Technology Education Capital Investment Act of 1997

Summary: Technology Education Capital Investment Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations to the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct informal science and mathematics education programs. Requires the NSF to expand such programs.  Sets forth priorities for such programs serving students at pre-kindergarten through secondary education levels. 
(Sec. 3) Authorizes appropriations to the NSF Director to carry out the national advanced scientific and technical education program under the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992. 
(Sec. 4) Establishes a technology education State stimulus scholarship program.  Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make matching grants to States to provide supplementary scholarships to students for study leading to a postsecondary degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or a related field.  Allows such scholarships to be awarded by the State higher education system, the State scholarship commission, or an equivalent State entity.  Sets forth eligibility requirements.  Authorizes appropriations. 
(Sec. 5) Establishes a hands-on student training partnership grants program.  Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make start-up grants to institutions of higher learning to develop industry-sponsored internship programs that provide opportunities for undergraduate engineering students to receive hands-on training at local businesses.  Sets forth program priorities and restrictions. Authorizes appropriations. 
(Sec. 6) Amends the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to educational assistance programs to provide for:  (1) permanent extension of the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restoration of the tax exclusion for graduate level assistance. 
(Sec. 7) Establishes the Technology Workforce Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on all matters relating to the shortage of technology workers in the United States.  Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Technology Education Capital 
Investment Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the high technology industry is one of the fastest 
        growing areas in the United States economy;
            (2) the United States is a world leader in the high 
        technology industries, and especially in the information 
        technology industry;
            (3) the continued growth and prosperity of the high 
        technology industry is important to the continued prosperity of 
        the United States economy;
            (4) an adequate supply of highly-skilled technology workers 
        is essential for the success of advanced technologies and 
        business entities that use information technology;
            (5) as of the date of enactment of this Act, there is a 
        shortage of information technology workers and workers in other 
        high technology industries; and
            (6) in the absence of a concerted effort by business 
        entities, the Federal Government, the governments of States and 
        political subdivisions thereof, and educational institutions, 
        the shortage of information technology workers will continue to 
        be a problem.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Informal Science Programs.--(1) There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation to 
conduct informal science and math education programs $50,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 1999 and 2000.
    (2)(A) The National Science Foundation shall expand the informal 
science and math education programs conducted by the Foundation that 
promote the understanding of science and technology through voluntary, 
self-directed, and life-long learning opportunities by fostering 
community-based and institutional math and science education programs. 
In expanding such programs, the Director may give priority to providing 
for organizations, projects, or programs that provide inquiry-based and 
hands-on scientific learning opportunities for students at pre-
kindergarten through secondary education levels.
    (B) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (1), there are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science 
Foundation to carry out subparagraph (A) $14,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 1999 and 2000.
    (b) Expansion of National Advanced Scientific and Technical 
Education Program.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out the national 
advanced scientific and technical education program under section 3(a) 
of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 
1862i(a))--
            (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
            (2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.

SEC. 4. TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION STATE STIMULUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education may make grants to 
States to provide supplementary scholarships to students for study 
leading to a postsecondary degree in science, math, engineering, or a 
related field. Such scholarships may be awarded by a State entity such 
as the State higher education system, the State scholarship commission, 
or an equivalent State entity.
    (b) Eligibility.--(1) A scholarship awarded under subsection (a) 
may be applied to any technology-related degree program offered at an 
accredited institution of higher learning, including a college, 
university, community college, or vocational-training institution.
    (2) A scholarship awarded under subsection (a) may not, when 
combined with other sources of financial assistance, exceed the cost of 
tuition and related expenses of the qualified degree program of the 
recipient.
    (c) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary of Education may not make 
a grant to a State under subsection (a) unless such State provides not 
less than one-half of the cost of the program for which the grant is 
provided from State funds.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Education a total of $50,000,000 for 
grants under this subsection.

SEC. 5. HANDS-ON STUDENT TRAINING (H.O.S.T.) PARTNERSHIP GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may make start-up grants 
to institutions of higher learning to develop industry-sponsored 
internship programs that provide opportunities for undergraduate 
engineering students to receive hands-on training at local businesses.
    (b) Priorities.--Special emphasis shall be given under this section 
to those programs that--
            (1) demonstrate a long-term financial commitment from 
        industry participants for initiation and long-term operation of 
        the program;
            (2) involve extensive input and participation by all 
        industry participants;
            (3) adequately financially compensate student participants; 
        and
            (4) encourage technology education.
    (c) Restrictions.--(1) Not more than one grant may be awarded to an 
entity under subsection (a).
    (2) Awards under subsection (a) may be applied to expenses related 
to the creation of the programs described in that subsection, including 
the recruitment of businesses or organizations to participate in such 
programs.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce a total of $2,000,000 for 
grants under this subsection.

SEC. 6. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE; RESTORATION OF EXCLUSION FOR GRADUATE LEVEL 
              ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Exclusion Made Permanent.--
            (1) In general.--Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code 
        of 1986 (relating to educational assistance programs) is 
        amended by striking subsection (d).
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply to taxable years beginning after May 31, 1998.
    (b) Restoration of Exclusion for Graduate Level Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--The last sentence of section 127(c)(1) of 
        such Code is amended by striking all that follows ``hobbies'' 
        and inserting a period.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply with respect to expenses relating to courses 
        beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE COMMISSION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Business entity.--The term ``business entity'' means a 
        firm, corporation, association, partnership, consortium, joint 
        venture, or other form of enterprise.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Technology Workforce Commission established under subsection 
        (b).
            (3) Information technology.--The term ``information 
        technology'' has the meaning given that term in section 5002 of 
        the Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (110 
        Stat. 679).
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States of the United States, the territories of the United 
        States, and the District of Columbia.
    (b) Establishment of Technology Workforce Commission.--
            (1) In general.--There is established a commission to be 
        known as the Technology Workforce Commission.
            (2) Membership.--
                    (A) Composition.--(i) The Commission shall be 
                composed of 21 members to be appointed as follows:
                            (I) Seven members shall be appointed by the 
                        President, and shall be individuals who are 
                        officers or employees of the Federal 
                        Government.
                            (II) Four members shall be appointed by the 
                        Speaker of the House of Representatives, of 
                        whom one shall be a Member of Congress.
                            (III) Three members shall be appointed by 
                        the minority leader of the House, of whom one 
                        shall be a Member of Congress.
                            (IV) Four members shall be appointed by the 
                        majority leader of the Senate, of whom one 
                        shall be a Member of Congress.
                            (V) Three members shall be appointed by the 
                        minority leader of the Senate, of whom one 
                        shall be a Member of Congress.
                    (ii) Of the members appointed under clauses (i)(II) 
                through (i)(V)--
                            (I) Seven shall be individuals employed in 
                        high technology business entities; and
                            (II) Three shall be representatives of 
                        State governments.
                    (B) Date.--The appointments of the members of the 
                Commission shall be made by the date that is 30 days 
                after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--Members shall be 
        appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the 
        Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in 
        the same manner as the original appointment.
            (4) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold its first meeting.
            (5) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
        Chairperson.
            (6) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
        hold hearings.
            (7) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Commission shall 
        select a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its 
        members.
    (c) Duties of Commission.--
            (1) Study.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a 
                thorough study of all matters relating to the shortage 
                of technology workers in the United States.
                    (B) Matters studied.--The matters studied by the 
                Commission shall include an examination of--
                            (i) the causes of the shortage of 
                        technology workers in the United States;
                            (ii) possible solutions to address the 
                        shortage referred to in clause (i); and
                            (iii) the relative efficacy of programs in 
                        the United States and foreign countries to 
                        provide for an increase in the number of 
                        technology workers, with special emphasis on 
                        programs that provide for secondary education 
                        or postsecondary education in a program other 
                        than a 4-year baccalaureate program (including 
                        associate degree programs and graduate degree 
                        programs).
                    (C) Public hearings.--As part of the study 
                conducted under this subsection, the Commission shall 
                hold public hearings concerning the issues referred to 
                in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B).
                    (D) Existing information.--To the extent 
                practicable, in carrying out the study under this 
                subsection, the Commission shall identify and use 
                existing information related to the issues referred to 
                in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B).
                    (E) Consultation with chief information officers 
                council.--In carrying out the study under this 
                subsection, the Commission shall consult with the Chief 
                Information Officers Council established under 
                Executive Order No. 13011.
            (2) Report.--Not later than one year after the initial 
        meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit a report 
        to the President and the Congress which shall contain a 
        detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the 
        Commission, together with its recommendations for such 
        legislation and administrative actions as it considers 
        appropriate.
            (3) Facilitation of exchange of information.--In carrying 
        out the study under this subsection, the Commission shall, to 
        the extent practicable, facilitate the exchange of information 
        concerning the issues that are the subject of the study among--
                    (A) officials of the Federal Government and the 
                governments of States and political subdivisions 
                thereof; and
                    (B) educators from Federal, State, and local 
                institutions of higher education and secondary schools.
    (d) Powers of the Commission.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
        receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to 
        carry out the purposes of this Act.
            (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may 
        secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
        information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out 
        the provisions of this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of 
        the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall 
        furnish such information to the Commission.
            (3) Postal services.--The Commission may use the United 
        States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
        as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
            (4) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
        gifts or donations of services or property.
    (e) Commission Personnel Matters.--
            (1) Compensation of members.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (2), each member of the Commission who is not an 
        officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
        without compensation. All members of the Commission who are 
        officers or employees of the United States shall serve without 
        compensation in addition to that received for their services as 
        officers or employees of the United States.
            (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
        be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Commission.
            (3) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission 
                may, without regard to the civil service laws and 
                regulations, appoint and terminate an executive 
                director and such other additional personnel as may be 
                necessary to enable the Commission to perform its 
                duties. The employment of an executive director shall 
                be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
                    (B) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the 
                Commission may fix the compensation of the executive 
                director and other personnel without regard to the 
                provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
                53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to 
                classification of positions and General Schedule pay 
                rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
                director and other personnel may not exceed the rate 
                payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
                section 5316 of such title.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government 
        employee may be detailed to the Commission without 
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or 
        loss of civil service status or privilege.
            (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and 
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the 
        daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
        level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
        title.
    (f) Termination of Commission.--The Commission shall terminate on 
the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits 
its report under this subsection.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $750,000 for fiscal year 1999 to the Commission to carry out 
        the purposes of this Act.
            (2) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the 
        authorization contained in this section shall remain available, 
        without fiscal year limitation, until expended.