I

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 709

To provide for various capital investments in technology education in the

United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 11, 1999

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon introduced the following bill; which was referred to

the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the

Committees on Science, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To provide for various capital investments in technology

education in the United States.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Technology Education

5 Capital Investment Act of 1999’’.

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

7 The Congress finds that—

8 (1) the high technology industry is one of the

9 fastest growing areas in the United States economy;
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1 (2) the United States is a world leader in the

2 high technology industries, and especially in the in3 formation technology industry;

4 (3) the continued growth and prosperity of the

5 high technology industry is important to the contin6 ued prosperity of the United States economy;

7 (4) an adequate supply of highly-skilled tech8 nology workers is essential for the success of ad9 vanced technologies and business entities that use

10 information technology;

11 (5) as of the date of enactment of this Act,

12 there is a shortage of information technology work13 ers and workers in other high technology industries;

14 and

15 (6) in the absence of a concerted effort by busi16 ness entities, the Federal Government, the govern17 ments of States and political subdivisions thereof,

18 and educational institutions, the shortage of infor19 mation technology workers will continue to be a

20 problem.

21 SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EDUCATION PRO22 GRAMS.

23 (a) INFORMAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS.—(1) There are

24 authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the Na25 tional Science Foundation to conduct informal science and
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1 math education programs $50,000,000 for each of fiscal

2 years 2000 and 2001.

3 (2)(A) The National Science Foundation shall expand

4 the informal science and math education programs con5 ducted by the Foundation that promote the understanding

6 of science and technology through voluntary, self-directed,

7 and life-long learning opportunities by fostering commu8 nity-based and institutional math and science education

9 programs. In expanding such programs, the Director may

10 give priority to providing for organizations, projects, or

11 programs that provide inquiry-based and hands-on sci12 entific learning opportunities for students at pre-kinder13 garten through secondary education levels.

14 (B) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (1),

15 there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director

16 of the National Science Foundation to carry out subpara17 graph (A) $14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 and

18 2001.

19 (b) EXPANSION OF NATIONAL ADVANCED SCI20 ENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.—There

21 are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the

22 National Science Foundation to carry out the national ad23 vanced scientific and technical education program under

24 section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology

25 Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(a))—
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1 (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; and

2 (2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.

3 SEC. 4. TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION STATE STIMULUS

4 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

5 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Education may

6 make grants to States to provide supplementary scholar7 ships to students for study leading to a postsecondary de8 gree in science, math, engineering, or a related field. Such

9 scholarships may be awarded by a State entity such as

10 the State higher education system, the State scholarship

11 commission, or an equivalent State entity.

12 (b) ELIGIBILITY.—(1) A scholarship awarded under

13 subsection (a) may be applied to any technology-related

14 degree program offered at an accredited institution of

15 higher learning, including a college, university, community

16 college, or vocational-training institution.

17 (2) A scholarship awarded under subsection (a) may

18 not, when combined with other sources of financial assist19 ance, exceed the cost of tuition and related expenses of

20 the qualified degree program of the recipient.

21 (c) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of

22 Education may not make a grant to a State under sub23 section (a) unless such State provides not less than one24 half of the cost of the program for which the grant is pro25 vided from State funds.
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1 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There

2 are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Edu3 cation a total of $50,000,000 for grants under this sub4 section.

5 SEC. 5. HANDS-ON STUDENT TRAINING (H.O.S.T.) PARTNER6 SHIP GRANTS.

7 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce may

8 make start-up grants to institutions of higher learning to

9 develop industry-sponsored internship programs that pro10 vide opportunities for undergraduate engineering students

11 to receive hands-on training at local businesses.

12 (b) PRIORITIES.—Special emphasis shall be given

13 under this section to those programs that—

14 (1) demonstrate a long-term financial commit15 ment from industry participants for initiation and

16 long-term operation of the program;

17 (2) involve extensive input and participation by

18 all industry participants;

19 (3) adequately financially compensate student

20 participants; and

21 (4) encourage technology education.

22 (c) RESTRICTIONS.—(1) Not more than one grant

23 may be awarded to an entity under subsection (a).

24 (2) Awards under subsection (a) may be applied to

25 expenses related to the creation of the programs described
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1 in that subsection, including the recruitment of businesses

2 or organizations to participate in such programs.

3 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There

4 are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Com5 merce a total of $2,000,000 for grants under this sub6 section.

7 SEC. 6. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED

8 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE; RESTORATION

9 OF EXCLUSION FOR GRADUATE LEVEL AS10 SISTANCE.

11 (a) EXCLUSION MADE PERMANENT.—

12 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 127 of the Internal

13 Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to educational as14 sistance programs) is amended by striking sub15 section (d).

16 (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made

17 by paragraph (1) shall apply to taxable years begin18 ning after May 31, 1998.

19 (b) RESTORATION OF EXCLUSION FOR GRADUATE

20 LEVEL ASSISTANCE.—

21 (1) IN GENERAL.—The last sentence of section

22 127(c)(1) of such Code is amended by striking all

23 that follows ‘‘hobbies’’ and inserting a period.

24 (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made

25 by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to ex-
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1 penses relating to courses beginning after the date

2 of the enactment of this Act.

3 SEC. 7. TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE COMMISSION.

4 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act:

5 (1) BUSINESS ENTITY.—The term ‘‘business

6 entity’’ means a firm, corporation, association, part7 nership, consortium, joint venture, or other form of

8 enterprise.

9 (2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’

10 means the Technology Workforce Commission estab11 lished under subsection (b).

12 (3) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—The term

13 ‘‘information technology’’ has the meaning given

14 that term in section 5002 of the Information Tech15 nology Management Reform Act of 1996 (110 Stat.

16 679).

17 (4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of

18 the several States of the United States, the terri19 tories of the United States, and the District of Co20 lumbia.

21 (b) ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE

22 COMMISSION.—

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a com24 mission to be known as the Technology Workforce

25 Commission.
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1 (2) MEMBERSHIP.—

2 (A) COMPOSITION.—(i) The Commission

3 shall be composed of 21 members to be ap4 pointed as follows:

5 (I) Seven members shall be appointed

6 by the President, and shall be individuals

7 who are officers or employees of the Fed8 eral Government.

9 (II) Four members shall be appointed

10 by the Speaker of the House of Represent11 atives, of whom one shall be a Member of

12 Congress.

13 (III) Three members shall be ap14 pointed by the minority leader of the

15 House, of whom one shall be a Member of

16 Congress.

17 (IV) Four members shall be appointed

18 by the majority leader of the Senate, of

19 whom one shall be a Member of Congress.

20 (V) Three members shall be appointed

21 by the minority leader of the Senate, of

22 whom one shall be a Member of Congress.

23 (ii) Of the members appointed under

24 clauses (i)(II) through (i)(V)—
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1 (I) Seven shall be individuals em2 ployed in high technology business entities;

3 and

4 (II) Three shall be representatives of

5 State governments.

6 (B) DATE.—The appointments of the

7 members of the Commission shall be made by

8 the date that is 30 days after the date of enact9 ment of this Act.

10 (3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—

11 Members shall be appointed for the life of the Com12 mission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not

13 affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same

14 manner as the original appointment.

15 (4) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days

16 after the date on which all members of the Commis17 sion have been appointed, the Commission shall hold

18 its first meeting.

19 (5) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at

20 the call of the Chairperson.

21 (6) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of

22 the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a

23 lesser number of members may hold hearings.
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1 (7) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—

2 The Commission shall select a chairperson and vice

3 chairperson from among its members.

4 (c) DUTIES OF COMMISSION.—

5 (1) STUDY.—

6 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall

7 conduct a thorough study of all matters relating

8 to the shortage of technology workers in the

9 United States.

10 (B) MATTERS STUDIED.—The matters

11 studied by the Commission shall include an ex12 amination of—

13 (i) the causes of the shortage of tech14 nology workers in the United States;

15 (ii) possible solutions to address the

16 shortage referred to in clause (i); and

17 (iii) the relative efficacy of programs

18 in the United States and foreign countries

19 to provide for an increase in the number of

20 technology workers, with special emphasis

21 on programs that provide for secondary

22 education or postsecondary education in a

23 program other than a 4-year baccalaureate

24 program (including associate degree pro25 grams and graduate degree programs).
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1 (C) PUBLIC HEARINGS.—As part of the

2 study conducted under this subsection, the

3 Commission shall hold public hearings concern4 ing the issues referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)

5 of subparagraph (B).

6 (D) EXISTING INFORMATION.—To the ex7 tent practicable, in carrying out the study

8 under this subsection, the Commission shall

9 identify and use existing information related to

10 the issues referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of

11 subparagraph (B).

12 (E) CONSULTATION WITH CHIEF INFORMA13 TION OFFICERS COUNCIL.—In carrying out the

14 study under this subsection, the Commission

15 shall consult with the Chief Information Offi16 cers Council established under Executive Order

17 No. 13011.

18 (2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the

19 initial meeting of the Commission, the Commission

20 shall submit a report to the President and the Con21 gress which shall contain a detailed statement of the

22 findings and conclusions of the Commission, to23 gether with its recommendations for such legislation

24 and administrative actions as it considers appro25 priate.
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1 (3) FACILITATION OF EXCHANGE OF INFORMA2 TION.—In carrying out the study under this sub3 section, the Commission shall, to the extent prac4 ticable, facilitate the exchange of information con5 cerning the issues that are the subject of the study

6 among—

7 (A) officials of the Federal Government

8 and the governments of States and political

9 subdivisions thereof; and

10 (B) educators from Federal, State, and

11 local institutions of higher education and sec12 ondary schools.

13 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—

14 (1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold

15 such hearings, sit and act at such times and places,

16 take such testimony, and receive such evidence as

17 the Commission considers advisable to carry out the

18 purposes of this Act.

19 (2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—

20 The Commission may secure directly from any Fed21 eral department or agency such information as the

22 Commission considers necessary to carry out the

23 provisions of this Act. Upon request of the Chair24 person of the Commission, the head of such depart-
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1 ment or agency shall furnish such information to the

2 Commission.

3 (3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may

4 use the United States mails in the same manner and

5 under the same conditions as other departments and

6 agencies of the Federal Government.

7 (4) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use,

8 and dispose of gifts or donations of services or prop9 erty.

10 (e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.—

11 (1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Except as

12 provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Com13 mission who is not an officer or employee of the

14 Federal Government shall serve without compensa15 tion. All members of the Commission who are offi16 cers or employees of the United States shall serve

17 without compensation in addition to that received for

18 their services as officers or employees of the United

19 States.

20 (2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the

21 Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ22 ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author23 ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of

24 chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while
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1 away from their homes or regular places of business

2 in the performance of services for the Commission.

3 (3) STAFF.—

4 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the

5 Commission may, without regard to the civil

6 service laws and regulations, appoint and termi7 nate an executive director and such other addi8 tional personnel as may be necessary to enable

9 the Commission to perform its duties. The em10 ployment of an executive director shall be sub11 ject to confirmation by the Commission.

12 (B) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of

13 the Commission may fix the compensation of

14 the executive director and other personnel with15 out regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and

16 subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United

17 States Code, relating to classification of posi18 tions and General Schedule pay rates, except

19 that the rate of pay for the executive director

20 and other personnel may not exceed the rate

21 payable for level V of the Executive Schedule

22 under section 5316 of such title.

23 (4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—

24 Any Federal Government employee may be detailed

25 to the Commission without reimbursement, and such
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1 detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil

2 service status or privilege.

3 (5) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER4 MITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Com5 mission may procure temporary and intermittent

6 services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United

7 States Code, at rates for individuals which do not

8 exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of

9 basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive

10 Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

11 (f) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The Commis12 sion shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the

13 date on which the Commission submits its report under

14 this subsection.

15 (g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—

16 (1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be

17 appropriated $750,000 for fiscal year 2000 to the

18 Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act.

19 (2) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums appropriated

20 under the authorization contained in this section

21 shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation,

22 until expended.

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