NOAA Chief Scientist Act

To strengthen the role of the Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in order to promote scientific integrity and advance the Administration’s world-class research and development portfolio. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the NOAA Chief Scientist Act 2. Amendment to Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 relating to Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (a) In general Subsection (d) of section 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. App) is amended to read as follows: (d) (1) There is in the Administration a Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in this subsection referred to as the Chief Scientist (2) The Chief Scientist shall— (A) adhere to any agency or department scientific integrity policy and— (i) provide written consent to all applicable scientific integrity and other relevant science and technology policies of the Administration prior to serving in such position, with such written consent to be made available on a publicly accessible website of the Administration; (ii) in conjunction with the Administrator and other members of Administration leadership, undergo all applicable training programs of the Administration which inform employees of their rights and responsibilities regarding the conduct of scientific research and communication with the media and the public regarding scientific research; and (iii) in coordination with the Administrator and other members of Administration leadership, make all practicable efforts to ensure Administration employees and contractors who are engaged in, supervise, or manage scientific activities, analyze or communicate information resulting from scientific activities, or use scientific information in policy, management, or regulatory decisions, adhere to established scientific integrity policies of the Administration; (B) provide policy and program direction for science and technology priorities of the Administration and facilitate integration and coordination of research efforts across line offices of the Administration, with other Federal agencies, and with the external scientific community, including through— (i) leading the development of a science and technology strategy of the Administration and issuing policy guidance to ensure that overarching Administration policy is aligned with science and technology goals and objectives; (ii) chairing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Council and serving as a liaison to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board; (iii) providing oversight to ensure— (I) the Administration funds high priority and mission-aligned science and technology development, including through partnerships with the private sector, Cooperative Institutes, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and other Federal and non-Federal institutions; and (II) there is no unnecessary duplication of such science and technology development; (iv) ensuring the Administration attracts, retains, and promotes world class scientists and researchers from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise; (v) promoting the health and professional development of the Administration’s scientific workforce, including by promoting efforts to reduce assault, harassment, and discrimination that could hamper such health and development; and (vi) ensuring coordination across the scientific workforce and its conduct and application of science and technology with the Administration’s most recent Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan; (C) under the direction of the Administrator, promote, communicate, and advocate for the Administration’s science and technology portfolio and strategy to the broad domestic, Tribal, and international communities and Congress, represent the Administration in promoting and maintaining good public and community relations, and provide the widest practical and appropriate dissemination of science and technology information concerning the full range of the Administration’s earth system authorities; (D) manage an Office of the Chief Scientist— (i) which shall be staffed by Federal employees of the Administration detailed to the office on a rotating basis, in a manner that promotes diversity of expertise, background, and to the extent practicable, ensures that each line office of the Administration is represented in the Office over time; (ii) in which there shall be a Deputy Chief Scientist, to be designated by the Administrator or Acting Administrator from among the Assistant Administrators on a rotational basis, as appropriate to their backgrounds or expertise, who shall advise and support the Chief Scientist and perform the functions and duties of the Chief Scientist for not more than one year in the event the Chief Scientist is unable to carry out the duties of the Office, or in the event of a vacancy in such position; and (iii) which may utilize contractors pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, and offer opportunities to fellows under existing programs; and (E) not less frequently than once each year, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Council, produce and make publicly available a report that— (i) describes the Administration’s implementation of the science and technology strategy and scientific accomplishments from the past year; (ii) details progress toward goals and challenges faced by the Administration’s science and technology portfolio and scientific workforce; (iii) provides a summary of Administration-funded research, including— (I) the percentage of Administration-funded research that is funded intramurally; (II) the percentage of Administration-funded research that is funded extramurally, including the relative proportion of extramural research that is carried out by— (aa) the private sector; (bb) Cooperative Institutes; (cc) academia; (dd) nongovernmental organizations; and (ee) other categories as necessary; and (III) a summary of Administration-funded research that is transitioned to operations, applications, commercialization, and utilization; and (iv) provides reporting on scientific integrity actions, including by specifying the aggregate number of scientific and research misconduct cases, the number of consultations conducted, the number of allegations investigated, the number of findings of misconduct, and a summary of actions in response to such findings. (3) Nothing in this subsection may be construed as impeding the ability of the Administrator to select any person for the position of Chief Scientist the Administrator determines is qualified to serve in such position. . (b) Saving clause The individual serving as Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act may continue to so serve until such time as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration selects such a Chief Scientist in accordance with subsection (d) of section 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. App), as amended by subsection (a). June 16, 2022 Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology June 16, 2022 Committee on Natural Resources

Summary: NOAA Chief Scientist Act This bill revises requirements concerning the qualifications and responsibilities of the Chief Scientist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill establishes new minimum qualification requirements for the position of the Chief Scientist. It also outlines new responsibilities of the Chief Scientist. For example, the Chief Scientist must follow NOAA's scientific integrity policies and ensure NOAA's employees and contractors adhere to the policies as well. In addition, the Chief Scientist must (1) provide policy and program direction for the science and technology priorities of NOAA, and (2) manage the Office of the Chief Scientist.