Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2017

Summary: Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2017  This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the position of Science Laureate of the United States to honor the service of scientists.   The NSF shall appoint a Science Laureate from three individuals to be nominated each year by the National Academy of Sciences on the basis of merit, particularly the ability to foster public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions.  Each Science Laureate shall engage the public to increase public awareness about science and is encouraged to continue his or her scientific work. 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Science Laureates of the United 
States Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND RECOGNITION.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Scientific research and advancement has driven success 
        in the United States and global success for centuries.
            (2) Scientific research has saved, improved, and extended 
        lives, increased the standard of living, expanded economic 
        opportunity, and advanced human understanding.
            (3) Such research holds the promise of continuing this 
        progress, protecting the environment, creating jobs, growing 
        the economy through innovative ideas and discoveries, and 
        generally advancing all mankind.
            (4) People in the United States can benefit when scientific 
        research is conducted and communicated in a transparent manner 
        to better inform citizens about the nature and status of such 
        research.
            (5) Scientific education is a critical element of preparing 
        our Nation and our citizens for a technology-intensive future 
        and ensuring that the United States remains the world leader in 
        innovation and high-tech success.
            (6) A spokesperson who can embody, demonstrate, and 
        articulate the importance and excitement of scientific research 
        and education will help improve the current and future state of 
        science to the benefit of all people in the United States.
    (b) Congressional Recognition.--Congress recognizes that science 
contributes to the economic prosperity and general welfare of the 
United States, and that increasing the public's awareness about the 
sciences will increase such benefits. Congress also recognizes that 
scientists who are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the 
public's interest in science do a special service to the United States.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE LAUREATES OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Position Established.--The National Science Foundation shall 
establish the position of Science Laureate of the United States to 
honor the service of scientists.
    (b) Appointment by National Science Foundation.--The Science 
Laureate of the United States shall be appointed by the National 
Science Foundation from among individuals nominated under subsection 
(c).
    (c) Nominations by National Academy of Sciences.--
            (1) Agreement.--The National Science Foundation shall seek 
        to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of 
        Sciences to perform the services covered by this subsection.
            (2) Nomination.--
                    (A) In general.--Under an agreement between the 
                National Science Foundation and the National Academy of 
                Sciences under this subsection, the National Academy of 
                Sciences shall, not less frequently than once each year 
                and except as provided in subparagraph (D), nominate 
                three individuals to serve as the Science Laureate.
                    (B) Basis.--Nomination under subparagraph (A) shall 
                be on the basis of merit, particularly the ability of 
                an individual to--
                            (i) foster and enhance public awareness and 
                        interest in science; and
                            (ii) provide ongoing significant scientific 
                        contributions.
                    (C) Variety of scientific disciplines.--In 
                nominating individuals under subparagraph (A), the 
                National Academy of Sciences shall strive to nominate 
                individuals, in different years, from different 
                scientific disciplines, including biology, physics, 
                geosciences, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, and 
                other science disciplines.
                    (D) Exception.--The National Academy of Sciences 
                shall not make any nominations under this paragraph for 
                a year if the National Science Foundation notifies the 
                National Academy of Sciences that such nominations are 
                unnecessary because the National Science Foundation 
                intends to extend the term of the current Science 
                Laureate pursuant to subsection (f).
    (d) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--Each Science Laureate shall engage the 
        public, from time to time, to increase the public's awareness 
        about science.
            (2) Continuation of scientific work.--A Science Laureate is 
        encouraged to continue the Science Laureate's scientific work.
            (3) Facilitation of duties.--The National Science 
        Foundation shall facilitate the duties of a Science Laureate 
        and the Science Laureate may accept assistance from the 
        National Academy of Sciences in carrying out such duties.
    (e) Limitation.--The Science Laureate position shall not have the 
effect of duplicating or superseding the role of the President's 
Science Advisor.
    (f) Term.--Each Science Laureate shall serve a 1-year term and may 
be reappointed by the National Science Foundation for additional terms 
as the National Science Foundation considers appropriate.
    (g) Compensation; Reimbursement.--
            (1) Compensation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, a Science Laureate shall serve without pay and shall not 
        be considered to be a Federal employee based on such 
        individual's appointment as a Science Laureate.
            (2) Reimbursement for travel.--The National Science 
        Foundation may provide a Science Laureate with reimbursement 
        for travel expenses incurred while performing duties as a 
        Science Laureate, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
        accordance with applicable provisions in the same manner as 
        persons employed intermittently in the Government service are 
        allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States 
        Code.