SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Science
at the Environmental Protection Agency Act’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Ad-
ministrator of the Agency;
(2) the term ‘‘Agency’’ means the Environ-
mental Protection Agency;
(3) the term ‘‘Deputy’’ means the Deputy Ad-
ministrator for Science and Technology appointed
under section 4; and
(4) the term ‘‘research’’ means research, devel-
opment, and demonstration.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH MISSION OF AGENCY.
Conducting, sponsoring, and evaluating environ-
mental science and technology research shall be a central
mission of the Agency. The results of such research shall
be used to help initiate, formulate, and carry out the
Agency’s agenda, and the Agency shall seek to increase
the public’s understanding of environmental science and
technology by making those research results available to
the public.
SEC. 4. DEPUTY.
(a) APPOINTMENT.—The President shall appoint, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Deputy
Administrator for Science and Technology, who shall co-
ordinate and oversee the science and technology activities
of the Agency and ensure that Agency decisions are in-
formed by the results of appropriate and relevant re-
search.
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Deputy shall—
(1) provide advice to the Administrator regard-
ing science and technology issues and their relation-
ship to Agency policies, procedures, and decisions;
(2) participate in developing the Agency’s stra-
tegic plans and policies and review the science and
technology aspects of those plans and policies;
(3) coordinate the acquisition and compilation
of relevant science and technology information avail-
able from academic sources, government agencies,
and the private sector;
(4) develop and oversee guidelines for the dis-
semination of research results conducted, sponsored,
or cited by the Agency to the public, including his-
torically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
serving institutions, minority communities, and rural
communities; and
(5) develop and oversee guidelines for peer re-
view of science and technology research.
(c) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—An 
individual 
appointed
under subsection (a) shall be a person who has an out-
standing science and technology background, including re-
search accomplishments, scientific reputation, and public
policy experience.
(d) CONSULTATION.—Before appointing an indi-
vidual under subsection (a), the President shall consult
with the National Academy of Sciences, the National
Academy of Engineering, the Science Advisory Board of
the Agency, and other appropriate scientific organizations.
(e) COMPENSATION.—The Deputy shall be com-
pensated at the rate provided for level III of the Executive
Schedule pursuant to section 5314 of title 5, United
States Code.
(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5314 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
‘‘Deputy Administrator for Science and Tech-
nology of the Environmental Protection Agency.’’.
SEC. 5. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
(a) TITLE AND TERM.—There shall be an Assistant
Administrator for Research and Development of the Agen-
cy, who shall also have the title of Chief Scientist of the
Agency. Appointments to such position made after the
date of the enactment of this Act shall be for a term of
5 years unless sooner removed by the President.
(b) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—An 
individual 
appointed
under subsection (a) shall be a person who has an out-
standing science and technology background, including re-
search accomplishments, scientific reputation, and experi-
ence in leading a research and development organization.
Passed the House of Representatives April 30, 2002.
Attest:
Clerk.