I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3639 
To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United States, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 1, 2017 
Ms. LOFGREN (for herself, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. 
BEYER, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. COSTA, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. LIPINSKI, Ms. 
MCCOLLUM, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. SWALWELL of California, 
Mr. TONKO, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. CRIST, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. MCNERNEY, 
Mr. VEASEY, and Ms. SLAUGHTER) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United 
States, 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 ‘‘Science Laureates of 
the United States Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND RECOGNITION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Scientific research and advancement has 
driven success in the United States and global suc-
cess for centuries. 
(2) Scientific research has saved, improved, and 
extended lives, increased the standard of living, ex-
panded economic opportunity, and advanced human 
understanding. 
(3) Such research holds the promise of con-
tinuing this progress, protecting the environment, 
creating jobs, growing the economy through innova-
tive ideas and discoveries, and generally advancing 
all mankind. 
(4) People in the United States can benefit 
when scientific research is conducted and commu-
nicated in a transparent manner to better inform 
citizens about the nature and status of such re-
search. 
(5) Scientific education is a critical element of 
preparing our Nation and our citizens for a tech-
nology-intensive future and ensuring that the United 
States remains the world leader in innovation and 
high-tech success. 
(6) A spokesperson who can embody, dem-
onstrate, and articulate the importance and excite-
ment of scientific research and education will help 
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improve the current and future state of science to 
the benefit of all people in the United States. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION.—Congress rec-
ognizes that science contributes to the economic prosperity 
and general welfare of the United States, and that increas-
ing the public’s awareness about the sciences will increase 
such benefits. Congress also recognizes that scientists who 
are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the 
public’s interest in science do a special service to the 
United States. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE LAUREATES OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 
(a) POSITION ESTABLISHED.—The National Science 
Foundation shall establish the position of Science Lau-
reate of the United States to honor the service of sci-
entists. 
(b) APPOINTMENT BY NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDA-
TION.—The Science Laureate of the United States shall 
be appointed by the National Science Foundation from 
among individuals nominated under subsection (c). 
(c) NOMINATIONS
BY
NATIONAL
ACADEMY
OF 
SCIENCES.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.—The National Science Foun-
dation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the 
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National Academy of Sciences to perform the serv-
ices covered by this subsection. 
(2) NOMINATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Under an agreement 
between the National Science Foundation and 
the National Academy of Sciences under this 
subsection, the National Academy of Sciences 
shall, not less frequently than once each year 
and except as provided in subparagraph (D), 
nominate three individuals to serve as the 
Science Laureate. 
(B) BASIS.—Nomination under subpara-
graph (A) shall be on the basis of merit, par-
ticularly the ability of an individual to— 
(i) foster and enhance public aware-
ness and interest in science; and 
(ii) provide ongoing significant sci-
entific contributions. 
(C) 
VARIETY
OF
SCIENTIFIC
DIS-
CIPLINES.—In nominating individuals under 
subparagraph (A), the National Academy of 
Sciences shall strive to nominate individuals, in 
different years, from different scientific dis-
ciplines, including biology, physics, geosciences, 
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astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, and other 
science disciplines. 
(D) EXCEPTION.—The National Academy 
of Sciences shall not make any nominations 
under this paragraph for a year if the National 
Science Foundation notifies the National Acad-
emy of Sciences that such nominations are un-
necessary because the National Science Foun-
dation intends to extend the term of the current 
Science Laureate pursuant to subsection (f). 
(d) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Science Laureate shall 
engage the public, from time to time, to increase the 
public’s awareness about science. 
(2) CONTINUATION OF SCIENTIFIC WORK.—A 
Science Laureate is encouraged to continue the 
Science Laureate’s scientific work. 
(3) FACILITATION OF DUTIES.—The National 
Science Foundation shall facilitate the duties of a 
Science Laureate and the Science Laureate may ac-
cept assistance from the National Academy of 
Sciences in carrying out such duties. 
(e) LIMITATION.—The Science Laureate position 
shall not have the effect of duplicating or superseding the 
role of the President’s Science Advisor. 
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(f) TERM.—Each Science Laureate shall serve a 1- 
year term and may be reappointed by the National Science 
Foundation for additional terms as the National Science 
Foundation considers appropriate. 
(g) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.— 
(1) 
COMPENSATION.—Notwithstanding 
any 
other provision of law, a Science Laureate shall 
serve without pay and shall not be considered to be 
a Federal employee based on such individual’s ap-
pointment as a Science Laureate. 
(2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL.—The Na-
tional Science Foundation may provide a Science 
Laureate with reimbursement for travel expenses in-
curred while performing duties as a Science Lau-
reate, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with applicable provisions in the same 
manner as persons employed intermittently in the 
Government service are allowed expenses under sec-
tion 5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
Æ 
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