[House Report 118-74]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress    }                                  {    Rept. 118-74
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                  {          Part 1

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



 
                 DOE AND USDA INTERAGENCY RESEARCH ACT

                                _______
                                

  May 22, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1713]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 1713) to provide for Department of 
Energy and Department of Agriculture joint research and 
development activities, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments 
and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Legislative History..............................................     2
Committee Views..................................................     3
Section-by-Section...............................................     3
Related Committee Hearings.......................................     4
Committee Consideration..........................................     4
Roll Call Votes..................................................     5
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch.....................     7
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the 
  Committee......................................................     7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     7
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     7
Federal Advisory Committee Act...................................     7
Unfunded Mandate Statement.......................................     7
Earmark Identification...........................................     7
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     8
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     8
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     8

    The amendments (stated in terms of the page and line 
numbers of the introduced bill) are as follows:
  Page 3, line 7, after ``breeding,'', insert ``including 
biological pest control,''.
  Page 4, line 22, strike ``and''.
  Page 5, line 2, after the semicolon, insert ``and''.
  Page 5, after line 2, insert the following:

                  (L) wildfire risks and prevention, including 
                the power sector's role in fire prevention and 
                mitigation and wildfire impacts on energy 
                infrastructure;

                          PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

    The pupose of this bill is to authorize the longstanding 
research partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). H.R. 1713 
directs DOE and the USDA to carry out cross-cutting and 
collaborative research and development activities focused on 
the joint advancement of DOE and USDA mission requirements and 
priorities, through a memorandum of understanding or other 
appropriate interagency agreement. It also directs the 
Secretaries to submit a report to Congress on these activities.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    DOE and the USDA have an established history of partnering 
to address multidisciplinary research challenges. A few focus 
areas include earth and environmental systems science, biomass 
and genomics-based research, sustainable aviation fuels, 
integrated water and natural resources, and methods for 
improving energy development in rural America. For example, 
coordinating on fundamental genomics and early-stage biomass 
research helps the USDA and DOE overcome the challenges 
inherent in developing low-cost, high-efficiency biofuels. 
Through its Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and its 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA has a 
history of coordinating with DOE and its Regional Feedstock 
Partnerships and Bioenergy Research Centers to develop science-
based strategies to accelerate the production of regionalized 
biofuels feedstocks, renewable chemical feedstocks, and 
conversion systems that can support clean energy technologies 
and rural economic growth.
    Working together on future challenges, these agencies can 
improve crop science, maximize carbon storage, enhance 
precision agriculture technologies, and identify ways to combat 
invasive species, among many other areas. As international 
competition grows and new opportunities for government-wide 
coordination and collaboration emerge, there is a need to 
strengthen these types of interagency research partnerships and 
preserve them for the next generation. While a number of DOE 
and USDA research collaboration iniatives have been formalized 
through various laws and agreements this legislation would 
codify this essential research partnership in its entirety.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    On March 22, 2023, Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Zoe 
Lofgren introduced H.R. 1713, the DOE and USDA Interagency 
Research Act. Additional cosponsors include Mr. Miller (R-OH), 
Ms. Lee (D-PA), Ms. Tenney (R-NY), Mr. Williams (R-NY), Ms. 
Caraveo (D-CO), Ms. Foushee (D-NC), Ms. Stevens (D-MI), and Mr. 
Jackson (D-NC).
    On March 8, 2023, Chairman Frank Lucas presiding, the House 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing 
titled, ``Innovation through Collaboration: The Department of 
Energy's Role in the U.S. Research Ecosystem'' to examine the 
role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the federal 
research enterprise by exploring interagency research 
partnerships between DOE and the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among 
others.
    Witnesses:
           Dr. Harriet Kung, Deputy Director for 
        Science Programs in the Office of Science, the U.S. 
        Department of Energy
           Mr. James L. Reuter, Associate Administrator 
        for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration
           Dr. Michael C. Morgan, Assistant Secretary 
        of Commerce for Environmental Observation and 
        Prediction, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration
           Dr. Sean L. Jones, Assistant Director for 
        the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 
        the National Science Foundation
    On March 29, 2023, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology met to consider H.R. 1713. Chairman Lucas moved that 
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 1713, as amended, to 
the House of Representatives, with the recommendation that the 
bill be approved. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 36-0.

                            COMMITTEE VIEWS

    The Committee recognizes the partnership between DOE and 
the USDA as critical to U.S. energy independence and economic 
prosperity. The Committee intends that the activities 
authorized in this legislation be cross-cutting in nature, 
involving all relevant program offices at DOE and the USDA. The 
Committee also intends for the research, development, and 
demonstration activities authorized in this legislation to 
build from existing activities at both agencies and make use of 
the DOE's unique computing capabilities and user facilities.

                           SECTION-BY-SECTION

Section 1. Short title

    This section establishes that this legislation may be 
referred to as the ``DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act''.

Section 2. Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture joint 
        research and development activities

    This section directs the Secretary of Energy and the 
Secretary of Agriculture to carry out cross-cutting and 
collaborative research and development activities focused on 
the joint advancement of DOE and USDA mission requirements and 
priorities, through a memorandum of understanding or other 
appropriate interagency agreement. Directs the Secretaries to, 
in carrying out these activities, conduct collaborative 
research over a range of focus areas and applications, develop 
methods to accommodate large data sets on agricultural, 
environmental, supply chain, and economic information, and 
support research infrastructure and workforce development. 
Requires the Secretaries to submit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology and the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate, a report detailing coordination 
activities carried out under this section, collaborative 
research achievements, and potential opportunities to expand 
technical capabilities, among other areas. Requires that the 
activities authorized under this section be applied in a manner 
consistent with the research security provisions under subtitle 
D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and 
Innovation Act (enacted as division B of the CHIPS Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.)).

                       RELATED COMMITTEE HEARINGS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII, the following 
hearing was used to develop or consider H.R. 1713:
    On March 8, 2023, Chairman Frank Lucas presiding, the House 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing 
titled, ``Innovation through Collaboration: The Department of 
Energy's Role in the U.S. Research Ecosystem'' to examine the 
role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the federal 
research enterprise by exploring interagency research 
partnerships between DOE and the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among 
others.
    Witnesses:
           Dr. Harriet Kung, Deputy Director for 
        Science Programs in the Office of Science, the U.S. 
        Department of Energy
           Mr. James L. Reuter, Associate Administrator 
        for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration
           Dr. Michael C. Morgan, Assistant Secretary 
        of Commerce for Environmental Observation and 
        Prediction, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration
           Dr. Sean L. Jones, Assistant Director for 
        the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 
        the National Science Foundation

                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On March 29, 2023, the Committee met in open session and 
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 1713, as amended, by 
roll call vote, 36-0, a quorum being present. Two amendments 
offered by Rep. Salinas (D-OR) were adopted by voice vote.

                            ROLL CALL VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the 
recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and 
amendments thereto. The following reflects the recorded votes 
taken during the Committee consideration:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
              APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that H.R. 1713 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)

  STATEMENT OF OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of 
H.R. 1713 is to direct DOE and the USDA to carry out cross-
cutting and collaborative research and development activities 
focused on the joint advancement of DOE and USDA mission 
requirements and priorities, through a memorandum of 
understanding or other appropriate interagency agreement. The 
Committee intends for the research, development, and 
demonstration activities authorized in this legislation to 
build from existing activities at both agencies and make use of 
the DOE's unique computing capabilities and user facilities. A 
statutory reporting requirement contained within this 
legislation ensures that the goals of Congress and the 
Committee are being met on a continuing basis, as well as 
providing avenue for expansion of DOE and USDA technical 
capabilities.

                    DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that no provision of H.R. 1713 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 identified in the most recent 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                     FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish 
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within 
the definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act.

                       UNFUNDED MANDATE STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

                         EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

    Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 1713 does not include any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits.

                        COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

   NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that H.R. 1713 would result in no new or increased budget 
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or 
revenues.

               CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

    With respect to the requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
Committee has received the following cost estimate for H.R. 
1713 from the Director of Congressional Budget Office:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


    H.R. 1713 would require the Departments of Agriculture 
(USDA) and Energy (DOE) to collaborate on research and 
development activities that focus on a variety of topics, 
including environmental science, biofuels, energy storage, 
invasive species management, electric grid modernization, and 
rural technology development. The bill also would require USDA 
and DOE to report to the Congress on those efforts.
    Using information from the departments, CBO expects that 
the bill's requirements are largely being met under current 
law. As a result, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1713 
would have an insignificant cost, mostly for the report. Any 
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Krupkin. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                             Director, Congressional Budget Office.

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