[House Report 117-248]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress     }                                  {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session        }                                  {      117-248

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



 
          NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY ACT OF 2021

                                _______
                                

 February 18, 2022.--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. 3858]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 3858) to establish a national 
science and technology strategy, a quadrennial science and 
technology review, and for other purposes, having considered 
the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and 
recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment........................................................
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................2
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................2
  IV. Committee Hearings..............................................2
   V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................2
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................3
 VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............3
VIII. Committee Views.................................................3
  IX. Cost Estimate...................................................3
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................3
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............5
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................5
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........5
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................5
  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs.................................5
 XVI. Earmark Identification..........................................5
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch.........................5
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........5

 XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported...........5
  XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup............................9

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of the bill is to establish a national science 
and technology strategy and a quadrennial science and 
technology review.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    The Federal research and development (R&D) enterprise is 
spread across more than a dozen Federal agencies. The Office of 
Science and Technology Policy is charged with coordinating 
across those agencies and advising the President on cross-
cutting S&T issues. Congress has also tasked OSTP with 
developing cross-agency strategies on specific topics, such as 
artificial intelligence and climate change science. However, 
there is no existing requirement or practice of developing a 
comprehensive outlook and strategy for Federal investments in 
science and technology. Given the importance of the R&D 
enterprise for the wellbeing, prosperity, and security of the 
American public, it is critical to approach it strategically 
and holistically. By developing a cross-cutting strategy for 
Science & Technology, as is already done for national defense, 
homeland security, and energy, the U.S. will improve its 
capacity to address emerging challenges and set priorities.

                         IV. Committee Hearings

    Pursuant to House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(6), the Committee 
designates the following hearings as having been used to 
develop or consider the legislation:
    On April 15, 2021, the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee held a hearing entitled, ``Reimagining Our Innovation 
Future.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine the current 
outlook for U.S. leadership in science and technology and 
discuss how new investments and new, inclusive models of 
partnership in science and technology can be leveraged to 
ensure continued leadership and address economic, security, 
environmental, public health, and other societal challenges 
from the local to the global level. The hearing witnesses 
included Mr. Norm Augustine; Dr. Frances H. Arnold, Linus 
Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and 
Biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology; The 
Honorable Ernest J. Moniz, President and Chief Executive 
Officer of the Energy Futures Initiative and Former Secretary 
of the U.S. Department of Energy; and Dr. Farnam Jahanian, 
President of Carnegie Mellon University.

                  V. Committee Consideration and Votes

    On June 11, 2021, Ranking Member Michael Waltz, 
Representative Deborah Ross, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, 
and Ranking Member Frank Lucas introduced H.R. 3858, the 
National Science and Technology Strategy Act of 2021. The bill 
was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology.
    On July 27, 2021, the Full Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology met to consider the bill. There were no amendments. 
With a quorum present, Chairwoman Johnson moved that the 
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 3858, to the House. 
The motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    Directs OSTP to complete a comprehensive quadrennial review 
that will provide an overview of the nation's innovation 
landscape and provide policymakers, industry, researchers, and 
other stakeholders with unbiased data and analysis to identify 
the future needs, barriers, and opportunities for U.S. science 
and technology. Directs OSTP to develop a national science and 
technology strategy to provide recommendations for maintaining 
global leadership in science and technology.

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


Sec. 1. Short title

Sec. 2. National Science and Technology strategy

    Requires the Director of OSTP to develop and submit to 
Congress a 4-year comprehensive national S&T strategy. Requires 
that the S&T strategy be consistent with other relevant Federal 
strategies, such as the national defense strategy, and 
describes the required elements of the report.

Sec. 3. Quadrennial Science and Technology review

    Requires the Director of OSTP to conduct a quadrennial 
review of the S&T enterprise and describes specific 
requirements for the scope and contents of each review.

                         VIII. Committee Views

    Committee Views are reflected in the body of this report.

                           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, February 14, 2022.
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. 3858, the National 
Science and Technology Strategy Act of 2021.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Madeleine 
Fox.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

    
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    H.R. 3858 would require the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy (OSTP) to review federal science and 
technology programs every four years and, using information 
collected during that review, develop a strategy to meet 
national research and development objectives. The initial 
review would be completed by December 31, 2022. At the 
completion of each quadrennial review the OSTP would report to 
the Congress, along with annual reports between those reviews, 
on priorities to maintain U.S. leadership in science and 
technology as well as global trends and threats to that 
leadership.
    Using information from the OSTP, CBO expects that it would 
need seven additional staff to collect information on national 
and international trends, consult with other agencies, and 
develop the strategy. CBO estimates the additional staff and 
administrative activities would cost $4 million over the 2022-
2026 period; spending would be subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Madeleine Fox. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.

                     XI. Federal Mandates Statement

    H.R. 3858 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

    The goals and objectives of H.R. 3858 are to establish a 
national science and technology strategy and a quadrennial 
science and technology review.

               XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 3858, 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. 3858 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. 3858 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

             XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 3858 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

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

 NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY, ORGANIZATION, AND PRIORITIES 
                              ACT OF 1976




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TITLE II--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

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               [science and technology report and outlook

  [Sec. 206. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of 
Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 1977, the Director shall render 
to the President for submission to the Congress no later than 
January 15 of each odd numbered year, a science and technology 
report and outlook (hereinafter referred to as the ``report'') 
which shall be prepared under the guidance of the Office and 
with the cooperation of the Director of the National Science 
Foundation, with appropriate assistance from other Federal 
departments and agencies as the Office or the Director of the 
National Science Foundation deems necessary. The report shall 
include--
          [(1) a statement of the President's current policy 
        for the maintenance of the Nation's leadership in 
        science and technology;
          [(2) a review of developments of national 
        significance in science and technology;
          [(3) a description of major Federal decisions and 
        actions related to science and technology that have 
        occurred since the previous such report;
          [(4) a discussion of currently important national 
        issues in which scientific or technical considerations 
        are of major significance;
          [(5) a forecast of emerging issues of national 
        significance resulting from, or identified through, 
        scientific research or in which scientific or technical 
        considerations are of major importance; and
          [(6) a discussion of opportunities for, and 
        constraints on, the use of new and existing scientific 
        and technological information, capabilities, and 
        resources, including manpower resources, to make 
        significant contributions to the achievement of Federal 
        program objectives and national goals.
  [(b) The Office shall insure that the report, in the form 
approved by the President, is printed and made available as a 
public document.]

SEC. 206. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY.

  (a) In General.--Not later than the end of each calendar year 
immediately after the calendar year in which a review under 
section 206b is completed, the Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the 
National Science and Technology Council, shall develop and 
submit to Congress a comprehensive national science and 
technology strategy of the United States to meet national 
research and development objectives for the following 4-year 
period (in this Act referred to as ``the national science and 
technology strategy'').
  (b) Requirements.--Each national science and technology 
strategy required by subsection (a) shall delineate a national 
science and technology strategy consistent with--
          (1) the recommendations and priorities developed by 
        the review established in section 206b;
          (2) the most recent national security strategy report 
        submitted pursuant to section 1032 of the National 
        Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (50 
        U.S.C. 3043);
          (3) other relevant national plans; and
          (4) the strategic plans of relevant Federal 
        departments and agencies.
  (c) Consultation.--The Director shall consult as necessary 
with the Office of Management and Budget and other appropriate 
elements of the Executive Office of the President to ensure 
that the recommendations and priorities delineated in the 
science and technology strategy are incorporated in the 
development of annual budget requests.
  (d) Report.--The President shall submit to Congress each year 
a comprehensive report on the national science and technology 
strategy of the United States. Each report on the national 
science and technology strategy of the United States shall 
include a description of--
          (1) strategic objectives and priorities necessary to 
        maintain the leadership of the United States in science 
        and technology and to advance science and technology to 
        address societal and national challenges, including 
        near-term, medium-term, and long-term research 
        priorities;
          (2) programs, policies, and activities that the 
        President recommends across all Federal agencies to 
        achieve the strategic objectives in paragraph (1); and
          (3) global trends in science and technology, 
        including potential threats to the leadership of the 
        United States in science and technology and 
        opportunities for international collaboration in 
        science and technology.
  (e) Publication.--The Director shall, consistent with the 
protection of national security and other sensitive matters to 
the maximum extent practicable, make each report submitted 
under subsection (d) publicly available on an internet website 
of the Office.

SEC. 206B. QUADRENNIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.

  (a) Requirements.--
          (1) Quadrennial reviews required.--Not later than 
        December 31, 2022, and every 4 years thereafter, the 
        Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
        shall complete a review of the science and technology 
        enterprise of the United States (in this section 
        referred to as the ``quadrennial science and technology 
        review'').
          (2) Scope.--The quadrennial science and technology 
        review shall be a comprehensive examination of the 
        science and technology strategy of the United States, 
        including recommendations for maintaining global 
        leadership in science and technology and advancing 
        science and technology to address the societal and 
        national challenges and guidance on the coordination of 
        programs, assets, capabilities, budget, policies, and 
        authorities across all Federal research and development 
        programs.
          (3) Consultation.--The Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy shall conduct each 
        quadrennial science and technology review under this 
        subsection in consultation with--
                  (A) the National Science and Technology 
                Council;
                  (B) the heads of other relevant Federal 
                agencies;
                  (C) the President's Council of Advisors on 
                Science and Technology;
                  (D) the National Science Board;
                  (E) the National Security Council; and
                  (F) other relevant governmental and 
                nongovernmental entities, including 
                representatives from industry, institutions of 
                higher education, nonprofit organizations, 
                Members of Congress, and other policy experts.
          (4) Coordination.--The Director shall ensure that 
        each quadrennial science and technology review 
        conducted under this section is coordinated with other 
        relevant statutorily required reviews, and to the 
        maximum extent practicable incorporates information and 
        recommendations from existing reviews to avoid 
        duplication.
  (b) Contents.--In each quadrennial science and technology 
review, the Director shall--
          (1) provide an integrated view of, and 
        recommendations for, science and technology policy 
        across the Federal Government, while considering 
        economic and national security and other societal and 
        national challenges;
          (2) assess and recommend priorities for research, 
        development and demonstration programs to maintain 
        American leadership in science and technology;
          (3) assess and recommend priorities for research, 
        development, and demonstration programs to address 
        societal and national challenges;
          (4) assess the global competition in science and 
        technology and identify potential threats to the 
        leadership of the United States in science and 
        technology and opportunities for international 
        collaboration;
          (5) assess and make recommendations on the science, 
        technology, engineering, mathematics and computer 
        science workforce in the United States;
          (6) assess and make recommendations to improve 
        regional innovation across the United States;
          (7) assess and make recommendations to improve 
        translation of basic research and the enhancement of 
        technology transfer of federally funded research;
          (8) assess and identify the infrastructure and tools 
        needed to maintain the leadership of the United States 
        in science and technology and address other societal 
        and national challenges; and
          (9) review administrative or legislative policies 
        that affect the science and technology enterprise and 
        identify and make recommendations on policies that 
        hinder research and development in the United States.
  (c) Reporting.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than December 31 of the 
        year in which a quadrennial science and technology 
        review is conducted, the Director shall submit a report 
        of the review to Congress.
          (2) Publication.--The Director shall, consistent with 
        the protection of national security and other sensitive 
        matters to the maximum extent possible, make each 
        report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available 
        on an internet website of the Office of Science and 
        Technology Policy.

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