I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5583 
To streamline and harmonize Federal research regulations on institutions 
of higher education, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 24, 2016 
Mr. LIPINSKI (for himself, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, and Mr. 
HULTGREN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To streamline and harmonize Federal research regulations 
on institutions of higher education, 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 ‘‘University Regulation 
Streamlining and Harmonization Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The partnership between the Federal Gov-
ernment and institutions of higher education, affili-
ated medical centers, and independent research in-
stitutes has been enormously beneficial for the Na-
tion, providing economic growth, a highly skilled 
workforce, and discoveries that have improved peo-
ple’s lives. 
(2) Regulation of federally funded research in-
stitutions, when done efficiently, serves to ensure 
that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that 
human and animal research subjects are treated 
ethically. 
(3) A survey conducted by the Federal Dem-
onstration Partnership in 2012 found that 42 per-
cent of faculty time related to the conduct of feder-
ally funded research at research institutions is spent 
on activities other than research, with 19.3 percent 
specifically related to administrative activities. 
(4) A study of the Federal regulatory impact on 
institutes of higher education led by Vanderbilt Uni-
versity involving 13 public and private universities 
estimated that the total cost of compliance with re-
search regulations for all research institutions 
ranged from 11 to 25 percent of total research ex-
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penditures and reached an estimated 10 billion dol-
lars across the country. 
(5) Advances in technology, recordkeeping, and 
internal controls allow awardees to document 
charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages in 
increasingly efficient ways, including through payroll 
certification, which can increase accountability and 
reduce burdens relative to personal activity reports. 
(6) Past efforts by the Federal Government, in 
particular through the Uniform Guidance imple-
mented by the Office of Management and Budget in 
2014, have made progress in reducing regulatory 
burdens. However, problems still remain as noted by 
the National Academies’ report in September of 
2015, which found that ‘‘continuing expansion of the 
Federal regulatory system and its ever-growing re-
quirements are diminishing the effectiveness of the 
nation’s research investment by directing investiga-
tors’ time away from research’’. 
(7) Streamlining research regulations and mov-
ing toward harmonized regulations based on data- 
driven cost-benefit analyses across Federal research 
funding agencies will help maximize the impact of 
research dollars while minimizing waste, fraud, and 
abuse. 
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SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) FEDERAL
AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal 
agency’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘agency’’ 
in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING AGENCY.— 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Federal research funding 
agency’’ means a Federal agency that has an annual 
extramural research budget of greater than 100 mil-
lion dollars. 
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(4) RESEARCH
INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘re-
search institution’’ means an institution of higher 
education, a medical center affiliated with an institu-
tion of higher education, independent research insti-
tution, or other nonprofit organization that receives 
funding from a Federal research funding agency for 
research purposes. 
SEC. 4. RESEARCH POLICY BOARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Of-
fice of Management and Budget, in coordination with the 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
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shall establish a Research Policy Board (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘Board’’) to review proposed Federal 
regulations as well as major policies and guidance gov-
erning the conduct of scientific and engineering research 
at research institutions. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board shall be composed of 
no more than 15 members, including— 
(1) representatives from nonprofit associations 
representing research institutions; 
(2) administrators from research institutions; 
(3) stakeholders from the scientific and engi-
neering research community, including at least one 
externally funded researcher who does not hold an 
administrative position; and 
(4) senior research policy officials from Federal 
research funding agencies capable of addressing a 
broad range of policy issues regarding the conduct 
of academic research and with significant input into 
that agency’s decisionmaking regarding the regu-
latory process, including representatives from— 
(A) the National Institutes of Health; 
(B) the National Science Foundation; and 
(C) the Department of Defense. 
(c) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Board from or-
ganizations outside the Federal Government shall serve in 
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