IB
Union Calendar No. 266
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3254
[Report No. 103–475]
To authorize appropriations for the National Science Foundation, and for
other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 12, 1993
Mr. BOUCHER (for himself and Mr. BROWN of California) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
APRIL 13, 1994
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 12, 1993]
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for the National Science
Foundation, and for other purposes.
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 ‘‘National Science Foun-
dation Authorization Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘debt-for-science exchange’’ means
an agreement whereby a portion of a nation’s com-
mercial external debt burden is exchanged by the
holder for a contribution of local currencies or other
assets to support scientific and technological research;
(2) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of the
Foundation;
(3) the term ‘‘Foundation’’ means the National
Science Foundation;
(4) the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’
has the meaning given such term in section 1201(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965;
(5) the term ‘‘national research facility’’ means
a research facility funded by the Foundation which is
available, subject to appropriate policies allocating
access, for use by all scientists and engineers affiliated
with research institutions located in the United
States;
(6) the term ‘‘science-technology center’’ has the
meaning given such term in section 231(f) of the Ex-
cellence in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education Act of 1990, and shall include both newly
organized and established science-technology centers;
and
(7) the term ‘‘United States’’ means the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and any other territory or possession of the
United States.
TITLE I—NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that the programs of the
Foundation are important for the Nation to strengthen
basic research and develop human resources in science and
engineering, and that those programs should be funded at
an adequate level.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 1995.—(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Foundation $3,200,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995, which shall be available for the following cat-
egories:
(A) 
Research 
and 
Related 
Activities,
$2,275,500,000, which shall be available for the fol-
lowing subcategories:
(i) Biological Sciences, $301,800,000.
(ii) Computer and Information Science and
Engineering, $262,200,000.
(iii) Engineering, $313,400,000, of which
$2,000,000 shall be expended for primary mate-
rials processing research.
(iv) Geosciences, $425,000,000.
(v) Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
$641,200,000.
(vi) Social, Behavioral, and Economic
Sciences, $106,500,000.
(vii) United States Polar Research Pro-
grams, $160,800,000.
(viii) United States Antarctic Logistical
Activities, $62,600,000.
(ix) 
Critical 
Technologies 
Institute,
$2,000,000.
(B) 
Education 
and 
Human 
Resources,
$569,600,000.
(C) Academic Research Facilities Modernization
Program, $150,000,000.
(D) Major Research Equipment, $70,000,000.
(E) Salaries and Expenses, $125,500,000.
(F) Office of Inspector General, $4,200,000.
(G) Headquarters Relocation, $5,200,000.
(2) Of the amounts authorized under paragraph (1)(A)
and (B)—
(A) $35,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by the Scientific and Advanced-Technology
Act of 1992;
(B) $30,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 305 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991;
(C) $45,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 307 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991; and
(D) $16,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 309 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991.
(c) FISCAL YEAR 1996.—(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Foundation $3,392,000,000 for fiscal
year 1996, which shall be available for the following cat-
egories:
(A) 
Research 
and 
Related 
Activities,
$2,397,500,000, which shall be available for the fol-
lowing subcategories:
(i) Biological Sciences, $316,800,000.
(ii) Computer and Information Science and
Engineering, $285,000,000.
(iii) Engineering, $338,000,000, of which
$2,500,000 shall be expended for primary mate-
rials processing research.
(iv) Geosciences, $444,000,000.
(v) Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
$668,800,000.
(vi) Social, Behavioral, and Economic
Sciences, $116,100,000.
(vii) United States Polar Research Pro-
grams, $164,800,000.
(viii) United States Antarctic Logistical
Activities, $64,000,000.
(B) 
Education 
and 
Human 
Resources,
$586,000,000.
(C) Academic Research Facilities Modernization
Program, $200,000,000.
(D) Major Research Equipment, $67,000,000.
(E) Salaries and Expenses, $132,000,000.
(F) Office of Inspector General, $4,300,000.
(G) Headquarters Relocation, $5,200,000.
(2) Of the amounts authorized under paragraph (1)(A)
and (B)—
(A) $35,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by the Scientific Advanced-Technology Act of
1992;
(B) $50,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 305 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991;
(C) $60,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 307 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991; and
(D) $22,000,000 are authorized for activities au-
thorized by section 309 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991.
(3) No funds shall be expended for fiscal year 1996
for the Critical Technologies Institute.
(d) MEETING FUNDING GOALS.—In allocating funds
authorized under subsections (b)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A), the
Foundation shall give priority to meeting the funding goals
established for the Foundation for Presidential research ini-
tiatives by the Federal Coordinating Council for Science,
Engineering, and Technology, or any successor entity which
assumes its responsibilities.
(e) EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR UNDERREPRESENTED
GROUPS.—In allocating funds authorized under subsections
(b)(1)(B) and (c)(1)(B), the Foundation shall support edu-
cation activities to encourage the participation of women,
minorities who are underrepresented in science, engineer-
ing, and mathematics, and persons with disabilities, and
shall coordinate such activities with related efforts of other
Federal agencies.
SEC. 102. PROPORTIONAL REDUCTION OF RESEARCH AND
RELATED ACTIVITIES AMOUNTS.
If the amount appropriated pursuant to section
101(b)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A) is less than the amount authorized
under that subparagraph, the amount authorized for each
subcategory under that subparagraph shall be reduced by
the same proportion.
SEC. 
103. 
CONSULTATION 
AND 
REPRESENTATION 
EX-
PENSES.
From appropriations made under authorizations pro-
vided in this Act, not more than $10,000 may be used in
each fiscal year for official consultation, representation, or
other extraordinary expenses at the discretion of the Direc-
tor. The determination of the Director shall be final and
conclusive upon the accounting officers of the Government.
SEC. 104. TRANSFER OF FUNDS.
For any given fiscal year, the Director may propose
transfers to or from any category described in section 101
up to a maximum of 10 percent of the amount authorized
for that category. An explanation of any such proposed
transfer must be transmitted in writing to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Committees on Labor and Human Re-
sources and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. The proposed transfer may be made only after 30
calendar days have passed after transmission of such writ-
ten explanation.
TITLE II—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. ANNUAL REPORT.
Section 3 of the National Science Foundation Act of
1950 (42 U.S.C. 1862) is amended by striking subsection
(f) and inserting in lieu thereof the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(f) The Foundation shall provide an annual report
to the President which shall be submitted by the Director
to the Congress at the time of the President’s annual budget
submission. The report shall—
‘‘(1) contain a strategic plan which—
‘‘(A) defines for a three-year period the
overall goals for the Foundation and specific
goals for each major activity of the Foundation,
including each scientific directorate, the edu-
cation directorate, and the polar programs office;
and
‘‘(B) describes how the identified goals re-
late to national needs and will exploit new op-
portunities in science and technology;
‘‘(2) identify the criteria and describe the proce-
dures which the Foundation will use to assess
progress toward achieving the goals identified in ac-
cordance with paragraph (1);
‘‘(3) review the activities of the Foundation dur-
ing the preceding year which have contributed toward
achievement of goals identified in accordance with
paragraph (1) and summarize planned activities for
the coming three years in the context of the identified
goals, with particular emphasis on the Foundation’s
planned contributions to major multi-agency research
and education initiatives;
‘‘(4) contain such recommendations as the Foun-
dation considers appropriate; and
‘‘(5) include information on the acquisition and
disposition by the Foundation of any patents and
patent rights.’’.
SEC. 202. NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.
(a) FACILITIES PLAN.—The Director shall provide to
Congress annually, at the time of the President’s budget
submission, a plan for construction of, and repair and up-
grades to, national research facilities. The plan shall in-
clude estimates of the cost for such construction, repairs,
and upgrades, and estimates of the cost for the operation
and maintenance of existing and proposed new facilities.
For proposed new construction and for major upgrades to
existing facilities, the plan shall include funding profiles
by fiscal year and milestones for major phases of the con-
struction. The plan shall include cost estimates in the cat-
egories of construction, repair, and upgrades for the year
in which the plan is submitted to Congress and for not fewer
than the succeeding 4 years.
(b) LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OF UNAUTHORIZED
APPROPRIATIONS.—No funds appropriated for any project
which involves construction of new national research facili-
ties or construction necessary for upgrading the capabilities
of existing national research facilities shall be obligated un-
less the funds are specifically authorized for such purpose
by this Act or any other Act which is not an appropriations
Act, or unless the total estimated cost to the Foundation
of the construction project is less than $50,000,000. This
subsection shall not apply to construction projects approved
by the National Science Board prior to June 30, 1993.
SEC. 203. ELIGIBILITY FOR RESEARCH FACILITY AWARDS.
Section 203(b) of the Academic Research Facilities
Modernization Act of 1988 is amended by striking the final
sentence of paragraph (3) and inserting in lieu thereof the
following: ‘‘The Director shall give priority to institutions
or consortia that have not received such funds in the preced-
ing 5 years, except that this sentence shall not apply to
previous funding received for the same multiyear project.
The Director shall exclude from consideration for awards
to be made under the Program after fiscal year 1995 any
institutions or consortia which received funds, appropriated
for a fiscal year after fiscal year 1994, for the repair, ren-
ovation, construction, or replacement of academic facilities,
from any Federal funding source for projects that were not
subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process.’’.
SEC. 204. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN INFORMAL
SCIENCE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
No science-technology center shall be disqualified from
competing for funding support under the informal science
education programs included within the Education and
Human Resources activities of the Foundation on the basis
of the geographic location of the center, the size of the popu-
lation served by the center, or the date on which the center
commences operation.
SEC. 205. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EQUAL OPPORTUNI-
TIES ACT AMENDMENTS.
The Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by amending section 32 to read as follows:
‘‘FINDINGS AND POLICY
‘‘SEC. 32. The national security and economic com-
petitiveness of the United States demand the full develop-
ment and use of the engineering, mathematical, and sci-
entific talents and skills of all its citizens. Past discrimina-
tion, cultural barriers, unequal educational opportunities,
and other factors discourage women, minorities, and per-
sons with disabilities from studying and working in engi-
neering, mathematics, and science. The Congress declares
it is the policy of the United States to encourage the partici-
pation in engineering, mathematics, and science of members
of the groups that are underrepresented.’’;
(2) in section 33—
(A) by amending the section head to read as
follows:
‘‘EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING’’;
(B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking
‘‘women’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘women,
minorities who are underrepresented in science,
engineering, and mathematics, and persons with
disabilities (collectively referred to in this section
as ‘members of underrepresented groups’)’’;
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘female
students and to increase female student aware-
ness’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘students who
are members of underrepresented groups and to
make those students aware’’;
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘re-
search’’;
(E) by amending paragraph (5) to read as
follows:
‘‘(5) support programs under which scientists
and engineers who are members of underrepresented
groups interact with elementary, secondary, and un-
dergraduate students;’’;
(F) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘, to be
known as the National Research Opportunity
Grants, to women scientists and engineers’’ and
inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘to scientists and engi-
neers who are members of underrepresented
groups’’;
(G) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘such
women’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘such per-
sons’’;
(H) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (10);
(I) by striking the period at the end of
paragraph (11) and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘;
and’’;
(J) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(12) support efforts to initiate and expand re-
search opportunities at institutions serving members
of underrepresented groups.
‘‘(b) In carrying out activities under this section, the
Foundation may conduct or support activities in which
participation is limited to members of one or more
underrepresented groups.’’;
(K) by inserting ‘‘(a)’’ after ‘‘SEC. 33.’’;
and
(L) except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph, by striking ‘‘women’’ each place it
appears and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘members
of underrepresented groups’’;
(3) by striking section 34;
(4) in section 36(a), by inserting ‘‘, persons with
disabilities’’ after ‘‘minorities’’;
(5) in section 36(b), by striking the second sen-
tence and inserting in lieu the following: ‘‘The Chair-
persons of relevant committees or subcommittees of the
National Science Board, as designated by the Chair-
person of the Board, shall be ex officio members of the
Committee.’’;
(6) in section 36 by striking subsections (c) and
(d) and redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively;
(7) in section 36 by inserting after subsection (b)
the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing
and evaluating all Foundation matters relating to partici-
pation in, opportunities for, and advancement in edu-
cation, training, and research in science and engineering
of members of underrepresented groups.’’; and
(8) in section 36(d), as redesignated by para-
graph (6) of this section, by striking ‘‘additional’’.
SEC. 206. ROLE OF THE FOUNDATION IN ECONOMIC COM-
PETITIVENESS.
The Foundation’s efforts to improve the economic com-
petitiveness of the United States shall be in accord with
the functions of the Foundation as specified by section 3
of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. The pri-
mary mission of the Foundation continues to be the support
of basic scientific research and science education and the
support of research fundamental to the engineering process
and engineering education.
SEC. 207. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.
(a) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACT OF 1950
AMENDMENTS.—The National Science Foundation Act of
1950 is amended—
(1) in section 4(e) (42 U.S.C. 1863(e)) by strik-
ing the second and third sentences and inserting in
lieu thereof the following: ‘‘The Board shall adopt
procedures governing the conduct of its meetings, in-
cluding definition of a quorum and delivery of notice
of meetings to members of the Board.’’;
(2) in section 5(e) (42 U.S.C. 1864(e)) by
amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
‘‘(2) Any delegation of authority or imposition of con-
ditions under paragraph (1) shall be promptly published
in the Federal Register and reported to the Committees on
Labor and Human Resources and Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives.’’;
(3) in section 14 (42 U.S.C. 1873) by striking
subsection (j); and
(4) in section 15(a) (42 U.S.C. 1874(a)) by
striking ‘‘Atomic Energy Commission’’ and inserting
in lieu thereof ‘‘Secretary of Energy’’.
(b) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION
ACT OF 1988 AMENDMENTS.—Section 117(a)(1)(B)(v) of
the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988
is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(v) from schools established outside the several
States and the District of Columbia by any agency of
the Federal Government for dependents of its employ-
ees.’’.
(c) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION
ACT, 1977 AMENDMENT.—Section 8 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act, 1977, is repealed.