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# Legislative Bulletin..........................................March 12, 2007

**Contents:**

> **H.R. 1068** --- To amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991
>
> **H.R. 1126** --- To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy
> Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988
>
> **H.R. 85** --- Energy Technology Transfer Act
>
> **H.Res. 136**---Commending the Girl Scouts of the United States of
> America on the occasion of their 95th anniversary, for providing
> quality age-appropriate experiences that prepare girls to become the
> leaders of tomorrow and for raising issues important to girls
>
> **H.Res. 89**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
> that a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day to
> celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands
>
> **H.Res. 198**---Recognizing the significance of Black History Month

H.R. 1068 --- To amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991
*(Baird, D-WA)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 12, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1068 would significantly amend the
National High-Performance Computing Program, which is an interagency
coordination program run by the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Specifically, H.R. 1068 would replace the program's existing purpose and
goals with the following:

-   "provide for long-term basic and applied research on
    high-performance computing;

-   "provide for research and development on, and demonstration of,
    technologies to advance the capacity and capabilities of
    high-performance computing and networking systems;

-   "provide for sustained access by the research community in the
    United States to high-performance computing systems that are among
    the most advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving
    scientific and engineering problems, including provision for
    technical support for users of such systems;

-   "provide for efforts to increase software availability,
    productivity, capability, security, portability, and reliability;

-   "provide for high-performance networks, including experimental
    testbed networks, to enable research and development on, and
    demonstration of, advanced applications enabled by such networks;

-   "provide for computational science and engineering research on
    mathematical modeling and algorithms for applications in all fields
    of science and engineering;

-   "provide for the technical support of, and research and development
    on, high-performance computing systems and software required to
    address Grand Challenges;

-   "provide for educating and training additional undergraduate and
    graduate students in software engineering, computer science,
    computer and network security, applied mathematics, library and
    information science, and computational science; and

-   "provide for improving the security of computing and networking
    systems, including Federal systems, including research required to
    establish security standards and practices for these systems."

H.R. 1068 also strikes the program's activities as defined by current
law and establishes the following activities for the program:

-   "establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-performance
    computing research, development, networking, and other activities;

-   "establish Program Component Areas that implement the goals
    established under subparagraph (A) \[listed above\], and identify
    the Grand Challenges that the Program should address;

-   "provide for interagency coordination of Federal high-performance
    computing research, development, networking, and other activities
    undertaken pursuant to the Program; and

-   "develop and maintain a research, development, and deployment
    roadmap for the provision of high-performance computing systems."

H.R. 1068 would direct the President to establish an advisory committee
on high-performance computing consisting of non-federal members,
including representatives of the research, education, and library
communities, network providers, and industry, who are specially
qualified to provide the Director with advice and information on
high-performance computing. The advisory committee is to report to the
Director with an assessment of progress being made in the program and
any recommendations for needed improvements.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 1068
would seek to adjust the objectives of the National High-Performance
Computing Program with the current research and development priorities
of individual agencies. The following agencies conduct nondefense
research and development on high-performance computing, and would be
affected by this legislation: National Science Foundation, Department of
Energy, National Institutes of Health, NASA, Department of Commerce, and
the Environmental Protection Agency.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1068 was introduced on February
15, 2007, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote, on March 8,
2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that enacting H.R.
1068 would have no significant effect on the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. House Rule XIII, Section
3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution" *(emphasis added).*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, 202.226.0718.

H.R. 1126 --- To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation
and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988

*(Lipinski, D-IL)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 12, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1126 would reauthorize, at \$60 million
over five years (\$12 million each year from FY2008 through FY2012), the
Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness
Act of 1988. This Act funds research and development of energy-efficient
manufacturing of steel and aluminum. H.R. 1126 would also amend the Act
to include research for bar steel and technology that aims to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1126 was introduced on February
16, 2007, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote, on March 8,
2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO confirms that enacting H.R.
1126 would authorize \$12 million in FY2008, and \$60 million over five
years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. House Rule XIII, Section
3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution" *(emphasis added).*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, 202.226.0718.

H.R. 85 --- Energy Technology Transfer Act (Biggert, R-IL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 12, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 85 would expand a current grant program
that provides grants to nonprofit institutions, state and local
governments, and other entities, for geographically dispersed network of
Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers, located in areas determined
by the Secretary of Commerce, to have the greatest need of the services
offered by the Centers. These federally-funded Centers operate a program
to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy
methods and technologies through education and outreach to building and
industrial professionals. H.R. 85 would authorize the following uses for
recipients of these grants:

-   "Developing and distributing informational materials on technologies
    that could use energy more efficiently.

-   "Carrying out demonstrations of advanced energy methods and
    technologies.

-   "Developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-distance
    learning sessions, and other activities to aid in the dissemination
    of knowledge and information on technologies that could use energy
    more efficiently.

-   "Providing or coordinating onsite energy evaluations, including
    instruction on the commissioning of building heating and cooling
    systems, for a wide range of energy end-users.

-   "Examining the energy efficiency needs of energy end-users to
    develop recommended research projects for the Department.

-   "Hiring experts in energy efficient technologies to carry out
    activities described in paragraphs (1) through (5)."

H.R. 85 would require that certain cost-sharing requirements be met by
grant awardees. In addition, the bill limits a grant recipient to
receiving not more than 11 years of funding through this new program.
Finally, the bill prohibits funds awarded through this program from
being utilized for construction.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 85 was introduced on January 4,
2007, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote, as amended, on
March 8, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, enacting H.R. 85
"would not significantly affect the federal budget. We expect that any
change in the amount of grants awarded under the bill or the agency's
costs to administer them would not exceed \$500,000 annually, assuming
the availability of appropriated funds."

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. House Rule XIII, Section
3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution" *(emphasis added).*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, 202.226.0718.

H.Res. 136---Commending the Girl Scouts of the United States of America
on the occasion of their 95th anniversary, for providing quality
age-appropriate experiences that prepare girls to become the leaders of
tomorrow and for raising issues important to girls (*McCarthy, D-NY*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, March 12^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 136 would resolve that the House:

-   "commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for its
    efforts to launch a national dialogue on the issue of obesity among
    young girls;

-   "recognizes the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for its
    leadership and expertise in knowing the needs of girls through the
    work of the Girl Scout Research Institute; and

-   "commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for
    continuing to actively promote issues important to girls."

The resolution also notes that "the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America...is an organization that is committed to helping girls of today
become leaders of tomorrow and that delivers quality experiences for
girls locally, nationally, and internationally (through USA Girl Scouts
Overseas)." Additionally, "the Girl Scouts advocate for public policy
that is girl-centered and beneficial to all girls."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Girl Scouts are celebrating
their 95^th^ anniversary today, March 12, 2007.

To read a *National Review* piece on the more controversial aspects of
the Girls Scouts, visit this webpage:
<http://www.nationalreview.com/23oct00/lopez102300.shtml>.

For more information on the Girl Scouts, visit this website:
<http://www.girlscouts.org/>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: The earliest mention of a Girl Scout
cookie sale found to date was that of the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee,
Oklahoma, which baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria
as a service project in December 1917.

<http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/early_years.asp>

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 7, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which, on
March 8^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full
House by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Res. 89---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a
day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day to celebrate
the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands (Hoekstra,
R-MI)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, March 12^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 89 would resolve that a sense of the
House that "a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day
to celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the
Netherlands."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The resolution notes that, on
April 19, 1782, in the City of the Hague, the ambassadorial credentials
of John Adams were officially recognized by the Republic of the
Netherlands, thus establishing formal diplomatic ties between the two
governments. The diplomatic ties between the United States and the
Netherlands are the longest continuous ties between the U.S. and any
country of the world.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: The 104^th^ Congress changed the
[House Rules](http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf) to prohibit
a bill from being considered on the House floor if "it establishes or
expresses a commemoration", which is defined as "a remembrance,
celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a
specified period of time."  This rule is still in effect in the 110^th^
Congress. <http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf>. Technically,
this resolution does not itself establish a commemorative day.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 23, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which, on
March 8^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full
House by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Res. 198---Recognizing the significance of Black History Month

(*Al Green, D-TX*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, March 12^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 198 would resolve that the House:

-   "recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important
    time to recognize the contributions of Black Americans in the
    Nation's history, and encourages the continued celebration of this
    month to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States
    to learn more about the past and to better understand the
    experiences that have shaped the Nation; and

-   "affirms that\--

> \--the contributions of Black Americans are a significant part of the
> history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and
>
> \--the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and
> strengthens the Nation."

The resolution also asserts, after noting the enslavement and other
injustices done to black Americans, that "the history of the United
States is the story of a people regularly affirming high ideals,
striving to reach them but often failing, and then struggling to come to
terms with the disappointment of that failure before committing
themselves to trying again."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The resolution notes that "the
month of February is officially celebrated as Black History Month, which
dates back to 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a special
period of time in February to recognize the heritage and achievement of
Black Americans." Black History Month was officially established in
1976.

For more information on Black History Month, visit this webpage:

<http://usinfo.state.gov/scv/history_geography_and_population/population_and_diversity/african_americans/African_American_History_Month.html>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: The 104^th^ Congress changed the
[House Rules](http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf) to prohibit
a bill from being considered on the House floor if "it establishes or
expresses a commemoration", which is defined as "a remembrance,
celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a
specified period of time."  This rule is still in effect in the 110^th^
Congress. <http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf>. Technically,
this resolution does not itself establish a commemorative day.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 27, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which, on
March 8^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full
House by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718