I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2994
To provide for various capital investments in technology education in the
United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 9, 1997
Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon (for herself and Mr. DAVIS of Virginia) 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 juris-
diction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide for various capital investments in technology
education in the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Technology Education
Capital Investment Act of 1997’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the high technology industry is one of the
fastest growing areas in the United States economy;
(2) the United States is a world leader in the
high technology industries, and especially in the in-
formation technology industry;
(3) the continued growth and prosperity of the
high technology industry is important to the contin-
ued prosperity of the United States economy;
(4) an adequate supply of highly-skilled tech-
nology workers is essential for the success of ad-
vanced technologies and business entities that use
information technology;
(5) as of the date of enactment of this Act,
there is a shortage of information technology work-
ers and workers in other high technology industries;
and
(6) in the absence of a concerted effort by busi-
ness entities, the Federal Government, the govern-
ments of States and political subdivisions thereof,
and educational institutions, the shortage of infor-
mation technology workers will continue to be a
problem.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EDUCATION PRO-
GRAMS.
(a) INFORMAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS.—(1) There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the Na-
tional Science Foundation to conduct informal science and
math education programs $50,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 1999 and 2000.
(2)(A) The National Science Foundation shall expand
the informal science and math education programs con-
ducted by the Foundation that promote the understanding
of science and technology through voluntary, self-directed,
and life-long learning opportunities by fostering commu-
nity-based and institutional math and science education
programs. In expanding such programs, the Director may
give priority to providing for organizations, projects, or
programs that provide inquiry-based and hands-on sci-
entific learning opportunities for students at pre-kinder-
garten through secondary education levels.
(B) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director
of the National Science Foundation to carry out subpara-
graph (A) $14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 and
2000.
(b) EXPANSION
OF
NATIONAL
ADVANCED
SCI-
ENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the
National Science Foundation to carry out the national ad-
vanced scientific and technical education program under
section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology
Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(a))—
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
SEC. 
4. 
TECHNOLOGY 
EDUCATION 
STATE 
STIMULUS
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Education may
make grants to States to provide supplementary scholar-
ships to students for study leading to a postsecondary de-
gree in science, math, engineering, or a related field. Such
scholarships may be awarded by a State entity such as
the State higher education system, the State scholarship
commission, or an equivalent State entity.
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—(1) A scholarship awarded under
subsection (a) may be applied to any technology-related
degree program offered at an accredited institution of
higher learning, including a college, university, community
college, or vocational-training institution.
(2) A scholarship awarded under subsection (a) may
not, when combined with other sources of financial assist-
ance, exceed the cost of tuition and related expenses of
the qualified degree program of the recipient.
(c) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of
Education may not make a grant to a State under sub-
section (a) unless such State provides not less than one-
half of the cost of the program for which the grant is pro-
vided from State funds.
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Edu-
cation a total of $50,000,000 for grants under this sub-
section.
SEC. 5. HANDS-ON STUDENT TRAINING (H.O.S.T.) PARTNER-
SHIP GRANTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce may
make start-up grants to institutions of higher learning to
develop industry-sponsored internship programs that pro-
vide opportunities for undergraduate engineering students
to receive hands-on training at local businesses.
(b) PRIORITIES.—Special emphasis shall be given
under this section to those programs that—
(1) demonstrate a long-term financial commit-
ment from industry participants for initiation and
long-term operation of the program;
(2) involve extensive input and participation by
all industry participants;
(3) adequately financially compensate student
participants; and
(4) encourage technology education.
(c) RESTRICTIONS.—(1) Not more than one grant
may be awarded to an entity under subsection (a).
(2) Awards under subsection (a) may be applied to
expenses related to the creation of the programs described
in that subsection, including the recruitment of businesses
or organizations to participate in such programs.
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce a total of $2,000,000 for grants under this sub-
section.
SEC. 6. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE; 
RESTORATION
OF EXCLUSION FOR GRADUATE LEVEL AS-
SISTANCE.
(a) EXCLUSION MADE PERMANENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 127 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to educational as-
sistance programs) is amended by striking sub-
section (d).
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made
by paragraph (1) shall apply to taxable years begin-
ning after May 31, 1998.
(b) RESTORATION OF EXCLUSION FOR GRADUATE
LEVEL ASSISTANCE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The last sentence of section
127(c)(1) of such Code is amended by striking all
that follows ‘‘hobbies’’ and inserting a period.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made
by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to ex-
penses relating to courses beginning after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act:
(1) BUSINESS
ENTITY.—The term ‘‘business
entity’’ means a firm, corporation, association, part-
nership, consortium, joint venture, or other form of
enterprise.
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’
means the Technology Workforce Commission estab-
lished under subsection (b).
(3) INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY.—The term
‘‘information technology’’ has the meaning given
that term in section 5002 of the Information Tech-
nology Management Reform Act of 1996 (110 Stat.
679).
(4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of
the several States of the United States, the terri-
tories of the United States, and the District of Co-
lumbia.
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE
COMMISSION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the Technology Workforce
Commission.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—
(A) COMPOSITION.—(i) The Commission
shall be composed of 21 members to be ap-
pointed as follows:
(I) Seven members shall be appointed
by the President, and shall be individuals
who are officers or employees of the Fed-
eral Government.
(II) Four members shall be appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Represent-
atives, of whom one shall be a Member of
Congress.
(III) Three members shall be ap-
pointed by the minority leader of the
House, of whom one shall be a Member of
Congress.
(IV) Four members shall be appointed
by the majority leader of the Senate, of
whom one shall be a Member of Congress.
(V) Three members shall be appointed
by the minority leader of the Senate, of
whom one shall be a Member of Congress.
(ii) Of the members appointed under
clauses (i)(II) through (i)(V)—
(I) Seven shall be individuals em-
ployed in high technology business entities;
and
(II) Three shall be representatives of
State governments.
(B) DATE.—The appointments of the
members of the Commission shall be made by
the date that is 30 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act.
(3) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment.
(4) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days
after the date on which all members of the Commis-
sion have been appointed, the Commission shall hold
its first meeting.
(5) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at
the call of the Chairperson.
(6) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of
the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a
lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(7) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—
The Commission shall select a chairperson and vice
chairperson from among its members.
(c) DUTIES OF COMMISSION.—
(1) STUDY.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall
conduct a thorough study of all matters relating
to the shortage of technology workers in the
United States.
(B) MATTERS
STUDIED.—The matters
studied by the Commission shall include an ex-
amination of—
(i) the causes of the shortage of tech-
nology workers in the United States;
(ii) possible solutions to address the
shortage referred to in clause (i); and
(iii) the relative efficacy of programs
in the United States and foreign countries
to provide for an increase in the number of
technology workers, with special emphasis
on programs that provide for secondary
education or postsecondary education in a
program other than a 4-year baccalaureate
program (including associate degree pro-
grams and graduate degree programs).
(C) PUBLIC
HEARINGS.—As part of the
study conducted under this subsection, the
Commission shall hold public hearings concern-
ing the issues referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
of subparagraph (B).
(D) EXISTING INFORMATION.—To the ex-
tent practicable, in carrying out the study
under this subsection, the Commission shall
identify and use existing information related to
the issues referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of
subparagraph (B).
(E) CONSULTATION WITH CHIEF INFORMA-
TION OFFICERS COUNCIL.—In carrying out the
study under this subsection, the Commission
shall consult with the Chief Information Offi-
cers Council established under Executive Order
No. 13011.
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the
initial meeting of the Commission, the Commission
shall submit a report to the President and the Con-
gress which shall contain a detailed statement of the
findings and conclusions of the Commission, to-
gether with its recommendations for such legislation
and administrative actions as it considers appro-
priate.
(3) FACILITATION OF EXCHANGE OF INFORMA-
TION.—In carrying out the study under this sub-
section, the Commission shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, facilitate the exchange of information con-
cerning the issues that are the subject of the study
among—
(A) officials of the Federal Government
and the governments of States and political
subdivisions thereof; and
(B) educators from Federal, State, and
local institutions of higher education and sec-
ondary schools.
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—
(1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold
such hearings, sit and act at such times and places,
take such testimony, and receive such evidence as
the Commission considers advisable to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
The Commission may secure directly from any Fed-
eral department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act. Upon request of the Chair-
person of the Commission, the head of such depart-
ment or agency shall furnish such information to the
Commission.
(3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may
use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the Federal Government.
(4) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use,
and dispose of gifts or donations of services or prop-
erty.
(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.—
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Except as
provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Com-
mission who is not an officer or employee of the
Federal Government shall serve without compensa-
tion. All members of the Commission who are offi-
cers or employees of the United States shall serve
without compensation in addition to that received for
their services as officers or employees of the United
States.
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
to the Commission without reimbursement, and such
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil
service status or privilege.
(5) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER-
MITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code, at rates for individuals which do not
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(f) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the
date on which the Commission submits its report under
this subsection.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
appropriated $750,000 for fiscal year 1999 to the
Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums appropriated
under the authorization contained in this section
shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation,
until expended.
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