‘‘(5) development of computer-based means to
categorize and organize electronic information in a
variety of formats;
‘‘(6) training of database users and librarians in
the use of and development of electronic databases;
‘‘(7) development of means for simplifying the
utilization of networked databases distributed around
the Nation and around the world;
‘‘(8) development of visualization methods for
quickly browsing large volumes of imagery; and
‘‘(9) development of means for protecting copy-
righted material in electronic form, including, if tech-
nologically feasible, systems with capabilities for elec-
tronically identifying copyrighted works and for elec-
tronically indicating whether any permission which
is required by title 17, United States Code, has been
granted by the copyright owner.
‘‘(c) DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPES.—In accordance
with subsection (a), the Plan shall provide for the develop-
ment of prototype digital libraries to serve as testbeds for
the systems, software, standards, and methods developed
under subsection (b). The development of prototype digital
libraries may involve nonprofit, private institutions that
collect and maintain specimens, materials, or other items
used in research, such as natural history museums. The pro-
totype digital libraries shall be accessible by the public via
the Internet. In carrying out this subsection, an evaluation
shall be conducted of the suitability and utility of distribut-
ing electronic information over the Internet, including cata-
loging and evaluating the kinds of uses and determining
barriers that impair use of the Internet for this purpose.
‘‘(d) DEVELOPMENT
OF DATABASES
OF REMOTE-
SENSING IMAGES.—The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration shall develop databases of software and re-
mote-sensing images to be made available over computer
networks.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated—
‘‘(1) to the National Science Foundation for the
purposes of this section, $8,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, $16,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $22,000,000
for fiscal year 1996, $32,000,000 for fiscal year 1997,
and $32,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; and
‘‘(2) to the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration for the purposes of this section,
$4,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $8,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1996,
$12,000,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $12,000,000 for
fiscal year 1998.
‘‘SEC. 310. APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT INFORMA-
TION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Plan shall specify projects
needed to develop and apply high-performance computing
and high-speed networking technologies to provide improved
public access to information generated by Federal, State,
and local governments, including access by individuals with
disabilities.
‘‘(b) LEAD AGENCY.—The President shall designate a
lead agency for implementing the activities required by this
section. The lead agency shall issue policy guidelines de-
signed to foster—
‘‘(1) a diversity of public and private sources
for, and a competitive marketplace in, information
products and services based on government informa-
tion; and
‘‘(2) dissemination of government information to
the public on a timely, equitable, and affordable basis
and in a manner that will promote the usefulness of
the information to the public.
‘‘(c) PROJECTS.—In accordance with subsection (a),
projects shall be undertaken which—
‘‘(1) connect depository libraries and other
sources of government information to the Internet to
enable—
‘‘(A) access to Federal Government informa-
tion and databases in electronic formats;
‘‘(B) access to State or local government in-
formation;
‘‘(C) access to related resources which en-
hance the use of government information, includ-
ing databases available through State projects
funded pursuant to the Technology-Related As-
sistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of
1988; and
‘‘(D) linkages with other libraries and insti-
tutions to enhance use of government informa-
tion; and
‘‘(2) demonstrate, test, and evaluate technologies
to increase access to and to facilitate effective use of
government information and databases for support of
research and education, economic development, and
an informed citizenry.
‘‘(d) FEDERAL INFORMATION LOCATOR.—In accord-
ance with subsection (a), an information locator system
shall be established which is accessible by the public via the
Internet and which provides citations to Federal informa-
tion and guidance on how to obtain such information.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated for the purposes of this section,
$4,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $12,000,000 for fiscal year
1995, $16,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, $21,000,000 for fis-
cal year 1997, and $21,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.’’.
SEC. 4. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND APPLICA-
TIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Section 101(b) of the High-Performance Computing
Act of 1991 is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(b) HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND APPLICA-
TIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—(1) The Director shall es-
tablish an advisory committee on high-performance com-
puting and applications consisting of non-Federal mem-
bers, including representatives of the research and library
communities, education at all levels, consumer and public
interest groups, network providers, and the computer hard-
ware, computer software, telecommunications, publishing,
and information industries, who are specially qualified to
provide the Director with advice and information on high-
performance computing and on applications of computing
and networking. The recommendations of the advisory com-
mittee shall be considered in reviewing and revising the
Program described in this section and the Plan required
by section 301(a)(2). The advisory committee shall provide
the Director with an independent assessment of—
‘‘(A) progress in implementing the Program de-
scribed in this section and the Plan required by sec-
tion 301(a)(2);
‘‘(B) the need to revise the Program described in
this section and the Plan required by section
301(a)(2);
‘‘(C) the balance between the components of the
activities undertaken pursuant to this Act;
‘‘(D) whether the research, development and dem-
onstration projects undertaken pursuant to this Act
are—
‘‘(i) helping to maintain United States
leadership in computing and networking tech-
nologies and in the application of those tech-
nologies; and
‘‘(ii) promoting competitive private sector
markets in the provision of products and services
related to these technologies and their applica-
tions;
‘‘(E) whether the applications developed under
title III are successfully addressing the needs of the
targeted populations, including assessment of the
number of users served by those applications; and
‘‘(F) other issues identified by the Director.