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108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3096
To provide for the establishment of the position of Deputy Administrator 
for Science and Technology of the Environmental Protection Agency, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 16, 2003
Mr. EHLERS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science 
A BILL 
To provide for the establishment of the position of Deputy 
Administrator for Science and Technology of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, 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 ‘‘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 Technology 
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.
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