★ 87–908 

113TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 113–448 

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES 

APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2015 

MAY 15, 2014.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. WOLF, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

MINORITY VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 4660] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year 

ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page number 

Bill Report 

Title I—Department of Commerce ............................................................ 2 7 

Title II—Department of Justice ................................................................ 22 38 

Title III—Science ........................................................................................ 60 66 

Office of Science and Technology Policy ............................................ 60 66 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration ............................. 61 67 

National Science Foundation ............................................................. 68 79 

Title IV—Related Agencies ........................................................................ 72 83 

Commission on Civil Rights ............................................................... 72 83 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .................................. 73 83 

International Trade Commission ....................................................... 74 84 

Legal Services Corporation ................................................................ 74 84 

Marine Mammal Commission ............................................................ 75 85 

Office of the United States Trade Representative ........................... 76 85 

State Justice Institute ........................................................................ 76 86 

Title V—General Provisions ...................................................................... 77 86 

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BILL TOTALS

The Committee recommends a total of $51,539,000,000 for the 

departments and agencies funded in this bill for fiscal year 2015, 

including $51,202,000,000 in discretionary budget authority. This 

level of discretionary budget authority is $398,000,000, or 0.8 percent, below the fiscal year 2014 level. The recommended level is 

also $1,027,926,000 or 2.1 percent above the Congressional Budget 

Office re-estimate of the President’s budget request, and 

$203,926,000 or 0.4 percent above the comparable budget request 

had the same Congressional Budget Office scorekeeping adjustments been applied to both the request and this bill. The recommendation for fiscal year 2015 does not include any emergency 

supplemental appropriations. 

The Committee recommends terminating 33 programs, resulting 

in savings of more than $250,000,000 from the fiscal year 2014 

level and $190,000,000 from the President’s request for these same 

programs. 

OVERSIGHT AND BUDGET REVIEW

During its review of the fiscal year 2015 budget request and execution of appropriations for fiscal year 2014, the Subcommittee on 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held nine budget 

and oversight hearings. In addition to receiving testimony from Administration officials representing the departments and agencies 

funded in this bill, the Committee received testimony from expert 

witnesses. The Committee hearings are listed below: 

Hearing Hearing Date 

The State of Efforts to Stop Human Trafficking ............................. 2/26/2014 

Federal Investments in Neuroscience Research .............................. 2/27/2014 

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director ......................................... 3/26/2014 

National Science Foundation Acting Director .................................. 3/27/2014 

Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator .......................... 4/2/2014 

Attorney General ................................................................................ 4/4/2014 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator ... 4/8/2014 

Secretary of Commerce ...................................................................... 4/9/2014 

Bureau of Prisons Director ................................................................ 4/10/2014 

As part of the Committee’s oversight and analysis of the Administration’s budget request, the Committee submitted a number of 

requests for additional information and written questions to be answered by the departments and agencies. These materials are important for the Committee in conducting oversight and making 

funding recommendations. 

In furtherance of this oversight responsibility, the Committee 

began in fiscal year 2012 to require the major agencies funded in 

this bill to provide information on the status of balances of appropriations, including amounts that are: unobligated and uncommitted; committed to contracts, grants or other planned obligations; 

and obligated but unexpended. The Committee found that the 

agencies cannot, in all cases, provide a comprehensive picture of 

the status of balances. 

The accurate and comprehensive reporting of balances enables 

the Committee to determine the amount of appropriations necessary to accomplish program purposes. The Committee recdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ommendations under certain accounts in this report include direction concerning the use, or rescission, of unobligated balances. 

Section 507 requires detailed quarterly reports from the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the status of unobligated balances, commitments and 

obligations, including the source year, or obligation year, of balances. The Committee expects that agency reports will show the 

status of balances at the appropriation account level, as well as at 

budget activity or other lower levels where such levels are reflected 

in the Committee’s report accompanying an appropriations act. The 

Committee directs the agencies included in section 507 of this Act 

to take the necessary administrative actions (including, when necessary, the reconfiguration of internal accounting systems) to capture and routinely report this information. 

MAJOR THEMES AND INITIATIVES

The Committee’s funding recommendations focus resources on 

the areas of highest priority, reflecting the Committee’s assessment 

of national priorities and ongoing challenges. 

Law enforcement and national security.—Defending the Nation 

from both internal and external threats remains the Department of 

Justice’s highest priority. This bill provides essential technological 

and human capital to detect, disrupt and deter threats to our national security. The bill provides $8.5 billion for the Federal Bureau 

of Investigation (FBI). This level includes funding for counterterrorism efforts and to continue the development of capabilities to 

prevent and investigate cyber intrusions. The bill also provides 

$2.1 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and 

$1.2 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, the bill includes a total of $2.1 billion 

in discretionary appropriations for Justice grant programs including $426 million for Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution programs and $376 million for Byrne Justice Assistance 

Grants providing support for a broad range of State and local 

criminal justice needs. 

More accurate and timely weather forecasts and warnings.—The 

mission of the National Weather Service is to provide forecasts and 

warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement 

of the national economy. Recent events remind us of the loss of life, 

tragedy and disruption that can result from severe weather. The 

bill includes $1.1 billion for the operations and systems of the National Weather Service. In addition, the bill provides the requested 

amounts for two next-generation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flagship weather satellite programs: 

the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) ($917 million) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) 

($981 million). These amounts will allow NOAA to maintain acquisition and launch schedules and minimize any future gaps in data 

that are critical to forecast accuracy. 

American innovation and competitiveness.—Investments in scientific research are key to long-term economic growth. Basic research leads to innovation and improves the competitiveness of 

American businesses, leading, in turn, to positive impacts on the 

quality of life for all Americans. The bill includes $7.4 billion for 

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the NSF for basic scientific research, and $856 million for research 

and standards work at the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST), including $130 million for the Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership to increase the competitiveness of the Nation’s manufacturers. NASA’s aeronautics research enables continuous innovation in aviation and space industries. The bill includes 

$666 million for aeronautics research, an increase of $100 million 

above fiscal year 2014. An efficient patent process is also critical 

for innovation and economic growth. The bill provides $3.5 billion 

for the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), which is the full estimate of fee collections for fiscal year 2015, and an increase of $434 

million above fiscal year 2014. Finally, the bill includes over $1 billion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs across NSF, NASA and NOAA. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION BY TITLE

Department of Commerce.—In title I of the bill, for the Depart- ment of Commerce, the Committee recommends a total of $8.4 billion in discretionary budget authority, which is $175 million above 

fiscal year 2014 and $391 million below the request. Highlights of 

the Committee’s recommendation include: • $3.5 billion for PTO, which is equal to the amount of fee 

collections estimated by the Congressional Budget Office, and 

an increase of $434 million, or 14.4 percent, above fiscal year 

2014; • $856 million for NIST, which is $6 million above fiscal 

year 2014, including $671 million for scientific and technical 

research, and $130 million for the Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership (MEP); and • $5.3 billion for NOAA, $11 million above fiscal year 2014. 

The bill supports critical weather forecasting programs, including the requested amounts for development of the JPSS and 

GOES-R weather satellites. In addition, the bill includes $16 

million above the request for National Weather Service operations and systems. 

Department of Justice.—In title II of the bill, for the Department of Justice, the Committee recommends a total of $27.8 billion in 

discretionary budget authority, which is $384 million above fiscal 

year 2014 and $137 million above the request. Highlights of the 

Committee’s recommendation include: • $8.5 billion for the FBI, an increase of $125 million above 

fiscal year 2014, including continuing funding for national security programs, investigations of cyber attacks, and countering human trafficking and violent gang crime; • $2.1 billion for the DEA, which is $35 million above fiscal 

year 2014, and an additional $367 million for prescription drug 

abuse regulatory and enforcement initiatives funded by diversion control fees; • $7.0 billion for the Bureau of Prisons, which is $121 million above fiscal year 2014; and • $2.1 billion for State and local law enforcement assistance, 

including $426 million for Violence Against Women Prevention 

and Prosecution programs. 

Science.—In title III of the bill, for the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy (OSTP), NASA and NSF, the Committee recdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ommends a total of $25.3 billion. Highlights of the Committee’s recommendation include: • $17.9 billion for NASA, which is $250 million above fiscal 

year 2014 and $435 million above the request, including: — $4.2 billion for Exploration, including funding to keep 

NASA on schedule for upcoming Orion Multi-Purpose 

Crew Vehicle and Space Launch System flight milestones, 

and to continue progress on the commercial crew program; — $3.9 billion for Space Operations, continuing the operation of the International Space Station; and — $5.2 billion for Science programs, including $1.45 billion for planetary science to ensure the continuation of 

critical research and development programs that were imperiled by the President’s request. • $7.4 billion for the NSF, which is $232 million above fiscal 

year 2014 and $149 million above the request for basic scientific research and science education programs. 

Related agencies.—In title IV of the bill, the Committee recommends a total of $869 million, a decrease of $12 million below 

fiscal year 2014 and $87 million below the request. Highlights of 

the Committee’s recommendation include: • $350 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which is $15 million below fiscal year 2014; • $364 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is the same as fiscal year 2014; and • $54 million for the Office of the United States Trade Rep- resentative, which is $1 million above fiscal year 2014. 

CYBERSECURITY AT FEDERAL AGENCIES

The security of Federal agency computer systems is essential to 

protecting national and economic security as well as ensuring public safety. Safeguarding such systems and the information they contain has been on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) list 

of high-risk areas since 1997. Risks to such systems include escalating and emerging threats from around the globe, which are further heightened by steady advances in the sophistication of attack 

technology and the ease of obtaining and using hacking tools. 

Beginning in fiscal year 2012, the Committee directed each department and agency funded in this bill to submit an annual report 

to the Committee describing the cyber attacks and attempted cyber 

attacks against such department or agency and their consequences; 

the steps taken to prevent, mitigate or otherwise respond to such 

attacks; the cybersecurity policies and procedures in place, including policies about ensuring safe use of computer and mobile devices 

by individual employees; and a description of all outreach efforts 

undertaken to increase awareness among employees and contractors of cybersecurity risks. The Committee expects each department and agency to submit the annual cybersecurity report for 

2014 by February 5, 2015. 

In addition, section 515 of the recommended bill requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA and NSF, before acquiring any high-impact or moderate-impact information system, to 

review and assess supply chain, cyber-espionage and sabotage 

risks, develop a risk mitigation strategy, and make a determination 

that such acquisition is in the national interest. Included in the asdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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sessment of cyber-espionage and sabotage risks will be an assessment of any risk associated with a system being produced, manufactured, or assembled by one or more entities identified by the 

United States Government as posing a cyber threat, including but 

not limited to, those that may be owned, directed, or subsidized by 

the People’s Republic of China. Each department or agency covered 

under section 515 shall submit quarterly reports to the Committee 

describing any reviews and assessments done, and any determinations made pursuant to this section, and in addition shall summarize the results of such assessments in the annual cybersecurity report described in the preceding paragraph. 

REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURES

Section 505 of the bill contains language concerning the reprogramming of funds between programs, projects and activities. 

The Committee reminds the departments and agencies funded in 

this bill that the reprogramming process is based on comity between the Congress and the Executive Branch. This process is intended to provide departments and agencies sufficient flexibility to 

meet changing circumstances and emergent requirements not 

known at the time of congressional review of the budget while preserving congressional priorities and intent. In the absence of comity 

and respect for the prerogatives of the Appropriations Committees 

and the Congress in general, the Committee may opt to include 

specific program limitations and details in legislation and remove 

language providing the flexibility to reallocate funds. Under these 

circumstances, programs, projects and activities become absolutes 

and the executive branch shall lose the ability to propose changes 

in the use of appropriated funds except through legislative action. 

The Committee expects that each department and agency funded 

in this bill shall follow the directions set forth in this bill and the 

accompanying report, and shall not reallocate resources or reorganize activities except as provided herein. Reprogramming procedures shall apply to funds provided in this bill, unobligated balances from previous appropriations Acts that are available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2015, and non-appropriated resources such as fee collections that are used to meet program requirements in fiscal year 2015. As specified in section 505, the 

Committee expects that the Appropriations Subcommittees on 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies of the House and 

Senate will be notified by letter a minimum of 15 days (or in the 

case of the Department of Justice 45 days) prior to any reprogramming of funds that— 

(1) creates or initiates a new program, project or activity; 

(2) eliminates a program, project or activity; 

(3) increases funds or personnel by any means for any 

project or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted; 

(4) relocates an office or employees; 

(5) reorganizes or renames offices, programs or activities; 

(6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities 

presently performed by Federal employees; 

(7) augments existing programs, projects or activities in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, or reduces by 

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10 percent funding for any program, project or activity, or 

numbers of personnel by 10 percent; or 

(8) results from any general savings, including savings from 

a reduction in personnel, which would result in a change in existing programs, projects or activities as approved by Congress. 

Any reprogramming request shall include any out-year budgetary impacts and a separate accounting of program or mission impacts on estimated carryover funds. The Committee further expects 

any department or agency funded in this bill which plans a reduction-in-force to notify by letter the Committee at least 30 days in 

advance of the date of any such planned personnel action. 

RELATIONSHIP WITH BUDGET AND COMPTROLLER OFFICES

Through the years the Appropriations Committee has channeled 

most of its inquiries and requests for information and assistance 

through the budget offices or comptroller organizations of the various departments, agencies and commissions. Such relationships 

are necessary to accomplish the work of the Committee. While the 

Committee reserves the right to call upon all organizations in the 

departments, agencies and commissions for information and assistance, the primary contact between the Committee and these entities must be through the budget offices and comptroller organizations, or through a legislative affairs unit designated by the Committee to work on appropriations and budget matters. 

The workload generated in the budget process is large and growing; therefore, a positive, responsive relationship between the Committee and the budget and/or comptroller offices is essential for the 

Committee to fulfill the Constitutional appropriations responsibilities of Congress. 

WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEDERAL PRISONERS

The Committee notes that Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI) 

is specifically authorized to manufacture products no longer made 

in the United States. This represents an opportunity to provide additional work opportunities for Federal prisoners, which has been 

identified as an important contributing factor to the safety of Federal prisons, and to reducing recidivism. The Committee directs the 

Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and NSF to notify 

FPI of products they are currently purchasing from foreign sources, 

and to meet with FPI at least annually to discuss related procurement opportunities. 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $473,000,000 in total resources for 

the programs of the International Trade Administration (ITA), 

which is $3,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $33,731,000 below 

the request. This amount is offset by $10,000,000 in estimated fee 

collections, resulting in a direct appropriation of $463,000,000. 

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Funds shall be distributed as follows; any deviation shall be subject 

to the procedures set forth in section 505 of this Act: 

Industry and Analysis ........................................................................ $55,000,000 

Enforcement and Compliance ............................................................ 73,000,000 

Global Markets ................................................................................... 323,000,000 

Executive Direction and Administration .......................................... 22,000,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $473,000,000 

Reorganization.—ITA shall continue to provide regular updates 

regarding the ongoing reorganization that is expected to result in 

program efficiencies and savings. The Committee expects ITA to 

ensure that the reorganization is implemented in a timely fashion 

and in accordance with the proposal submitted to the Committee. 

U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (U.S.&FCS).—The Committee recommends $323,000,000 for Global Markets, which includes the U.S.&FCS. This amount includes an increase of 

$3,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 to expand overseas presence in 

priority markets. The Committee directs ITA to review its existing 

staff complement to ensure that the maximum number of staff are 

deployed overseas and at Export Assistance Centers located 

throughout the U.S. ITA shall submit a report no later than 120 

days after enactment of this Act describing the current status of 

the National Export Initiative and progress toward the goal of doubling exports by the end of fiscal year 2014. The Committee reminds ITA that the primary mission of the Global Markets program shall continue to be export promotion. 

SelectUSA.—The recommendation includes up to $7,000,000 for 

SelectUSA activities. The Committee expects that these funds will 

be used to encourage foreign direct investment and to work with 

U.S. companies to repatriate manufacturing or service activities 

back to the United States. The Committee directs that these funds 

shall not be used for outreach activities to state-owned entities. 

Commerce shall provide a report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act on the type of assistance provided during fiscal 

year 2014 and the number and type of foreign firms that decided 

to locate in the United States as a result of SelectUSA assistance. 

The Secretary shall notify the Committee promptly if any foreign 

direct investment proposals facilitated by SelectUSA are referred to 

the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. 

Survey of International Air Travelers.—Within amounts provided 

for Industry and Analysis, the recommendation includes up to 

$1,500,000 for a program evaluation of the Survey of International 

Air Travelers. ITA is encouraged to coordinate these efforts with 

BrandUSA, a non-profit entity authorized to promote the U.S. as 

a travel destination. 

Enforcement and Compliance.—The recommendation includes 

$73,000,000 for enforcement and compliance activities, which is 

$2,433,000 above fiscal year 2014. Of this amount, up to $7,000,000 

is included for ITA’s support of the Interagency Trade Enforcement 

Center (ITEC). ITA shall submit a report no later than 90 days 

after enactment of this Act regarding accomplishments of the ITEC 

during fiscal years 2013 and 2014, and proposed activities for fiscal 

year 2015. 

China antidumping and countervailing duty activities.—The 

Committee retains bill language directing ITA to spend no less 

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than $16,400,000 for China antidumping and countervailing duty 

enforcement and compliance activities. The Committee awaits a report included in the statement accompanying Public Law 113–76, 

the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, regarding antidumping 

and countervailing duty laws. ITA shall include in this report a review of the extent to which existing laws address the anti-competitive actions of Chinese state-owned or state-invested enterprises 

operating in the U.S. market. 

Trade enforcement remedies.—ITA shall, in cooperation with the 

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, employ all remedies authorized by World Trade Organization rules to counter the effects 

of the Chinese government’s extensive subsidies and their impact 

on U.S. products and services. The Committee awaits an assessment regarding the extent to which existing laws address these 

concerns, as directed in the statement accompanying Public Law 

113–76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. 

Trade secrets.—The Committee remains concerned about the insufficient level of attention given to trade secret theft and the pace 

at which it is being addressed by the U.S. government. The Committee awaits a report from Commerce on this matter as directed 

in the statement accompanying Public Law 113–76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. 

Human rights training.—ITA shall continue to ensure that current and new customer-facing employees receive human rights 

training and provide a report to the Committee no later than 120 

days after the enactment of this Act regarding these efforts. 

Support for firms.—The Committee encourages ITA to ensure 

that it is providing adequate support and services for women-, 

minority- and veteran-owned firms that are seeking assistance in 

gaining access to foreign markets for their products and services. 

The Committee recognizes that these firms possess tremendous 

economic potential if they participate more actively and effectively 

in export markets. As such, the Committee urges ITA to reach out 

to and promote such firms to enable them to contribute to our 

trade goals of creating jobs and increasing exports. 

Bio-based chemical feed stock materials.—The Committee directs 

ITA to conduct a study to determine the extent, if any, of potential 

impacts to U.S. bio-based chemical producers caused by foreign incentives or other market distorting policies outside the United 

States and identify potential remedies to mitigate these market 

distortions. Commerce shall provide this report to the Committee 

no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. 

Asbestos brakes.—The manufacture of asbestos brakes has been 

banned in the United States for about 10 years yet the Committee 

understands that some imported brake pads are still manufactured 

with asbestos. Commerce shall submit a report within 120 days of 

enactment of this Act regarding the current policy with respect to 

the importation of asbestos-containing brakes and an assessment of 

the ability of U.S.-based manufacturers to produce brakes without 

asbestos or other banned substances. 

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BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $103,500,000 for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which is $2,050,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $7,049,000 below the request. Funds shall be distributed 

as follows; any deviation shall be subject to the procedures set forth 

in section 505 of this Act: 

Export Administration ....................................................................... $56,500,000 

Export Enforcement ........................................................................... 41,500,000 

Management and Policy Coordination .............................................. 5,500,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $103,500,000 

Export Administration.—The recommendation includes 

$56,500,000 for export administration activities, including an increase of $500,000 as requested to support additional duties as a 

result of the transfer of certain satellite licensing responsibilities 

from the State Department to BIS. BIS shall provide a report no 

later than 120 days after enactment of this Act regarding processes 

it has implemented to ensure that satellites and related components are adequately safeguarded under the revised export control 

regime. 

Export Enforcement.—The recommendation includes $41,500,000 

for export enforcement activities, including an increase of 

$1,932,000 to support additional export control officers in Germany, 

Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, enhancements to the Information Triage Unit, and national level enforcement and analytic 

expansion. In addition, BIS shall use up to $6,000,000 in prior year 

unobligated balances to support these activities. BIS shall continue 

providing quarterly briefings regarding export control reform, to include status reports on the number and type of licenses being 

transferred from State as well as updates on BIS’s migration to the 

Department of Defense’s USXports, which will result in a single export licensing information technology system. The Committee expects that continued export control reform will result in process efficiencies and savings. 

Internet freedom.—BIS shall submit a report no later than 120 

days after enactment of this Act regarding the extent to which U.S. 

products or services have been used by the People’s Republic of 

China in efforts to control or suppress what information can be 

accessed by its citizens on the Internet. BIS shall include in this 

report an analysis of the so-called Tiananmen Square sanctions included in Public Law 101–246 and the extent to which these restrictions are or should be applicable to Internet hardware and 

software. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $247,500,000 for the programs and 

administrative expenses of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which is $1,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$682,000 below the request. 

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $210,500,000 for Economic Development Assistance Programs, which is $1,000,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $500,000 above the request. Funds shall be distributed 

as follows; any deviation shall be subject to the procedures set forth 

in section 505 of this Act: 

Public Works ....................................................................................... $101,000,000 

Partnership Planning ......................................................................... 31,000,000 

Technical Assistance .......................................................................... 12,000,000 

Research and Evaluation ................................................................... 1,500,000 

Trade Adjustment Assistance ............................................................ 10,000,000 

Economic Adjustment Assistance ...................................................... 40,000,000 

Innovative Manufacturing Loans/Section 26 ................................... 5,000,000 

Assistance to Coal Mining Communities .......................................... 10,000,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $210,500,000 

Awards documentation.—EDA shall address the matters outlined 

in the February 2014 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, EDA: Documentation of Award Selection Decisions Could Be 

Improved, and provide a report within 120 days of enactment of 

this Act outlining a plan and timeframes for addressing the deficiencies outlined in this report. In addition, GAO found that counties where EDA funded projects under Public Works and Economic 

Adjustment Assistance were generally part of nonrural areas 

(areas with an urban center of more than 50,000 people). Specifically, in fiscal years 2007 and 2011, respectively, 52 percent and 

67 percent of all of EDA’s funded projects under the two programs 

were in nonrural areas. EDA shall redouble its efforts to ensure 

that it provides support to rural areas still struggling with longterm unemployment, low per capita income and outmigration. 

Assistance to coal mining communities.—The Committee is disappointed that EDA has not included in its budget a comprehensive strategy to assist communities throughout the country that are 

suffering significant coal mining job losses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, coal mining jobs have decreased from 

about 84,400 in March 2011 to about 77,700 in March 2014—an 8 

percent reduction—yet EDA has not developed a plan to assist 

these communities. Given a variety of factors, coal mining job 

losses, many in counties with fewer than 50,000 residents that 

have been dependent on coal mining for generations, are expected 

to continue. Therefore, the recommendation includes $10,000,000 

for EDA to develop a comprehensive program designed to assist 

coal mining communities that have experienced significant job 

losses since 2011 and continue to experience outmigration or severe 

economic dislocation because of structural economic changes 

brought about by changes in the coal industry. EDA shall provide 

a report to the Committee no later than 90 days after enactment 

of this Act that outlines a comprehensive strategy, with an emphasis on infrastructure investments, broadband development, repatriation, and export opportunities, to assist these struggling communities. In developing this strategy, EDA shall consult with impacted communities and economic development organizations to ensure that this strategy is designed with locally driven solutions. 

The recommendation also includes an increase for Planning grants 

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to enable these communities to prepare Comprehensive Economic 

Development Strategies. 

Repatriation grants.—The recommendation retains bill language 

carried in prior appropriations acts directing EDA to use 

$5,000,000 within amounts provided for Economic Adjustment Assistance to continue efforts to encourage U.S. firms to relocate their 

manufacturing or services back to the United States. As part of 

this effort, Commerce shall examine ways to include Native American communities as potential repatriation locations. In addition, 

the bill maintains language under the Departmental Management 

heading directing the Secretary to maintain a repatriation task 

force. The Committee is disappointed with the Department’s implementation of these programs and expects that EDA and Commerce 

shall work more aggressively to develop these efforts. The Department shall brief the Committee no later than 30 days after enactment of this Act regarding its plan to implement these programs. 

The Committee directs EDA to submit a report no later than 60 

days after the enactment of this Act describing the number and 

types of entities and industries that sought to take advantage of 

this program, as well as a list of grants approved during fiscal year 

2014. The Committee encourages EDA to make prospective grantees aware of the Assessing Costs Everywhere (ACE) Tool described 

under the Departmental Management section of this report. 

Innovative manufacturing loans.—The recommendation includes 

$5,000,000 for loan guarantees under section 26 of the StevensonWydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3721). Regarding program implementation, the Committee reiterates all language on this program from the explanatory statement accompanying the fiscal year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The 

Committee further expects the Department and EDA to continue 

working expeditiously to implement the program and to avoid additional delays, and directs the Department to report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this Act on the steps taken 

to implement the program and the expected future timeline for implementation. As steps are taken toward full implementation, the 

Committee encourages EDA to consult with the Office of Inspector 

General (OIG). 

Small and medium-sized manufacturers.—The Committee encourages EDA to continue to support and participate in public-private partnerships to support American manufacturing, and further 

encourages EDA to work through partnerships to connect small 

and medium-sized manufacturers with information technology, 

education, and training to help create manufacturing jobs and enhance the global competitiveness of small and medium-sized American manufacturers. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $37,000,000 for EDA salaries and 

expenses, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and $1,182,000 

below the request. 

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MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Committee recommends $30,000,000 for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $1,714,000 above the request. 

Assistance for agricultural and manufacturing start-ups.—The 

Committee notes that manufacturing and agricultural start-up 

companies often face particular challenges that can impede their 

chances of success. Therefore, the Committee directs MBDA to 

work with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and with 

ITA to see how their efforts can be better coordinated to ensure 

that Commerce is able to provide end-to-end services for such startup businesses, including ones that are minority-owned. 

ECONOMIC AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $99,000,000 for economic and statistical analysis, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and 

$12,033,000 below the request. Within amounts provided, the Committee encourages the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to develop additional data products related to small businesses. The recommendation does not include funding for the relocation or reconfiguration of BEA’s office space. The Committee understands that 

additional office space may be available in the Herbert C. Hoover 

building as a result of ongoing renovation activities. Further, the 

Committee recommends that the Department explore teleworking 

opportunities for BEA employees. The Department shall consult 

with the Committee regarding these matters prior to the expiration 

of BEA’s lease in June 2016. 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

The Committee recommends $1,106,500,000 for the Bureau of 

the Census, which is $161,500,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$104,928,000 below the request. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $248,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the Bureau of the Census (‘‘the Bureau’’), which is 

$4,000,000 below fiscal year 2014 and the same as the request. 

This amount assumes $12,794,000 in administrative savings, as 

proposed by the Bureau. 

Funds shall be distributed as follows; any deviation shall be subject to the procedures set forth in section 505 of this Act: 

Current Economic Statistics .............................................................. $183,727,000 

Current Demographic Statistics ........................................................ 61,673,000 

Survey Development and Data Services ........................................... 2,600,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $248,000,000 

Longitudinal database.—The recommendation includes 

$5,000,000 for research enhancements to the longitudinal database, 

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search and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Census 

shall provide a report within 180 days of enactment of this Act regarding the status of this research and the timeframes for making 

this information available to the public. 

PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends a total of $858,500,000 for periodic 

censuses and programs, which is $165,500,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $104,928,000 below the request. The recommendation 

provides for a transfer of $1,551,000 to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for oversight of the Census Bureau. Funds shall be distributed as follows; any deviation shall be subject to the procedures 

set forth in section 505 of this Act: 

Economic Statistics Programs: 

Economic Censuses ..................................................................... $115,000,000 

Census of Governments .............................................................. 9,000,000 

Demographic Statistics Programs: 

Intercensal Demographic Estimates .......................................... 9,900,000 

2020 Decennial Census ............................................................... 625,000,000 

Demographic Surveys Sample Redesign ................................... 9,600,000 

Geographic Support ..................................................................... 58,000,000 

Data Processing System ............................................................. 43,000,000 

Unallocated Reduction ....................................................................... ¥11,000,000 

Total ..................................................................................................... $858,500,000 

Economic Censuses.—The recommendation includes $115,000,000 

for the Economic Census. This level of funding will support dissemination of 2012 Economic Census products and enable Census 

to begin planning for the 2017 Economic Census. 

American Community Survey (ACS).—The Committee is aware 

that the Bureau has convened Federal agencies to review questions 

included on the ACS to ensure that all questions are necessary and 

that the ACS is the appropriate survey vehicle to gather the information. The Committee notes that no question can be removed 

from the ACS without an open public comment process. The Committee is also aware that the Bureau now has a Respondent Advocate who is responsible for assisting respondents who have concerns with the ACS and for engaging with the Congress to address 

constituent concerns. The Bureau shall provide quarterly briefings 

to the Committee on efforts to ensure the necessity of all the questions on the ACS; on efforts to ensure that non-response follow-up 

is conducted in the least intrusive manner; and on congressional 

outreach conducted by the Respondent Advocate. Finally, the Committee urges the Census Bureau to pursue the support of the Congress with respect to its plans to use adaptive design methods in 

the ACS and the upcoming 2020 Decennial Census. 

2020 Decennial Census.—The Committee recommends 

$625,000,000 for activities in support of the 2020 Decennial Census 

and ACS. Of this amount, $387,000,000 is provided to support completion of research and the beginning design, development, and 

testing for the 2020 Census. The Committee is aware that the Census Bureau has modeled design changes that could reduce the cost 

of the 2020 Census by more than $5 billion compared to repeating 

the same design and methods used for the 2010 Decennial. Significant design changes include using a ‘‘bring your own device’’ model 

for enumerators; changes in address canvassing; expanded internet 

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response options; expanded use of administrative records; a reduced field office footprint; and more directed non-response followup protocols. The Committee urges the Bureau to work aggressively to narrow its focus on the path forward on various research 

activities underway and to engage the Congress regarding the various options noted above. The Committee understands that the 

Census Bureau is considering numerous alternatives to the separate Race and Hispanic Origin questions that were included in the 

2010 Census. The Committee expects the Bureau to consult with 

interested parties, the Congress, and the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations before making any 

such changes to the 2020 Decennial Census questions. 

Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing.—The recommendation includes $43,000,000 to support Census Bureau efforts to establish an enterprise approach to data collection and 

processing. The Committee supports the Bureau’s efforts to develop 

a more flexible and secure enterprise architecture as it will enable 

Census to realize economies of scale to support data collection efforts. The Bureau shall provide quarterly briefings regarding the 

status of these efforts beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 

2015. Information in these briefings shall include but not be limited to the current systems, costs to maintain them, the surveys 

supported, FTE associated with those systems, and the anticipated 

date that various IT systems will be retired and data merged onto 

the larger enterprise architecture. Census shall provide these reports concurrently to the OIG and GAO. 

Small population groups.—The Committee is concerned about 

the availability of data on small population groups. In many ethnic 

and immigrant communities, gathering accurate information about 

smaller subgroups is important for policymakers, as the needs 

among the various populations vary significantly. The Committee 

urges the Bureau to ensure that reliable information about these 

subgroups, especially numerically smaller groups, is collected and 

published, and directs the Bureau to provide a report within 90 

days of enactment of this Act describing the steps it will take to 

ensure the availability and accuracy of these data. 

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $36,700,000 for the salaries and expenses of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is $9,300,000 below fiscal year 2014 

and $14,300,000 below the request. 

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).—The recommendation includes up to $12,000,000 for BTOP grant closeout 

activities and for ongoing administration of BTOP grants. This 

amount reflects the $12,264,000 reduction proposed by NTIA as the 

BTOP program begins closeout activities associated with the remaining 80 grants. The Committee directs NTIA to continue submitting quarterly reports on BTOP. In addition, NTIA shall provide 

a report no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act regarding the status of the seven projects that were awarded to support 

deployment of 700 MHz public safety broadband networks and 

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whether these projects are being deployed in coordination with 

FirstNet as established under Public Law 112–96. The Committee 

expects NTIA to continue providing periodic updates regarding all 

FirstNet activities at NTIA and NIST. 

Expanding Community Broadband and the Digital Economy.— 

The Committee includes up to $3,000,000 for NTIA to maintain its 

ability to provide technical assistance to communities across the 

country as they implement or expand broadband connectivity. The 

Committee encourages NTIA to ensure that it prioritizes technical 

assistance to communities that still lack high speed broadband 

connectivity. 

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 

(ICANN).—The Committee is concerned by NTIA’s announcement 

of its intent to transition certain Internet domain name functions 

to the global multistakeholder community. Any such transition represents a significant public policy change and should be preceded 

by an open and transparent process. In order for this issue to be 

considered more fully by the Congress, the recommendation for 

NTIA does not include any funds to carry out a transition of these 

functions. The Committee expects that NTIA will maintain the existing no-cost contract with ICANN throughout fiscal year 2015. 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $3,458,000,000 for the United 

States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), the full amount of fiscal year 2015 fee collections estimated by the Congressional Budget 

Office. The spending authority provided represents an increase of 

$434,000,000, or 14 percent, above fiscal year 2014. The recommendation continues language making available any excess fee 

collections above the estimated level and appropriated in this Act. 

PTO shall continue to provide monthly reports on its actual and 

projected fee collections. 

Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund.—The recommendation 

includes bill language regarding excess fees deposited in the Patent 

and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund. The Committee reminds PTO 

that prior to obligating any of the funds in the Reserve Fund during fiscal year 2015, PTO shall submit to the Committee a reprogramming notification with a spending plan describing the intended uses of funds. The Committee expects that any such reprogramming will describe how the expenditure of these reserve 

funds will improve patent quality, reduce the backlog of pending 

applications and appeals, improve the information technology infrastructure or otherwise improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 

PTO. 

Operating reserve.—The Committee notes that PTO is planning 

to grow its operating reserve to $950,851,000 for Patents and to 

$119,480,000 for Trademarks by the end of fiscal year 2015. These 

amounts are projected to grow to a combined $1,113,675,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $2,064,337,000 by fiscal year 2019. It is unclear 

why PTO would need to build such a large reserve of unspent fees 

and how that relates to projected backlog, workload, and pendency 

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targets. The Committee is also perplexed that PTO would grow 

such a sizeable reserve given the current fragile state of its IT infrastructure. Accordingly, the Committee encourages PTO to reexamine its fee structure and maximize investment in addressing IT 

deficiencies as soon as possible. 

Patents End 2 End (PE2E).—The Committee understands that 

during fiscal year 2015, PTO plans to spend about $16,368,000 on 

PE2E with another $64,365,000 for PE2E–2. PTO plans to deploy 

PE2E to all patent examiners by the first quarter of fiscal year 

2015 with all examiners receiving training on PE2E by the end of 

the fiscal year. PTO shall provide quarterly briefings on the status 

of PE2E, PE2E–2, the proposed retirement of legacy IT systems 

and cost savings associated with those retirements, and any efficiencies achieved in patent processing as a result of these information technology investments. 

Satellite offices.—PTO shall provide a report to the Committee 

within 120 days of enactment of this Act regarding the status of 

the four PTO satellite offices in Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; 

Detroit, Michigan; and San Jose, California, to include staffing levels, applications examined, efficiencies achieved and other benefits 

realized. 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $855,800,000 for NIST, which is 

$5,800,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $44,200,000 below the request. 

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES

The Committee recommends $670,500,000 for NIST’s scientific 

and technical programs, which is $19,500,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $9,500,000 below the request. The recommendation does 

not adopt the proposed termination of the NIST Summer Institute 

for Middle School teachers. 

Laboratory programs.—The recommendation includes 

$597,512,000 for NIST Laboratory programs. This amount is the 

same as the request to support U.S. innovation, advanced manufacturing and industrial competitiveness. Within this amount, up to 

$5,900,000 is provided for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC). Given the lack of progress associated 

with the pilots funded thus far, the recommended amount only supports ongoing programmatic efforts and does not include the second 

year of funding for fiscal year 2014 grant awardees or funds to 

award new grants in fiscal year 2015. NIST shall provide a report 

to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of this Act regarding the status of each of the pilots funded and milestones achieved, 

the near-term plans for continuing this program, and proposed future efforts. NIST shall use the remaining $10,600,000 proposed for 

NSTIC to enhance research and standards activities in its core lab 

programs. 

Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.—The Committee is aware 

that the Nation’s retail sector is vulnerable to and targeted by 

cyberattacks. The Committee encourages NIST to build on its existing industry-sector focused work to create a retail-specific cybersecurity initiative and partner as appropriate with academic entities 

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and national leaders in retail cybersecurity and retail supply chain 

management and logistics. 

Standards Coordination and Special Programs.—The recommendation includes $55,676,000 for standards coordination and 

special programs. Within these amounts, up to $5,000,000 is included to maintain NIST’s current forensic research and standards 

work. The recommendation does not include the requested increase 

of $3,500,000 to support or operate Forensic Science Advisory Committees. 

Tornado resistant structures.—While NIST has made great 

strides in developing and encouraging the adoption of standards to 

make buildings more fire, wind and earthquake resistant, the Committee is concerned that insufficient progress has been made in the 

development and adoption of cost-effective measures to make 

homes and businesses more disaster resilient in tornado-prone 

areas of the South, West and Midwest. The Committee believes 

NIST should formally establish standards both for new construction and for existing buildings and homes that are located in areas 

prone to severe weather. NIST is encouraged to partner with academic institutions and industry to establish such standards and 

models for more resilient construction. 

Windstorm research and disaster resiliency.—As part of its efforts 

to improve the resiliency of buildings, NIST is encouraged to partner with academic research institutions that have expertise in the 

effects of natural disasters to replicate high-force windstorm impacts on buildings and test large, integrated models of such impacts. 

Canine detection standards.—The Committee recognizes canine 

detection teams play a critical role in law enforcement and homeland security efforts yet no widely accepted standards or protocols 

exist on the breeding, training, and deployment of canine detection 

teams. The Committee encourages NIST to continue its existing research programs on canine olfactory detection of explosives and to 

collaborate with subject matter experts in academia, the private 

sector, and Federal, State, and local stakeholders as appropriate to 

develop such standards and protocols. 

Textile research.—The Committee recognizes the importance of 

the U.S. textile industry and encourages NIST to pursue advanced 

textile and apparel research and manufacturing activities. 

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Committee recommends $130,000,000 for Industrial Technology Services, which is $13,000,000 below fiscal year 2014 and 

$31,000,000 below the request. The entire amount recommended in 

this account is for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

(MEP), which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $11,000,000 

below the request. The Committee reiterates its support for the 

MEP program which helps U.S. businesses streamline manufacturing techniques and increase efficiency and profits through training resources as well as specific project assistance to the U.S. domestic manufacturing industry. 

Program efficiencies.—The Committee is aware of recent efforts 

by MEP to examine ways to reduce administrative costs and provide more direct assistance to the Centers. Accordingly, MEP shall 

provide a report within 60 days of enactment of this Act detailing 

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the amount of funds to be maintained at headquarters and the uses 

of those funds. 

Technology and supply chain connections.—Within funds provided for MEP, the Committee urges NIST to develop technological 

solutions, on both a regional and nationwide basis, to help companies, communities, colleges and universities, inventors, and entrepreneurs find one another and facilitate strategic partnerships. The 

Committee believes that finding ways of accelerating such supply 

chain connections is indispensable to any serious effort to create 

and sustain manufacturing jobs in the United States, and that 

technology—particularly Internet-based approaches—can play a 

vital role in enabling such connections to be quickly and easily realized. The Department shall report to the Committee on these efforts, including any lessons learned and future plans. This report 

shall be delivered no later than one year after enactment, with an 

interim report provided no later than 180 days after enactment. 

Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.—The Committee is aware 

that prior year funds under this account have been used for NIST 

contributions to interagency support for Manufacturing Innovation 

Institutes. Any such contributions in fiscal year 2015 shall be proposed as a reprogramming of funds under the procedures in section 

505 of this Act. 

CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES

The Committee recommends $55,300,000 for NIST construction, 

which is $700,000 below fiscal year 2014 and $3,700,000 below the 

request. 

Construction and Major Renovations.—The recommendation includes $11,100,000 to continue ongoing renovations of NIST’s Boulder, Colorado laboratory. 

Safety, Capacity, Maintenance, and Major Repairs.—The recommendation includes $44,200,000 for ongoing maintenance of the 

NIST labs. NIST shall continue to provide updates on the projects 

funded within this account, to include milestones and total amount 

of funding necessary for completion. 

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends a total of $5,325,120,000 in discretionary funds for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is $10,514,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$163,615,000 below the request. The recommendation prioritizes 

funding for National Weather Service (NWS) operations, weather 

research, and related satellite programs. 

National Ocean Policy.—The Committee notes that no funding 

was provided in fiscal year 2014, and none was requested in fiscal 

year 2015, to implement the National Ocean Policy. Consequently, 

no funds for National Ocean Policy activities are included under 

any NOAA program, project or activity in this Act. 

OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends a total program level of 

$3,220,480,000 under this account for the coastal, fisheries, marine, 

weather, satellite and other programs of NOAA. This total funding 

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level includes $3,089,480,000 in direct appropriations, a transfer of 

$116,000,000 from balances in the ‘‘Promote and Develop Fishery 

Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries’’ fund and 

$15,000,000 derived from recoveries of prior year obligations. The 

direct appropriation of $3,089,480,000 is $67,912,000 below fiscal 

year 2014 and $148,513,000 below the request. 

The following narrative descriptions and tables identify the specific activities and funding levels included in this Act. 

National Ocean Service.—The recommendation provides $473,446,000 for National Ocean Service (NOS) operations, research, and facilities. 

Navigation, Observations, and Positioning.—The recommendation provides $191,500,000 for Navigation, Observations, and Positioning. Within this amount, the Committee expects NOAA to 

prioritize its mission-critical responsibilities, including mapping 

and charting, geodesy, and tides and current data activities. The 

recommendation includes a $4,000,000 increase as requested for 

coastal LIDAR surveys. 

Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).—The recommendation includes $29,500,000 for IOOS regional observations, including 

$1,000,000 to accelerate development and integration of new marine sensor technologies that have been funded in prior appropriations acts. 

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).—The recommendation does not endorse NOAA’s proposal to consolidate 

NCCOS facilities and instead continues funding for all existing labs 

in fiscal year 2015. NOAA shall submit a comprehensive analysis 

no later than one year after enactment of this Act on all NCCOS 

facilities and labs, to include current maintenance costs as well as 

a detailed analysis of how the research conducted by NCCOS laboratories would be affected by any proposed NCCOS lab consolidation. 

Coastal Storms Program.—The Committee recognizes the importance of the Coastal Storms Program buoys and encourages NOAA 

to consult with the local user community to develop cost-sharing 

arrangements as appropriate prior to terminating operation of the 

buoys. 

NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Navigation, Observations, and Positioning 

Navigation, Observations, and Positioning ............................................................................................. $137,000 

Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Observations .................................................................. 29,500

Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts ................................................................................................ 25,000 

Navigation, Observations, and Positioning ...................................................................................................... 191,500 

Coastal Science and Assessment 

Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and Restoration ..................................................................... 70,500 

Competitive External Research ................................................................................................................ 9,000 

Coastal Science and Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 79,500 

Ocean and Coastal Management and Services 

Coastal Zone Management and Services ................................................................................................ 42,000 

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NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Coastal Zone Management Grants .......................................................................................................... 66,146 

Coral Reef Program ................................................................................................................................. 26,000 

Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas ................................................................................................ 47,000 

National Estuarine Research Reserve System ........................................................................................ 21,300 

Ocean and Coastal Management and Services ............................................................................................... 202,446 

Total, National Ocean Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities ............................................................. $473,446 

National Marine Fisheries Service.—The Committee recommends 

$790,200,000 for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) operations, research, and facilities. 

Protected Species Research and Management.—The Committee 

recommends $177,500,000 for Protected Species Research and Management programs. Within available resources, the Committee encourages NOAA to maintain funding for marine mammal stranding 

grants. 

Biological opinions related to pesticide registration.—The Committee recognizes that the National Research Council (NRC) raised 

serious concerns in its April 2013 report, Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species From Pesticides, about NMFS’ methods in conducting scientific assessments of ecological risks from 

pesticides as required by the Endangered Species Act. The Committee encourages NMFS to revise its six biological opinions on 

pesticide registrations released since 2008 to comply with the Interim Approaches for National-Level Pesticide Endangered Species 

Act Assessment’s methodology developed by NMFS and other Federal agencies in response to the NRC report. NMFS shall provide 

a report to the Committee on Appropriations no later than 60 days 

after enactment of this Act regarding its plans to comply with the 

recommendations in the NRC report and to implement the Interim 

Approaches. 

Pacific Coast groundfish.—In the event that legislation is enacted during fiscal year 2015 that authorizes changes to the existing loan program that has funded the Pacific Coast groundfish fishing capacity reduction program, the recommendation includes up to 

$275,000 to support those changes. 

Data validation processes.—The Committee is aware that NOAA 

ingests multiple data sets, including catch histories from recreational for-hire fishing and commercial fleets, in developing its 

fishery quotas. NOAA shall provide a report no later than 90 days 

after enactment of this Act regarding the role of estimate spikes in 

determining such quotas, with an emphasis on reported spikes in 

the Atlantic sea bass fishery during calendar year 2013. 

Electronic monitoring.—Within funds for Fisheries Research and 

Management Programs, the recommendation includes up to 

$2,000,000 for development and implementation of electronic monitoring and reporting technologies. NOAA shall review its existing 

electronic monitoring research and pilots and engage stakeholders 

in order to rapidly implement a solution that will enhance safety 

and improve and expand data collection efforts that are less costly 

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and burdensome on the fishing industry. NOAA shall report no 

later than 60 days after enactment of this Act on its efforts to engage with stakeholders and no later than 120 days after enactment 

of this Act shall provide a plan with milestones for implementation 

across all applicable fisheries. 

Stock assessments.—The Committee recognizes that NOAA fisheries stock assessments are the cornerstone of fishery conservation 

and management measurements but the current stock assessment 

data inputs must be improved. The Committee continues to provide 

significant funding to NOAA for fishery surveys and other activities in support of stock assessments yet problems persist with the 

frequency of surveys, adequacy of the data, and the use of independent research in developing stock assessments. NOAA shall 

provide quarterly briefings to the Committee, beginning with the 

first quarter of fiscal year 2015, on its stock assessment program, 

to include but not be limited to its process for determining its yearly data collection efforts, specific costs for each survey, and protocols for ingesting independent fishery data. 

Epipelagic apex predators.—The Committee is aware of growing 

evidence that yellowfin tuna and other epipelagic apex predators 

are aggregating at offshore oil platforms in a similar manner to 

their more traditional aggregation points. These offshore rigs may 

alter yellowfin movements, diet, diseases, growth, age at maturity, 

and spawning. However, NOAA lacks fundamental data on how 

this new association may impact these species. The recommendation includes funding to examine the impact of offshore oil platforms on the biology of highly migratory species. NOAA shall provide a report on the results of this research no later than one year 

after enactment of this Act. 

Cooperative research.—The recommendation includes $12,000,000 

for cooperative research which shall be used to support external, 

independent data collection and other research. The Committee expects that all funding provided shall be used for cooperative fisheries research and not for NOAA activities or administrative overhead costs. NOAA shall submit a report no later than 90 days after 

enactment of this Act listing all cooperative research grants funded 

in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, to include the amount, the fishery, 

the type of information collected, and the expected uses for that 

data. The Committee is concerned that cooperative research is not 

ingested into fishery stock assessments in a timely manner. The report shall address NOAA procedures and timeframes for making 

use of this independent fisheries research. 

Biological opinions.—The Committee is concerned with the 

amount of time NMFS takes to issue required biological opinions 

for infrastructure projects. Delays in conducting necessary reviews 

and timely issuance of biological opinions can adversely impact 

completion of studies or permitting actions required for infrastructure projects of critical importance to the Nation and local communities where the projects will be undertaken. Delays in issuing the 

necessary opinions have a ripple effect on the project’s costs to the 

Federal government and non-Federal interests. Because these infrastructure projects support economic development and job creation, the Committee urges NMFS to take all necessary steps within its authority to expedite project reviews and issue biological 

opinions in a timely fashion. NMFS is further urged to improve its 

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coordination with other Federal agencies that have lead responsibilities regarding these key infrastructure projects. 

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Protected Species Research and Management 

Protected Species Research and Management Programs Base ............................................................. $39,000 

Species Recovery Grants .......................................................................................................................... 7,000 

Marine Mammals ..................................................................................................................................... 47,000 

Marine Turtles .......................................................................................................................................... 11,000 

Other Protected Species (marine fish, plants and invertebrates) .......................................................... 10,000

Atlantic Salmon ....................................................................................................................................... 4,000 

Pacific Salmon ......................................................................................................................................... 59,500 

Total, Protected Species Research and Management ...................................................................................... 177,500 

Fisheries Research and Management 

Fisheries Research and Management Programs Base ........................................................................... 176,725 

National Catch Share Program ................................................................................................................ 20,000 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishing Capacity Reduction Program ............................................................ 275 

Expand Annual Stock Assessments—Improve Data Collection .............................................................. 72,000 

Economics and Social Sciences Research .............................................................................................. 7,300 

Salmon Management Activities ............................................................................................................... 30,000 

Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions ...................................................................................... 32,000 

Fisheries Statistics .................................................................................................................................. 22,000 

Fish Information Networks ....................................................................................................................... 22,000 

Survey and Monitoring Projects ............................................................................................................... 24,000 

Fisheries Oceanography ........................................................................................................................... 2,100 

American Fisheries Act ............................................................................................................................ 3,700 

Interjurisdictional Fisheries Grants ......................................................................................................... 2,500 

Reducing Bycatch .................................................................................................................................... 3,500 

Product Quality and Safety ...................................................................................................................... 6,700 

Total, Fisheries Research and Management .................................................................................................... 424,800 

Enforcement and Observers/Training 

Enforcement ............................................................................................................................................. 65,000 

Observers/Training ................................................................................................................................... 43,000 

Total, Enforcement and Observers/Training ..................................................................................................... 108,000 

Habitat Conservation and Restoration 

Sustainable Habitat Management ........................................................................................................... 25,000 

Total, Habitat Conservation and Restoration ................................................................................................... 25,000 

Other Activities Supporting Fisheries 

Antarctic Research ................................................................................................................................... 2,900 

Aquaculture .............................................................................................................................................. 5,600 

Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity ........................................................................................ 2,000 

Computer Hardware and Software .......................................................................................................... 1,800 

Cooperative Research .............................................................................................................................. 12,000 

Information Analyses and Dissemination ................................................................................................ 15,000 

Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction Program ..................................................... 800 

National Environmental Policy Act .......................................................................................................... 6,500 

NMFS Facilities Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 3,300 

Regional Studies ...................................................................................................................................... 5,000 

Total, Other Activities Supporting Fisheries ..................................................................................................... 54,900 

Total, National Marine Fisheries Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities ............................................. $790,200 

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Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.—The Committee recommendation includes $379,800,000 for Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Research (OAR) operations, research, and facilities. Given continued resource constraints, it is incumbent on NOAA to ensure that 

its research programs support the operational mission of each 

NOAA line office and that research efforts are an integral component in meeting line office program goals and milestones. 

Regional Climate Data and Information.—Within amounts provided for Regional Climate Data and Information, the recommendation includes $13,500,000 for the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) to support competitive research grants, 

maintain existing NIDIS activities and develop and expand the Regional Drought Early Warning Information System. Funding provided shall also be used to maintain current operating levels at the 

six Regional Climate Centers. 

Independent analysis.—NOAA is encouraged to increase funding 

for academia to perform independent climate model evaluation 

studies and to enable the production of atmospheric data sets from 

satellite observations for such studies. Satellite observations of the 

atmosphere provide information that is critical in the interpretation of Earth-based observations and in the evaluation and improvement of climate model simulations. 

Weather and Air Chemistry Research.—The Committee includes 

$84,800,000 for Weather and Air Chemistry Research, an increase 

of $3,600,000 above fiscal year 2014, and encourages NOAA to continue research efforts that lead to near-term, affordable, and attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to deliver substantial improvements in weather forecasting 

for the protection of life and property. NOAA shall substantially accelerate the transition of its research to operations in ways easily 

adopted by the operational forecasting community. 

Earth System Prediction Capability (ESPC).—The Committee encourages OAR to prioritize ESPC research at its Weather Labs and 

Cooperative Institutes that supports improvements to weather 

models associated with prediction of major storms, tropical storm 

tracks, tornado outbreaks and other hazardous weather phenomena 

that are essential to warning the public of such hazards, and not 

divert funding from these activities to support climate modeling. 

U.S. Weather Research Program.—The recommendation includes 

the requested increase of $3,000,000 to accelerate the transition 

from weather research to operational forecasting, specifically supporting enhancements in tornado, hurricane, storm surge, inundation and ice cover forecasting. NOAA shall report to the Committee 

no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act regarding the 

specific research activities to be funded with this increase and program milestones. In addition, no later than one year after enactment of this Act, NOAA shall provide a report on all ongoing 

weather research programs, to include a list of all projects, development funds spent to date, expected duration of the research and 

timeframes for terminating or transitioning research to the operational phase. 

Multi-function Phased Array Radar (MPAR).—The Committee 

recognizes the importance of the MPAR program in the development and implementation of the next generation weather and aircraft radars. MPAR is expected to extend tornado warning lead 

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times from 14 minutes to 20 minutes, reduce false alarm rates, and 

improve detection and warning of high-impact severe weather. If 

appropriate, NOAA shall establish a Joint Coordinating Committee 

to serve as the focal point for MPAR research and development efforts. In addition, NOAA shall provide a report no later than 180 

days after enactment of this Act regarding timeframes for determining the operational feasibility of MPAR, to include yearly costs 

and schedule milestones. NOAA shall consult with its government 

and academic research partners in developing this report. 

Ocean Exploration and Research.—The Committee recommends 

$28,000,000 for ocean exploration and research activities. NOAA’s 

ocean exploration program should continue to conduct fundamental 

exploration and surveys of the world’s oceans with a primary focus 

on America’s Exclusive Economic Zones of the Continental United 

States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. 

The Committee encourages NOAA to partner with non-governmental organizations and academic institutions in these activities. 

Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP).—The recommendation 

does not include funds requested for the ORAP as legislation authorizing the transfer of this panel from the Department of Defense 

to NOAA has not been enacted. 

Sea Grant.—The Committee notes the success of the Sea Grant 

program’s Coastal Communities Adaptation Initiative, which assists municipalities in complying with the Community Rating System, a flood risk management mitigation program for the National 

Flood Insurance Program. 

High Performance Computing Initiatives.—The recommendation 

includes $12,000,000 within the ORF account to accelerate the 

adoption of advanced computing, communications, and information 

technology throughout NOAA. In addition, the recommendation includes $13,500,000 within the Procurement, Acquisition and Construction (PAC) account for high performance computing research 

initiatives. The Committee continues to support investments in 

NOAA’s supercomputing capacity programs. NOAA shall submit a 

report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act regarding 

the fiscal year 2014 activities and milestones achieved with funding 

provided to NOAA for these efforts and the planned fiscal year 

2015 investments and associated milestones. 

Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Research, Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.—The Committee supports collaboration between NOAA and external academic institutions that conduct scientific research for the conservation of coral reefs and coral reef 

ecosystems within U.S. waters. The Committee recognizes that the 

science sponsored through such collaboration is imperative for 

management of these coral reefs for ecosystem resilience and for 

the effective implementation of the National Coral Reef Action 

Strategy, especially with regard to the identification of local action 

strategies addressing key threats in each of the jurisdictions that 

have coral reefs within their boundaries. The Committee encourages NOAA to strengthen its partnerships with institutes focused 

on management-driven coral reef research. 

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OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Climate Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. $51,000 

Regional Climate Data and Information ................................................................................................. 25,000 

Climate Competitive Research, Sustained Observations and Regional Information ............................. 43,000 

Total, Climate Research ................................................................................................................................... 119,000 

Weather and Air Chemistry Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. 64,000 

U.S. Weather Research Program .............................................................................................................. 7,300 

Tornado Severe Storm Research/Phased Array Radar ............................................................................ 13,500 

Total, Weather and Air Chemistry Research .................................................................................................... 84,800 

Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. 25,000 

National Sea Grant College Program ...................................................................................................... 62,000 

Marine Aquaculture Program ................................................................................................................... 2,000 

Ocean Exploration and Research ............................................................................................................. 28,000 

Integrated Ocean Acidification ................................................................................................................ 6,000 

Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring ...................................................................................... 41,000 

Total, Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research ........................................................................................... 164,000 

High Performance Computing Initiatives ......................................................................................................... 12,000 

Total, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Operations, Research, and Facilities .......................... $379,800 

National Weather Service.—The Committee recommends 

$943,180,000 for National Weather Service (NWS) operations, research, and facilities, which is $16,327,000 above the request, to 

maintain critical capabilities to provide weather forecasts and 

warnings. 

New budget structure.—The Committee adopts the new budget 

structure proposed by the NWS in its fiscal year 2015 budget request. This structure represents a more logical format that aligns 

budget needs against functional activities. The NWS shall provide 

regular updates to the Committee regarding progress implementing 

this new structure. The Committee expects that these changes will 

allow NWS to achieve efficiencies, fill critical staff vacancies, improve service delivery, meet or exceed programmatic milestones in 

forecasting, and speed deployment of new forecasting technologies. 

The Committee expects NOAA to ensure that all budget, finance, 

and program managers throughout NOAA are adequately trained 

to ensure compliance with applicable financial management guidelines, policy, and Federal law. NOAA shall consult with the GAO 

in planning for such training. 

Analyze, Forecast, and Support.—The recommendation includes 

$483,187,000 for analyze, forecast, and support activities. This 

amount includes $6,000,000 above the request to restore NOAA’s 

proposed reductions to tsunami grant funds. The Analyze, Forecast, 

and Support program funds the operation of the Weather Forecast 

Offices (WFOs), River Forecast Centers, the seven National Centers and the Tsunami Warning Centers. The recommended level 

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will support 24×7 weather surveillance, forecast, and warning services and operation of the service centers. In addition, this funding 

will enable NOAA to train and identify Incident Meteorologists for 

support of wildland fire decision making; provide Impact-Based Decision Support Services to government partners during routine and 

high impact events; and embed meteorologists in all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Centers and the FAA 

Command Center. NOAA shall provide a report no later than 120 

days after enactment of this Act regarding the latter three initiatives, how these external relationships currently operate and how 

they can be improved to protect life and property. 

Observations.—The recommendation includes $194,777,000 for 

observation activities. This funding supports surface, ocean and 

upper air observations, Next Generation Weather Radar 

(NEXRAD), the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), 

ocean buoys and aircraft observations. This level of funding will 

support ASOS maintenance and plans for a service life extension 

program (SLEP). NOAA shall brief the Committee regarding the 

upcoming ASOS SLEP no later than 180 days after enactment of 

this Act. 

Tsunami warning network.—The recommendation includes 

$27,000,000 for NOAA’s Strengthen U.S. Tsunami Warning Network. This amount fully funds the planned maintenance activities 

for the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) 

buoy network for fiscal year 2015 as requested in the Observations 

program line. The Committee is disappointed that despite fully 

funding the DART buoy network in fiscal year 2014, NOAA was 

unable to maintain its own 80 percent availability standard for the 

DART network. The Committee expects NOAA to maintain no less 

than its 80 percent availability standard, repair any DART stations 

that are not currently operational, and report to the Committee no 

later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act regarding the 

status of the entire DART network. The Committee understands 

that NOAA is pursuing opportunities with international partners 

to collaboratively maintain the global DART array and enhance 

tsunami detection capabilities. NOAA shall keep the Committee informed of these discussions. The recommendation also restores the 

proposed termination of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation 

Program Grants within the Analyze, Forecast, and Support line 

item. NWS is encouraged to consult with NOS to ensure that the 

program is managed to reach the maximum number of communities. 

Science and Technology Integration.—The recommendation includes $128,600,000 for Science and Technology Integration activities. This program funds NWS internal research and development 

activities in cooperation with other NOAA line offices, partner 

agencies, and external weather data customers. The recommended 

amount restores the proposed $8,000,000 reduction to the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project. The Committee expects NOAA 

to maintain its hurricane forecast track and intensity accuracy research activities. The total amount also includes up to $1,000,000 

for centralized national hydrologic modeling as requested. 

Workforce and infrastructure analysis.—Within the amount for 

Science and Technology Integration, the recommendation includes 

$3,000,000 as requested to support workforce and infrastructure 

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analysis as outlined in recent independent analyses of NWS. The 

Committee is supportive of efforts by NWS to develop a framework 

for continuous improvement. NOAA shall brief the Committee regarding these efforts and provide a report no later than one year 

after enactment of this Act regarding the results of this analysis. 

In conjunction with this effort, NOAA is encouraged to engage with 

various stakeholders and make recommendations to the Congress 

regarding the creation of a weather commission. 

Central Processing.—The recommendation provides $96,517,000 

for Central Processing, including funds for the Advanced Weather 

Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), the Advanced Hydrologic 

Prediction System (AHPS), modeling and supercomputing programs. The recommendation does not assume the proposed funding 

reduction for information technology officers. 

Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System.—Within 

amounts for Central Processing, the recommendation includes 

$21,592,000 to complete AWIPS II deployment and maintain hardware and software. The Committee notes that AWIPS II development was completed in 2011 and deployment will be completed in 

2015. NOAA shall provide a report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act regarding the status of deployment, improvements realized, and funds necessary to sustain and improve future 

functionality. 

Dissemination.—The recommendation includes $40,099,000 for 

Dissemination activities. This activity funds the communications 

technology that NWS uses to collect, tailor and distribute its data 

and products. Systems included in this program include the telecommunications gateway, NOAA weather radio, and the satellite 

data ground readiness program. 

Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Weather 

Program.—Within the amount provided for Dissemination, the recommendation includes $7,154,000 for NOAA’s support of the 

NextGen initiative. NOAA shall provide a report no later than 180 

days after enactment of this Act regarding overall status of the program, to include expenditures to date and milestones achieved, development issues, and recommendations for next steps. 

Severe weather studies.—NOAA and its Federal government and 

academic research partners conducted two severe weather studies 

in the Great Plains region, Vortex I and Vortex II. NOAA is encouraged to conduct a similar research program in the Southeastern United States in cooperation with other government agencies and private sector and academic partners as appropriate. This 

research could in part establish why tornadic activity in the southeast region results in more deaths per capita than any other region 

of the country. 

Storm surge modeling.—The Committee encourages NOAA to solicit input from the academic research community to examine alternative real-time storm surge predictive capabilities that account for 

regional variances and may complement NOAA’s Sea, Lake, and 

Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model. 

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Observations ..................................................................................................................................................... $194,777 

Central Processing ............................................................................................................................................ 96,517 

Analyze, Forecast, and Support ........................................................................................................................ 483,187 

Dissemination ................................................................................................................................................... 40,099 

Science & Technology Integration .................................................................................................................... 128,600 

Total, National Weather Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities .......................................................... $943,180 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service 

(NESDIS).—The Committee recommends $189,200,000 for NESDIS 

operations, research, and facilities. The recommendation adopts the 

revised budget structure proposed in the budget request. The Committee encourages NOAA to continue working with local communities to develop sustainable transition plans to enable interested 

communities to assume operations and maintenance costs of weather stations that are part of the U.S. Regional Climate Reference 

Network. The Committee understands that some localities are prepared to dedicate State and local funding required to operate and 

maintain the weather stations beginning in fiscal year 2015. 

Office of Satellite and Product Operations.—The recommendation 

includes $84,000,000 for Satellite and Product Operations. This activity funds the command and control of NOAA operational environmental satellites. This level of funding will support the transition of high resolution information transmissions into operations. 

National Environmental Information Office.—The recommendation includes $69,000,000 for the National Environmental Information Office. This program is the official data management entity for 

oceanographic, geophysical, and climatological information within 

the United States. Funds support the National Climatic Data Center, the National Oceanographic Data Center, and the National 

Geophysical Data Center. 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Satellite and Product Operations ..................................................................................................................... $84,000 

NSOF operations ................................................................................................................................................ 8,500 

Subtotal, Office of Satellite and Product Operations ............................................................................. 92,500 

Product Development, Readiness and Application ........................................................................................... 26,000 

Subtotal, Product Development, Readiness and Application .................................................................. 26,000 

Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs ............................................................................................. 1,000 

Office of Space Commercialization .................................................................................................................. 600 

Group on Earth Observations ........................................................................................................................... 100 

Total, Environmental Satellite Observing Systems ........................................................................................... 120,200 

National Environmental Information Office ...................................................................................................... 69,000 

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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Total, Data Centers and Information Services ................................................................................................. 69,000 

Total, NESDIS, Operations, Research, and Facilities ....................................................................................... $189,200 

Program Support.—The recommendation includes $444,654,000 

for Program Support operations, research, and facilities. 

Management and administrative costs.—The recommendation includes language capping NOAA corporate services administrative 

support costs at $215,654,000. In addition to this funding, the Committee notes that each line office also includes its own ‘‘Headquarters Program Support’’ costs. NOAA shall continue efforts to 

standardize the treatment of management and administrative costs 

in each line office in a manner that maximizes transparency and 

accountability, and reduce or eliminate unnecessary travel, printing, supply purchases, conference attendance, and other non-mission critical costs. 

NOAA education program.—The Committee includes $22,400,000 

for NOAA’s education program. NOAA shall spend no less than 

$14,400,000 of the amount provided to continue its Educational 

Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions. Within 

these funds, NOAA is encouraged to create an additional Cooperative Science Center at an Hispanic Serving Institution. Within the 

remaining base education funds, NOAA is encouraged to develop 

an education grant program to support existing community-based 

school-age education programs that seek to promote environmental 

awareness, energy efficiency and conservation, and recycling. 

STEM consolidation.—The recommendation does not adopt any 

of NOAA’s proposed STEM education consolidation proposals. 

NOAA is expected to maintain these programs at current operating 

levels. 

Extramural research.—The Committee believes that NOAA benefits from collaboration with academia and the private sector with 

respect to cooperative institutes and competitive research as these 

relationships build broad community support, leverage external 

funding for mission-oriented research, strengthen the science within NOAA, and create new advances in scientific knowledge. 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.—The recommendation 

includes $206,600,000, which is an increase of $5,400,000 above fiscal year 2014, to support 3,170 days at sea and 2,795 flight hours 

on NOAA vessels and aircraft. 

PROGRAM SUPPORT 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Program Support 

Corporate Services 

Under Secretary and Associate Offices .......................................................................................... $27,000 

NOAA-Wide Corporate Services and Agency Management ............................................................. 107,354 

DOC Accounting System ................................................................................................................. 10,000 

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PROGRAM SUPPORT—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Payment to the DOC Working Capital Fund ................................................................................... 38,000 

IT Security ....................................................................................................................................... 8,300 

NOAA Facilities Management, Maintenance, Construction and Safety ......................................... 25,000 

Subtotal, Corporate Services and Facilities ............................................................................................ 215,654 

NOAA Education Program 

Education Partnership Program/Minority Serving Institutions ....................................................... 14,400 

NOAA Education Program Base ...................................................................................................... 8,000 

Subtotal, NOAA Education Program ......................................................................................................... 22,400 

Total, Program Support ..................................................................................................................................... 238,054 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Marine Operations and Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 175,000 

Aviation Operations and Aircraft Services .............................................................................................. 31,600 

Total, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations ............................................................................................. 206,600 

Total, Program Support and OMAO, Operations, Research, and Facilities ..................................................... $444,654 

PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends a total program level of $2,189,290,000 in direct obligations under this heading, of which 

$2,176,290,000 is appropriated from the general fund and 

$13,000,000 is derived from recoveries of prior year obligations. 

The direct appropriation is $153,426,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$30,102,000 below the request. The following narrative descriptions 

and tables identify the specific activities and funding levels included in this Act: 

National Weather Service.—The recommendation includes 

$136,494,000 for NWS systems acquisitions and construction, the 

full amount requested. 

Next Generation Weather Radar.—Within amounts for Observations, the recommendation includes $9,300,000 as requested to extend the useful life of the NEXRAD weather radar infrastructure. 

The Committee notes that 85 percent of all tornado warnings are 

based on radar detections. 

NWS Telecommunications Gateway.—Within amounts for Dissemination, the recommendation includes $21,215,000 as requested 

to continue improvements to NWS’s infrastructure that collects and 

disseminates weather products. This multi-year effort began in fiscal year 2013 and is expected to be complete by fiscal year 2017. 

NWS Facilities.—The recommendation includes $5,650,000 as requested to support costs associated with WFO and River Forecast 

Center (RFC) relocations. NOAA shall provide a report no later 

than 180 days after enactment of this Act describing the status of 

each WFO and RFC, to include the lease arrangements, status of 

forecasting equipment, and facility conditions. 

Relocation.—Within amounts for Facilities Construction and 

Major Repairs, the recommendation includes $8,060,000 as redlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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quested to relocate the National Logistics Supply Center/National 

Reconditioning Center in Kansas City, Missouri. NOAA shall keep 

the Committee informed of the progress of this relocation and any 

efficiencies that may be achieved as a result of this move. 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service.—The recommendation includes $2,032,096,000 for NESDIS acquisition and construction. The Committee recommendation focuses 

limited resources on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) programs in light of their role in ensuring accurate and timely weather forecasts and warnings and continuing challenges identified by 

the GAO, OIG and the NESDIS Independent Review Team (IRT). 

The Committee expects the Department of Commerce to ensure 

that these critical programs are proceeding within the cost estimates and meeting program milestones. The Committee expects to 

be notified promptly if any issues arise that could jeopardize the 

current launch schedules. Commerce and NOAA shall remain engaged in the overall management of JPSS and GOES-R programs 

and efforts to develop solutions to mitigate any gaps in either JPSS 

or GOES-R programs and to address the fragility of the JPSS program. NOAA shall continue to provide quarterly briefings to the 

Committee regarding all NOAA satellite programs. These briefings 

shall include the status of obligations for each program, including 

spacecraft, launch, sensor, integration, and ground components. 

NOAA shall also include in these briefings updates on all of its 

operational satellite systems. 

Oversight.—The Committee reiterates its desire to ensure that 

OIG and GAO staff are permitted to attend NOAA’s monthly satellite meetings. To further aid the Committee in its oversight function, NOAA shall provide biannual updates to the Committee regarding the status of implementing OIG, GAO, and IRT recommendations for NOAA’s satellite programs. 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).—The recommendation includes $916,500,000 for JPSS, which is same as the request and 

$92,500,000 above the fiscal year enacted 2014 level. This level of 

funding will support activities associated with the planned launch 

of JPSS–1 no later than the 2nd quarter of fiscal year 2017. Funds 

will also support the building of JPSS–2 sensors, including Visible/ 

Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Cross-track Infrared 

Sounder (CrIS), Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), 

and the Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite-Nadir (OMPS-N). NOAA 

shall report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act on efforts to accelerate the JPSS–1 and JPSS–2 

schedules. This report shall include a discussion of any analysis 

conducted on the status of the sensors, integration, ground elements, and program reserves. As part of this report, NOAA shall 

include an analysis of including NASA’s Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) on the JPSS–2 platform. The RBI instrument is intended as a follow-on to the CERES instrument that is currently 

flying on the Suomi-NPP and is manifested on the JPSS–1 satellite. The Committee is concerned that development of the RBI instrument will introduce risk into the program. 

JPSS gap mitigation.—The recommendation also supports procurement of ATMS and CrIS spare instruments to reduce schedule 

risk and build redundancy into the JPSS program. These instrudlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ments are critical to the numerical weather models, providing detailed atmospheric temperature and moisture observations. The 

procurement of these instruments, which are currently flying on 

the Suomi-NPP and are manifested for JPSS–1 and JPSS–2, will 

reduce the fragility of the program. NOAA shall keep the Committee informed regarding procurement and development milestones associated with these long-lead items. 

Solar Irradiance.—No funds are included for the proposed Solar 

Irradiance, Data and Rescue program. The Solar Irradiance program, which is the strategy to host the Total Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) instrument, will measure variability in the Sun’s total 

output. As stated in NOAA’s justification materials, the TSIS instrument is a continuation of a NASA mission. The Committee expects NOAA to prioritize resources on its operational weather forecasting mission. 

Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and 

Climate (COSMIC) 2.—The recommendation includes $6,800,000 as 

requested to support ground processing activities in preparation for 

the planned fiscal year 2016 launch of the first six COSMIC 2 satellites for the equatorial orbit mission. The current COSMIC constellation reached the end of its expected design life in 2011; only 

four of those six satellites are in operation. Data from the COSMIC 

program is used in numerical weather forecasting and serves as a 

calibration tool for other NOAA weather observations. Six additional COSMIC satellites for the polar orbit are planned to launch 

in fiscal year 2018 but the Committee has not yet seen a comprehensive plan for this segment of the COSMIC 2 mission. NOAA 

shall submit this plan no later than 120 days after enactment of 

this Act, to include expected outyear costs by agency and outside 

partners, with appropriate milestones and deliverables. NOAA 

shall also include in this report an analysis for acquiring radio occultation weather data from private sector providers. NOAA shall 

include within this plan the results of its observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) or other data denial studies conducted to 

determine the value of data from both global positioning system 

radio occultation and a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global 

constellation. The Committee underscores the value of radio occultation data as a potential gap filler for the fragile JPSS program 

and therefore directs NOAA to provide the analysis requested 

above within the prescribed timeframe. 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOESR).—The recommendation includes $981,000,000 for the GOES-R 

program, an increase of $26,239,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the full amount requested. Funding will support 

spacecraft and ground system development, integration, and testing of sensors, and ground system testing prior to the planned 

launch date in the 2nd quarter of fiscal year 2016. NOAA shall continue to provide updates to the Committee regarding the status of 

this program to include the on-orbit GOES satellites. 

Satellite ground services.—The recommendation for Systems Acquisition includes $5,893,000 to continue development of an enterprise ground system. NOAA shall provide a report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act regarding 

the initial research and investments undertaken during fiscal year 

2014 on a common ground system and integrated architecture. 

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PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION and CONSTRUCTION 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 

Systems Acquisition 

Research Supercomputing/CCRI ..................................................................................................... 13,500 

National Weather Service 

Systems Acquisition 

Observations ................................................................................................................................... 13,314 

Central Processing .......................................................................................................................... 64,261 

Dissemination ................................................................................................................................. 45,209 

Subtotal, NWS Systems Acquisition ......................................................................................................... 122,784 

Weather Forecast Office Construction ............................................................................................ 13,710 

Total, National Weather Service - PAC ............................................................................................................. 136,494 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service 

Systems Acquisition 

GOES R ............................................................................................................................................ 981,000 

Jason-3 ............................................................................................................................................ 15,000 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) ................................................................................................ 916,500 

DSCOVR ........................................................................................................................................... 20,000 

COSMIC 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 6,800 

Satellite Ground Services ................................................................................................................ 52,715 

System Architecture and Advanced Planning ................................................................................ 4,393 

Projects, Planning, and Analysis .................................................................................................... 33,488 

Subtotal, NESDIS Systems Acquisition .................................................................................................... 2,029,896 

Construction 

Satellite CDA Facility ...................................................................................................................... 2,200 

Total, NESDIS - PAC ......................................................................................................................................... 2,032,096 

Program Support 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Fleet Replacement 

Fleet Capital Improvements and Technology Infusion ................................................................... 7,200 

Total, Procurement, Acquisition and Construction ........................................................................................... $2,189,290 

PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY

The Committee recommends $65,000,000 for Pacific Coastal 

Salmon Recovery, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and 

$15,000,000 above the request. In addition, the accompanying bill 

includes language that requires all funds to be allocated based on 

scientific and merit principles and prohibits the availability of 

funds for marketing activities. 

FISHERMEN’S CONTINGENCY FUND

The Committee recommends $350,000 for the Fishermen’s Contingency Fund, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and the same 

as the request. This Fund is available to compensate U.S. commercial fishermen for damage or loss caused by obstructions related to 

oil and gas exploration, and is derived from fees collected by the 

Secretary of the Interior. 

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FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

The Committee recommends language under this heading limiting obligations of direct loans to $24,000,000 for Individual Fishing Quota loans and $100,000,000 for traditional direct loans. 

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $54,000,000 for Departmental Management, which is $1,500,000 below fiscal year 2014 and 

$3,637,000 below the request. 

First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).—The Committee 

believes that mandatory funds provided to FirstNet should be used 

to reimburse the OIG for its oversight activities. Such an agreement does not currently exist and there is no separate OIG function provided for in the FirstNet legislation. 

Financial management.—Several 2013 OIG reports examined 

Commerce agencies’ status of obligations, inappropriate use of purchase cards, and conference attendance activities. The Committee 

believes that these activities require continued, detailed management involvement to ensure that appropriate controls are in place. 

Accordingly, the Department shall provide regular briefings on the 

status of these efforts. 

Working Capital Fund (WCF).—The Committee supports expenditures from the WCF for the Business Application Solution and 

Risk Management Information System as these systems are necessary to ensure the appropriate use of the Department’s resources. 

The Committee notes that its funding recommendations for most 

Commerce agencies are less than requested. Therefore, the Committee expects the Department to revise its WCF estimates for fiscal year 2015 accordingly and submit a proposed spending plan no 

later than 60 days after enactment of this Act. The Committee is 

concerned that costs within the WCF continue to grow despite continued constraints on budgets throughout the Department. Commerce shall continue to ensure that it is taking all necessary steps 

to economize, reduce or eliminate lower priority items and activities within the WCF. 

Repatriation and manufacturing initiatives.—The recommendation includes bill language directing the Secretary to maintain a repatriation task force and includes funding under EDA for repatriation grants. Commerce is reminded that this task force shall include representatives from the Office of the Secretary, ITA, EDA, 

NIST and other relevant offices and it shall meet quarterly to monitor trends in manufacturing repatriation and develop strategies to 

increase such repatriation. The Committee expects the Department 

to report to the Committee on these efforts no later than 180 days 

after the enactment of this Act. This report shall include a discussion of how the Federal government can best support State and 

local repatriation efforts. Further, Commerce shall include in this 

report an update on the Department’s Manufacturing Council, the 

composition of which was expanded in November 2013 to allow representatives of U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned or controlled 

firms. Commerce shall report on the extent to which the home-market countries of foreign-invested companies operating in the U.S. 

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that are or will be considered for membership on the Manufacturing Council provide reciprocity for U.S. company representatives 

to serve on advisory boards in such countries. Commerce shall deny 

membership for the representatives of any foreign-invested enterprises operating in the U.S. if their home-market country does not 

provide full reciprocal benefits. 

Retaining U.S. manufacturing.—The Committee is aware that 

established U.S. high-tech industries with existing advanced workforce and export markets are being actively targeted by foreign governments to move operations overseas. The Committee expects the 

Department to encourage public-private partnerships in key regions involving technologies that bridge the gap between basic research and commercialization, and accelerate development and 

manufacturing by U.S.-based supply chains in industries with existing jobs, customers and export markets and that are currently 

being targeted by foreign government incentives. 

Economic Security Commission.—The Committee is disappointed 

in the lack of progress made by the Department in establishing an 

Economic Security Commission as directed by the Committee beginning in fiscal year 2012. This Commission was established to 

advise the Administration and the Congress on U.S. long-term strategic competitive manufacturing challenges. The first report by the 

Commission shall focus on the strategic economic security activities 

and investments made by China, Russia, Brazil, India, Japan, 

South Korea and the European Union during 2011 through 2015 

and, to the extent possible, those planned for the succeeding five 

years. The Committee expects to receive the Commission’s first annual report no later than one year after enactment of this Act. The 

Department is directed to report to the Committee no later than 30 

days after enactment of this Act regarding the status of appointing 

individuals with expertise to serve on this commission. 

Assess Costs Everywhere (ACE) Tool.—The Committee appreciates the work of the Department to develop the ACE Tool, an initiative directed by the Committee to enable businesses to evaluate 

the costs of operating overseas. The Department shall ensure that 

the ACE Tool is periodically refreshed with the latest data, that it 

includes an evaluation of the U.S. system of intellectual property 

protection vis-a`-vis competitors, and that it includes data regarding 

the financial benefit of investments made by U.S. companies in 

workforce training. The Department is encouraged to consult experts to quantify intangibles in assessing how to more fully evaluate and quantify the benefits of operating in the U.S. 

Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S.—The Department shall continue to report annually on any proposed and actual 

Chinese FDI in the United States, including data on investments 

by Chinese state-owned enterprises, other state-affiliated entities, 

and the ownership structure of the entity engaged in the investment. The second such report shall include data on actual Chinese 

FDI during fiscal years 2012 through 2014 using the updated 

methodology discussed below. The Committee notes that the Department reported to the Committee on FDI in the United States 

by China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In 

that report, Commerce acknowledged that the Bureau of Economic 

Analysis identified only $219 million of FDI from China to the U.S. 

in 2012. That same report highlighted that Chinese FDI data comdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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piled by private sector sources were dramatically higher and may 

be the result of different data collection methodologies. Commerce 

shall develop an updated methodology to more accurately identify 

what foreign investments are being made in the United States and 

include data based on this updated methodology in the next annual 

report, to be submitted no later than one year after enactment of 

this Act. Commerce shall consult with private sector entities engaged in monitoring Chinese investments in the United States to 

ensure that its report accurately reflects the actual amount of Chinese FDI in the U.S. The Department is reminded that none of the 

SelectUSA funds shall be used to assist FDI by state-owned entities. The Committee views state-owned FDI information as critical 

to policymakers and directs that more accurate reporting on these 

investments become a higher priority at the Department. 

Reciprocal investment opportunities between the U.S. and 

China.—The Committee notes that it is currently awaiting a report 

comparing the openness of investment opportunities in China and 

the United States as directed in the statement accompanying Public Law 113–76. 

Assessing China’s five-year plan.—The Committee reminds Commerce about engaging the National Academy of Sciences in a study 

as directed in the statement accompanying Public Law 113–76 to 

assess China’s strategies, policies and programs to become an innovative society and enhance its indigenous innovation. 

Federally funded research.—The Committee believes that commercial technologies developed as a result of federally funded research should be manufactured in the United States to the maximum extent possible. The Department is working with the agencies funded in this Act to develop and issue a report on this subject, 

as directed by the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 

113–76. The Committee looks forward to the findings of this report. 

Cooperatives.—With more than $3 trillion in assets, over $500 

billion in total revenue, $25 billion in wages and benefits, and 

nearly one million jobs, cooperatives have proven themselves to be 

vital components of the Nation’s economy. The Committee encourages the Department to build on its efforts to create opportunities 

for community wealth building, workforce training, and job creation by working with national and local stakeholders in the cooperative sphere to look at the role that business cooperatives can 

play in stimulating industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. 

China travel reports.—The Committee retains bill language regarding official staff travel to China. In addition, the Secretary and 

agency heads shall review the instances of official staff travel to 

China to ensure that that travel is necessary and is in furtherance 

of the mission of the Department of Commerce. The Secretary shall 

provide these reports concurrently to the OIG and Office of Security. 

RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION

The recommendation includes $4,000,000 for the Department’s 

cost to complete Herbert C. Hoover Building Phase 4 construction 

activities. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2014 and is 

$7,733,000 less than the request. The Committee directs the Dedlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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partment to provide semiannual briefings, beginning in January 

2015, on the status of these activities. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $30,596,000 for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which is $596,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

the same as the request. The recommendation also includes transfers of $1,551,000 from the Census Bureau, $1,302,000 from NOAA, 

and $2,000,000 from PTO for OIG oversight of those activities. 

Satellites.—The OIG shall provide a report no later than 180 

days after enactment of this Act regarding NOAA’s existing satellite ground infrastructure and its plans for implementing a common ground system architecture. This report shall include a review 

of NOAA’s planning efforts and milestones for achieving a common 

ground system and the adequacy of its planning with respect to 

system redundancy, security, and scalability. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

The Committee recommends the following general provisions for 

the Department of Commerce: 

Section 101 makes funds available for advanced payments only 

upon certification of officials designated by the Secretary that such 

payments are considered to be in the public interest. 

Section 102 makes appropriations for the Department available 

for hire of passenger motor vehicles, for services, and for uniforms 

and allowances as authorized by law. 

Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds between Department of Commerce appropriation accounts and requiring notification to the Committee of certain actions. 

Section 104 extends congressional notification requirements for 

NOAA satellite programs. 

Section 105 provides for reimbursement for services within Department of Commerce buildings. 

Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the Department 

of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography, copyright 

infringement, or any other unlawful activity over their networks. 

Section 107 provides the NOAA Administrator with the authority 

to avail NOAA of needed resources, with the consent of those supplying the resources, to carry out responsibilities of any statute administered by NOAA. 

Section 108 requires a monthly report on official travel to China. 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $103,851,000 for Department of 

Justice, General Administration, Salaries and Expenses, which is 

$6,149,000 below fiscal year 2014 and $25,000,000 below the request. The Committee has provided separate funding recommendations by decision unit as follows: 

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Department Leadership ..................................................................... $16,000,000 

Intergovernmental Relations/External Affairs ................................. 8,500,000 

Executive Support/Professional Responsibility ................................ 12,000,000 

Justice Management Division ........................................................... 67,351,000 

Total, Salaries and Expenses ..................................................... $103,851,000 

Late report submissions.—The Committee is disappointed in the 

delays by the Department in submission of reports required by the 

fiscal year 2013 and 2014 Appropriations Acts. In some cases, the 

reports are over a year overdue. Such tardiness is unacceptable 

and reflects poorly on the Department’s ability and willingness to 

comply with congressional and Committee directives. In light of 

this persistent problem, the Committee recommendation in this account is reduced by $25,000,000 below the request. The Committee 

expects the Department will immediately submit overdue fiscal 

year 2013 reports and provide reports and briefings required pursuant to the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, and as directed 

by the Committee for submission in fiscal year 2015, in a timely 

manner. 

Cyber attack and data breach repository.—In a hearing before the 

Subcommittee this year, the Attorney General expressed support 

for establishing a requirement for both the private and public sector to report incidents of cyber attacks, system and data breaches, 

maintain records of such incidents, and make such information 

available to Congress and the public. Such a repository would document the nature and extent of such threats, improve understanding 

of vulnerabilities, and facilitate the adoption of countermeasures. 

The Committee recognizes that there are existing databases of such 

information, located in various places in the Federal government, 

but that they are not comprehensive, and much of the information 

is not publicly available. Furthermore, the Committee recognizes 

that private sector information on breaches provided to the Federal 

government is, for the most part, submitted on a voluntary basis, 

and is treated as proprietary and generally not publicized. The 

Committee strongly supports efforts to increase public awareness of 

cyber threats and breaches and believe a central database would be 

a productive step in accomplishing this. The Committee directs the 

Department to examine the potential of establishing a central repository of cyber attacks and breaches, addressing as appropriate 

issues of security, privacy, and proprietary information, and submit 

recommendations for administrative and legislative actions to establish such a repository not later than 120 days after enactment 

of this Act. 

Limits on liaison partnerships.—In fiscal year 2014 the Committee urged the Attorney General to establish a policy to prohibit 

Justice Department officials from non-investigative engagement 

and cooperation with the Council on American-Islamic Relations 

(CAIR). The Committee expects the Department to brief the Committees on Appropriations on implementation of this policy, as 

specified in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, as soon as possible. 

Terrorist financing enforcement.—The Committee strongly supports Department efforts to identify, investigate, prosecute and disrupt terrorist financing operations, both domestically and abroad, 

and to prevent the transfer of funds from individuals or groups 

within the U.S. to designated terrorist organizations abroad. In addlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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dition to joint terrorism investigations and task forces, such efforts 

include providing technical assistance to foreign governments as 

well as designating organizations and persons as engaging in or 

supporting terrorist financing. The Committee expects the Department to submit its report on its anti-terrorist financing programs 

and efforts, as specified in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, 

as soon as possible. 

Designation of investigations involving terrorism.—The Committee acknowledges that the Deputy Attorney General responded 

to its direction to report on the role played by the Department of 

Justice in determining whether the Ft. Hood attack would be investigated and prosecuted as a terrorist attack. However, the Committee has not yet received the report, required by the fiscal year 

2014 Appropriations Act, on the Department’s policy and practices 

for categorizing cases and the criteria it employs to determine 

whether cases should be conducted as terrorism investigations. The 

Committee expects that report to be submitted as soon as possible. 

Violent gangs.—The Committee remains concerned about the significant and growing impact of violent gangs and notes that it has 

not received an updated National Gang Threat Assessment, as directed in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act. The Department 

is expected to submit that report as soon as possible, to include the 

extent and nature of the gang problem in America, details on current anti-gang initiatives and their performance, and plans for sustained cooperation with State and local law enforcement agencies 

to combat and dismantle gangs that operate across jurisdictions. 

Industrial espionage.—The Committee remains concerned about 

the grave threat that foreign industrial espionage poses to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. The Department 

shall provide, as soon as possible, the detailed briefing on efficacy 

of current sanctions with specific recommendations for improving 

them, as required by the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act. Furthermore, the Committee directs the Department to increase the 

priority it assigns to prevention, investigation and prosecution of 

such espionage. 

Human trafficking.—The Committee includes, as in prior years, 

resources and guidance throughout this title to combat trafficking 

in persons, and to support the highest possible priority given to investigation and prosecution of such unconscionable crimes. The recommendation continues direction for each U.S. Attorney to lead a 

human trafficking task force. The Committee directs the Attorney 

General to submit the report as soon as possible on all Department 

anti-trafficking activities, to include recommendations for new legislation, as specified by the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act. 

In addition, the Committee views this as a critical time to build 

on a growing consensus about the need for broad collaboration between governments at all levels to make progress in significantly 

reducing sex trafficking in the United States. To that end, the 

Committee directs the Attorney General to host a national conference on sex trafficking with representation from governors, U.S. 

Attorneys, Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, and 

other appropriate government agencies and offices. The objective of 

this conference would be to elevate national awareness of the scale 

and prevalence of trafficking in the U.S., encourage innovative 

State and Federal efforts in fighting trafficking, and debate what 

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constitutes best practices in such endeavors. The result should be 

a published report, containing goals and recommendations for executive and legislative action. 

Human rights.—The Committee is committed to ensuring that 

the U.S. does not provide safe haven for perpetrators of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations abroad, and urges the Department to expedite its submission of an assessment of the gaps 

between the volume of such cases and the capacity of the Federal 

government to investigate and prosecute them, together with recommendations for remedies to close such gaps, as required by the 

fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act. The Committee also expects to 

see the updated Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) annual report on such cases, which was to have been submitted with the fiscal year 2015 President’s budget. 

Improper hiring practices.—The Committee is dissatisfied with 

the Department’s delay in implementing new department-wide 

policies based on the lessons learned from the Office of Inspector 

General (OIG) report on Justice Management Division (JMD) personnel and hiring practices. Although remedies have been implemented at JMD, the Committee expects to see such policies applied 

in a uniform fashion to all departmental offices and components. 

Prescription drug abuse.—The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) testified before the Committee in 

April 2014 that prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastestgrowing drug problem, and the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use 

and Health reported that there are an estimated 6.8 million nonmedical users of psychotherapeutic drugs—29 percent of illicit drug 

users, second only to marijuana, and more than users of cocaine, 

heroin, and hallucinogens combined. DEA also notes that 22 percent of respondents to its National Drug Threat Survey report prescription drug abuse is the ‘‘greatest drug threat facing their communities,’’ compared to five percent in 2007. The National Institute 

of Drug Abuse reports deaths from opioid abuse exceed those from 

all other illegal drugs. The Committee is therefore concerned to see 

the recent proposed rulemaking by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would allow hydrocodone to be produced and prescribed in a form that does not incorporate anti-tamper features 

now in effect for OxyContin, a development likely to undermine enforcement efforts. Another proposed painkiller formulation, combining morphine and oxycodone, recently rejected by FDA’s advisory committee, raises similar concerns. 

The Committee strongly urges the Department to intensify its 

support for DEA’s Distributor Initiative, begun in 2005, to educate, 

advise, and otherwise motivate manufacturers and distributors to 

better exercise their due diligence obligations under the Controlled 

Substances Act. In addition, the Committee expects to see expansion of successful U.S. Attorney initiatives to prosecute diversion. 

Female genital mutilation.—The Committee directs the Attorney 

General to designate a senior departmental official to coordinate 

development of a strategy to alert communities with a history of female genital mutilation (FGM) inflicted on their minor girls that 

such actions are illegal and punishable under Federal law. The 

strategy should focus on FGM prevention and interdiction, and preventing the transporting of minors overseas for purposes of FGM. 

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Revenue collection.—The Committee directs the Department to 

submit a plan no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act on 

implementation of a system that would allow for the tracking and 

reporting of all revenue collected by the Department for: (1) civil 

and criminal fines and penalties for the violation or alleged violation of Federal law; and (2) legal settlements reached between corporations and the Federal government for the violation or alleged 

violation of Federal law. This plan should allow the information to 

be broken down by fiscal year, source of the fine, and detailed disbursements of funds to the U.S. Treasury, victim restitution, and 

the Crime Victims Fund. 

Heroin.—The Committee notes with concern the increase in heroin abuse. The Department shall report, no later than 90 days after 

enactment of this Act, on potential ways to address this problem, 

such as prevention, law enforcement strategies, prescription drug 

disposal site expansion, and other evidence-based approaches. 

Conferences.—The Committee understands that OMB Memorandum M 12 12 called for agencies to reduce travel expenses 30 

percent compared to fiscal year 2010 level, and limit conference 

spending. The Committee expects the Department of Justice to 

minimize conferences and conference expenses to those necessary 

to carry out the mission of the Department. The Committee expects 

the Department to make conference location decisions based on 

transparency, accountability and best value in the use of appropriated funds. 

JUSTICE INFORMATION SHARING TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $25,842,000 for Justice Information 

Sharing Technology, which is the same as both fiscal year 2014 and 

the request. 

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPEALS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $335,000,000 for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Office of the Pardon 

Attorney, of which $4,000,000 is from immigration examination 

fees. The recommendation is $20,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 

and $16,072,000 below the request. The recommendation will permit EOIR to increase the number of immigration judge teams to reduce growing backlogs in immigration removal and asylum adjudication; to support and expand its Legal Orientation Program 

(LOP); and to continue pilot efforts for assisting minors and other 

persons with special needs. 

Legal Orientation Program and pilots.—The Committee commends EOIR for the LOP and other programs that improve the efficiency of court proceedings, reduce court costs, and help ensure 

fairness and due process. The Committee encourages EOIR, within 

the funding provided, to explore ways to better serve vulnerable 

populations such as children and improve court efficiency through 

pilot efforts aimed at improving their legal representation. The 

Committee directs that such pilots shall not require the U.S. Government to bear any expense for legal representation for any alien 

in removal proceedings, except to the extent required by Federal 

court order. The Committee recognizes that the LOP program prodlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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vides valuable aid to detained persons in removal proceedings, and 

believes such LOP orientation could also benefit non-detained persons involved in such proceedings, which in turn could help reduce 

court delays and backlogs. The Committee urges EOIR to consider 

options, including information desks, to better provide such information to non-detained persons in removal proceedings. 

Video teleconferencing.—The Committee is aware that Immigration Judges make extensive use of video teleconferencing (VTC), especially on the detained docket. In order to assess a possible relationship between the use of VTC and the impact on managing caseloads and outcomes, the Committee requests EOIR to collect information on the number of hearings conducted in person and the 

numbers conducted via VTC, to estimate the corresponding percentage of master calendar and individual merits hearings done by 

VTC, and analyze results to determine if there are any correlations 

between VTC use in hearings and outcomes. The results of the 

analysis should be submitted to the Committee at the time of the 

fiscal year 2016 budget request. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $88,000,000 for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which is $1,600,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$577,000 below the request. The Committee notes that the OIG has 

had significant investigative and audit workload, including new reviews arising from leaks of classified information subject to the 

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Within the funding 

recommended, the Committee has included up to $1,000,000 for the 

OIG to review the Department’s enforcement of the Foreign Agents 

Registration Act (FARA). The report should take into account 

FARA filing trends and foreign government tactics to engage in 

public advocacy in the United States while avoiding FARA registration. The report shall recommend administrative or legislative options for the improvement of FARA enforcement. Finally, the Committee notes that the OIG has contracted for an assessment of 

management and policy activities of the Civil Rights Division. The 

Committee looks forward to receiving this report. 

UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $13,308,000 for the United States 

Parole Commission, which is $708,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

the same as the request. 

LEGAL ACTIVITIES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, GENERAL LEGAL ACTIVITIES

The Committee recommends $893,000,000 for General Legal Activities, which is $26,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$42,854,000 below the request. This appropriation supports the establishment of litigation policy, the conduct of litigation, and other 

legal responsibilities of the Department of Justice. The Committee 

has provided separate funding recommendations by decision unit 

as follows: 

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Office of the Solicitor General ........................................................... $11,300,000 

Tax Division ........................................................................................ 105,900,000 

Criminal Division ............................................................................... 195,000,000 

Civil Division ...................................................................................... 289,000,000 

Environment and Natural Resources Division ................................ 107,600,000 

Office of Legal Counsel ...................................................................... 7,700,000 

Civil Rights Division .......................................................................... 144,500,000 

INTERPOL Washington .................................................................... 32,000,000 

Total, General Legal Activities .................................................. $893,000,000 

The request includes additional funding in the Criminal Division 

to address the backlog in handling Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty 

(MLAT) requests, driven by a near doubling in requests over the 

past decade. The Committee understands this funding will support 

additional positions and one-time costs associated with upgrading 

the case management system for MLAT processing. The recommendation also supports additional resources for intellectual 

property rights enforcement, and the Committee expects the Department to make such enforcement a priority. 

INTERPOL.—The Committee expects the Department and 

INTERPOL to take all necessary steps to prevent foreign governments from manipulating INTERPOL red notices to issue false 

criminal charges against opposition activists and political or religious dissidents in order to secure their arrest in countries that 

have provided them asylum. In addition, the Committee is concerned about the potential impact of politically motivated prosecution and conviction of U.S. nongovernmental organization personnel in Egypt, which could unjustly tarnish their reputations and 

complicate future work and travel if they were required to report, 

without exception, criminal records that were fundamentally 

flawed or illegitimate. The Committee directs the Department to 

take all possible immediate actions to protect individuals caught up 

in such circumstances. Further, the Department shall report immediately to the Committee on any additional administrative or legislative steps to counteract, for purposes of United States law or regulation, the negative effects these individuals may experience as a 

result of these politically motivated convictions. 

Human trafficking.—The Committee recommends not less than 

the fiscal year 2014 funding level for the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU) in the Civil Rights Division to fight human 

trafficking and slavery. The Committee directs the HTPU and the 

Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams to continue to make it their 

priority to help victim service providers and non-governmental organizations assist victims as part of broader efforts to combat 

human trafficking and slavery in the United States. 

Independent Review of the Civil Rights Division.—Congress in- cluded $1,000,000 in the OIG fiscal year 2014 appropriation for an 

independent assessment of the operation and management of the 

Civil Rights Division. The Committee understands the OIG is preparing to award a contract for this work. The Committee expects 

the Department will cooperate fully with this review and looks forward to receiving the final report. The Committee also expects the 

Department will report to the Committee on its response to that report and steps it will take to implement the report’s recommendations. 

Deinstitutionalization.—The Committee notes the nationwide 

trend towards deinstitutionalization of patients with intellectual or 

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developmental disabilities in favor of community-based settings. 

The Committee also notes that in Olmstead v. L.C. (1999), a majority of the Supreme Court held that the Americans with Disabilities 

Act does not condone or require removing individuals from institutional settings when they are unable to handle or benefit from a 

community-based setting, and that Federal law does not require 

the imposition of community-based treatment on patients who do 

not desire it. The Committee strongly urges the Department to factor the needs and desires of patients, their families, and caregivers, 

and the importance of affording patients the proper setting for 

their care, into its enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities 

Act. 

VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION TRUST FUND

The recommendation includes $7,833,000 as a reimbursement 

from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund for costs of litigating cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 

1986 (Public Law 99–660). 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, ANTITRUST DIVISION

The Committee recommends $162,246,000 for salaries and expenses of the Antitrust Division, which is $1,846,000 above fiscal 

year 2014 and the same as the request. The recommended funding 

level is offset by $100,000,000 in estimated fee collections for a net 

direct appropriation of $62,246,000. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS

The Committee recommends $1,970,000,000 for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the 93 United States Attorneys’ offices, which is $26,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$14,673,000 above the request. This amount includes additional 

funding to address growing MLAT requests and case backlog. 

Prescription drug abuse.—Tackling the persistent, nationwide 

crisis of prescription drug abuse remains a core task for Federal 

law enforcement. U.S. Attorneys are expected to prioritize their investigations and prosecution of pain clinics that serve as fronts for 

the illegal distribution of addictive painkillers. 

Human trafficking.—The recommendation continues bill language directing each U.S. Attorney to lead a human trafficking 

task force. The Committee notes that the Department proposed to 

delete this language in the budget request. The Committee expects 

all U.S. Attorneys’ offices in fiscal year 2015 to enhance their ongoing leadership and participation in regional human trafficking task 

forces, to adopt a proactive stance on initiating and pursuing investigations, including of persons or entities that carry out or facilitate 

trafficking in persons through the use of the Internet, such as 

through online classified ads, and to continue public outreach efforts. The Department shall continue to submit semiannual reports 

on the efforts and impact of these task forces, as required by the 

fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act. 

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement.—The Committee 

expects the Department to continue to make IPR enforcement an 

investigative and prosecutorial priority for Federal prosecutors. 

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UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND

The Committee recommends $225,908,000 for the United States 

Trustee Program, which is $1,508,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

the same as the request. The recommended funding is fully offset 

by fee collections. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION

The Committee recommends $2,326,000 for the Foreign Claims 

Settlement Commission, which is $226,000 above fiscal year 2014 

and the same as the request. 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF WITNESSES

The Committee recommends $270,000,000, which is the same as 

fiscal year 2014 and the request, for fees and expenses of witnesses 

who appear on behalf of the Government in cases in which the 

United States is a party. This appropriation is considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE

The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for the Community Relations Service, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and $972,000 

below the request. 

ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND

The Committee recommends $20,514,000 for the Assets Forfeiture Fund, which is $14,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the same 

as the request. 

UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $1,199,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), which is 

$14,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the request. The Committee 

expects the USMS to continue its intensified efforts to combat violent gangs through its fugitive task forces and related programs. 

CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $9,800,000, the same as fiscal year 

2014 and the request, for construction and related expenses in 

space controlled, occupied or used by USMS for prisoner holding 

and related support. 

FEDERAL PRISONER DETENTION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $1,595,307,000 for Federal Prisoner 

Detention, which is $62,307,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the 

same as the request. A rescission of $122,000,000 in prior year balances in this account is included in title V of this Act. 

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NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $94,800,000 for the National Security Division (NSD), which is $3,000,000 above both fiscal year 

2014 and the request. This amount will help the NSD address the 

growing workload for its national security mission, including work 

related to its FISA responsibilities. Within the amount provided is 

funding for three additional attorney positions in the FARA office 

to improve its capacity to deal with enforcement workload and the 

evolving complexity of its work. The Committee has also included 

direction under the OIG for a review of the Department’s FARA enforcement performance. The Committee remains interested in determining whether current law provides for the collection of appropriate and sufficient disclosure information from lobbyists who 

work on behalf of state-owned or -directed companies. The Department shall brief the Committee on FARA and Lobbying Disclosure 

Act execution as specified in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations 

Act as soon as possible. 

INTERAGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT

INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT

The Committee recommends $515,000,000 for Interagency Crime 

and Drug Enforcement, which is $1,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 

and $10,000,000 above the request. Funds are included under this 

heading to support interagency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which target high-level drug trafficking organizations through coordinated, multi-jurisdictional investigations. 

Decision unit subtotals.—The recommendation includes 

$363,000,000 for investigations and $152,000,000 for prosecutions. 

The Committee notes OCDETF cases routinely include DEA personnel funded from the DEA Salaries and Expenses account, as 

well as criminal investigators and agents from other agencies who 

directly fund their participation in OCDETF cases. OCDETF shall 

submit an updated report no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act displaying current and historical levels of investigative and prosecutorial FTE devoted to OCDETF cases, including FTE funded under this account and FTE funded from other appropriations. 

Heroin.—The recent surge in heroin use, overdose deaths, and 

trafficking volumes shows it to be one of the gravest problems now 

facing law enforcement and the drug treatment community. DEA 

noted in its 2013 threat assessment a trend of users switching to 

heroin from prescription drug abuse as one explanation for a rise 

in overdose deaths, and warned that persons addicted to opioid prescription pills now find highly pure heroin easier and cheaper to 

obtain. The Committees urges the Department to intensify its use 

of task forces to address this disturbing trend. 

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $8,356,857,000 for the Salaries and 

Expenses account of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 

which is $111,055,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $78,638,000 

above the request. The increase reflects necessary funding to permit the FBI to continue to restore positions and recover from programmatic cuts sustained under the sequester, as well as to cover 

necessary base adjustment costs simply to sustain current efforts— 

costs that the President’s budget had proposed to offset with unspecified reductions of $168,000,000. The Committee’s recommendation supports FBI’s efforts to meet its expanding workload related to core national security and law enforcement missions. In addition, the funding supports additional resources to address the rising backlog of MLAT cases. 

The Committee has provided separate funding recommendations 

by decision unit as follows: 

Intelligence .......................................................................................... $1,690,000,000 

Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence .............................................. 3,360,000,000 

Criminal Enterprise/Federal Crimes ................................................ 2,757,000,000 

Criminal Justice Services .................................................................. 549,857,000 

Total, Salaries and Expenses ..................................................... $8,356,857,000 

Computer intrusions, cyber threats and cybersecurity.—The FBI 

Director testified before the Subcommittee that cybersecurity, 

cyber-attacks and other cybercrimes have become a central mission 

and priority for the Bureau. The Committee has included funding 

in its recommendation to ensure the FBI can continue to develop 

and implement its Next Generation Cyber (NGC) approach, a comprehensive ‘‘whole of government’’ approach to the investigating of 

computer intrusions and defeat of cyber threat actors, including 

through its national network of cyber task forces with Federal, 

State, local and international partners in government, industry, 

and academia. The Committee notes that it has received neither 

the cyber threat assessment required under the fiscal year 2013 

Appropriations Act, nor the updated assessment, in both classified 

and unclassified versions, that was to be submitted with the President’s fiscal year 2015 budget request. The Committee directs the 

FBI to provide the report as soon as possible, and to submit an updated assessment with the President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request, which will identify and rank foreign governments and nonstate actors according to the cyber threats they pose to the United 

States. 

Counterintelligence.—The Committee noted in both fiscal year 

2013 and 2014 House Reports its extreme concern with actions the 

Chinese government and its military, intelligence or Communist 

party entities carry out through organizations that promote educational, cultural or professional exchanges. The Committee is 

awaiting a briefing, to be arranged by the FBI in coordination with 

relevant executive branch agencies, on organizations engaged in exchange programs that involve U.S. officials, and measures being 

taken to ensure those officials are informed of any Chinese government involvement in such programs. The Committee expects this 

briefing will be provided as soon as possible. 

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Commercial cyber espionage.—The Committee is concerned with 

the expanding threat of cyber espionage affecting U.S. industry, 

technology and other proprietary information. The FBI shall brief 

the Committee not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act 

on its efforts to share information on such espionage with other 

countries’ law enforcement and security agencies, and encourage 

greater collaboration in addressing this ongoing threat, which poses 

as great a risk to our international partners. The Committee also 

directs the FBI to continue to enhance its sharing of information 

about cyber threats with the private sector, particularly small- and 

medium-sized businesses, and report to the Committee no later 

than 120 days after enactment of this Act on the status of such efforts. 

Ransomware.—The Committee is aware of a growing threat to 

U.S. businesses from computer malware known as ‘‘ransomware,’’ 

which infects computer systems and encrypts files or renders computers unusable until a payment is made to the extorter to unlock 

the systems. The Committee directs the FBI to report no later than 

120 days after enactment of this Act on the number of known cases 

in fiscal year 2014, the suspected sources of ransomware attacks, 

and how the FBI assists U.S. businesses to protect themselves from 

such attacks or, if necessary, respond to them. The report should 

also propose administrative or legislative actions to enable the FBI 

and U.S. industry to respond to this problem. 

Liaison partnerships.—The Committee directs the FBI to report 

any violations of its prohibition on non-investigative cooperation 

with CAIR, and expects it to adopt similar policies for other individuals and organizations identified as unindicted co-conspirators 

in terrorism-related cases. 

Human rights violations.—The Committee directs the FBI to submit, with the President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request, the third 

annual report on its investigative and related support for the Department’s prosecution of human rights violations by foreign nationals. 

Human trafficking.—The FBI has reported that human trafficking cases nearly tripled between 2009 and the end of fiscal year 

2012, resulting in hundreds of arrests, indictments and convictions. 

The Committee notes that on January 1, 2013, the FBI’s Uniform 

Crime Reporting (UCR) program began collecting data regarding 

human trafficking as mandated by the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). 

These included data on human trafficking for commercial sex acts 

as well as for human trafficking for involuntary servitude. 

The Committee strongly supports the FBI’s intensified enforcement activities, including through its Violent Crimes Against Children program, and recent efforts to address sex trafficking associated with major sports and cultural events. As part of its national 

Innocence Lost initiative, the FBI in 2013 mounted Operation 

Cross Country VII, a three-day nationwide enforcement effort 

which resulted in the rescue of more than 100 minors, the arrest 

of 151 pimps and other child exploiters, and the distribution of 

services to 394 women and child victims. The Committee is especially pleased with the collaborative, multi-agency approach of the 

FBI, with its Federal, State and local partners, and directs the FBI 

to provide no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act 

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an updated version of the report it submitted for fiscal years 2013 

and 2014 on its enforcement efforts. This should include, among 

other things, data on agent utilization and overall staff resources 

dedicated to human trafficking investigations and prosecutions in 

fiscal year 2014 and estimated for fiscal year 2015, including participation of FBI personnel in human trafficking task forces and 

collaboration with partner agencies and offices. The report should 

also provide data on State and local law enforcement compliance 

with TVPRA UCR reporting requirements. Finally, the report shall 

describe progress in implementing new UCR categories and statistics under those categories. The Committee expects the Bureau will 

share trafficking case information on an ongoing basis with other 

law enforcement agencies and task forces investigating similar 

cases. 

9/11 Commission recommendations.—The recommendation includes up to $1,000,000 to support the ongoing review of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission as directed in the fiscal year 

2013 and 2014 Appropriations Acts, and which the Committee expects to be completed in fiscal year 2015. The FBI is directed to 

provide any support and information necessary for completion of 

the review, including access to all requested information, individuals and facilities, and to ensure the report is transmitted directly 

to the Congress. The Committee also directs the FBI to identify, 

following release of the report, any specific actions it is undertaking or planning to implement in response to the report findings, 

and any associated funding or legislative requirements. 

Domestic radicalization and violent extremism.—The Committee 

continues to await the briefing required under the fiscal year 2014 

Appropriations Act on the efforts of the National Security Branch’s 

Countering Violent Extremism office. The FBI is expected to provide this briefing as soon as possible. 

Violent gangs.—The recommendation provides increased funding 

for FBI’s Safe Streets Task Forces to combat violent gang crime. 

The recommendation includes no less than $8,500,000 to support 

the National Gang Intelligence Center, and also includes bill language renaming the center the National Gang and Human Trafficking Intelligence Center (NGHTIC). In addition to its current 

functions, the NGHTIC shall provide and coordinate intelligence on 

human trafficking patterns and networks around the country, disseminate such intelligence to law enforcement partners, and 

produce an annual National Sex Trafficking Threat Assessment. 

The Committee directs the FBI to expand its efforts through the 

NGHTIC in fiscal year 2015 from within its Salaries and Expenses 

appropriation. One aspect of particular concern to the Committee 

is the growing link between violent gangs and human trafficking. 

The 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment noted, ‘‘gang involvement in alien smuggling, human trafficking, and prostitution is increasing primarily due to their higher profitability and lower risks 

of detection and punishment than that of drug and weapons trafficking,’’ and found at least 35 States and territories reporting such 

activity. The Committee directs the FBI to report no later than 120 

days after enactment of this Act on trends in this relationship, and 

how FBI anti-gang programs are disrupting gang involvement in 

human trafficking rings. 

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Insider threats and counterintelligence.—The Committee remains 

very concerned about the threat of insiders, who the Office of the 

Director of National Intelligence reported have caused ‘‘significant 

damage to U.S. interests from the theft and unauthorized disclosure of classified, economic, and proprietary information and other 

acts of espionage,’’ and the National Counterintelligence Executive 

noted ‘‘. . . remain the top counterintelligence challenge to our 

community.’’ The Committee awaits the FBI’s report on trends in 

espionage in U.S. national laboratories, industry and academia, including an analysis of the profile of ‘‘insider threat’’ actors, as directed in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, and expects to receive it as soon as possible. 

Money laundering.—The continuing developments in the use of 

forms of peer-to-peer digital currency, crypto-currency, and similar 

forms of exchange such as Bitcoin lead the Committee to have serious concerns about their potential for enabling criminals and terrorists to illegally launder and transfer money. The Committee 

awaits a briefing from the FBI, coordinated with its other Department and Federal agency partners, on the nature and scale of the 

risk such currencies pose, as specified in the fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, and expects to receive that briefing as soon as 

possible. 

Rapid DNA analysis.—The FBI established the Rapid DNA Program Office in 2010 to develop and integrate instruments for law 

enforcement use, and provided guidelines for use of Rapid DNA instruments in accredited laboratories. The Committee is also aware 

that such technology is currently limited to use at accredited laboratories, where results can be uploaded to the FBI Combined DNA 

Index System database. The Committee urges the FBI to explore 

ways to develop this capability for application to intake, processing, 

booking, detention, and incarceration stages, and to recommend to 

Congress any legislation that may be required to facilitate such implementation. 

Financial Crimes.—The Committee remains concerned about the 

prevalence and impact of financial crime, and expects the FBI will 

make it a priority to use the funding in this bill to combat corporate, securities, commodities and mortgage fraud. 

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) 

report.—NICS is a vital tool for keeping firearms out of the hands 

of dangerous individuals. The Committee remains concerned about 

the extent to which Federal and State agencies are submitting complete records in a timely manner. Without these submissions, NICS 

could be missing potential prohibiting information. The Committee 

therefore directs the FBI to publish annual reports on submissions 

to NICS, with the first report to be published no later than 150 

days after the enactment of this Act. These reports should include 

detailed data on submissions by Federal and State agencies. For 

each Federal and State agency, data should be provided for each 

prohibitor per U.S.C. Section 922, including felony, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health. 

CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $110,982,000 for the construction of 

FBI facilities and related activities, which is $13,500,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $42,000,000 above the request. The recommendadlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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tion does not adopt the proposed reduction in the Secure Work Environment program. In addition, funding in this account will facilitate and expedite work on current design and construction projects. 

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends total budget authority of $2,420,000,000 for salaries and expenses, of which $366,680,000 is 

derived from fees deposited in the Diversion Control Fund, and 

$2,053,320,000 is provided by direct appropriation. The recommended direct appropriation is $35,320,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and the request. This increase is intended to help DEA offset 

its necessary pay and non-pay base costs, which the President’s 

budget had proposed be fully absorbed using unspecified administrative offsets. The increase is also expected to support DEA’s 

growing enforcement workload, including supporting its challenges 

in its overseas programs, as well as continuing support of State 

and local partners. 

Diversion control.—The recommendation includes $366,680,000 

for the regulatory and enforcement activities of DEA’s Diversion 

Control Program. The Diversion Control Program is fully funded by 

fee collections. Within this level of funding, the Committee expects 

DEA to sustain its current level of effort for Tactical Diversion 

Squads and scheduled regulatory investigations. 

Methamphetamine lab cleanup.—The funding recommendation 

for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) includes 

$10,000,000 for transfer to DEA to assist State, local and tribal law 

enforcement agencies with the removal and disposal of hazardous 

materials at methamphetamine labs, including funds for training, 

technical assistance, purchase of equipment, and a container program. The Committee understands that DEA will continue to expand and reduce the cost of its cleanup operations in fiscal year 

2015 due to the efficiencies from use of container pickups. 

Prescription drug and heroin abuse.—The Committee is extremely concerned about the continued threat posed by prescription 

drug abuse, as well as the resurgence of heroin abuse and 

overdoses that appear connected to enforcement of laws against 

prescription drug diversion. The Committee has included in its recommendation funding to support enhancement of DEA’s investigative efforts to deal with these growing threats, and directs DEA to 

report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of 

this Act on the numbers of actual and estimated heroin investigations in fiscal years 2013 through 2015, the amounts and street 

value of heroin associated with such investigations, and prosecutions resulting from investigations. 

Law enforcement resources in the Caribbean.—The Committee remains concerned about the high level of narcotics trafficking and 

associated violent crime in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The Committee directs the Attorney General to assess the adequacy of current Justice Department law enforcement personnel 

and resources assigned to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 

in the context of overall Federal, Commonwealth, and local efforts 

in the region, and to identify resources necessary to close enforcement gaps in future budget submissions. 

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Overtime caps.—The Committee is aware that some small and 

rural law enforcement agencies face limits in eligibility for overtime compensation for participation in drug task forces due to 

multi-agency policies that cap such overtime. The Committee encourages DEA to work with its State, local and Federal partners 

to help ensure such agencies can continue to participate in such 

joint efforts. No later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, 

DEA shall report to the Committee on its outreach to agency partners, indicate whether changes to current policy are permitted 

under existing authority and provide recommendations to address 

this concern. 

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $1,200,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which is $21,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$1,004,000 below the request. 

Gun law enforcement.—The recommendation includes funding 

above the current year level to continue and enhance the fiscal 

year 2014 initiatives to investigate violations of Federal firearms 

laws, to include increased violent crime reduction and inspection 

capabilities and crime gun tracing, including through updating and 

expanding use of the National Integrated Ballistics Information 

Network (NIBIN). A briefing on ATF allocation of funding for its 

violent crime enforcement, regulatory efforts, and firearms tracing, 

to include expansion and support of NIBIN, was required under the 

fiscal year 2014 Appropriations Act, and the Committee directs 

ATF to provide it as soon as possible. 

The Committee is concerned about growing backlogs in processing applications required under the National Firearms Act 

(NFA), as well as licensing approvals for manufacturers. According 

to ATF, NFA applications increased more than 380 percent between 2005 and 2013. In an effort to reduce processing time and 

backlogs, ATF has implemented ‘‘eForms,’’ an electronic filing process, which has reduced submission and processing times, as well as 

data entry processing backlogs. The Committee encourages ATF to 

seek further service improvements, and directs ATF to report no 

later than 60 days after enactment of this Act on the status of its 

processing initiatives, to include data on processing volumes, 

delays, and backlogs, as well as actual and estimated staffing and 

operating costs in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. Should additional 

funding be required to reduce processing time, the Committee expects ATF to submit a reprogramming request. 

Tobacco enforcement.—The Committee awaits the report on ATF 

tobacco enforcement strategies and resources required by the fiscal 

year 2014 Appropriations Act, to include recommendations for additional authorities and tools to improve ATF’s tobacco enforcement 

posture, and directs ATF to transmit the report as soon as possible. 

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FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $6,865,000,000 for salaries and expenses of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is $96,000,000 above 

fiscal year 2014 and $61,000,000 above the request. The Committee 

has provided separate funding recommendations by decision unit 

as follows: 

Inmate Care and Programs ............................................................... $2,570,000,000 

Security and Administration ............................................................. 3,020,000,000 

Management and Administration ..................................................... 205,000,000 

Contract Confinement ........................................................................ 1,070,000,000 

Total, Salaries and Expenses ..................................................... $6,865,000,000 

Facility staffing and capacity.—The Committee continues to 

prioritize staffing levels at fully activated institutions and the continuation of activation activities, as necessary, at the two institutions that received fiscal year 2014 activation funding. No funding 

is provided for the activation of the Thomson, Illinois facility. 

Contract confinement.—The Committee recognizes the value of 

contract confinement in meeting BOP’s expanding low security facility requirements. The Committee continues to expect BOP to 

meet bed space needs by using State, local and private prison capacity, if such facilities meet BOP standards, as a means to help 

alleviate overcrowding. 

Inmate data and statistics.—The Committee supports BOP’s publication of inmate statistics. BOP shall add data on inmate education levels to its existing statistical information, and also publish 

breakdowns of existing information for each annual cohort of inmates slated for release. 

Oleoresin capsicum (OC) aerosol spray pilot program.—The Committee directs BOP to report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act on the status and results of the pilot program authorizing use of OC spray by corrections officers in BOP facilities. 

The report should include any conclusions BOP has reached regarding the OC program, and its plans for the program moving forward, including possible provision of OC spray to other BOP employees and at other BOP facilities. 

Mental health.—The Committee directs the Bureau to brief the 

Committee no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act on 

the cost of incarcerating and treating mentally ill individuals; the 

number of incarcerated individuals diagnosed with mental illness, 

and of those the number who receive treatment from BOP; the recidivism rate of adults and juveniles diagnosed with mental illness; 

the percentage of incarcerated adults diagnosed with mental illness 

who entered the justice system as juveniles; and a description of 

programs within the Bureau of Prison system for the diagnosis and 

treatment of inmate mental illness, with an assessment of their impact on recidivism. 

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

The Committee recommends $115,000,000 for the construction, 

acquisition, modernization, maintenance, and repair of prison and 

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detention facilities housing Federal inmates, which is $25,000,000 

above fiscal year 2014 and the request. The recommendation includes $25,000,000 for costs related to construction of new facilities. 

The Committee directs the Bureau to move forward with ongoing 

facilities planning efforts and associated new construction for future prison construction projects to meet projected capacity requirements as identified in the monthly status of construction reports to 

the Committees on Appropriations. The Committee recommendation does not include funding for any renovation, upgrades or construction at the Thomson, Illinois facility, as none was requested. 

The Committee directs the BOP to continue to provide monthly 

status of construction reports, and to notify the Committee of any 

changes reflected in those reports. 

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, FEDERAL PRISON

INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

The Committee recommends a limitation on administrative expenses of $2,700,000 for Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, 

(FPI) which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and the request. 

Product procurements.—The Committee is pleased that FPI and 

the BOP are exercising new authority to manufacture products no 

longer produced in the United States, and to promote FPI capacity 

to undertake such work for Federal, State, and other customers. 

The Committee directs the BOP Director, with the support of the 

Attorney General, to continue a vigorous outreach effort, demonstrating the benefits to potential customers from this work that 

improves the preparation of inmates for reintegration into society, 

reduces recidivism, offsets prison costs, and does not result in any 

loss of private sector jobs. The Committee particularly encourages 

efforts to undertake work to repatriate high technology work that 

will improve employability for prisoners. 

The Committee also directs FPI to continue annual surveys of 

Department of Justice and other Federal agencies to identify products purchased by such agencies that are manufactured outside the 

United States, and might otherwise be procured through FPI, to 

maintain the FPI database on such business to inform its board of 

directors of opportunities for manufacturing repatriation, and to 

continue to report to the Committee quarterly on FPI’s plans and 

capacity to provide these services as an alternative to foreign manufacturers. 

Included in the front matter of this report is direction to the Departments of Commerce, Justice, the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation to 

meet with FPI, at least annually, to discuss such procurement opportunities. 

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES

In total, the Committee recommends $2,192,665,000 for State 

and local law enforcement and crime prevention grant programs, 

including $2,121,665,000 in discretionary appropriations. The discretionary total is $71,635,000 below fiscal year 2014 and 

$60,335,000 below the request. 

Management and administrative expenses.—The Committee encourages grant offices to minimize administrative spending in order 

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to maximize funding for grants or training and technical assistance. The Committee also directs the Department to ensure that 

the methodology for assessing management and administration 

costs is equitable and reflects a fair representation of the share of 

common management and administrative costs associated with 

each program. The Committee notes that an across-the-board percentage assessment may not be the most appropriate solution. The 

Committee is aware that, in general, the Department’s grant offices 

for State and Local Law Enforcement Activities have authority to 

allocate certain expenses administratively to activities that are ancillary to the core purposes of the appropriation (e.g., peer review 

for a competitive program, training and technical assistance, and 

research and statistical activities). 

The Committee remains concerned about how management and 

administration costs are being applied to State Victims of Crime 

Act grants. The Committee directs the Department to bring administrative and management costs for these grants in line with costs 

associated with the management of similar Justice grant programs. 

Office of Victims of Crime (OVC).—The recommendation provides 

$25,000,000 above the current level for OVC. Within available resources, OVC may implement the office’s Vision 21, which seeks to 

bring better technology, planning, research and data into the crime 

victims services field. 

Ft. Hood terrorist attack.—The Committee directs OVC to provide the survivors and families of the victims of the November 2009 

terrorist attack at Ft. Hood all possible appropriate assistance, and 

report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of 

this Act on what assistance it has provided to date. This report 

shall also describe what, if any, role the classification of the attack 

as a ‘‘workplace violence’’ incident rather than a terrorist attack 

played in determining what types of assistance would be provided. 

Performance Partnership Pilots.—The recommendation does not 

include the requested general provision regarding Performance 

Partnership Pilots. As such, no Department funds shall be expended on the pilots. 

Procedural justice.—The recommendation does not include funding for the Procedural Justice—Building Community Trust program or the National Center for Building Community Trust and 

Justice. 

OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION

PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $425,500,000 for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which is $8,500,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $3,000,000 above the request. The recommendation includes funding above the request for Services, Training, Officers, 

and Prosecutors (STOP) grants, the sexual assault services program and for violence on college campuses. Funds are distributed 

as follows: 

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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

STOP Grants ...................................................................................................................................................... $195,000 

Transitional Housing Assistance ...................................................................................................................... 25,000 

Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women ................................................................................... 3,000 

Consolidated Youth-Oriented Program ............................................................................................................. 10,000 

Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies ................................................................................................................. 50,000 

Homicide Reduction Initiative .................................................................................................................. (4,000 ) 

Sexual Assault Victims Services ....................................................................................................................... 29,500 

Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement ................................................................................. 31,000 

Violence on College Campuses ......................................................................................................................... 11,500 

Civil Legal Assistance ...................................................................................................................................... 42,500 

Elder Abuse Grant Program .............................................................................................................................. 4,250 

Family Civil Justice ........................................................................................................................................... 16,000 

Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims ..................................................................................... 5,750 

National Resource Center on Workplace Responses ........................................................................................ 500 

Research on Violence Against Indian Women .................................................................................................. 1,000 

Indian Country—Sexual Assault Clearinghouse .............................................................................................. 500 

TOTAL, Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs ................................................ $425,500 

Competition.—OVW grants are a vital source of funding to survivors of sexual and domestic assault and abuse. The Committee 

directs OVW to ensure full and open competition for fiscal year 

2015 grants. 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS

The Committee recommends $124,250,000 for Research, Evaluation and Statistics, which is $4,250,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$12,650,000 below the request. Funds are distributed as follows: 

RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Bureau of Justice Statistics ............................................................................................................................. $47,250 

National Institute of Justice ............................................................................................................................. 42,000 

Regional information sharing activities ........................................................................................................... 35,000 

TOTAL, Research, Evaluation and Statistics ........................................................................................... $124,250 

Domestic radicalization.—According to the Congressional Research Service, there have been 74 homegrown jihadist terrorist 

plots and attacks since 9/11, including 53 plots or attacks since 

May 2009. The Committee appreciates the efforts of the National 

Institute of Justice (NIJ) in examining the drivers of domestic 

radicalization and defining the role of State and local law enforcement in breaking the radicalization and recruitment cycle that sustains terrorism. The Committee is concerned that violent 

radicalization—the process of adopting or promoting an extremist 

belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change—is a significant and elusive aspect of the terrorism threat to the U.S. Therefore, in addition to the resources provided under this heading to 

NIJ, $4,000,000 is provided under the State and Local Law Endlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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forcement Assistance account for such research. The Committee expects these funds to be used solely for activities directly related to 

domestic radicalization. The Department shall report no later than 

60 days after enactment of this Act on the status of this research 

and how it informs the Department’s counterterrorism efforts. 

Statistics on violence against women.—‘‘Honor violence’’ is a form 

of violence against women committed with the motive of protecting 

or regaining the perceived honor of the perpetrator, family or community. There is currently a lack of statistical information on the 

occurrence of honor violence in the United States. The fiscal year 

2014 appropriations Act provided no less than $250,000 for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to collect statistics and report on 

the incidence of honor violence in the United States. Building on 

this initial research, the recommendation includes bill language directing BJS to include honor violence in the National Crime Victimization Survey, beginning not later than two years after enactment of this Act. BJS shall provide the Committee a status report 

on this effort no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and 

semiannually thereafter, until such data are included. 

National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers.—The Committee continues to support the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers, a network of facilities and capabilities that converts technology to law enforcement 

use. The Centers provide actual casework assistance when highly 

specialized technologies are required, and help identify and locate 

high quality technologies and equipment for law enforcement use. 

The recommendation continues the current year level of funding for 

the Centers. The Committee notes the importance of technical assistance to rural law enforcement agencies, and directs NIJ to ensure that the centers continue to be focused on this core mission. 

Forensics.—The recommendation does not include funding for the 

forensics initiative. The Committee is concerned that the Administration’s forensic sciences initiative lacks the involvement of the 

State and local practitioner community, making the community an 

observer—not a participant—in addressing forensic reform, and 

thereby running the risk that the initiative will not take into consideration existing, proven standards and processes used within 

the community. 

Forensics training.—The Committee understands there is a lack 

of emphasis on solution-based approaches to training local officers 

and using available technology to reduce court backlogs and increase prosecutions. The Committee encourages an emphasis be 

placed on providing resources for multi-jurisdictional forensic service providers who, in collaboration with universities, can help provide access to forensic expertise, assistance and continuing education to law enforcement agencies, particularly in rural underserved areas. 

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

The Committee recommends $1,235,615,000 for State and Local 

Law Enforcement Assistance programs, which is $64,115,000 above 

fiscal year 2014 and $202,715,000 above the request. Funds are 

distributed as follows: 

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STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants ...................................................................................................... $376,000 

Juvenile Indigent Defense ........................................................................................................................ (2,500 ) 

VALOR Initiative ....................................................................................................................................... (15,000 ) 

Domestic Radicalization Research .......................................................................................................... (4,000 ) 

Competitive grants for firearms safety materials and gun locks .......................................................... (3,000 ) 

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program ........................................................................................................ 210,000 

Byrne Competitive Grants ................................................................................................................................. 8,000 

Victims of Trafficking Grants ........................................................................................................................... 45,365 

Drug Courts ....................................................................................................................................................... 41,000 

Mentally Ill Offender Act ................................................................................................................................... 9,000 

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment .......................................................................................................... 12,000 

Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review ........................................................................................ 2,000 

Economic, High-tech and Cybercrime Prevention ............................................................................................ 10,000 

Adam Walsh Act Implementation ..................................................................................................................... 21,000 

National Sex Offender Public Website ..................................................................................................... (1,000 ) 

Bulletproof Vests Partnerships ......................................................................................................................... 22,250 

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Initiative .......................................................... 58,500 

DNA Initiative .................................................................................................................................................... 125,000 

Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants ......................................................................................................... (117,000 ) 

Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grants ........................................................................... (4,000 ) 

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants ...................................................................................... (4,000 ) 

Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Backlog ............................................................. 36,000 

CASA—Special Advocates ................................................................................................................................ 6,000 

Tribal Assistance .............................................................................................................................................. 35,000 

Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry ............................................................................................................... 62,500 

Veterans Treatment Courts ............................................................................................................................... 5,000 

Missing Alzheimer’s Patients Grants ................................................................................................................ 1,000 

Prescription Drug Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 8,000 

Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution ......................................................................................................... 15,000 

Campus Public Safety ...................................................................................................................................... 2,000 

Justice Reinvestment Initiative ......................................................................................................................... 30,000 

Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections ................................................................................. (1,000 ) 

Comprehensive School Safety Initiative ........................................................................................................... 75,000 

Consolidated Evidence-based Activities Initiative ........................................................................................... 20,000 

TOTAL, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance ............................................................................ $1,235,615 

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Initiative grants.—The recommendation includes $58,500,000 for 

grants to improve records in the NICS system. This initiative combines the National Criminal History Improvement Program 

(NCHIP) and the NICS Act Record Improvement Program 

(NARIP). The Committee directs that the grants made under the 

broader NCHIP authorities be made available only for efforts to 

improve records added to NICS. Additionally, the Department shall 

prioritize funding under NARIP authorities with the goal of making all States NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) 

compliant. The Department also shall apply penalties to noncompliant States to the fullest extent of the law. 

The Committee understands that ATF is willing to provide technical assistance to all States seeking to establish programs that 

meet the NIAA requirements for NARIP grants. Even in the absence of funding exclusively for NARIP, the Committee directs the 

Department to continue these efforts. The Committee again urges 

OJP, ATF and FBI to assist States that are not currently eligible 

for NARIP grants in meeting the eligibility requirements. 

Comprehensive school safety initiative.—The recommendation includes $75,000,000 for a comprehensive school safety initiative, 

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which is a research-focused initiative led by the NIJ to improve the 

safety of schools nationwide. Of the funds provided, not less than 

half shall be for research activities. The Committee is particularly 

interested in research about exposure to media violence, including 

violent video games, and research on gaps in the Nation’s mental 

health system. The initiative also funds pilot grants to evaluate innovative approaches to increase the safety of schools nationwide. 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program.—The recommendation includes $376,000,000 for the Byrne/ 

JAG program. Funding under this formula program is authorized 

for law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; 

prevention and education programs; corrections programs; drug 

treatment and enforcement programs; planning, evaluation, and 

technology improvement programs; and crime victim and witness 

programs, other than compensation. Within the amount provided, 

$2,500,000 is for an initiative to improve the quality of juvenile indigent defense; $4,000,000 is for research on domestic 

radicalization; $15,000,000 is for the Preventing Violence Against 

Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative; and $3,000,000 is for competitively 

awarded grants to distribute firearms safety materials and gun 

locking devices. Excluding carveouts, the recommendation for 

Byrne/JAG is $9,500,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level and 

$32,000,000 above the request. 

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).—The recommendation includes $210,000,000 for SCAAP, which is 

$30,000,000 above fiscal year 2014. SCAAP provides grants that reimburse states and localities for the costs incurred in incarcerating 

undocumented criminal aliens. The President’s request proposed to 

terminate this program. 

Economic, high-technology and cybercrime prevention.—The recommendation includes $10,000,000 for economic, high-technology 

and cybercrime prevention. The Committee encourages the Department to assist State and local law enforcement agencies with the 

prevention, investigation and prosecution of intellectual property 

crimes. 

Byrne competitive grants.—The recommendation includes 

$8,000,000 for competitive grants to improve the functioning of the 

criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, 

and assist victims of crime. The Committee urges the Department 

to prioritize support for an integrated continuum and evidencebased or evidence-informed services and programs for both at-risk 

children and their families for the prevention, control or reduction 

of juvenile delinquency. The Committee also urges the Department 

to prioritize support for work to improve forensic interview training 

for child abuse investigation and prosecution professionals. 

Tribal assistance.—The recommendation includes $35,000,000 for 

tribal grant programs, which is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 

2014 level. The Committee expects OJP to continue to consult 

closely with tribes to determine how tribal assistance funds will be 

allocated among grant programs that improve public safety in tribal communities, such as grants for detention facilities under section 

20109 of subtitle A of title II of the Violent Crime Control and Law 

Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–322), civil and criminal 

legal assistance as authorized by title I of Public Law 106–559, 

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tribal courts, and alcohol and substance abuse reduction assistance 

programs. The Committee directs OJP to use such consultation to 

inform the allocation of funds it shall submit as part of its spending plan. The Committee notes that the recommendation includes 

additional grant funding for tribal law enforcement programs 

through OVW and COPS. 

DNA initiative.—The recommendation includes $125,000,000 for 

DNA-related and forensic programs and activities, an increase of 

$25,000,000 above the request. Within the funding provided, the 

Committee provides $4,000,000 each for Post-Conviction DNA Testing grants and Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program grants. The 

Committee expects that OJP will make funding for DNA analysis 

and capacity enhancement a priority to meet the purposes of the 

Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. The Committee directs 

the Department to submit, as part of its spending plan, a plan for 

the use of all funds appropriated for DNA-related and forensic programs and a report on the alignment of appropriated funds with 

the authorized purposes of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant 

Program. 

Sexual assault kit backlog grants.—The Committee is concerned 

with the ongoing sexual assault kit backlog in jurisdictions across 

the country. The Committee encourages stakeholders and local law 

enforcement to continue working with Federal law enforcement to 

resolve this important issue. The recommendation includes 

$36,000,000 for grants to address the sexual assault kit backlog, an 

increase of $1,000,000 above the request. The Committee expects 

that this funding will be used only for efforts that directly reduce 

the backlog of sexual assault kits at law enforcement agencies. 

Victims of trafficking grants.—The recommendation includes 

$45,365,000 for human trafficking task force activities and for services for victims, an increase of $31,115,000 above fiscal year 2014 

and $34,865,000 above the request. These funds may also be used 

to develop, expand and strengthen assistance programs for child 

victims of sex and labor trafficking. 

The Committee recognizes human trafficking as modern-day 

slavery, and urges DOJ to continue its efforts to eliminate human 

trafficking in all of its forms. The Committee directs DOJ to support the victim-centered approach to recognizing and responding to 

human trafficking, especially across partnerships between Federal 

and local law enforcement agencies and victim service providers. 

The Department shall include a planned allocation of these funds 

in its spending plan. 

Prescription drug monitoring.—The recommendation includes 

$8,000,000 for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). 

The diversion and abuse of prescription medications has become 

our Nation’s fastest growing drug problem, with overdose deaths 

now surpassing motor vehicle accidents as the number one cause 

of accidental deaths nationwide. The Committee maintains its support for the provision of technical assistance for PDMPs, PDMP 

data users and other key stakeholders through this program. 

The Committee applauds the efforts of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to partner with other organizations to foster interstate interoperability and connectivity among State-run PDMPs, 

and encourages BJA to continue its support for efforts to establish 

a national network of interconnected PDMPs. The Committee also 

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supports efforts to increase use of PDMPs among authorized users. 

In particular, the Committee directs BJA to prioritize grant funding for States which are engaged in initiatives to integrate PDMP 

data with electronic health systems, such as electronic health 

records and electronic prescribing systems. The Committee also directs the Department to report, not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, on relevant findings from BJA’s multi-disciplinary 

pilot programs. 

Drug courts.—The recommendation includes $41,000,000 for drug 

courts, which is $500,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level. Drug 

courts help reduce recidivism and substance abuse among non-violent offenders and increase the likelihood of an offender’s successful 

rehabilitation through intense, judicially supervised treatment, 

mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions. The Committee expects these funds to be used 

to provide grants and technical assistance to State, local, and tribal 

governments to support the development, expansion, and enhancement of drug courts, based upon their efficacy as a response to substance abuse and crime. 

Mentally ill offenders.—The recommendation includes $9,000,000 

for mentally ill offender programs. Grants provided under the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (Public Law 

108–414) provide support for a broad range of activities, including 

mental health courts, mental health and substance abuse treatment for incarcerated mentally ill offenders, community reentry 

services, and cross-training of criminal justice, law enforcement, 

and mental health personnel. Such grants also promote improved 

training of State and local law enforcement to help them identify 

and improve responses to people with mental illnesses. 

Veterans treatment courts.—The recommendation includes 

$5,000,000 to support veterans treatment courts. The Committee 

expects the Department to work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, as appropriate, to provide grant support 

for collaborative, rehabilitative approaches for continuing judicial 

supervision over offenders who are veterans. 

Second Chance Act/offender reentry programs.—The recommendation includes $62,500,000 for Second Chance Act grants. 

The Committee notes that the requested carveouts for Smart Probation and Pay for Success (Discretionary) are funded under the 

consolidated evidence-based activities initiative. Excluding 

carveouts, the recommendation is $15,250,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $2,500,000 above the request. 

The Committee remains concerned that despite a dramatic increase in corrections spending over the past two decades, recidivism and re-incarceration rates are largely unchanged. The Committee is aware that case studies of innovative, evidence-based 

practices provide a strong indication that this pattern can be reversed. The Committee expects that Second Chance Act grants will 

foster the implementation of strategies that have been proven to 

reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful reentry back to 

their communities of adults released from prisons and jails. The 

Committee expects DOJ to designate funds for proven, evidencebased programs that will further the goal of maximizing public 

safety. 

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Justice reinvestment initiative.—The recommendation provides $30,000,000 for the justice reinvestment initiative, which provides 

assistance to jurisdictions to implement data-driven strategies to 

improve public safety by reducing corrections spending and reinvesting those savings in efforts to decrease crime and strengthen 

neighborhoods. The Committee recognizes the tremendous potential 

of justice reinvestment efforts, noting that successful efforts in the 

States, such as Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, 

have saved millions of dollars and serve as a model for criminal 

justice reform in the Nation. Funding may be used to provide technical assistance to States with existing reinvestment programs, expand the initiative to additional States, or provide additional funding for existing programs. 

Colson Task Force.—Of the amount provided for justice reinvest- ment, no less than $1,000,000 is for continued support of the 

Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections, which was established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. This nineperson, bipartisan, blue ribbon panel is to develop practical, datadriven policy options to increase public safety, improve offender accountability, reduce recidivism, and control growth of spending on 

corrections. 

Consolidated evidence-based activities initiative.—To improve efficiencies in DOJ grant programs and save taxpayers money, the 

recommendation includes $20,000,000 for a consolidated evidencebased activities initiative, which will combine several existing evidence-based programs, to include: Evaluation Clearinghouse (What 

Works Repository), Smart Policing, Smart Prosecution, Smart Probation, Pay for Success (Discretionary), Project HOPE Opportunity 

Probation with Enforcement, Juvenile Justice and Education Collaboration Assistance, and Gang and Youth Violence Education and 

Prevention. The Department shall provide details of the allocation 

of these funds in the spending plan required by this Act. The Committee notes that this consolidation does not fund any of the Administration’s newly proposed programs. 

Blue Alerts.—Blue Alerts provide the means to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, State, 

or Federal law enforcement officers. Eighteen states have adopted 

Blue Alert notification systems. The Committee encourages the Department to examine the utility and feasibility of establishing a national Blue Alert communications network to issue Blue Alerts in 

coordination with States, units of local government, local law enforcement agencies, and other appropriate entities. 

JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $223,500,000 for Juvenile Justice 

programs, which is $31,000,000 below fiscal year 2014 and 

$75,900,000 below the request. Funds are distributed as follows: 

JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Part B—State Formula Grants ......................................................................................................................... $45,000 

Youth Mentoring Grants .................................................................................................................................... 90,000 

Victims of Child Abuse Programs .................................................................................................................... 19,000 

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JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS—Continued 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Missing and exploited children programs ........................................................................................................ 68,000 

Training for Judicial Personnel ......................................................................................................................... 1,500 

TOTAL, Juvenile Justice ............................................................................................................................ $223,500 

Youth mentoring grants.—The recommendation includes 

$90,000,000 for youth mentoring grants, which is $1,500,000 above 

fiscal year 2014 and $32,000,000 above the request. 

Grantee audit recommendations.—The Committee strongly supports the efforts of OJP and OIG to ensure that Federal grant 

funding is efficiently and effectively spent. The Committee urges 

OJP to continue working with both OIG and affected grantees to 

review and implement audit recommendations as quickly as practicable in order to minimize the administrative and financial burden on those grantees and the disruption of services to the community. 

Missing and exploited children programs.—The recommendation 

includes $68,000,000 for missing and exploited children programs, 

$1,000,000 above both fiscal year 2014 and the request. The Committee expects the Department to allocate no less than 

$29,250,000, which is the current year level, for task force grants, 

training and technical assistance, research and statistics, and administrative costs for the Internet Crimes Against Children program. The Committee expects the Department to allocate 

$1,000,000 to be used to hire and equip wounded, ill, or injured 

veterans as digital forensic analysts or investigators to support 

child exploitation investigations. 

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS

The Committee recommends a total of $87,300,000 for the Public 

Safety Officer Benefits program, which is $10,000,000 below fiscal 

year 2014 and the same as the request. Within the funds provided, 

$71,000,000 is for death benefits for survivors, an amount estimated by the Congressional Budget Office that is considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes. Also within the total, 

$16,300,000 is recommended, as requested, for disability benefits 

for public safety officers who are permanently and totally disabled 

as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, 

and for education benefits for the spouses and children of officers 

who are killed in the line of duty or who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the 

line of duty. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS

The recommendation includes $96,500,000 for COPS programs, 

as follows: 

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COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Transfer to DEA for Methamphetamine Lab Cleanups .................................................................................... $10,000 

Tribal Resources Grant Program ...................................................................................................................... 16,500 

COPS Hiring Grants .......................................................................................................................................... 70,000 

Transfer to Tribal Resources Grant Program .......................................................................................... (16,500 ) 

Regional gang task forces ...................................................................................................................... (10,000 ) 

TOTAL, Community Oriented Policing Services ........................................................................................ $96,500 

Methamphetamine lab cleanup.—The recommendation includes 

$10,000,000, which shall be transferred to DEA to assist State, 

local and tribal law enforcement agencies with the removal and disposal of hazardous materials at methamphetamine labs, including 

funds for training, technical assistance, the purchase of equipment, 

and a container program. 

Regional gang task forces.—The recommendation includes 

$10,000,000 for regional gang task forces. This initiative will fund 

multi-jurisdictional partnerships comprised of Federal, State and 

local law enforcement agencies to address gang activity, focusing on 

enforcement, prevention/education, and intervention. The Committee notes the nexus between gangs and human trafficking and 

notes the importance of task forces that target gangs of national 

significance, such as MS–13. The Committee also notes that these 

funds can be used for task forces that work toward disrupting 

gangs that traffic methamphetamine. 

Military installations.—The Committee encourages DOJ to account for the impacts of lower tax bases, as a result of military installations and other untaxed federal lands, when distributing 

COPS grants. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

The Committee has included the following general provisions for 

the Department of Justice: 

Section 201 makes available additional reception and representation funding for the Attorney General from the amounts provided 

in this title. 

Section 202 prohibits the use of funds to pay for an abortion, except in the case of rape or to preserve the life of the mother. 

Section 203 prohibits the use of funds to require any person to 

perform or facilitate the performance of an abortion. 

Section 204 establishes the obligation of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services to an inmate receiving an 

abortion outside of a Federal facility, except where this obligation 

conflicts with the preceding section. 

Section 205 establishes the Committee’s requirements and procedures for transfer proposals. 

Section 206 authorizes the Attorney General to extend an ongoing Personnel Management Demonstration Project. 

Section 207 prohibits the use of certain funds for transporting 

prisoners classified as maximum or high security, other than to a 

facility certified by the Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. 

Section 208 prohibits the use of funds for the purchase or rental 

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rials used primarily for recreational purposes, except for those 

items and services needed for inmate training, religious, or educational purposes. 

Section 209 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General and 

the Department Investment Review Board prior to the obligation or 

expenditure of funds for major information technology projects. 

Section 210 requires the Department to follow reprogramming 

procedures for any deviation from the program amounts specified 

in this title or the accompanying report, or the reuse of deobligated 

funds provided in previous years. 

Section 211 prohibits the use of funds for A–76 competitions for 

work performed by employees of the Bureau of Prisons or Federal 

Prison Industries, Inc. 

Section 212 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from holding additional responsibilities that exempt U.S. Attorneys from statutory residency 

requirements. 

Section 213 permits up to 3 percent of grant and reimbursement 

program funds made available to OJP to be used for training and 

technical assistance and permits up to 2 percent of grant or reimbursement funds made available to that office to be used for criminal justice research, evaluation and statistics. 

Section 214 waives the requirement that the Attorney General 

reserve certain funds from amounts provided for offender incarceration. 

Section 215 prohibits funds, other than funds for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established under the 

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a known or suspected 

agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement personnel do not continuously monitor or control such firearm. 

Section 216 places limitations on the obligation of funds from certain Department of Justice accounts and funding sources. 

TITLE III 

SCIENCE 

OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

The Committee recommends $5,555,000 for the Office of Science 

and Technology Policy (OSTP), which is the same as fiscal year 

2014 and the request. 

Neuroscience.—The Committee commends OSTP and the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN) for their continuing commitment to neuroscience and urges OSTP and the 

IWGN to continue their coordination activities and efforts to increase the Nation’s knowledge of the brain. The Committee further 

urges OSTP and the IWGN to begin implementing key recommendations from the IWGN’s recent report, Priorities for Accelerating Neuroscience Research through Enhanced Communication, 

Coordination and Collaboration. The Committee expects to see 

these recommendations implemented as quickly and efficiently as 

possible. Special attention should be given to the recommendations 

on biomarker efforts, advances in medical imaging research, applications of neuroscience in applied settings (including education) 

and classifications of brain disorders, as well as the recommendadlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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tion to establish a Federal neuroscience research portal. The Committee urges OSTP to brief the Committee, no later than 120 days 

after the enactment of this Act, on the prioritization and implementation status of the IWGN report recommendations. 

The Committee strongly supports international collaboration on 

neuroscience research, and urges OSTP to work with relevant 

science agencies to identify new and expanded opportunities for 

international collaboration involving government neuroscience researchers, private entities, non-profit institutions and other stakeholders. The Committee urges OSTP to brief the Committee on the 

results of its efforts to promote and encourage international collaboration no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act. 

Rare Earth materials.—The Committee anticipates the submission by OSTP of a report requested for fiscal year 2014 on the work 

of the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on 

Critical and Strategic Mineral Supply Chains (CSMSC). The Committee continues to urge the CSMSC Subcommittee to leverage its 

work into an interagency plan to encourage domestic critical element and mineral production in order to reduce the dependence of 

the U.S. government and industry on foreign sources of such materials. 

Medical imaging.—The Committee believes there is near-term 

potential to accelerate revolutionary new medical imaging technology, both to enable medical professionals and researchers to 

combat disease and to support high-skilled manufacturing jobs in 

the United States. Such advances will require interagency coordination of Federal medical imaging research and development initiatives aimed at accelerating the transfer of new technologies into 

commercial products manufactured in the United States. Imaging 

research is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), 

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Departments of 

Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Energy, among others. The Committee encourages OSTP to establish a committee to coordinate 

these Federal investments in imaging research. Such a committee 

could develop a roadmap for the full scope of imaging research and 

development. The Committee believes that while the United States 

already holds a meaningful competitive advantage in the development of advanced imaging technologies, OSTP can play a critical 

role in ensuring that innovative technology solutions both enhance 

clinical efforts and aid in the creation of domestic manufacturing 

jobs. 

Public access to federally funded research.—Major Federal research agencies are in the process of drafting and implementing 

plans to enable public access to federally funded research findings 

in accordance with guidance OSTP issued in February 2013. OSTP 

shall report to the Committee on each agency’s progress in developing, finalizing and implementing its plan. These reports shall be 

provided semiannually. 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $17,896,000,000 for the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is 

$249,500,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $435,400,000 above the request. 

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GAO assessments of large-scale projects.—The Committee directs 

NASA to continue cooperating fully and providing timely information to the GAO so that it can meet its congressional mandate to 

report on the status of large-scale projects at NASA. Such information includes, but is not limited to, copies of preliminary cost estimates; access to online agency applications, databases, and web 

portals; and access to contractor and agency personnel. 

Breach reporting.—NASA is directed to submit to the Committee 

any notifications and reports required by section 103 of the NASA 

Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–155). 

Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) and other exploration goals.— 

The Committee is disappointed that NASA still lacks a comprehensive roadmap that charts a detailed, credible exploration path to 

Mars. Such a roadmap is needed to guide long-term programmatic 

and budgetary decision making, as well as to plan international or 

commercial partnership opportunities. To date, NASA has only defined one explicit step on the roadmap—the ARM—and even that 

step requires additional consideration. The Congress still has outstanding questions and concerns about the ARM’s costs and feasibility, as well as its strategic relevance and potential to generate 

external support from the public and international collaborators. 

Because it remains unclear whether or when the Congress will 

make a long-term commitment to the ARM concept, the Committee 

believes that funding associated with the mission must be carefully 

constrained to prevent the occurrence of waste in the event that 

the ARM never receives final approval. Accordingly, NASA may 

only expend funds on those portions of the ARM mission that are 

also applicable to other current NASA programs, clearly extensible 

to other potential future exploration missions, such as to the Moon, 

Phobos/Deimos or Mars, or have broad applicability to other future 

non-exploration activities, such as in-space robotic servicing. 

The Committee notes new interest among some members of Congress and others in the human spaceflight stakeholder community 

in the possibility of accelerating the achievement of a crewed mission to the vicinity of Mars into the timeframe currently planned 

for NASA’s Exploration Mission–2 (EM–2). In order to more clearly 

define the implications of pursuing this goal, NASA shall have a 

high level independent assessment conducted of the technical, management, cost and schedule requirements associated with this potential mission and the impact such a mission would have on existing program requirements and goals for the Orion Multi-Purpose 

Crew Vehicle (MPCV) and Space Launch System (SLS). The results 

of this assessment shall be reported to the Committee no later than 

30 days after completion. 

Program and project totals.—The Committee’s program and 

project recommendations for NASA are included in the consolidated 

funding table below and in additional narrative direction throughout this report. When executing its budget for fiscal year 2015, 

NASA shall incorporate the funding levels established in both the 

table and the narrative direction. 

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Science: 

Earth Science ........................................................................................................................................... $1,750,000 

Planetary Science ..................................................................................................................................... 1,450,000 

Astrophysics ............................................................................................................................................. 680,000 

James Webb Space Telescope ................................................................................................................. 645,000 

Heliophysics ............................................................................................................................................. 668,000 

Total, Science .................................................................................................................................................... 5,193,000 

Aeronautics: ...................................................................................................................................................... 666,000 

Space Technology: ............................................................................................................................................. 620,000 

Exploration: 

Human Exploration Capabilities .............................................................................................................. 3,055,000 

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle .................................................................................................. (1,140,000 ) 

Space Launch System (SLS) ........................................................................................................... (1,915,000 ) 

SLS Vehicle Development ...................................................................................................... (1,600,000 ) 

Exploration Ground Systems .................................................................................................. (315,000 ) 

Commercial Spaceflight ........................................................................................................................... 785,000 

Exploration Research and Development .................................................................................................. 327,000 

Total, Exploration .............................................................................................................................................. 4,167,000 

Space Operations: 

International Space Station ..................................................................................................................... 3,040,000 

Space and Flight Support ........................................................................................................................ 845,000 

Total, Space Operations ........................................................................................................................... 3,885,000 

Education: 

NASA Space Grant ................................................................................................................................... 30,000 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research .................................................................... 9,000

Minority University Research Education Program ................................................................................... 32,000 

STEM Education and Accountability Projects .......................................................................................... 35,000 

Total, Education ................................................................................................................................................ 106,000 

Safety, Security and Mission Services: ............................................................................................................. 2,779,000 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: ...................................................................... 446,000 

Office of Inspector General: .............................................................................................................................. 34,000 

Total, NASA ....................................................................................................................................................... 17,896,000 

SCIENCE

The Committee recommends $5,193,000,000 for Science, which is 

$41,800,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $221,000,000 above the request. 

Education and Public Outreach (EPO).—The recommended level 

for the Astrophysics Division includes $30,000,000 for Science Mission Directorate (SMD)-wide EPO activities, an increase of 

$15,000,000 above the request. Although the Committee has provided these funds in a single budget line, as requested, NASA shall 

use its fiscal year 2015 spending plan to proportionally reallocate 

these funds among the SMD divisions, resulting in a dedicated 

budget line for each division’s own EPO activities. This approach 

will still permit competition among projects for the best use of 

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funds but focus that competition among projects that are more easily compared to one another and provide better stability for the 

educational communities in each major SMD discipline. 

Earth Science.—Per direction from the Committee, NOAA will be 

analyzing the risk posed to the Joint Polar Satellite System 2 

(JPSS–2) budget and schedule by the development of NASA’s Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI), and a decision may ultimately be 

made to remove RBI from the JPSS–2 manifest. In the event that 

such a decision is made, NASA shall cease further development 

work on RBI until providing to the Committee a report outlining 

a new strategy (with budget and schedule estimates) for RBI development and launch. 

The recommendation does not include funds requested for the 

procurement of the Total Solar Irradiance Sensor 2 (TSIS–2). The 

Committee notes that NOAA currently lacks a strategy for the 

launch of TSIS–1, and no funds are provided to NOAA for the development of such a strategy in fiscal year 2015. As a result, the 

Committee does not believe it is prudent to invest in a follow-on 

instrument at this time. 

Planetary Science.—NASA’s request for Planetary Science once 

again represents a substantial decrease below appropriated levels 

and would have a negative impact on both planned and existing 

missions. The recommended funding levels attempt to rectify this 

problem by supporting both the formulation and development of 

new Planetary Science missions and the extension of all healthy 

operating missions that continue to generate good scientific output. The recommendation provides $170,000,000 for Planetary Science Research and Analysis; $286,000,000 for New Frontiers, of which 

not less than $5,000,000 is for Future New Frontiers Missions; and 

$302,000,000 for Mars Exploration, of which not less than 

$100,000,000 is for a Mars Rover 2020 that meets scientific objectives laid out in the most recent Planetary Science decadal survey. The recommendation also provides $266,000,000 for Discovery, of which not less than $30,000,000 is for Future Discovery Missions. 

The Committee notes that NASA allowed a four year gap to develop between the release of the last Discovery Announcement of 

Opportunity (AO) in fiscal year 2010 and the expected release of 

the next AO in fiscal year 2014 (a gap which would have been 

worse were it not for additional resources provided by the Congress). In order to prevent the recurrence of such a gap in the future and to firmly establish the 24 month mission cadence recommended by the Planetary Science decadal survey, NASA shall 

ensure that the planned 2017 Discovery AO is issued instead during fiscal year 2016. Future Discovery Mission funds not required 

for the planning, release and/or evaluation of Discovery AOs shall 

be used for development of instruments through the Stand Alone 

Missions of Opportunity program. 

For Outer Planets, the recommendation provides $181,000,000, of 

which not less than $100,000,000 is for a Europa Clipper or comparable mission that meets the scientific objectives laid out in the 

most recent Planetary Science decadal survey and can be launched 

in 2021. This funding shall support the completion of science definition, the selection of a mission concept, the release of an instrument AO and other necessary pre-formulation and formulation activities for the Europa mission. While NASA has dedicated some 

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fiscal year 2014 Europa funding to studying the possibility of conducting this mission within a $1,000,000,000 cost cap, the Committee has not seen any credible evidence that such a cost cap is 

feasible and directs NASA not to use further project resources in 

pursuit of such an unlikely outcome. Finally, the Committee directs 

NASA to evaluate the potential benefits of using the SLS as the 

launch vehicle for this mission. 

For Planetary Science Technology, the recommendation provides $155,000,000. Within this amount, $18,000,000 shall be for assessments and development of promising technologies and techniques 

for the study and characterization of the surface and subsurface of 

Europa, including such technologies as landers, rovers, penetrators, 

submersibles, seismometers and sample analyzers. 

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).—NASA shall provide quarterly briefings on JWST’s technical status, including the achievement of program milestones, and budget and schedule performance. 

These briefings shall take the place of quarterly reporting that was 

instituted in fiscal year 2013. 

Astrophysics.—The recommendation for Astrophysics restores the $5,000,000 unallocated reduction proposed for the Hubble Space 

Telescope (HST). NASA shall accommodate the remaining proposed 

reduction to HST through the use of carryover balances in fiscal 

year 2015 and fully restore these funds in future years’ requests. 

The Committee does not accept NASA’s request to terminate support for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 

(SOFIA), a project that is currently producing good science and has 

not been proposed for termination by NASA’s internal or external 

scientific review boards. Instead, the recommendation provides 

$70,000,000 for SOFIA, which should be sufficient to support the 

aircraft’s fixed costs (flight crews, required maintenance, etc.) as 

well as a base level of scientific observations. NASA shall continue 

seeking third-party partners whose additional funding support 

would restore SOFIA’s budget to its full operational level. 

Heliophysics.—The Committee is concerned that the Heliophysics 

Explorer program is not receiving the same level of support from 

NASA as the comparable Astrophysics program and will not 

achieve the mission cadence recommended for Heliophysics by the 

scientific community. NASA is urged to rectify this issue by accelerating funding for Heliophysics Explorer Future Missions from fiscal year 2017 into fiscal year 2016. 

SMD budget justifications.—Last year the National Research 

Council (NRC) assessed the responsiveness of NASA’s most recent 

draft science plan to decadal survey guidance. The Committee 

found that many of the NRC’s criticisms of the draft science plan 

could also be applied to the budget justifications submitted by 

SMD. Specifically, the justifications fail to provide: 1) a clear explanation of how each division’s budget request does or does not support the program plan laid out in that division’s decadal survey 

(which recommended activities are included; the balance among 

missions of different sizes and targets; and the rate at which new 

activities are initiated); 2) the decision-making criteria that led 

NASA to deviate from decadal survey recommendations, where applicable; and 3) an assessment of impacts for any deviations from 

decadal survey recommendations on the achievement of the science 

goals of that survey. NASA shall work with the Committee on a 

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standard format for including information of this kind in future 

budget justifications. 

AERONAUTICS

The Committee recommends $666,000,000 for Aeronautics, which 

is $100,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $114,900,000 above the 

request. 

The Committee remains frustrated by NASA’s lack of budgetary 

support for the Aeronautics program. More than any other NASA 

activity, aeronautics research directly impacts the lives of taxpayers through technologies that improve the commercial flying experience and reduce airline costs, leading to reduced upward pressure on airfares. In addition, advanced aeronautics research has 

been a driving factor in the long-term global dominance of our domestic aviation industry, a rare bright spot in the American manufacturing economy. If this dominance is to continue and American 

firms are to maximize the enormous economic opportunities presented by projected growth in global air mobility, NASA should be 

seeking to increase its investments in aeronautics research rather 

than reducing them. For these reasons, the Committee has rejected 

NASA’s budget request and provided a substantial increase for the 

program. 

Restructuring.—The recommendation incorporates the proposed 

restructuring of the Aeronautics budget into four new programs: 

Airspace Operations and Safety, Advanced Air Vehicles, Integrated 

Aviation Systems and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts. NASA 

shall apply the funds provided above the request proportionally 

across these four programs. 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $620,000,000 for Space Technology, which is $44,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $85,500,000 below 

the request. 

Program priorities.—The Committee appreciates the efforts of 

the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to demonstrate 

more clearly the alignment between its major technology projects 

and the needs of its customers in SMD, the Aeronautics Research 

Mission Directorate, the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and private industry. Within the levels provided, 

the Committee believes that STMD should prioritize funds toward 

those technologies that have the broadest applicability across the 

STMD customer base, especially supersonic and hypersonic decelerators for improved entry, descent and landing capabilities; solar 

electric propulsion for increased efficiency in the transportation of 

space-borne objects; laser and optical communications for reduced 

spectrum usage and increased data return capabilities; and the 

deep space atomic clock for more accurate deep space navigation. 

Technology roadmaps.—In the event that NASA updates or otherwise revises its current space technology roadmaps, the modified 

roadmaps shall be submitted to the same external evaluation and 

prioritization process as the original documents. 

Regional university consortia.—The Committee encourages NASA 

to use regional university consortia to research, develop and demonstrate advanced technologies that are consistent with STMD’s 

technology roadmaps and priorities. 

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EXPLORATION

The Committee recommends $4,167,000,000 for Exploration, 

which is $53,800,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $191,000,000 

above the request. 

Space Launch System.—The Committee has repeatedly expressed 

frustration with NASA’s practices of requesting arbitrarily reduced 

funding levels for SLS and insisting that the program manage to 

an inefficient flat-line budget profile. The detrimental results of 

these practices are evident in the fiscal year 2015 request, which 

acknowledges that reduced SLS funding levels will lead to a launch 

delay for Exploration Mission-1 (EM–1) while also requiring the deferral of long-lead work needed for the timely achievement of EM– 

2 and other future flights. 

Knowing that NASA’s requests for the program have unacceptable consequences, the Committee has previously looked to the SLS 

Independent Cost Assessment (ICA) for an objective and realistic 

benchmark for SLS funding needs. The utility of the ICA, however, 

has decreased each year as its estimates age, and the Committee 

has long anticipated the completion of a confirmed budget baseline 

to provide a stable, more up-to-date program plan to guide future 

appropriations. Unfortunately, the baseline being prepared by 

NASA suffers from the same problems as the annual budget request: it assumes a fixed, artificially low fiscal year 2015 level; imposes a flat profile on outyear estimates; and fails to adequately 

capture needs for activities in support of SLS beyond EM–1. In 

light of the aging ICA and an unreliable baseline, the Committee 

has chosen to maintain SLS vehicle development funding at the fiscal year 2014 enacted level. 

The Committee continues to urge NASA to allocate funds to elements like Advanced Booster Engineering Development and Risk 

Reduction, engine development and/or upper stage development, all 

of which are required for the program to progress beyond the initial 

SLS configuration. In addition, the Committee directs that, to the 

maximum extent possible, NASA should ensure that all vehicle development funding leverages existing investments; promotes efficiency through commonality of design and simultaneous development; and minimizes the need for redesigns or other costly changes 

affecting future SLS vehicle configurations. 

To give the Committee more insight into the level of effort being 

dedicated to each component of the SLS, NASA shall continue submitting quarterly reports on SLS spending by major program element, as first required in the statement accompanying Public Law 

112–55. The Committee also anticipates the submission of NASA’s 

report on other potential uses of the 130 metric ton SLS configuration, as directed in fiscal year 2014. The Committee hopes that the 

range of such possible uses will enable a substantially better SLS 

launch tempo than currently projected by NASA. 

Orion MPCV.—The recommended level for the Orion MPCV will 

keep the vehicle on track for the Exploration Flight Test-1 later 

this year, as well as the first test flight integrated with SLS in 

2017 and the first crewed test flight in 2021. 

Commercial crew.—The Committee has provided NASA with substantial resources for the commercial crew program (CCP). CCP appropriations have often exceeded the program’s authorized levels 

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and have increased in each of the last four fiscal years despite declining topline spending levels, sequestration and previously expressed concerns about the effective management of Federal investments in the program. 

The Committee’s fiscal year 2015 recommendation provides $785,000,000 for the CCP, an increase of $89,000,000 above fiscal 

year 2014. These funds shall support one industry partner’s advancement through the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) process. The Committee believes that this recommendation strikes the appropriate balance between support for 

the program’s underlying goal and caution against management 

approaches that many in the Congress do not endorse. Consistent 

with prior direction, NASA shall take all steps necessary to 

incentivize further private investment in the program, including, to 

the maximum extent possible, taking the industry partners’ level 

of proposed private investment into account as a selection criterion 

for CCtCap. 

Finally, each CCtCap proposer has now provided NASA with the 

flight price that would be charged if that proposer ultimately were 

to conduct missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Those 

prices will determine how much, if any, savings the CCP will generate compared to Soyuz transportation prices. While this information is currently subject to the CCtCap procurement blackout, 

NASA shall brief the Committee on expected flight pricing as soon 

as the blackout period is concluded. 

Exploration Research and Development (R&D).—Within the 

amounts provided for Exploration R&D, no less than $20,000,000 

shall be used in support of future lunar mission activities. These 

activities shall include discussions with international and commercial partners on potential joint lunar activities; a study of the technical, budgetary and schedule requirements for a future manned 

lunar mission; and public-private partnerships to develop lunar 

transportation and landing technologies. All public-private partnerships conducted with these funds shall require the private partner 

to contribute a substantial portion of shared costs. 

SPACE OPERATIONS

The Committee recommends $3,885,000,000 for Space Operations, which is $107,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and 

$20,400,000 below the request. 

ISS operations.—The Committee remains concerned that annual 

ISS operations costs are too high, particularly in light of NASA’s 

proposal to extend the life of the Station through 2024. In order for 

the Station to remain a sustainable long-term program, NASA 

must continue to seek and implement cost savings measures with 

the goal of reducing the ISS operations budget or, at a minimum, 

slowing the growth in such budget. 

With respect to fiscal year 2015 ISS funding, all reductions from 

the request level shall be implemented in the operations budget 

rather than ISS research or crew and cargo transportation. 

ISS research.—NASA’s budget request continues to allocate insufficient funding and effort to ISS research. The apparent increase 

in the request for research funding is only due to the transfer of 

in-space robotic servicing work from the ISS operations budget, and 

nearly 60 percent of total research resources are dedicated to 

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logistical support rather than research activities. The Committee 

believes that this imbalance must be addressed, with a greater 

share of research funding going to actual physical and biological 

science research, and directs NASA to develop a strategy for accomplishing this goal over the next five fiscal years. This strategy shall 

be provided no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act. 

With respect to in-space robotic servicing, the Committee notes 

that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is also investing in technologies to repair and/or refuel satellites on-orbit and 

cautions NASA to minimize any duplication of effort between the 

two agencies’ activities. 

EDUCATION

The Committee recommends $106,000,000 for Education, which 

is $10,600,000 below fiscal year 2014 and $17,100,000 above the request. 

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.—Fiscal 

year 2014 marked the last year of funding for the most recent fiveyear cycle of Space Grant awards, and the selection of consortia for 

the next five-year cycle is not expected until late in fiscal year 

2015. Without knowing the amounts needed to fully fund a year’s 

worth of base awards in the new cycle, the Committee has relied 

on costs from prior years to estimate an annual Space Grant requirement of $30,000,000. 

The Committee is concerned about the potential for a gap to develop between the end of activities for the current Space Grant 

cycle and the awarding of funds for the beginning of the next cycle. 

NASA shall take all necessary steps to avoid such a gap, including 

a possible short-term extension of current awards or the awarding 

of new single year awards while the five year award solicitation is 

being processed. When new awards are made, NASA shall give consideration to each applicant’s demonstrated record of achievement 

in STEM education activities and to the alignment of each applicant’s proposal with the priorities contained in the governmentwide STEM education strategic plan. 

STEM Education and Accountability Projects (SEAP).—NASA’s 

budget justification contains very little specific information about 

the proposed content of the SEAP budget line. Prior to the obligation of any SEAP funding, NASA shall brief the Committee on the 

intended distribution of SEAP resources to individual activities; 

how that distribution compares to the fiscal year 2014 distribution 

of SEAP funding; and how that distribution supports the priorities 

contained in the government-wide STEM education strategic plan. 

Youth service organizations.—The Committee notes that NASA 

has worked in partnership with youth service organizations, including those with a nationwide footprint, to engage K–12 students in 

STEM-related activities and to help encourage those students to 

pursue future STEM-related studies and careers. These efforts are 

an effective way to help build the strong STEM workforce needed 

to ensure a globally competitive U.S. economy. NASA is directed to 

continue the agency’s K–12 STEM education efforts with youth 

service organizations and to report to the Committee on these efforts no later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act. In addition, the Committee urges NASA to leverage its extensive partnerdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ships with the private sector to further promote STEM learning 

and STEM activities for young people. 

SAFETY, SECURITY AND MISSION SERVICES

The Committee recommends $2,779,000,000 for Safety, Security and Mission Services (SSMS), which is $14,000,000 below fiscal 

year 2014 and $400,000 above the request. 

Use of Space Act Agreements (SAAs).—The Committee anticipates the receipt of an ongoing Office of Inspector General (OIG) 

assessment of NASA’s use of SAAs and a report from NASA regarding the feasibility of including in an online SAA database the 

estimated value of NASA’s contributions associated with unfunded 

agreements. Upon review of both of these documents, the Committee may recommend additional changes in NASA’s management 

policies regarding SAA usage. 

Security.—The Committee was deeply concerned by recent findings of the NASA OIG regarding the occurrence of security violations and a lack of accountability for those violations at the Langley and Ames Research Centers, as well as findings of the National 

Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) regarding problems and 

vulnerabilities in NASA’s agency-wide security controls and practices. Proper security compliance requires effective and comprehensive policies, strong enforcement mechanisms, and sustained leadership attention, and NAPA made recommendations to NASA for 

improvement in each of these areas. 

The Committee expects NASA to work expeditiously to implement these and all other NAPA recommendations. In addition to 

carrying out NAPA’s recommendations, the Committee also directs 

NASA to enter into an arrangement with the Department of Justice to bring FBI counterintelligence (CI) agents to work on-site at 

all major NASA installations. 

To enable work on security-related improvements, the SSMS recommendation includes the requested level for information technology security activities, as well as $5,000,000 for the revision of 

NASA’s export control training materials; the hiring of additional 

NASA CI personnel; improvements in identity management and 

credentialing business processes; and the further development, implementation and staffing of NASA’s Foreign National Access Management Program. The Committee believes these resources should 

allow NASA to accelerate its proposed timeline for completion of its 

corrective action plan so that as many changes as possible are in 

place by the end of fiscal year 2015. 

In order to permit the Committee to effectively track NASA’s implementation of these and all other recommendations made by 

NAPA (as well as any new or additional steps directed by the Congress or taken at the initiative of agency management), NASA shall 

continue submitting the quarterly reports first directed in fiscal 

year 2014. In addition, NASA should support a formal update by 

NAPA on the agency’s progress in implementing its corrective actions, with the update process to begin no later than the end of fiscal year 2015. 

Leasing arrangements.—The Committee remains disappointed 

that prior action (and inaction) by NASA resulted in leasing arrangements at the Ames Research Center that lacked transparency, gave the appearance of favoritism in agency decision makdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ing, and permitted a lessee to receive financial benefits to which it 

was not entitled. These negative outcomes can be avoided in the future through the rigorous and consistent application of existing 

legal, regulatory and policy requirements regarding competition 

and cost recovery in leasing arrangements, and the Committee expects NASA to ensure that all such future arrangements follow 

those requirements. In addition, NASA shall take any possible 

steps to ensure that previous underpayments for aircraft fuel at 

Ames are rectified and repaid to the appropriate parties in a timely 

manner. 

Technical Capabilities Assessment Team (TCAT).—NASA is engaged in a technical capabilities assessment with the goal of increasing the efficiency of the agency’s operations while maintaining 

capabilities necessary for the achievement of current and future 

missions. As the outcomes of this process may result in significant 

investment or divestment decisions affecting the agency’s facilities, 

equipment and workforce, NASA is directed to provide to the Committee quarterly briefings on TCAT progress and outcomes. 

Control of mobile devices.—The Committee is concerned by the 

NASA OIG report, NASA’s Management of Its Tablets, 

Smartphones and Other Mobile Devices, which found that NASA 

does not have an accurate inventory of agency-issued mobile devices and has not sufficiently mitigated security vulnerabilities that 

arise from the widespread use of mobile devices for official business. NASA shall provide to the Committee an update on its implementation of the corrective actions outlined in the agency’s response to this OIG report every six months until those corrective 

actions are completed. 

Premium air travel.—Several recent media reports have called 

into question NASA’s use and oversight of premium air travel. 

Among the issues cited in these reports are errors or omissions in 

required oversight reporting; unclear justifications for the use of 

premium tickets in certain instances; and the rate at which NASA 

appears to authorize premium travel relative to other agencies. 

NASA shall take all necessary steps to promptly rectify any problems in its Premium Class Travel Reports over the past five fiscal 

years and provide corrected information to the General Services 

Administration and the Committee as soon as possible. In addition, 

NASA shall report to the Committee on steps it has taken to reduce the use of premium travel (including travel that would be 

deemed permissible by Federal travel regulations) in fiscal year 

2014 and future years. That report shall be provided no later than 

90 days after the enactment of this Act. 

Working Capital Fund (WCF) reporting.—NASA shall continue to 

submit quarterly reports to the Committee on the expenditures and 

unobligated balances of NASA’s WCF, as first required in the statement accompanying Public Law 112–55. 

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zones.—NASA shall 

report to the Committee on its progress in meeting procurement 

goals under the HUBZone program over the past five years. This 

report shall be submitted no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act. 

Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V).—In order to ensure that all necessary work continues to be performed despite a 

smaller dedicated IV&V budget in fiscal year 2015, NASA shall 

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fund any IV&V shortfall from within the mission directorates that 

make use of IV&V services. 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

The Committee recommends $446,000,000 for Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration, which is $69,000,000 

below fiscal year 2014 and $100,000 below the request. 

Programmatic Construction of Facilities (CoF).—The recommended level includes $52,300,000 for Exploration CoF and 

$18,600,000 for Space Operations CoF. 

Measurements Sciences Laboratory (MSL).—The Committee supports NASA’s plan to construct an MSL complex to replace aging 

agency facilities. The new MSL will provide modern, efficient lab 

facilities; reduce maintenance requirements; and positively impact 

NASA’s infrastructure current replacement value. NASA is urged 

to ensure that sufficient funding to commence MSL construction is 

included in its fiscal year 2016 request. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $34,000,000 for the OIG, which is 

$3,500,000 below fiscal year 2014 and $3,000,000 below the request. 

The Committee notes that several significant management issues 

at NASA were recently brought to the Committee’s attention. 

These issues include weaknesses in NASA’s security controls and 

practices, which were discovered through whistleblower contact 

with Congress, and compliance problems with oversight requirements on premium air travel, which were uncovered through media 

reporting. These are the types of issues that the OIG should be 

proactively pursuing. The Committee urges the OIG to take the 

necessary steps to ensure that it is vigorously filling its oversight 

role and providing accountability for problems in NASA’s programs 

and operations. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee has included the following administrative provisions for NASA: 

The bill includes a provision that makes funds for any announced 

prize available without fiscal year limitation until the prize is 

claimed or the offer is withdrawn. 

The bill includes a provision that establishes terms and conditions for the transfer of funds. 

The bill includes a provision that requires NASA to submit its 

agency spending plan at the activity level and subjects both the 

spending plan and specified changes to that plan to reprogramming 

procedures under section 505 of this Act. 

(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The bill includes a provision that allows the transfer of balances 

under a previous appropriations account structure to the new appropriations account structure. 

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The Committee recommends $7,404,205,000 for the National 

Science Foundation (NSF), which is $232,287,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $149,205,000 above the request. 

RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

The Committee recommends $5,973,645,000 for Research and Related Activities (R&RA), which is $164,727,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $166,185,000 above the request. 

Program changes.—Unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this 

statement, the recommendation incorporates all program reductions and consolidations proposed in the R&RA budget request. 

Any increases provided above the request and not otherwise specified below shall be applied to math and physical sciences; computer 

and information science and engineering; engineering; and biological sciences. 

Neuroscience.—NSF is uniquely positioned to advance the nonmedical aspects of cognitive science and neuroscience, particularly 

through interdisciplinary science, computational models, visualization techniques, innovative technologies and the underlying data 

and data infrastructure needed to transform our understanding of 

these areas. The Committee encourages NSF to continue working 

in conjunction with the IWGN as well as the Brain Research 

through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative to accelerate understanding of how the brain functions. The 

recommendation provides an increase of $21,150,000 for research 

related to the BRAIN initiative and cognitive science and neuroscience research. 

Within the amount provided for NSF, funds are also included to 

support an international conference on neuroscience. This conference should convene government representatives, neuroscience 

researchers, private entities, non-profit institutions and others to 

share research and foster collaboration around neuroscience-related 

activities. The Committee urges NSF to report to the Committee on 

the results of such conference. 

Advanced manufacturing.—The recommendation includes the fiscal year 2014 current plan level for advanced manufacturing. Future economic prosperity in the United States will depend largely 

on our ability to develop and manufacture new products based on 

advanced technologies, both for the domestic market and for export. 

Basic research supported through NSF and other Federal science 

agencies is critical to this effort because it will help provide the 

foundation for the development of such new products and technologies by the private sector. 

Lyme disease.—NSF has previously supported a variety of research intended to learn more about the prevalence of Lyme and 

other tick-borne diseases. The Committee encourages NSF to continue these efforts by funding meritorious Lyme disease research 

proposals that fully meet NSF’s peer review standards. 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 

(EPSCoR).—The Committee’s recommendation includes the requested level for EPSCoR. NSF shall report to the Committee on 

the steps it has taken to address all recommendations resulting 

from EPSCoR program evaluations conducted by the National 

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Academy of Sciences and the Science and Technology Policy Institute. This report shall be provided no later than 120 days after the 

enactment of this Act. 

Replication of scientific research.—The Committee concurs in the 

view that the gold standard of good science is the ability of a research lab to reproduce a method and finding, and shares the growing concern that a significant amount of recent research cannot be 

easily reproduced. The Committee is therefore pleased that NSF recently convened a comprehensive workshop on ‘‘Robust Research,’’ 

which included representatives of NSF, NIH, OSTP and non-governmental scientific organizations and individual experts, to discuss the magnitude of the issue of replicability and to explore solutions to promote rigor and transparency in research. NSF shall provide the Committee with recommendations to address the problem 

of replication and a description of how NSF will support research 

on practices that improve research methods, increase research 

transparency and allow for increased scientific replicability. 

Innovation Corps.—The Committee commends NSF’s Innovation 

Corps for its work in supporting entrepreneurship and commercialization of technologies produced by NSF grantees. The Committee encourages NSF to work with other Federal agencies to enable researchers funded by those agencies to be eligible to participate in the Innovation Corps. 

STEM education indicators.—The Committee expects that funding provided for the National Center for Science and Engineering 

Statistics will fully support NSF’s efforts to collect, analyze and 

disseminate data for the 14 indicators identified in the NRC’s Monitoring Progress Toward Successful K–12 STEM Education report. 

Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review.—NSF shall not implement any final divestment of infrastructure tied to the findings of 

its 2012 Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review without first reporting such actions to the Committee and ensuring that they are 

carried out in accordance with any relevant reprogramming requirements. 

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) costs.—The Committee remains concerned about the rising costs of NSF’s reliance on employees hired through the IPA. While these individuals bring value 

to the agency, they also cost significantly more than civil servants 

both in terms of absolute dollars and the rate of cost growth. NSF 

should be able to better control these costs through more aggressive negotiations with IPA employees’ home institutions, the imposition of cost sharing requirements and other means. To incentivize 

NSF to continue pursuing these cost savings opportunities, the recommendation permits NSF to continue hiring IPAs but does not 

provide the requested increases for IPA compensation, per diem, 

lost consultant fees and travel. 

High performance computing.—NSF shall provide to the Committee the agency’s plan for maintaining and modernizing its big 

data and high performance computing infrastructure, including related software and applications, to support all areas of scientific research and education. This plan, which should be provided no later 

than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, shall include a focus 

area on transitioning relevant research to operations. 

Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MPRF).—NSF funds 

a variety of MPRF programs across R&RA, including dedicated 

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funding streams/solicitations and focus areas within larger programs. The Committee is concerned about the frequency with 

which the structure and management of these programs has 

changed, as well as the possible existence and implications of inconsistency in the agency’s management approach across programs. 

NSF shall provide a report to the Committee listing all agency programs that fund minority postdoctoral fellowships, either exclusively or as a discrete focus area; identifying any differences in program management, implementation and evaluation across programs; and discussing possible opportunities to increase stability 

and consistency across programs through changes in funding and 

management strategies. This report shall be provided no later than 

120 days after the enactment of this Act. 

International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).—The recommendation provides the requested level for IODP. 

Social, Behavioral and Economic (SBE) sciences.—Longstanding 

congressional concerns persist about the merit of activities funded 

through NSF’s SBE Directorate. In order to address these concerns, 

NSF must ensure that SBE awards are consistent with NSF’s scientific quality standards and aligned to national interests. The 

Committee recognizes the intrinsic value in SBE sciences and the 

direct responsiveness of SBE activities to Committee priorities, including studies on the effects of youth exposure to media violence 

and the collection of data for STEM education indicators. 

MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $200,760,000 for Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction, which is $760,000 above 

fiscal year 2014 and the same as the request. 

EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

The Committee recommends $876,000,000 for Education and 

Human Resources (EHR), which is $29,500,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $13,750,000 below the request. 

Program changes.—Unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this 

statement, the recommendation incorporates all program reductions and consolidations proposed in the EHR budget request. 

Advanced Technological Education (ATE).—The recommendation 

provides no less than $66,000,000 for ATE. 

Broadening participation programs.—To broaden the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM education programs 

and, ultimately, the STEM workforce, the recommendation provides no less than $32,000,000 for the Historically Black Colleges 

and Universities Undergraduate Program, $46,000,000 for the 

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and $13,500,000 

for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. 

The America COMPETES Act of 2010 directed NSF to establish 

a new program for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). NSF has 

outlined a number of technical challenges with implementing an 

HSI-specific program and instead expressed a preference for targeting opportunities to HSIs within existing programs, including 

ATE, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education, the Robert 

Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and the Scholarships in STEM 

program. The Committee accepts this approach for fiscal year 2015 

with the understanding that such targeted opportunities cumuladlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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tively will constitute a $30,000,000 investment. NSF shall report to 

the Committee on the distribution of HSI targeted opportunities 

across programs and demonstrate a $30,000,000 investment no 

later than September 30, 2015. 

Best Practices in K–12 STEM education.—The Committee appreciates the efforts NSF has made to broadly disseminate the findings of the NRC’s 2011 report, Successful K–12 STEM Education: 

Identifying Effective Approaches in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and encourages NSF to continue those efforts 

in fiscal year 2015. 

One-stop STEM education dissemination.—The Federal government has funded and produced a wealth of valuable STEM education materials, but the impact of these materials is limited by 

their inconsistent and uneven dispersal across a variety of platforms. For this reason, the Committee has long advocated the creation of a comprehensive online source where such materials would 

be curated and made easily available in a useful form to a broad 

set of communities, including academic researchers, policymakers, 

educational practitioners and parents. 

Consequently, the Committee directs NSF (in partnership with 

fellow members of the Federal Committee on STEM Education and 

in consultation with experts in the private sector, State and local 

governments and nonprofit organizations) to establish such a 

source, or set of linked sources, and to use funds provided in this 

account for any costs associated with this effort. 

While this will be a multiyear project, NSF shall begin with the 

creation and launch of a pilot website in fiscal year 2015. The pilot 

site shall cover a defined subset of NSF-funded materials; take into 

consideration current research on how people search for and use information online; be consistent with current and anticipated government-wide directives on public access to federally funded research materials; and, to the greatest extent possible, build on existing infrastructure. In addition, NSF shall ensure that the operations of the pilot site are monitored and evaluated in fiscal year 

2015 so that lessons learned can be incorporated into the expansion 

of the pilot to cover all NSF-funded materials and other agencies’ 

materials in fiscal year 2016 and future years. NSF shall report to 

the Committee on the effectiveness of the pilot and recommendations for next steps no later than October 1, 2015. 

AGENCY OPERATIONS AND AWARD MANAGEMENT

The Committee recommends $335,000,000 for Agency Operations 

and Award Management, which is $37,000,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $3,230,000 below the request. 

Headquarters.—The recommendation provides up to $30,370,000 

for acquisition, occupancy and related costs associated with NSF’s 

new headquarters, including $3,000,000 for project management. 

Grant management.—NSF is directed to fund grant management 

activities, including post award monitoring, at no less than the fiscal year 2014 current plan level. 

Research-specific inflation factors.—Several other Federal agencies calculate research-specific inflation factors in order to monitor 

changes in their year-to-year research purchasing power. The Committee believes such a metric would be useful for evaluating NSF’s 

annual budget request (which was below the general inflation rate 

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for fiscal year 2015) and directs NSF to examine options for including such a factor with its fiscal year 2016 request. Those options 

should include both the calculation of an NSF research inflation 

factor or the adoption of an appropriate research inflation factor 

currently calculated and used by another Federal agency. 

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

The Committee recommends $4,370,000 for the National Science 

Board, which is $70,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the same as the 

request. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $14,430,000 for the OIG, which is 

$230,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the same as the request. 

Management of large cooperative agreements.—The Committee 

remains interested in the OIG’s efforts to reach consensus with 

NSF on the accountability and cost surveillance measures most appropriate for the management of large cooperative agreements. 

OIG shall keep the Committee apprised of any changes agreed to 

or agreements reached with NSF on this topic throughout the fiscal 

year. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

The bill includes a provision that establishes thresholds for the 

transfer of funds. 

TITLE IV 

RELATED AGENCIES 

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $9,000,000 for the Commission on 

Civil Rights, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and $400,000 

below the request. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $364,000,000 for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is the same as fiscal 

year 2014 and $1,531,000 below the request. The recommendation 

includes language making up to $29,500,000 available for payments to State and local enforcement agencies. 

Backlog reduction.—The Committee is pleased with EEOC’s 

progress in reducing the backlog of private sector charges. The 

Committee expects the EEOC to continue to prioritize inventory reduction and to examine new ways to address the backlog and increase productivity. EEOC shall continue to provide quarterly reports on the backlog, to include data on the number and pendency 

of charges and on any changes to EEOC’s priority charge handling 

procedures and the effect of such changes on inventory reduction. 

Conciliation.—The Committee is concerned with the EEOC’s pursuit of litigation absent good faith conciliation efforts. The Comdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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mittee directs the EEOC to engage in such efforts before undertaking litigation and to report, no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, on how it ensures that conciliation efforts are pursued in good faith. 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $84,500,000 for the International 

Trade Commission (ITC), which is $1,500,000 above fiscal year 

2014 and $1,959,000 below the request. 

Internal controls.—The Committee is pleased with ITC’s progress 

in addressing internal control issues identified in audits. However, 

ITC must continue to take aggressive action to address any remaining shortcomings. 

Cybersecurity.—ITC handles sensitive and proprietary data and 

therefore is a potential target for cyber attacks. The Committee expects ITC to prioritize efforts to improve its cybersecurity posture. 

The Committee also encourages ITC to work with other relevant 

Federal agencies to inform its actions. 

Bilateral Investment Treaty.—Should a Bilateral Investment 

Treaty with China be proposed, the ITC shall report to the Committee on how its implementation would help increase production 

by U.S.-invested enterprises in China to serve the U.S. market. In 

preparing this information, the ITC shall identify the impact that 

a treaty will have on the current estimate that 60 percent of Chinese exports to the U.S. are produced by foreign-invested enterprises operating in China. In addition, the ITC shall provide information on the extent to which the treaty would allow Chinese investors to seek redress for U.S. government legal, regulatory or 

other measures that they claim reduce the value of their investments in the United States. 

Section 337.—The ITC has taken steps to address the growing 

strain on its resources caused by the increasing caseload of section 

337 investigations, some of which are filed by patent assertion entities. The Committee directs ITC to provide a report, no later than 

90 days after enactment of this Act, examining the feasibility of 

narrowing the ITC’s existing interpretation of licensing activity to 

include only licensing that leads to the adoption and development 

of articles. 

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

The Committee recommends $350,000,000 for the Legal Services 

Corporation (LSC), which is $15,000,000 below fiscal year 2014 and 

$80,000,000 below the request. 

Pro bono legal services.—The recommendation includes 

$3,000,000 for the pro bono innovation fund, an increase of 

$500,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $1,900,000 below the request. 

Obtaining more services at no or low cost through private attorney 

involvement is one means for LSC to increase legal aid services. 

The Committee is pleased that LSC launched a pro bono task force 

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ommendations of this task force and continue to work with LSCfunded programs to increase the involvement of private attorneys 

in the delivery of legal services to its clients. LSC shall continue 

to report to the Committee annually on its progress in this area, 

including the number of Americans served by pro bono services as 

part of LSC’s efforts. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION—LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

The bill continues restrictions on the uses of LSC funding. None 

of the funds appropriated in this Act to the LSC shall be expended 

for any purpose prohibited or limited by, or contrary to any of the 

provisions of, sections 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506 of Public 

Law 105–119, and all funds appropriated in this Act to the LSC 

shall be subject to the same terms and conditions set forth in such 

sections, except that all references in sections 502 and 503 to 1997 

and 1998 shall be deemed to refer instead to 2014 and 2015, respectively. 

Unauthorized uses of funds.—The Inspector General (IG) of the 

LSC is encouraged to conduct annual audits of LSC grantees to ensure that funds are not used in contravention of the restrictions on 

engaging in political activities or any of the other restrictions by 

which LSC grantees are required to abide. The Committee recommends the removal of funds from any LSC grantee determined 

by the IG to have engaged in unauthorized political activity. 

MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $3,250,000 for the Marine Mammal 

Commission, which is the same as fiscal year 2014 and $181,000 

below the request. 

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $53,500,000 for the Office of the 

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which is $899,000 above fiscal 

year 2014 and $2,670,000 below the request. 

Database of trade agreements.—A February 11, 2014 GAO report, 

United States Has Secured Commitments in Key Bilateral Dialogues, but U.S. Agency Reporting on Status Should Be Improved, 

found that USTR did not comprehensively track the status of compliance with past agreements before entering into subsequent 

agreements. USTR should develop a comprehensive system to track 

such status of compliance and shall report on the data annually, 

with the first such report to be submitted no later than 180 days 

after enactment of this Act. 

Negotiating objectives.—The USTR shall prepare a report, no 

later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, on the extent to 

which negotiating objectives in the Trade Promotion Act of 2002 

were achieved in agreements subject to its provisions. The USTR 

shall provide specific information for each agreement negotiated 

subject to such authority on the extent to which each agreement’s 

negotiating objective was met. 

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Level of enforcement efforts.—The Committee directs USTR to 

prepare a report quantifying its level of effort for trade enforcement 

activities. This should include an estimate of staff time spent on 

enforcement activities and negotiating efforts. USTR shall provide 

this report no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act. Additionally, USTR shall include information in this report on existing 

enforcement activities and how, within potentially constrained future budgets, it will ensure that existing and expected trade agreements will be enforced. 

China.—The Committee expects that USTR will coordinate and 

implement a comprehensive and vigorous strategy to address the 

United States’ trade imbalance with China. Within the amounts 

provided, the USTR is encouraged to maintain staff who can translate Chinese language trade documents. The Committee believes 

that USTR should have its own translators on staff given the challenges associated with enforcing existing U.S. trade laws with 

China. 

Free trade agreements.—The Committee directs USTR to continue to pursue free trade agreements with additional countries 

and trading blocs to continue advancing trade to and from the 

United States. 

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $5,121,000 for the State Justice Institute, which is $221,000 above fiscal year 2014 and the same as 

the request. 

TITLE V 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

Section 501 prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda 

purposes unless expressly authorized by law, or for contracts to 

provide training for agency employees to engage in such activities. 

Section 502 prohibits any appropriation contained in this Act 

from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal 

year unless expressly authorized. 

Section 503 provides that the expenditure of any appropriation 

contained in this Act for any consulting service through procurement contracts shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law or 

under existing Executive order issued pursuant to existing law. 

Section 504 provides that if any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held 

invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of other provisions shall not be affected. 

Section 505 prohibits a reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates 

or initiates a new program, project or activity; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases funds or personnel by any 

means for any project or activity for which funds have been denied 

or restricted; (4) relocates an office or employees; (5) reorganizes or 

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renames offices, programs or activities; (6) contracts out or 

privatizes any function or activity presently performed by Federal 

employees; (7) augments funds for existing programs, projects or 

activities in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, or 

reduces by 10 percent funding for any program, project, or activity, 

or numbers of personnel by 10 percent; or (8) results from any general savings, including savings from a reduction in personnel, 

which would result in a change in existing programs, activities, or 

projects as approved by Congress, unless the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance of 

such reprogramming of funds. For the Department of Justice, the 

notification requirement is 45 days in advance. 

Section 506 provides that if it is determined that any person intentionally affixes a ‘‘Made in America’’ label to any product that 

was not made in America that person shall not be eligible to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made available 

in this Act. The section further provides that to the extent practicable, with respect to purchases of promotional items, funds made 

available under this Act shall be used to purchase items manufactured, produced or assembled in the United States or its territories 

or possessions. 

Section 507 requires quarterly reporting to Congress on the status of balances of appropriations. 

Section 508 provides that any costs incurred by a department or 

agency funded under this Act resulting from, or to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions in this Act, 

or, for the Department of Commerce, from actions taken for the 

care and protection of loan collateral or grant property, shall be absorbed within the budgetary resources available to the department 

or agency, and provides transfer authority between appropriation 

accounts to carry out this provision, subject to reprogramming procedures. 

Section 509 prohibits funds made available in this Act from being 

used to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products 

or to seek the reduction or removal of foreign restrictions on the 

marketing of tobacco products, except for restrictions which are not 

applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products of the same type. 

This provision is not intended to impact routine international trade 

services to all U.S. citizens, including the processing of applications 

to establish foreign trade zones. 

Section 510 limits the obligation of receipts deposited into the 

Crime Victims Fund at $770,000,000 during fiscal year 2015, an increase of $25,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level of obligations. 

This language is continued to ensure that a stable level of funds 

will remain available for the program, despite inconsistent levels of 

fines deposited annually into the Fund. 

Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice funds for 

programs that discriminate against or denigrate the religious or 

moral beliefs of students participating in such programs. 

Section 512 prohibits the transfer of funds made available in this 

Act to any department, agency or instrumentality of the United 

States Government, except for transfers made by, or pursuant to 

authorities provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act. 

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Section 513 provides that funds provided in this Act for E-Government Initiatives shall be subject to the procedures set forth in 

section 505 of this Act. 

Section 514 requires certain timetables and procedures for specified audits performed by Inspectors General of the departments 

and agencies funded in this Act and sets limits and restrictions on 

the awarding and use of grants or contracts funded by amounts appropriated by this Act. 

Section 515 prohibits funds for acquisition of certain information 

systems unless the acquiring department or agency has reviewed 

and assessed certain risks. Any acquisition of such an information 

system is contingent upon the development of a risk mitigation 

strategy and a determination that the acquisition is in the national 

interest. Each department or agency covered under section 515 

shall submit a quarterly report to the Committees on Appropriations describing reviews and assessments of risk made pursuant to 

this section and any associated findings or determinations. 

Section 516 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract 

employee of the United States Government. 

Section 517 permanently prohibits the use of funds to require 

certain export licenses. 

Section 518 permanently prohibits the use of funds to deny certain import applications regarding ‘‘curios or relics’’ firearms, parts, 

or ammunition. 

Section 519 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to include certain language in trade agreements. 

Section 520 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to authorize or issue a national security letter (NSL) in contravention of certain laws authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue NSLs. 

Section 521 requires congressional notification regarding any 

project within the Departments of Commerce or Justice, or the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration totaling more than $75,000,000 that has cost increases of at least 10 percent. 

Section 522 deems funds for intelligence or intelligence related 

activities as authorized by Congress during fiscal year 2015 until 

the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 

2015. 

Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess of $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies 

that the organization has filed all Federal tax returns, has not 

been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue 

Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment. 

(RESCISSIONS)

Section 524 provides for rescissions of unobligated balances in 

the Departments of Commerce and Justice. 

Section 525 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

for the purchase of first class or premium air travel in contravention of certain Federal travel regulations. 

Section 526 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to pay for the attendance of more than 50 department or agency 

employees at any single conference outside the United States, undlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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less the conference is a law enforcement training or operational 

event where the majority of Federal attendees are law enforcement 

personnel stationed outside the United States. 

Section 527 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

in a manner that is inconsistent with the principal negotiating objective of the United States with respect to trade remedy laws. 

Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other Act 

for the transfer or release of certain individuals detained at United 

States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or within the 

United States, its territories or possessions. 

Section 529 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other Act 

to construct, acquire or modify any facility in the United States, its 

territories, or possessions to house certain individuals who, as of 

June 24, 2009, were located at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment 

in the custody or control of the Department of Defense. 

Section 530 requires, when practicable, the use of funds in this 

Act to purchase light bulbs that have the ‘‘Energy Star’’ or ‘‘Federal 

Energy Management Program’’ designation. 

Section 531 requires tracking and reporting of undisbursed balances in expired grant accounts. 

Section 532 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or 

the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to engage in bilateral activities with China or a Chinese-owned company unless 

the activities are authorized by subsequent legislation or NASA or 

OSTP have made a certification pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) 

of this section. 

Section 533 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to deny the importation of shotgun models if no application for the importation of such models, in the same configuration, 

had been denied prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the 

shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to 

sporting purposes. 

Section 534 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to establish or maintain a computer network that does not block 

pornography, except for law enforcement purposes. 

Section 535 requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation to submit spending plans. 

Section 536 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, 

or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan 

or loan guarantee to, any corporation that was convicted of a felony 

criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 

months. 

Section 537 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, 

or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan 

or loan guarantee to, any corporation that has any unpaid Federal 

tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and 

that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability. 

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Section 538 prohibits funds made available by this Act to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of ratification. 

Section 539 prohibits funds from being used to require a person 

licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States Code, to report 

information to the Department of Justice regarding the sale of multiple rifles or shotguns to the same person. 

SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT

Section 540 establishes a Spending Reduction Account, as required by section 3(d) of H. Res. 5 (113th Congress). 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The following materials are submitted in accordance with various 

requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives: 

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

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STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which this measure authorizes funding: The Committee on Appropriations considers program performance, including a program’s success in developing and attaining 

outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing funding recommendations. 

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill: 

Department of Commerce: 

Departmental Management, Franchise Fund ........................... $2,906,000 

Department of Justice: 

Working Capital Fund ................................................................ 54,000,000 

Assets Forfeiture Fund ............................................................... 193,000,000 

U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Prisoner Detention ................. 122,000,000 

State and Local Law Enforcement Activities: 

Office on Violence Against Women, Violence Against 

Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs .............. 12,200,000 

Office of Justice Programs ................................................... 59,000,000 

Community Oriented Policing Services .............................. 26,000,000 

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is submitted describing the transfers of funds provided in the accompanying bill: 

In title I, under U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Salaries and 

Expenses, language is included to transfer funds to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, the Federal Employees Health 

Benefit Fund, and the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance 

Fund. 

Under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, language is included to transfer 

funds from the Promote and Develop Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries fund. 

In title II, under General Administration, Administrative Review 

and Appeals, language is included to transfer funds to the Executive Office for Immigration Review from fees deposited in the Immigration Examinations Fee account. 

Under United States Marshals Service, Federal Prisoner Detention, language is included transferring available unobligated balances from General Administration, Detention Trustee to this account. 

Under Federal Prison System, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included to allow the transfer of funds to the Health Resources 

and Services Administration. 

In title III, under National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Administrative Provisions, language is included to allow unexpired balances of a previous account to be transferred to the new 

account established in this Act funding the same activities. 

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DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED

SPENDING ITEMS

Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE) 

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee notes that the accompanying bill does not propose to repeal or amend a statute or part 

thereof. 

CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted 

describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill which 

directly or indirectly change the application of existing law. 

Language is included for a number of accounts placing limitations on representation and reception allowances in order to reduce 

the amount of money that would otherwise be spent on these activities. The bill also provides that a number of appropriations 

shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year. 

While these provisions are not specifically authorized for all of the 

items, it is deemed desirable to include such language for certain 

programs in order to provide for orderly administration and effective use of funds. 

In title I, Department of Commerce, under International Trade 

Administration, Operations and Administration, language is included providing that funds may be used for engaging in trade promotion activities abroad, including expenses of grants and cooperative agreements for the purposes of promoting exports of U.S. 

firms. Language is also provided allowing for full medical coverage 

for dependent members of immediate families of employees stationed overseas and employees temporarily posted overseas; travel 

and transportation of employees of the International Trade Administration; employment of Americans and aliens by contract for services; rental of space abroad and expenses of alteration, repair, or 

improvement; purchase or construction of temporary demountable 

exhibition structures for use abroad; and payment of tort claims. In 

addition, language is included regarding official representation expenses abroad, purchase of passenger motor vehicles for official use 

abroad, obtaining insurance on official motor vehicles, and rental 

of tie lines. Language is also recommended deriving a portion of 

available funds from fees. Furthermore, language is included designating funding for China antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement and compliance activities. Moreover, language is included providing for two-year availability of funds. Finally, language is included regarding the contributions under the Mutual 

Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. 

Under Bureau of Industry and Security, Operations and Administration, the language provides for no-year availability of funds. 

Language is included regarding the costs associated with the performance of export administration field activities both domestically 

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diate families of employees stationed overseas; employment of 

Americans and aliens by contract for services abroad; payment of 

tort claims; official representation expenses abroad; awards of compensation to informers; and purchase of passenger motor vehicles 

for official use and motor vehicles for law enforcement use without 

regard to any price limitation established by law. In addition, language is included regarding the Mutual Educational and Cultural 

Exchange Act of 1961. Finally, language is recommended providing 

that payments and contributions collected and accepted for materials or services may be retained for use in covering the cost of 

those activities and other communications. 

Under Economic Development Administration, Economic Development Assistance Programs, the language provides for no-year 

availability of funds. Language is also included specifying amounts 

for certain grants and loan guarantees. In addition, language is included providing that the cost of modifying certain loan guarantees 

be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974. Finally, the account includes language limiting funds available to subsidize total loan principal. 

Also, under Salaries and Expenses, language is included regarding the monitoring of approved projects. 

Under Minority Business Development Agency, Minority Business Development, language is included making funds available for 

fostering, promoting, and developing minority business enterprises, 

including expenses of grants, contracts and other agreements. 

Under Economic and Statistical Analysis, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for two-year availability of funds. 

Under Bureau of the Census, Salaries and Expenses, language is 

included providing that funds may be used for collecting, compiling, 

analyzing, preparing and publishing statistics and for promotion, 

outreach and marketing activities. Language is also included directing Census to collect certain data. 

Also, under Periodic Censuses and Programs, language is included providing two-year availability of funds. Language is also 

included providing that funds may be used for collecting, compiling, 

analyzing, preparing and publishing statistics and for promotion, 

outreach and marketing activities. Finally, language is included 

providing for a transfer to the ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’ account 

for activities associated with carrying out investigations and audits 

related to the Bureau of the Census. 

Under National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for 

two-year availability of funds. Language is also included permitting 

the Secretary of Commerce to charge Federal agencies for costs in 

spectrum management, analysis, operations, and related services; 

and to use such collections in telecommunications research. The 

language also allows the Secretary to retain and use as offsetting 

collections all funds transferred, or previously transferred for telecommunications research, engineering and activities by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences of NTIA. Finally, language is 

included providing that funds so transferred shall remain available 

until expended. 

Also, under Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and 

Construction, language is included allowing recoveries and unoblidlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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gated balances of funds previously appropriated to be available for 

the administration of all open grants until their expiration. 

Under United States Patent and Trademark Office, Salaries and 

Expenses, language is included providing that appropriated funds 

be reduced as offsetting collections are assessed and collected. The 

language also provides that funds received in excess of appropriations be deposited in a Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve fund, 

to be available until expended pursuant to the Director submitting 

a spending plan subject to section 505 of this Act, after which the 

funds shall be transferred to the Salaries and Expenses account. In 

addition, language is included limiting representation expenses. 

Language is also included regarding basic pay and certain retirement benefits. Additional language is included regarding USPTO’s 

financial statements. Furthermore, language is included providing 

that fees and surcharges charged are available to USPTO pursuant 

to section 42(c) of title 35, United States Code. Finally, the language provides that an amount be transferred to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). 

Under National Institute of Standards and Technology, Scientific 

and Technical Research and Services, language is included providing for no-year availability of funds. In addition, language is included allowing transfers to the working capital fund. Language is 

included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Finally, language is included allowing NIST to provide 

local transportation for a certain fellowship program. 

Also, under Industrial Technology Services, language is included 

providing no-year availability of funds. The language also designates an amount for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 

In addition, under Construction of Research Facilities, language 

is included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included regarding the submission of certain materials in support of construction budget requests. 

Under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, language is included allowing for 

two-year availability for funds, except for cooperative enforcement 

funds, which are available for three years. Language is also included allowing maintenance, operation, and hire of aircraft and 

vessels; grants, contracts, or other payments to nonprofit organizations for the purposes of conducting activities pursuant to cooperative agreements; and relocation of facilities. Language is included 

allowing fees and donations received by a particular office to be retained and used for expenses related to certain activities. In addition, language is included that provides that certain funds be derived from various sources. Furthermore, language is included limiting the amount of funds that can be provided for corporate services administrative support. Moreover, language is included specifying that deviations from amounts included in the report accompanying the Act shall be subject to section 505 of this Act. Finally, 

language is included providing for retired pay expenses. 

Also, under Procurement, Acquisition and Construction, language 

is included providing for three-year availability for funds, except 

for construction funds, which are available until expended. Language is also included providing that certain funds be derived from 

various sources. In addition, language is included specifying that 

deviations from amounts included in the report accompanying the 

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Act shall be subject to section 505 of this Act. Language is included 

regarding the submission of certain materials in support of construction budget requests. Finally, language is included transferring an amount to the OIG. 

In addition, under Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery, language is 

included providing for two-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included allowing the Secretary of Commerce to issue grants 

to specific States and federally recognized tribes for conservation 

projects for listed endangered or threatened salmon and steelhead 

populations, populations at risk to be so listed, and for maintaining 

populations necessary for the exercise of tribal treaty fishing 

rights, and for conservation of Pacific coastal salmon and steelhead 

habitat, to be allocated under scientific and merit principles and 

not available for marketing activities; and requiring a State match. 

Furthermore, under Fishermen’s Contingency Fund, language is 

included providing for the appropriation of funds to be derived from 

receipts collected pursuant to Title IV of Public Law 95–372. 

Moreover, under Fisheries Finance Program Account, language is 

included placing limitations on individual fishing quota loans and 

traditional direct loans. 

Under Departmental Management, Salaries and Expenses, language is included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. In addition, language is included continuing a task 

force on job repatriation and manufacturing growth, and requiring 

the Secretary to produce an annual report. 

Under Renovation and Modernization, language is included making funds available until expended. 

Under Department of Commerce, General Provisions, the following general provisions that fall within the rule are recommended: 

Section 101 makes funds available for advanced payments 

only upon certification of officials designated by the Secretary 

that such payments are considered to be in the public interest. 

Section 102 makes appropriations for the Department available for hire of passenger motor vehicles, for services, and for 

uniforms and allowances as authorized by law. 

Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds between 

Department of Commerce appropriation accounts and requiring 

notification to the Committee of certain actions. 

Section 104 extends Congressional notification requirements 

for NOAA satellite programs. 

Section 105 provides for reimbursement for services within 

Department of Commerce buildings. 

Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the Department of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography, 

copyright infringement, or any other unlawful activity over 

their networks. 

Section 107 provides the Administrator with the authority to 

avail NOAA of needed resources, with the consent of those supplying the resources, to carry out responsibilities of any statute 

administered by NOAA. 

Section 108 requires a monthly report on official travel to 

China. 

In title II, Department of Justice, under General Administration, 

Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for an 

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amount for security and construction of Department of Justice facilities, which shall remain available until expended. 

Also, under Justice Information Sharing Technology, language is 

included providing that funds be available until expended. Language is also included allowing transfers up to a certain amount 

to this account for information technology initiatives. 

In addition, under Administrative Review and Appeals, language 

is included providing that an amount shall be derived by transfer 

from the Executive Office for Immigration Review fees deposited in 

the ‘‘Immigration Examinations Fee’’ account. Language is also included making an amount available until expended for certain purposes. 

Moreover, under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing for not to exceed $10,000 to meet unforeseen 

emergencies of a confidential character. 

Under Legal Activities, Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities, language is included providing not to exceed $20,000 for 

expenses of collecting evidence, to be expended under the direction 

of, and to be accounted for solely under the certificate of, the Attorney General. Language is also included providing for rental of 

space in the District of Columbia. Language is included making an 

amount available until expended for litigation support contracts. 

Also, language is included limiting the amount of funds for official 

representation and reception expenses available to INTERPOL 

Washington. Furthermore, language is included allowing, upon a 

determination by the Attorney General that emergent circumstances require additional funding for litigation activities of the 

Civil Division, the Attorney General to transfer funds to this account from available appropriations for the current fiscal year for 

the Department of Justice, as may be necessary to respond to such 

circumstances. Moreover, language is included providing funds to 

the Civil Rights Division for expenses associated with election monitoring, authority to reimburse the Office of Personnel Management 

for such expenses, and availability of such funds until expended. 

Finally, language is included for expenses associated with processing cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 

1986. 

Also, under Salaries and Expenses, Antitrust Division, language 

is included providing for no-year availability of funds. The language also provides that fees collected for premerger notification 

filings, regardless of the year of collection, shall be retained and 

used for necessary expenses in this appropriation, and shall remain 

available until expended. 

In addition, under Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys, language is included regarding inter-governmental and cooperative agreements and limiting funds for official reception and 

representation expenses. Language is also included extending the 

availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included requiring 

each United States Attorney to establish or participate in a task 

force on human trafficking. 

Furthermore, under United States Trustee System Fund, language is included regarding refunds due depositors. Language is 

also included providing for the extended availability of certain 

funds and the use of offsetting collections. 

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Moreover, under Fees and Expenses of Witnesses, language is included regarding contracts for the procurement and supervision of 

expert witnesses. In addition, language is included regarding funds 

for construction of buildings for safesites, armored and other vehicles, and telecommunication equipment. The language also provides 

for no-year availability of funds. 

And under Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service, 

language is included regarding the transfer of funds for conflict resolution and violence prevention activities, which shall be subject to 

the provisions of section 505 of this Act. 

Under United States Marshals Service, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included limiting official reception and representation 

expenses, and providing for no-year availability for part of the appropriation. 

Also, under Construction, language is included providing for noyear availability. 

In addition, under Federal Prisoner Detention, language is included providing for no-year availability. Language is also included 

providing that the United States Marshals Service shall be responsible for managing the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation 

System. In addition, language is included limiting the amount of 

funds considered ‘‘funds appropriated for State and local law enforcement assistance’’. Finally, language is included transferring to 

this account unobligated balances from funds appropriated in prior 

years to the Detention Trustee. 

Under National Security Division, Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for the no-year availability of funds for 

IT systems. Language is also included providing that upon a determination by the Attorney General that emergent circumstances require additional funding for the activities of the National Security 

Division, the Attorney General may transfer such amounts to this 

heading from available appropriations for the current fiscal year 

for the Department of Justice, as may be necessary to respond to 

such circumstances. The language provides such a transfer be 

treated as a reprogramming under section 505 of this Act. 

Under Interagency Law Enforcement, Interagency Crime and 

Drug Enforcement, language is included providing for no-year 

availability for some of the funds. Language is also included regarding authorities under which funds may be used. 

Under Federal Bureau of Investigation, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for no-year availability of certain 

funds. Language is also included providing funds for the National 

Gang and Human Trafficking Intelligence Center. Language is included providing for a limitation on representational expenses. Finally language is included regarding a comprehensive review of the 

implementation of the recommendations related to the Federal Bureau of Investigation that were proposed in the report issued by the 

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 

Under Construction, language is included specifying the purpose 

of the appropriation and making it available until expended. 

Under Drug Enforcement Administration, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for funds to meet unforeseen emergencies of a confidential character. Language is also included allowing conduct of drug education and training programs, including 

travel and related expenses for participants in such programs and 

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the distribution of items of token value that promote the goals of 

such programs. In addition, language is included providing for noyear availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included providing for a limitation on representational expenses. 

Under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Salaries and Expenses, language is included allowing training of State 

and local law enforcement agencies with or without reimbursement, including training in connection with the training and acquisition of canines for explosives and fire accelerants detection, and 

allowing provision of laboratory assistance to State and local law 

enforcement agencies, with or without reimbursement. Language is 

also included limiting official reception and representation expenses. In addition, language is included providing funds for the 

payment of attorneys’ fees. In addition, language is included providing for no-year availability of certain funds. Additional language 

is included prohibiting expenses to investigate or act upon applications for relief from Federal firearms disabilities under section 

925(c) of title 18, United States Code. Language is further included 

regarding expenses to investigate applications filed by corporations 

for relief from section 925(c) of title 18, United States Code. Moreover, language is included that prohibits funds to transfer the functions, missions or activities of ATF to other agencies or departments. Finally, language is included regarding the name of the 

ATF Headquarters building. 

Under Federal Prison System, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included that provides for the transfer to the Health Resources 

and Services Administration funds necessary for medical relief for 

inmates. Language is also included that provides authority to the 

Director to enter into contracts to furnish health care. In addition, 

language is included placing a limitation on funds for reception and 

representation expenses. Furthermore, language is included extending the availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included providing authority for the Federal Prison System to accept 

donated property and services. 

Also, in Building and Facilities, language is included providing 

for no-year availability of funds and establishing funding levels for 

certain activities. Language is also included stating labor of prisoners may be used for work under this heading. 

Additionally, under Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, language is included authorizing Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, to make such expenditures, within the limits of funds and 

borrowing authority available, and in accord with the law, and to 

make such contracts and commitments, without regard to fiscal 

year limitations, as may be necessary in carrying out the program 

set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such corporation. 

Furthermore, under Limitation on Administrative Expenses, Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, language is included making 

available funds for its administrative expenses, and for certain 

services, to be computed on an accrual basis to be determined in 

accordance with the corporation’s current prescribed accounting 

system, and such amounts shall be exclusive of depreciation, payment of claims, and expenditures which such accounting system requires to be capitalized or charged to cost of commodities acquired 

or produced, including selling and shipping expenses, and expenses 

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in connection with acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, improvement, protection, or disposition of facilities and 

other property belonging to the corporation or in which it has an 

interest. 

Under State and Local Law Enforcement Activities, Office on Violence Against Women, Violence Against Women Prevention and 

Prosecution Programs, language is included making funds available 

until expended. Language is also included placing a limitation on 

funds to be made available for expenses related to evaluation, 

training, and technical assistance. In addition, language is included 

providing for specific appropriations for various programs within 

the Office on Violence Against Women. Furthermore, language is 

included making available certain unobligated balances for specified programs. The language also applies certain conditions to specified grants. It provides for certain funds to be transferred to ‘‘Research, Evaluation and Statistics’’ for administration by the Office 

of Justice Programs. 

Under Office of Justice Programs, Research, Evaluation and Statistics, language is included to provide for no-year availability of 

funds. Language is also included to provide for specific appropriations for various programs within the Office of Justice Programs. 

In addition, language is included mandating the collection of certain crime statistics. 

Also, under State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, language is included to provide for no-year availability of funds. Language is also included regarding juvenile indigent defense, a Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer Resilience and 

Survivability Initiative, domestic radicalization research, and firearm safety grants. In addition, language is included regarding Federal immigration and other detainees housed in State and local detention facilities. Furthermore, language is included regarding local 

government use of funds to increase the number of law enforcement officers. Language is also included regarding DNA training 

and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and 

court officers. There is further language regarding certain time limitations under the Second Chance Act. Finally, the language specifies appropriations for various programs within the Office of Justice Programs. 

In addition, under Juvenile Justice Programs, language is included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is also 

included regarding research, evaluation, and statistics activities designed to benefit the programs or activities authorized, with certain 

exceptions. In addition, language is included regarding funds for 

training and technical assistance, with certain exceptions. Moreover, language is included waiving a provision of law with respect 

to funding for missing and exploited children programs. Finally, 

the language delineates certain amounts for various programs 

under this heading. 

Furthermore, under Public Safety Officer Benefits, language is 

included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included providing for the transfers of funds in emergent circumstances, which shall be subject to the provisions of section 505 

of this Act. 

Under Community Oriented Policing Services, Community Oriented Policing Services Programs, language is included providing 

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for no-year availability of funds. Language is also included requiring that balances available through deobligations only be available 

through reprogramming. In addition, language is included regarding transfers of funds for anti-methamphetamine activities. Furthermore, language is included waiving a provision of law that terminated the hiring program after September 2000. Language is included capping the amount for hiring an officer unless a waiver is 

granted. Language is also included transferring an amount within 

the Hiring program to the Tribal Resources Grant Program, and 

designating an amount within the hiring program for anti-gang 

task forces. Finally, the language delineates certain amounts for 

various programs under this heading. 

Under Department of Justice, General Provisions, the following 

general provisions that fall within the rule are recommended: 

Section 201 makes available additional reception and representation funding for the Attorney General from the amounts 

provided in this title. 

Section 202 prohibits the use of funds to pay for an abortion, 

except in the case of rape or to preserve the life of the mother. 

Section 203 prohibits the use of funds to require any person 

to perform or facilitate the performance of an abortion. 

Section 204 establishes the obligation of the Director of the 

Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services to an inmate receiving an abortion outside of a Federal facility, except where 

this obligation conflicts with the preceding section. 

Section 205 establishes the Committee’s requirements and 

procedures for transfer proposals. 

Section 206 authorizes the Attorney General to extend an ongoing Personnel Management Demonstration Project. 

Section 207 prohibits the use of certain funds for transporting prisoners classified as maximum or high security, other 

than to a facility certified by the Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. 

Section 208 prohibits the use of funds for the purchase or 

rental by Federal prisons of audiovisual equipment, services 

and materials used primarily for recreational purposes, except 

for those items and services needed for inmate training, religious, or educational purposes. 

Section 209 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General 

and the Department Investment Review Board prior to the obligation or expenditure of funds for major information technology projects. 

Section 210 requires the Department to follow reprogramming procedures prior to any deviation from the program 

amounts specified in this title or the reuse of specified 

deobligated funds provided in previous years. 

Section 211 prohibits the use of funds for A–76 competitions 

for work performed by employees of the Bureau of Prisons or 

Federal Prison Industries, Inc. 

Section 212 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from holding additional 

responsibilities that exempt U.S. Attorneys from statutory residency requirements. 

Section 213 permits up to 3 percent of grant and reimbursement program funds made available to OJP to be used for 

training and technical assistance and permits up to 2 percent 

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of grant or reimbursement funds made available to that office 

to be used for criminal justice research, evaluation and statistics. 

Section 214 waives the requirement that the Attorney General reserve certain funds from amounts provided for offender 

incarceration. 

Section 215 prohibits funds, other than funds for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established 

under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being 

used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a 

known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement personnel do not continuously monitor or control such 

firearm. 

Section 216 places limitation on the obligation of funds from 

certain Department of Justice accounts and funding sources. 

In title III, Science, under Office of Science and Technology Policy, language is included providing that certain funds be available 

for reception and representation expenses, and rental of conference 

rooms. 

Under National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Science, 

language is included providing for the multi-year availability of 

funds. Language is also included concerning a planetary science 

mission, and a limitation on formulation and development costs of 

a certain program with an associated notification requirement. 

Also, under Aeronautics, language is included providing for the 

multi-year availability of funds. 

In addition, under Space Technology, language is included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. 

Under Exploration, language is included providing for the multiyear availability of funds. Language is also included that delineates 

amounts for program components. 

In Space Operations, language is included providing for the 

multi-year availability of funds. 

Additionally, under Education, language is included providing for 

the multi-year availability of funds. Language is also included delineating amounts for program components. 

Under Safety, Security and Mission Services, language is included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. Language 

is also included to limit official reception and representation expenses. 

Under Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration, language is included providing for the multi-year availability 

of funds. Language is also included restricting receipts and expenditures made pursuant to enhanced use lease arrangements and requiring the inclusion of estimates in future budget requests. 

Under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing 

for the multi-year availability of some funds. 

In the Administrative Provisions, language is included regarding: 

availability of funds for announced prizes; limitations on transfers 

of funds among NASA accounts; the submission of a spending plan; 

and the transfer of certain unexpired balances. 

Under National Science Foundation, Research and Related Activities, language is included that provides for the multi-year availability of funds. Language is also included that governs funding 

availability for polar research and operational support. In addition, 

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language is included providing that certain receipts may be credited to this appropriation. 

Also, under Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction, language is included providing for no-year availability of 

funds. 

In addition, under Education and Human Resources, language is 

included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. 

Furthermore, under Agency Operations and Award Management, 

language is included regarding contracts for maintenance and operation of facilities and other services. Language is also included limiting representation expenses, and providing for no-year availability of some funds. 

Under Office of the National Science Board, language is included 

limiting funds for official reception and representation. 

Under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing 

for the multi-year availability of some funds. 

Under Administrative Provision, language is included regarding 

transfers of funds. 

In title IV, Related Agencies, under Commission on Civil Rights, 

Salaries and Expenses, language is included prohibiting expenses 

to employ in excess of a specific level of full-time individuals or to 

reimburse Commissioners for certain billable days. Language is 

also included prohibiting certain unauthorized activities. 

Under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Salaries and 

Expenses, language is included designating an amount for payments to State and local enforcement agencies. Language is also included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Finally, language is included authorizing the Chair to accept donations or gifts to carry out the work of the Commission. 

Under International Trade Commission, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Language is also included providing for noyear availability of funds. 

Under Legal Services Corporation, Payment to the Legal Services 

Corporation, language is included regarding pay for officers and 

employees. Language is also included delineating amounts for specific programs and regarding authorities to transfer funds. In addition, language is included designating the Legal Services Corporation as an agency of the Federal Government for the purposes of 

reprogramming. 

Under Administrative Provision, Legal Services Corporation, language is included that prohibits the use of funds for certain activities. 

Under Office of the United States Trade Representative, Salaries 

and Expenses, language is included providing for the no-year availability of some funds. Language is also included limiting funds for 

official reception and representation expenses. 

Under State Justice Institute, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included limiting funds for reception and representation expenses. Language is also included providing for multi-year availability of some funds. In addition, language is included designating 

the State Justice Institute as an agency of the Federal Government 

for the purposes of reprogramming. 

In title V, General Provisions, the following general provisions 

that fall within the rule are recommended: 

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Section 501 prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes unless expressly authorized by law, or for contracts to provide training for agency employees to engage in 

such activities. 

Section 502 prohibits any appropriation contained in this Act 

from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly authorized. 

Section 503 provides that the expenditure of any appropriation contained in this Act for any consulting service through 

procurement contracts shall be limited to those contracts 

where such expenditures are a matter of public record and 

available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law or under existing Executive order 

issued pursuant to existing law. 

Section 504 provides that if any provision of this Act or the 

application of such provision to any person or circumstance 

shall be held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of other provisions shall not be affected. 

Section 505 specifies requirements for reprogramming funds. 

Section 506 provides that if it is determined that any person 

intentionally affixes a ‘‘Made in America’’ label to any product 

that was not made in America that person shall not be eligible 

to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made 

available in this Act. The section further provides that to the 

extent practicable, with respect to purchases of promotional 

items, funds made available under this Act shall be used to 

purchase items manufactured, produced or assembled in the 

United States or its territories or possessions. 

Section 507 requires quarterly reporting to Congress on the 

status of balances of appropriations. 

Section 508 provides that any costs incurred by a department or agency funded under this Act resulting from, or to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions 

in the Act shall be absorbed within the budgetary resources 

available to the department or agency, and provides transfer 

authority between appropriation accounts to carry out this provision, subject to reprogramming procedures. Language is included making this section also apply to actions taken by the 

Department of Commerce for the care and protection of loan 

collateral or grant property. 

Section 509 prohibits funds made available in this Act from 

being used to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco 

products or to seek the reduction or removal of foreign restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco 

products of the same type. 

Section 510 limits the obligation of certain funds. 

Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice funds 

for programs that discriminate against or denigrate the religious or moral beliefs of students participating in such programs. 

Section 512 prohibits the transfer of funds provided in this 

Act to any department, agency or instrumentality of the 

United States Government, except for transfers made by, or 

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pursuant to authorities provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act. 

Section 513 provides that funds provided for E-Government 

Initiatives shall be subject to the procedures set forth in section 505 of this Act. 

Section 514 requires certain timetables and procedures for 

specified audits performed by Inspectors General of the departments and agencies funded in this Act and sets limits and restrictions on the awarding and use of grants or contracts funded by amounts appropriated by this Act. 

Section 515 prohibits funds for acquisition of certain information systems unless the acquiring department or agency has 

reviewed and assessed certain risks. Language is also included 

requiring the development of risk mitigation strategies and 

certain determinations. 

Section 516 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to support 

or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee 

of the United States Government. 

Section 517 permanently prohibits the use of funds to require certain export licenses. 

Section 518 permanently prohibits the use of funds to deny 

certain import applications regarding ‘‘curios or relics’’ firearms, parts, or ammunition. 

Section 519 prohibits the use of funds to include certain language in trade agreements. 

Section 520 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to authorize or issue a national security letter (NSL) in contravention of 

certain laws authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to 

issue NSLs. 

Section 521 requires congressional notification regarding any 

project within the Departments of Commerce or Justice, or the 

National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration totaling more than $75,000,000 that has 

cost increases of at least 10 percent. 

Section 522 deems funds for intelligence or intelligence related activities as authorized by Congress during fiscal year 

2015 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act 

for fiscal year 2015. 

Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess of 

$5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies that the organization has filed all Federal tax returns, 

has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment. 

Section 524 provides for rescissions of unobligated balances 

in the Departments of Commerce and Justice. 

Section 525 prohibits the use of funds in this Act for the purchase of first class or premium air travel in contravention of 

certain Federal travel regulations. 

Section 526 prohibits the use of funds to pay for the attendance of more than 50 department or agency employees at any 

single conference outside the United States, unless the conference is a law enforcement training or operational event 

where the majority of Federal attendees are law enforcement 

personnel stationed outside the United States. 

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Section 527 prohibits the use of funds in this Act in a manner that is inconsistent with the principal negotiating objective 

of the United States with respect to trade remedy laws. 

Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other 

Act for the transfer or release of certain individuals detained 

at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or 

within the United States, its territories or possessions. 

Section 529 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other 

Act to construct, acquire or modify any facility in the United 

States, its territories, or possessions to house certain individuals who, as of June 24, 2009, were located at United States 

Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or control of the Department of Defense. 

Section 530 requires, when practicable, the use of funds in 

this Act to purchase light bulbs that have the ‘‘Energy Star’’ 

or ‘‘Federal Energy Management Program’’ designation. 

Section 531 requires tracking and reporting of undisbursed 

balances in expired grant accounts. 

Section 532 prohibits the use of funds by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Office of 

Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to engage in bilateral 

activities with China or a Chinese-owned company unless the 

activities are authorized by subsequent legislation or NASA or 

OSTP have made a certification pursuant to subsections (c) 

and (d) of this section. 

Section 533 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to deny the importation of shotgun models if no application for the importation of such models, in the same configuration, had been denied prior to January 1, 2011, on the 

basis that the shotgun was not particularly suitable for or 

readily adaptable to sporting purposes. 

Section 534 prohibits the use of funds to establish or maintain a computer network that does not block pornography, except for law enforcement purposes. 

Section 535 requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 

the National Science Foundation to submit spending plans. 

Section 536 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or 

provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any corporation that was 

convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law 

within the preceding 24 months. 

Section 537 prohibits funds made available by this Act from 

being used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or 

provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any corporation that has 

any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for 

which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely 

manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability. 

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Section 538 prohibits funds made available by this Act to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a 

resolution of ratification. 

Section 539 prohibits funds from being used to require a person licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States Code, 

to report information to the Department of Justice regarding 

the sale of multiple rifles or shotguns to the same person. 

Section 540 establishes a Spending Reduction Account, as required by section 3(d) of H. Res. 5 (113th Congress). 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

The Committee, in a number of instances, has found it necessary 

to recommend funding for ongoing activities and programs for 

which authorizations have not been enacted to date. Pursuant to 

clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law for the period concerned: 

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UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS 

Fiscal Year 2015 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

Department of Commerce: 

International Trade Administration 

Operations and Administration 

Export Promotion Activities .................................................................................................................. 1996 such sums 264,885 316,000 

Bureau of Industry and Security 

Operations and Administration ..................................................................................................................... 1994 such sums 34,747 103,500 

Economic Development Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2008 such sums 30,832 37,000 Economic Development Assistance Programs .............................................................................................. 2008 500,000 349,100 210,500 

Repatriation grants .............................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (5,000 ) 

Sec. 26 loan guarantees ...................................................................................................................... 2013 20,000 (5,000 ) (5,000 ) 

Minority Business Development Agency 

Minority Business Development .................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 30,000 

Economic and Statistical Analysis 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 99,000 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1993 17,900 18,493 36,700 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Scientific and Technical Research and Services ......................................................................................... 2013 676,700 609,514 670,500 Industrial technology services ...................................................................................................................... 2013 241,709 140,316 130,000 

Manufacturing extension partnerships ................................................................................................ 2013 (165,100 ) (126,088 ) (130,000 ) 

Construction of research facilities ............................................................................................................... 2013 121,300 58,874 55,300 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Operations, Research and Facilities 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research .................................................................................................... 1993 1,589,081 202,172 348,500 

Climate and air quality research activities ............................................................................... 1993 (103,877 ) * *

Atmospheric research activities .................................................................................................. 1993 (44,781 ) * *

National Ocean Service ........................................................................................................................ 1993 121,183 150,864 473,446 

Coral Reef Conservation ............................................................................................................. 2004 (16,000 ) (16,000 ) (26,000 ) Coastal Zone Management ......................................................................................................... 1999 (55,300 ) (52,700 ) (108,146 ) Marine Protection, Research, Preservation & Sanctuaries ......................................................... 2005 (40,000 ) (57,958 ) (47,000 ) 

National Marine Fisheries Services ...................................................................................................... various 763,900 

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UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2015 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

Endangered Species Act Activities ............................................................................................. 1992 6,750 † †

Marine Mammal Protection Act Activities .................................................................................. 1999 34,768 † †

NOAA Marine Fisheries Program Activities ................................................................................. 2000 110,470 † †

National Weather Service 

Operations and research activities ............................................................................................. 1993 395,822 * *Public warning and forecast systems ........................................................................................ 1993 132,034 *, ‡ *, ‡

NESDIS 

Satellite observing systems activities (NESDIS) ......................................................................... 1993 336,000 *, ‡ *, ‡Data and information services activities ................................................................................... 1993 39,596 10,300 *, ‡

Program Support 

Executive Direction and Administrative Activities ...................................................................... 1993 75,750 25,000 215,654 Marine Services ........................................................................................................................... 1993 68,518 61,200 175,000 Aircraft Services .......................................................................................................................... 1993 10,336 9,500 31,600 

Procurement, Acquisition and Construction 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Fleet modernization and replacement ........................................................................................ 1997 such sums 8,000 7,200 

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery ................................................................................................................. 2009 90,000 80,000 65,000 

Departmental Management 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 54,000 Renovation and Modernization ...................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 4,000 

Department of Justice: 

General Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 181,561 105,805 103,851 Justice Information Sharing Technology ....................................................................................................... 2009 204,152 80,000 25,842 Administrative review and appeals .............................................................................................................. 2009 243,291 270,000 335,000 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2009 81,922 80,681 88,000 

United States Parole Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 12,711 12,570 13,308 

Legal Activities 

Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities ......................................................................................... 2009 764,526 805,655 893,000 Salaries and Expenses, Antitrust Division .................................................................................................... 2009 162,488 157,788 162,246 Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys .......................................................................................... 2009 1,829,194 1,851,336 1,970,000 

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Salaries and Expenses, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission ................................................................ 2009 1,429 1,823 2,326 Fees and Expenses of Witnesses .................................................................................................................. 2009 203,755 168,300 270,000 Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service ................................................................................. 2009 10,977 9,873 12,000 Assets Forfeiture Fund .................................................................................................................................. 2009 22,000 20,990 20,514 

United States Marshals Service ............................................................................................................................. 2009 900,178 954,000 2,804,107 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (960,000 ) (1,199,000 ) 

Construction .................................................................................................................................................. § (4,000 ) (9,800 ) 

Federal Prison Detention¶ ............................................................................................................................. 2009 1,858,509 1,355,319 (1,595,307 ) 

National Security Division 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 94,800 

Interagency Law Enforcement 

Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement ................................................................................................... 2009 744,593 515,000 515,000 

Federal Bureau of Investigation ............................................................................................................................ 2009 6,480,608 7,301,191 8,467,291 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (7,182,700 ) (8,356,857 ) 

Construction .................................................................................................................................................. § (153,491 ) (110,982 ) 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 1,930,462 1,959,084 2,053,320 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 1,038,939 1,078,215 1,200,000 

Federal Prison System ............................................................................................................................................ 2009 5,698,292 6,171,561 6,982,700 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (5,600,792 ) (6,865,000 ) 

Buildings and Facilities ................................................................................................................................ § (575,807 ) (115,000 ) 

Office on Violence Against Women 

Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs 

Research and Evaluation on Violence against Women ....................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 3,000 Family Civil Justice .............................................................................................................................. various 16,000 

Court Training and Improvements Program ............................................................................... 2011 5,000 Δ

Safe Havens Program ................................................................................................................. 2011 20,000 Δ

Consolidated Youth-oriented Program ................................................................................................. various 10,000 

Engaging Men and Youth in Prevention ..................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a #

Grants to Assist Children and Youth Exposed to Violence ........................................................ n/a n/a n/a #Supporting Teens Through Education Program .......................................................................... 2011 5,000 Δ #Services to Advocate and Respond to Youth ............................................................................. n/a n/a n/a #

Indian Country—Sexual Assault Clearinghouse .................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 500 

Office of Justice Programs 

Research, Evaluation and Statistics 

Bureau of Justice Statistics ................................................................................................................. 1995 33,000 32,335 47,250 National Institute of Justice ................................................................................................................ 1995 33,000 58,879 42,000 Regional information sharing activities .............................................................................................. 2003 100,000 29,000 35,000 

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UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2015 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants .......................................................................................... 2012 1,095,000 470,000 376,000 

Juvenile Indigent Defense ........................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (2,500 ) Domestic Radicalization Research .............................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (4,000 ) VALOR Initiative .......................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (15,000 ) Competitive grants for firearms safety materials and gun locks ............................................. n/a n/a n/a (3,000 )

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program ........................................................................................... 2011 950,000 # 210,000 

Byrne Competitive Grants .................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 8,000 Drug Courts .......................................................................................................................................... 2008 70,000 15,200 41,000 Mentally Ill Offender Act ...................................................................................................................... 2014 50,000 9,000 9,000 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment ............................................................................................. 2000 72,000 61,677 12,000 Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review ............................................................................ 2009 75,000 5,500 2,000 Economic, High-tech, Cybercrime Prevention ...................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 10,000 Adam Walsh Act Implementation ........................................................................................................ 2009 such sums 18,000 21,000 

National Sex Offender Public Website ........................................................................................ n/a n/a n/a (1,000 ) 

Bulletproof Vests Partnerships ............................................................................................................ 2012 50,000 24,000 22,250 NICS Initiative ...................................................................................................................................... various 58,500 

NICS Act Record Improvement Program ..................................................................................... 2013 125,000 12,000 ‡‡

National Criminal History Improvement Program ....................................................................... 2013 62,500 6,000 ‡‡

DNA Initiative 

Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants ............................................................................................. 2014 151,000 117,000 117,000 Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grants .......................................................................................... 2009 5,000 5,000 4,000 Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants ......................................................................... 2014 30,000 4,000 4,000 

Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Backlog ................................................. n/a n/a n/a 36,000 Tribal Assistance .................................................................................................................................. various 35,000 

Tribal Courts ............................................................................................................................... 2004 such sums (8,000 ) **Alcohol and Substance Abuse .................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a **Indian Prison Grants ................................................................................................................... 2000 (2,753 ) (5,000 ) **Training/TA Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance ....................................................................... n/a n/a n/a **

Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry .................................................................................................. 2010 55,000 100,000 62,500 Veterans Treatment Courts .................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 5,000 Missing Alzheimer’s Patients Grants ................................................................................................... 1999 900 898 1,000 

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Prescription Drug Monitoring ............................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 8,000 Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution ............................................................................................. 2010 40,000 15,000 15,000 Campus Public Safety .......................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 2,000 Justice Reinvestment Initiative ............................................................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 30,000 Comprehensive School Safety Initiative ............................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 75,000 Consolidated Evidence-based Activities Initiative ............................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 20,000 

Juvenile Justice Programs 

Part B—State Formula Grants ............................................................................................................ 2007 such sums # 45,000 

Youth Mentoring Grants ....................................................................................................................... 2007 such sums # 90,000 Victims of Child Abuse Programs ........................................................................................................ 2005 8,481 11,000 19,000 Missing and Exploited Children Programs .......................................................................................... various 68,000 

AMBER Alert grants .................................................................................................................... 2004 ‡‡ ‡‡ ‡‡

Community Oriented Policing Services 

Community Oriented Policing Services Programs ................................................................................ 2009 1,047,119 1,550,500 96,500 

Transfer to DEA for Methamphetamine Lab Cleanups ............................................................... § (— ) (10,000 ) 

Tribal Resources Grant Program ................................................................................................. § (20,000 ) (16,500 ) 

COPS Hiring Grants ..................................................................................................................... § (1,000,000 ) (70,000 ) 

Transfer to Tribal Resources Grant Program ..................................................................... § ((— )) ((16,500 )) 

Regional gang task forces ................................................................................................. § ((n/a )) ((10,000 )) 

Science: 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Science .......................................................................................................................................................... 2013 5,509,600 5,047,447 5,193,000 Aeronautics .................................................................................................................................................... 2013 590,000 559,301 666,000 Space Technology .......................................................................................................................................... 2013 515,000 629,950 620,000 Exploration ..................................................................................................................................................... 2013 5,264,000 3,814,041 4,167,000 Space Operations .......................................................................................................................................... 2013 4,253,300 3,878,802 3,885,000 Education ...................................................................................................................................................... 2013 145,700 122,654 106,000 Safety, Security and Mission Services .......................................................................................................... 2013 3,276,800 2,770,012 2,779,000 Construction and Environmental Compliance and Remediation .................................................................. 2013 366,900 667,236 446,000 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2013 38,700 37,287 34,000 

National Science Foundation 

Research and Related Activities ................................................................................................................... 2013 6,637,849 5,870,974 5,973,645 Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction .............................................................................. 2013 236,764 192,488 200,760 Education and Human Resources ................................................................................................................. 2013 1,041,762 878,799 876,000 Agency Operations and Award Management ................................................................................................ 2013 363,670 293,780 335,000 Office of the National Science Board ........................................................................................................... 2013 4,906 4,357 4,370 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2013 15,049 13,933 14,430 

Related Agencies: 

Commission on Civil Rights 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1995 9,500 8,904 9,000 

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UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2015 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

International Trade Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2004 57,240 58,295 84,500 

Legal Services Corporation 

Payment to the Legal Services Corporation ................................................................................................. 1980 205,000 300,000 350,000 

Marine Mammal Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1999 1,750 1,240 3,250 

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2004 33,108 41,552 53,500 

State Justice Institute 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2008 7,000 3,760 5,121 

* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (P.L. 102–567) provides authorizations for general categories of activities, rather than specific programs. Since a program 

may cut across several authorizations, it is impossible to determine the exact amount of unauthorized appropriations. † Authorization covers multiple lines in the NOAA control table. 

‡ This authorization provides for both procurement and operations activities, but does not provide a breakdown for each. § Authorization does not provide amounts for specific accounts within this agency. ¶ This was formerly the ‘‘General Administration, Detention Trustee’’ account. Δ The authorization for this program expired in FY2011. Since the government was funded by a full-year continuing resolution, the Committee did not provide a specific appropriation for this program. # These programs have been combined into the Consolidated Youth-oriented Program. ** The recommendation includes an overall amount for tribal assistance but does not specify amounts for each particular program. †† The authorization for this program expired in FY2007. Since the government was funded by a full-year continuing resolution, the Committee did not provide a specific appropriation for this program. ‡‡ The recommendation does not provide a specific amount for this program. 

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COMPARISON WITH THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares the levels of new 

budget authority and outlays provided in the bill with the appropriate allocations made under section 302(b) of the Budget Act: 

BUDGETARY IMPACT PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE 

PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93–344, AS AMENDED 

302(b) Allocation This Bill 1

Budget 

Authority Outlays Budget Authority Outlays 

Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations to its subcommittees 

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science 

General purpose discretionary .......................................................... 51,202 61,641 51,202 61,631 

Mandatory ......................................................................................... 317 308 317 308 

1 Includes outlays from prior year budget authority. 

FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(B) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains 

five-year outlay projections associated with the budget authority 

provided in the accompanying bill, as provided to the Committee by 

the Congressional Budget Office: 

Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation 

2015 ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 39,184 

2016 ................................................................................................................................................................ 13,520 

2017 ................................................................................................................................................................ 3,069 

2018 ................................................................................................................................................................ 1,433 

2019 and future years .................................................................................................................................... 4,805 

1 Excludes outlays from prior year budget authority. 

ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(C) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Congressional Budget 

Office has provided the following estimates of new budget authority 

and outlays provided by the accompanying bill for financial assistance to State and local governments. 

[In millions of dollars] 

Budget Authority ....................................................................................................................................................... ¥7,744 

Outlays ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 44 

1 Excludes outlays from prior year budget authority. 

PROGRAM DUPLICATION

Pursuant to section 3(j)(2) of H. Res. 5 (113th Congress), no provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the Governdlhill on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with HEARING

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ment Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of 

Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified 

in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DIRECTED RULE MAKING

Pursuant to section 3(k) of H. Res. 5 (113th Congress), the bill 

does not direct any rule making. 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) 

AUTHORITY

The following table provides a detailed summary, for each department and agency, comparing the amounts recommended in the 

bill with fiscal year 2014 enacted amounts and budget estimates 

presented for fiscal year 2015: 

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MINORITY VIEWS OF REP. NITA LOWEY AND REP. CHAKA 

FATTAH 

We commend Chairman Rogers and Chairman Wolf for their efforts to assemble the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Commerce, Justice, 

Science (CJS) bill in an inclusive manner. While the CJS bill contains several significant shortcomings, overall it is not as egregious 

as many of the other upcoming appropriations bills we are likely 

to see, given several problematic subcommittee 302(b) allocations 

that have just been approved by the Appropriations Committee. 

On the positive side, in working with Chairman Wolf, we have 

been able to fund many important priorities in the CJS bill. Several examples are as follows: 

• Neuroscience: Building on the work of the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience, an increase of $21,150,000 above FY 

2014 is provided in the bill for neuroscience activities at the National Science Foundation (NSF). This will allow NSF to continue 

its interdisciplinary approach to transforming our understanding of 

the mechanisms of the brain. In addition to the funding increase, 

the report directs NSF to organize an international conference on 

neuroscience, convening government representatives, neuroscience 

researchers, private entities, non-profit institutions and others to 

share research and foster collaboration around neuroscience research. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy 

(OSTP), which plays a critical oversight and coordination role in 

Federal neuroscience activities, is also funded at the Administration’s requested level of $5,555,000. 

• Manufacturing: $5 million is provided to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for continued funding of the loan 

guarantee program for small and medium-sized businesses to help 

develop innovative new products and new technologies. In addition, 

funds are provided within NSF to support advanced manufacturing 

research, to help develop new products based on advanced technologies. The bill also provides $130 million for the Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership program. • Youth Mentoring: The bill provides $90 million for Youth 

Mentoring. At a time when the number of people in Federal prison 

continues to rise, these programs are of vital importance in cutting 

the costs associated with crime and delinquency. We need to focus 

our resources on programs like these that provide early intervention to help positively influence the lives of our young people. • Weather Forecasting: As noted below, strong funding levels 

are provided both for National Weather Service operating expenses 

and for procurement for the two largest future weather satellite 

programs. 

The FY 2015 bill approved by the Committee provides net budget 

authority of $51.2 billion, a cut of nearly $400 million below FY 

2014 though more than $200 million above the request. However, 

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after accounting for rescissions and scorekeeping adjustments, the 

bill is approximately $1 billion above FY 2014. Across the bill, most 

programs are funded at decent levels. However, there are a number 

of critical public investments that fall short of the amounts needed, 

specifically in state and local law enforcement, legal aid to the 

poor, climate research, and other areas. As the process moves forward, we look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to preserve the positive aspects of the bill while improving upon the 

areas that will need higher funding levels to effectively achieve 

their missions. Given the wide array of public needs that must be 

funded in this bill, our careful attention to these efforts is critical. 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

For the Department of Commerce, the Committee provides $8.4 

billion, an increase of $175.1 million above FY 2014, though $390.8 

million below the Administration’s request. 

We reiterate that we are pleased the Committee has once again 

recognized the importance of weather forecasting and the role that 

weather satellites play in ensuring reliable forecasts. The Committee provides an increase above the request for the operating 

budget of the National Weather Service, as well as full funding for 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s 

two largest weather satellite procurement efforts—the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, R Series (GOES– 

R), and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). The nation has 

seen far too many examples in recent years of the danger to human 

life and the damage to property and public infrastructure caused 

by extreme weather events. It is essential for us to continue to provide ample resources for both the personnel and technology of the 

National Weather Service, to minimize gaps in weather data and 

to provide sufficient advance warning of dangerous weather events. 

At the same time, however, we are disappointed that the Committee has once again cut funding for important climate science efforts of NOAA and its external partners. The Committee provides 

$119 million for NOAA climate research, a cut of $37.5 million 

(24%) below FY 2014 and $69.3 million (37%) below the Administration’s request. In addition, the bill fails to provide the full Administration request for climate-related satellite procurement. According to the third National Climate Assessment, released on May 

6, 2014, the average temperature in the U.S. increased by between 

1.3 and 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit since recordkeeping began in 1895, 

with 80 percent of this increase occurring since 1970. The assessment noted that impacts related to climate change are already evident in many sectors and are expected to become increasingly disruptive across the nation throughout this century. For example, 

storm surge on top of the rise in sea level exacerbates coastal flooding during hurricanes. Climate change is also increasing the risks 

of respiratory stress from poor air quality, heat stress, and the 

spread of foodbome, insectbome, and waterborne diseases. These 

are just some examples of what we face as a result of climate 

change. We need to fully fund NOAA’s research in this area, which 

will improve our nation’s ability to understand and predict climate 

change and thus enhance our ability to plan and respond. 

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Additional overall funding will also be needed for the ocean and 

coastal stewardship programs of NOAA. There are many strong 

funding levels provided in this area; examples include the full requested amounts for Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional 

Observations and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, and a strong funding level for fish stock assessments. At the 

same time, a few other areas will need additional funding, most especially Habitat Conservation and Restoration, which the bill cuts 

by $16.7 million, or 40 percent below FY 2014. This program plays 

an important role in helping to rebuild fisheries, recover protected 

species, and improve the resilience of coastal resources and communities. 

The Census Bureau is funded at $1.1 billion, an increase of 

$161.5 million above FY 2014 but $104.9 million below the Administration’s request. The reduction below the request threatens the 

Bureau’s ability to conduct many of its research and planning activities in preparation for the 2020 Decennial Census. These activities must be performed early in order to provide time for the Bureau to make preliminary census design decisions, which will determine the ultimate cost of the 2020 Census. 

We are pleased, however, that $5 million is provided for continued funding of EDA’s loan guarantee program for innovative technologies in manufacturing. The bill also provides $5 million to continue a grant program to help relocate jobs back to the United 

States that have previously been placed outside the United States. 

We are further encouraged that the bill provides increases 

(though less than requested by the Administration) for overall research activities of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. 

These investments are necessary to ensure that the nation will remain globally competitive in the areas of manufacturing and technological innovation. However, zero funding is provided for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia program, which helps 

industry identify longterm manufacturing needs. A modest increase, though again less than requested, is provided for the International Trade Administration in support of its efforts to create 

jobs through expansion of U.S. exports. The bill also provides the 

full request for the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), which will 

allow PTO to continue reducing its backlog of patent applications 

and improve its information technology systems. 

In addition, we are pleased that the bill provides $30 million for 

the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), an increase 

above both FY 2014 and the Administration’s request. The bill also 

provides an overall slight increase above the request for the programmatic account of the Economic Development Administration 

(EDA). The programs of MBDA and EDA, among other Commerce 

Department efforts, have a proven track record of helping to preserve and create jobs, particularly in economically distressed areas. 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

For the Department of Justice (D0J), the bill provides a total of 

$27.8 billion, an increase of $383.8 million above the FY 2014 level 

and $136.8 million above the budget request. 

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Increases above the FY 2014 level (and in most cases, above the 

FY 2015 request) for the Federal law enforcement and litigation 

components at DOJ will allow for additional Federal agents, attorneys, and support staff to conduct investigations, protect national 

security, and litigate civil and criminal cases. 

There is no doubt that we are in need of reforms in our prison 

system. We are pleased that the Committee continues to fund the 

task force on prison reform and look forward to reviewing its findings and recommendations. 

We are pleased that many important grant programs are protected through level funding or increases, including the State 

Criminal Alien Assistance Program, Office on Violence Against 

Women grant programs, Crime Victims Fund programs, the ByrneJAG formula grant program, the Victims of Trafficking program, 

the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and the Youth Mentoring program. 

We strongly support the important resources provided by the bill 

to combat gun violence. For grants to improve the submission of 

records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the bill provides $58.5 million, an increase of $3.5 million above the request and the same as the FY 2014 level. In addition to these resources, report language was adopted in Committee 

markup requiring the FBI to publish detailed data on record submissions to NICS. Furthermore, the bill provides $75 million for 

the Comprehensive School Safety Initiative, the same level of finding as proposed in the President’s budget and provided last year. 

This funding will continue to provide resources for research and for 

schools to implement evidence-based approaches to improving 

school safety. 

However, state and local grant programs at DOJ overall are cut 

by $81.6 million below FY 2014, even as state and local governments continue to experience budget problems. 

Several important grant programs are eliminated entirely, including Byrne Incentive Grants, the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, the Children Exposed to Violence Initiative, and 

the State and Local Help Desk and Diagnostic Center. Juvenile 

Justice programs overall are hit particularly hard, including the 

elimination of the Community-Based Violence Initiative, the National Forum on Youth Violence, and the Local Delinquency Prevention Incentive Grant program. 

The most egregious of these cuts is the reduction for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program This important 

public safety program is cut by $117.5 million below FY 2014 and 

$177.5 million below the request. Had it been funded at the request, this program would have provided for the hiring of approximately 1,300 new police officers across the country. 

We are disappointed that none of the Administration’s proposed 

Access to Justice grant programs were funded in the bill. These initiatives seek to provide fair and equal access to justice for everyone 

regardless of circumstances. Moving forward, funding for these important programs should be included in the final FY 2015 CJS Appropriations Act. 

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SCIENCE

As noted above, the bill provides $5,555,000 for OSTP, the same 

as both FY 2014 and the Administration’s FY 2015 request. OSTP 

plays a critical oversight and coordination function for science and 

technology activities across the executive branch, including an initiative begun at the request of this subcommittee to better coordinate and strengthen neuroscience research. We are on the cusp of 

significant breakthroughs related to the treatment of brain injuries, cognitive developmental disorders such as autism, and 

neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that 

will have tremendous implications for the mental health of the 

American people and the cost of health care. 

The Committee is to be commended for making scientific research funding a priority in the bill. The bill provides $7.4 billion 

overall for NSF, $232.3 million above the FY 2014 level and $149.2 

million above the request. For NSF’s Research and Related Activities account, the bill provides $5.97 billion, $164.7 million above 

the FY 2014 and $166.2 million above the request. This increase 

comes at a time when maintaining the United States’ competitive 

edge in science and technology is more important than ever. 

The bill provides a healthy overall total of $17.9 billion for the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), $249.5 

million above FY 2014 and $435.4 million above the Administration’s request. Within this amount, several valuable efforts are 

funded at decent levels, with an especially strong increase for aeronautics research. In addition, we appreciate the strong increase 

above the President’s request for NASA’s Planetary Science efforts, 

particularly for Mars Science and for a future probe of the Jupiter 

moon Europa. This funding will help ensure the United States 

maintains its international leadership in solar system exploration. 

Full funding is provided for the James Webb Space Telescope, 

which will greatly enhance our scientific understanding of planets 

in other solar systems and of the origins of the universe. 

Furthermore, a strong increase above FY 2014 is provided for the 

Commercial Crew program, aimed at ensuring U.S. access to low 

Earth orbit on American-made spacecraft. We believe that this program, which will end U.S. reliance on Russia for flights to the 

International Space Station, will also benefit greatly from competition among multiple U.S. commercial spaceflight companies. An increase is provided for Space Technology, though less than the 

President requested. Finally, a solid funding level of $32 million is 

provided for the Minority University Research and Education program (MUREP), $2 million above FY 2014, although both the 

Space Grant and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 

Research (EPSCOR) programs are cut below FY 2014. 

RELATED AGENCIES

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is cut by $15 million below 

the FY 2014 level of $365 million, when it should have received an 

increase. Misguided cuts to the LSC in FY 2011 and 2012 resulted 

in the termination of 1,031 full-time staff, including 406 attorney 

positions. In addition, grantees have been forced to close 30 offices, 

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complete 122,000 fewer cases, and serve 334,000 fewer people. The 

FY 2013 post-sequestration level continued this trend even further. The final FY 2014 CJS Act did provide a $24.1 million increase 

above FY 2013 post-sequester. The President recognized the need 

for additional funding by recommending $430 million in FY 2015 

for the LSC. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement at 

the end of this process that allows for this level of funding. The bill provides $364 million for the Equal Employment Oppor- tunity Commission, the same as FY 2014 though a decrease of $1.5 

million below the amount requested. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

We are pleased that report language was adopted requiring the 

FBI to provide detailed data on record submissions to NICS by 

Federal and state agencies. NICS is a vital tool for keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Without timely 

and complete record submissions, however, the NICS system could 

be failing to prevent the transfers of guns to such individuals in 

many instances. This report language is an important step toward 

addressing this problem. 

At the same time, however, we are troubled by the inclusion of 

gun-related riders, including one that was added to the bill during 

Committee markup as a result of an amendment. This amendment 

has been included in the House CJS bill before but has never been 

enacted into law. It would prevent the enforcement of an existing 

requirement that Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in four southwest border states report to the National Tracing Center on the 

sale of certain kinds of semi-automatic rifles favored by the Mexican drug cartels. This reporting requirement is narrow and targeted, applying only to the four border states (Texas, Arizona, New 

Mexico and California), and only when a dealer sells two or more 

qualifying long guns to a single individual within five business 

days. Qualifying guns are rifles that (1) are semi-automatic; (2) are 

greater than .22 caliber; and (3) can hold a detachable magazine. 

It does not apply to shotguns or the vast majority of rifles regularly 

used for hunting or sporting purposes. 

This reporting requirement is identical to one that has existed 

for decades for handguns, and in no way does it hinder the ability 

of any law-abiding person to purchase as many rifles as he desires. 

It is not an undue burden on FFLs, with the time to complete a 

multiple sales form estimated at 12 minutes and an estimated annual cost in employee time of only $16. 

This very limited reporting requirement has proven to be an important tool for Federal law enforcement in the effort to uncover illegal trafficking operations intended to supply semi-automatic 

weapons to the violent drug gangs across the border. According to 

the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), 

these multiple sales reports have thus far led to more than 200 defendants recommended for prosecution, including both alleged 

straw purchasers and others further up the firearms trafficking 

chain. Also according to ATF, the reporting requirement is forcing 

firearms traffickers to change tactics, making straw purchases 

more difficult and serving as a deterrent for many people who 

might have engaged in straw purchasing in the past. 

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This is not about gun control or compiling a registry of long gun 

owners. Information that does not become part of a trafficking investigation is purged from ATF records within two years. This is 

a law enforcement response to the evidence from successful tracings of weapons recovered in Mexico. These tracings show that a 

large number of these weapons were initially sold by licensed gun 

dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas. 

Last year, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for 

the Fifth Circuit affirmed an earlier court finding that Federal law 

‘‘unambiguously authorizes’’ this reporting requirement. This Committee simply has no business in tying the hands of law enforcement agencies as they attempt to carry out Federal law. 

We are further disappointed that the Committee did not adopt 

the Quigley amendment to repeal the permanent restriction on 

funding to require FFLs to conduct physical inventories of their 

businesses. In its FY 2015 budget request, the Administration requested language that would have effectively repealed this restriction, which prevents ATF from implementing a requirement that 

would allow law enforcement to be made aware of lost or stolen 

firearms in a timely manner. While it is true that FFLs are already 

required to keep records of all individual firearms received and 

sold, there have been numerous instances of FFLs losing control of 

significant portions of their firearms inventories, often with tragic 

consequences. For example, in 2002, John Allen Muhammad, the 

‘‘Beltway sniper,’’ terrorized the Washington, DC metropolitan area 

when he and his teenage accomplice gunned down 10 people over 

the course of several weeks. The Bushmaster XM–15 assault rifle 

used in the attacks was one of 238 guns that disappeared from the 

inventory of Bull’s Eye Shooter Supply in Washington state over a 

three-year period. 

By implementing a requirement that FFLs conduct annual physical inventories of their firearms businesses, such losses could be 

prevented. If FFL acquisition and disposition records are accurate, 

then comparing those records to a physical inventory of the firearms maintained on the FFL’s premises would reveal the extent to 

which firearms have been lost or stolen. However, ATF is currently 

prohibited from requiring such an inventory, and we are disappointed that the Committee majority voted against the Quigley 

amendment. 

We are also disappointed that the Committee did not adopt the 

Moran amendment to require that gun store employees undergo 

background checks. Federal law currently prohibits several categories of persons from purchasing guns at FFLs, including, for example, felons and domestic violence misdemeanants. Likewise, FFL 

dealers may not themselves be persons already prohibited from 

possessing a firearm. However, there is currently no requirement 

that FFLs perform criminal background checks on gun store employees or prospective job applicants. The Moran amendment is a 

common sense measure that should be adopted, and it is nearly 

identical to a bipartisan bill that has previously been introduced. 

CONCLUSION

We commend Chairman Wolf’s efforts and reiterate our strong 

support for the many positive aspects of this bill. At the same time, 

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we reiterate our commitment to continuing to work in a constructive, bipartisan manner on making the necessary improvements to 

this bill. 

NITA M. LOWEY. 

CHAKA FATTAH. 

Æ 

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