms. Johnson offered an 
amendment to include an authorization of appropriations for NSF 
to carry out the activities in the Act for fiscal years 2020-
2024. The amendment was agreed to on a voice vote. Ms. Johnson 
moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 4372, 
to the House with the recommendation that the bill be approved. 
The motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    H.R. 4372 directs GAO to compile an inventory of 
competitive Federal funding programs that are targeted to 
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and make recommendations for what steps 
Federal science agencies can take to increase participation and 
competitiveness of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in such programs. The 
Act also provides for research on the challenges and 
opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to contribute to the 
STEM workforce and support for effective mechanisms to build 
the research and STEM education capacity of such institutions.
    The Act directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
to work with Federal science agencies to develop and implement 
a national strategy to increase clarity, transparency, and 
accountability for Federal science agency investments in 
research and STEM education at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.

        VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)


Section 1. Short title

    MSI STEM Achievement Act

Section 2. Findings

    Summarizes the need for increased investment to build on 
the success HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs have had in recruiting, 
retaining, and graduating underrepresented minority students 
who are ready to enter the STEM workforce.

Section 3. Government Accountability Office Review

    Directs GAO to report to Congress an inventory of Federal 
science agency competitive funding programs targeted to MSIs. 
Also directs GAO to assess Federal science agency outreach to 
MSIs and make recommendations for steps agencies can take to 
increase the participation and competitiveness of MSIs in such 
programs.

Section 4. Research and capacity building

    Directs NSF to support research on the challenges and 
successes MSIs have had in contributing to the STEM workforce. 
Also directs NSF to support research focused on building the 
research capacity of MSIs, encouraging mutually beneficial 
partnerships, and scaling up successful model programs for use 
by other universities. Authorizes $170,000,000 for fiscal year 
2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $180,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, and 
$190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 for NSF to carry out this 
section.

Section 5. Agency responsibilities

    Directs OSTP to issue uniform policy guidance for Federal 
science agencies to improve outreach to MSIs with the goal of 
increasing awareness among MSIs of funding opportunities and 
building MSI capacity to submit competitive proposals and 
manage awarded grants. Also directs OSTP to work with Federal 
science agencies to develop a strategic plan for how to modify 
existing or develop new programs or processes to make Federal 
STEM education and research funding more accessible to MSIs.

Section 6. Definitions

    Defines terms used in the bill.

                         VIII. Committee Views

    It is the intent of the Committee that for the purposes of 
this Act, MSIs include Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska 
Native-Serving Institutions, Native Hawaiian-Serving 
Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American 
and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and 
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions. The Committee 
recognizes that each HBCU, TCU, and MSI cohort has distinct 
strengths and challenges and the Committee encourages OSTP and 
Federal science agencies to carry out the activities of the Act 
while accounting for the diversity among these institutions 
with respect to local context, cultural differences, 
organizational structure, student populations, and 
institutional mission priorities.
    In carrying out the activities in the Act, the Committee 
expects NSF to support its existing portfolio of STEM education 
and research programs targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs at 
funding levels no lower than those in fiscal year 2019. The 
Committee has provided the Director with the flexibility to use 
the additional funds provided in this Act to expand upon 
existing programs or create a new grant program as needed to 
fully achieve the goals and requirements of the Act.
    The Committee encourages OSTP to issue guidelines for 
Federal science agencies to foster mutually beneficial public-
private collaboration among government, industry, Federal 
laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--promote 
local economic development by making available to private 
companies, at reasonable cost, MSI facilities, such as wet 
labs, machine shops and clean rooms, as well as faculty and 
researchers as paid professional consultants to assist 
companies in growing their businesses; engage private sector 
STEM experts as instructors or co-instructors of classes to 
bring real-world experiences and examples to students; engage 
private sector STEM experts as mentors or co-mentors of 
students; place students in private sector internships and 
apprenticeships; and create entrepreneurship programs that 
promote faculty and student creation of private companies.

                           IX. Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.

              X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, November 1, 2019.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM 
Achievement Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani 
Shankaran.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    Bill Summary: H.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation 
of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the National 
Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to improve the 
capacity of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) of higher 
education--including historically black colleges and 
universities and tribal colleges and universities--to educate 
and train students in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) fields.
    The bill also would direct the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy to develop a uniform set of policy guidelines 
and a strategic plan for certain federal agencies to improve 
outreach to MSIs and to increase the capacity of MSIs to 
compete for federal grants and participate in federal programs. 
Finally, the bill would require the Government Accountability 
Office to develop an inventory of federal funding programs 
targeted toward MSIs.
    Estimated Federal Cost: The estimated budgetary effect of 
H.R. 4372 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation 
fall primarily within budget function 250 (general science, 
space, and technology).

               TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 4372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2020     2021     2022     2023     2024   2020-2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Science Foundation
    Authorizationa......................................       14      175      180      185      190        744
    Estimated Outlays...................................        2       26       86      133      162        409
Other Activities:
    Estimated Authorization.............................        1        1        1        1        1          5
    Estimated Outlays...................................        1        1        1        1        1          5
    Total Changes:
        Estimated Authorization.........................       15      176      181      186      191        749
        Estimated Outlays...............................        3       27       87      134      163       414
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
aH.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 for the National Science Foundation (NSF)
  to award grants. However, using information from the NSF, CBO estimates that $156 million has been allocated
  on an annualized basis from funds made available under the continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59), which
  provided appropriations through November 21, 2019. Thus, the estimated authorization for 2020 ($14 million) is
  equal to the specified amount ($170 million) minus the annualized amount from the continuing resolution ($156
  million).

    Basis of Estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
legislation will be enacted in early 2020 and that the 
authorized and necessary amounts will be provided in each year. 
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4372 would cost $414 
million over the 2020-2024 period.
    National Science Foundation: Section 4 of the bill would 
authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 and a total 
of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the NSF to award 
grants to improve the capacity of MSIs to educate and train 
students in STEM fields. In 2019, the NSF allocated $156 
million for those purposes. Because CBO scores continuing 
resolutions on an annualized basis, in 2020 CBO assumes that 
the NSF will allocate the same amount from funds made available 
under the current continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59). As 
a result, CBO estimates that H.R. 4372 would authorize an 
increase in spending subject to appropriation in 2020 of $14 
million, the difference between the authorized amount and the 
annualized amount under the continuing resolution. Based on 
historical spending patterns for the affected grants, CBO 
estimates that implementing section 4 would cost $409 million 
over the 2020-2024 period and $335 million after 2024.
    Other Activities: Section 5 of the bill would direct the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a uniform 
set of policy guidelines and a strategic plan for certain 
federal agencies to improve outreach to MSIs and to increase 
the capacity of MSIs to compete for federal grants and 
participate in federal programs. CBO expects that six agencies 
with research expenditures exceeding $100 million annually--the 
Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Health and 
Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and the NSF--would be subject to the policy 
guidelines. Some of those agencies are already conducting 
activities to improve outreach to MSIs. On that basis, and 
considering the costs of similar tasks, CBO estimates that 
implementing section 5 would cost $1 million annually over the 
2020-2024 period.
    Section 3 of the bill would require the Government 
Accountability Office to develop an inventory of federal 
funding programs targeted toward MSIs. Based on the costs of 
similar tasks, CBO estimates that implementing the provision 
would cost less than $500,000; any spending would be subject to 
the availability of appropriated funds.
    Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: None.
    Increase in Long-Term Deficits: None.
    Mandates: None.
    Estimate Prepared By: Federal Costs: Janani Shankaran; 
Mandates: Brandon Lever.
    Estimate Reviewed By: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and 
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                     XI. Federal Mandates Statement

    H.R. 4372 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of this report.

      XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal of 
H.R. 4372 is to direct the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy and Federal science agencies to carry out 
programs and activities to improve clarity, transparency, and 
accountability for Federal science agency investments in 
research and STEM education at the Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and 
MSIs.

               XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 4372, does not create any advisory committees.

                  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 4372 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
federal government known to be duplicative of another federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XVI. Earmark Identification

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 4372 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

             XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 4372 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

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

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

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

    This legislation does not amend any existing Federal 
statute.

              XX. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup

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