National Science and Technology Strategy Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.3858 | Sponsor: Rep. Waltz, Michael (R-FL)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
National Science and Technology Strategy Act of 2021
This bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a national science and technology strategy and publish a science and technology review.
The bill revises OSTP reporting requirements to direct the OSTP to submit to Congress a comprehensive national science and technology strategy of the United States to meet national research and development objectives for the following four-year period.
No later than December 31, 2022, and every four years afterwards, the OSTP shall complete a review of the science and technology enterprise of the United States.

To establish a national science and technology strategy, a quadrennial 
         science and technology review, and for other purposes.


 


    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Science and Technology 
Strategy Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY.

     Section 206 of the National Science and Technology Policy, 
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6615) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 206. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than the end of each calendar year 
immediately after the calendar year in which a review under section 
206b is completed, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, in consultation with the National Science and Technology 
Council, shall develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive national 
science and technology strategy of the United States to meet national 
research and development objectives for the following 4-year period (in 
this Act referred to as `the national science and technology 
strategy').
    ``(b) Requirements.--Each national science and technology strategy 
required by subsection (a) shall delineate a national science and 
technology strategy consistent with--
            ``(1) the recommendations and priorities developed by the 
        review established in section 206b;
            ``(2) the most recent national security strategy report 
        submitted pursuant to section 1032 of the National Defense 
        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (50 U.S.C. 3043);
            ``(3) other relevant national plans; and
            ``(4) the strategic plans of relevant Federal departments 
        and agencies.
    ``(c) Consultation.--The Director shall consult as necessary with 
the Office of Management and Budget and other appropriate elements of 
the Executive Office of the President to ensure that the 
recommendations and priorities delineated in the science and technology 
strategy are incorporated in the development of annual budget requests.
    ``(d) Report.--The President shall submit to Congress each year a 
comprehensive report on the national science and technology strategy of 
the United States. Each report on the national science and technology 
strategy of the United States shall include a description of--
            ``(1) strategic objectives and priorities necessary to 
        maintain the leadership of the United States in science and 
        technology and to advance science and technology to address 
        societal and national challenges, including near-term, medium-
        term, and long-term research priorities;
            ``(2) programs, policies, and activities that the President 
        recommends across all Federal agencies to achieve the strategic 
        objectives in paragraph (1); and
            ``(3) global trends in science and technology, including 
        potential threats to the leadership of the United States in 
        science and technology and opportunities for international 
        collaboration in science and technology.
    ``(e) Publication.--The Director shall, consistent with the 
protection of national security and other sensitive matters to the 
maximum extent practicable, make each report submitted under subsection 
(d) publicly available on an internet website of the Office.''.

SEC. 3. QUADRENNIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.

     The National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 206 the following:

``SEC. 206B. QUADRENNIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.

    ``(a) Requirements.--
            ``(1) Quadrennial reviews required.--Not later than 
        December 31, 2022, and every 4 years thereafter, the Director 
        of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall complete a 
        review of the science and technology enterprise of the United 
        States (in this section referred to as the `quadrennial science 
        and technology review').
            ``(2) Scope.--The quadrennial science and technology review 
        shall be a comprehensive examination of the science and 
        technology strategy of the United States, including 
        recommendations for maintaining global leadership in science 
        and technology and advancing science and technology to address 
        the societal and national challenges and guidance on the 
        coordination of programs, assets, capabilities, budget, 
        policies, and authorities across all Federal research and 
        development programs.
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall conduct each quadrennial science 
        and technology review under this subsection in consultation 
        with--
                    ``(A) the National Science and Technology Council;
                    ``(B) the heads of other relevant Federal agencies;
                    ``(C) the President's Council of Advisors on 
                Science and Technology;
                    ``(D) the National Science Board;
                    ``(E) the National Security Council; and
                    ``(F) other relevant governmental and 
                nongovernmental entities, including representatives 
                from industry, institutions of higher education, 
                nonprofit organizations, Members of Congress, and other 
                policy experts.
            ``(4) Coordination.--The Director shall ensure that each 
        quadrennial science and technology review conducted under this 
        section is coordinated with other relevant statutorily required 
        reviews, and to the maximum extent practicable incorporates 
        information and recommendations from existing reviews to avoid 
        duplication.
    ``(b) Contents.--In each quadrennial science and technology review, 
the Director shall--
            ``(1) provide an integrated view of, and recommendations 
        for, science and technology policy across the Federal 
        Government, while considering economic and national security 
        and other societal and national challenges;
            ``(2) assess and recommend priorities for research, 
        development and demonstration programs to maintain American 
        leadership in science and technology;
            ``(3) assess and recommend priorities for research, 
        development, and demonstration programs to address societal and 
        national challenges;
            ``(4) assess the global competition in science and 
        technology and identify potential threats to the leadership of 
        the United States in science and technology and opportunities 
        for international collaboration;
            ``(5) assess and make recommendations on the science, 
        technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science 
        workforce in the United States;
            ``(6) assess and make recommendations to improve regional 
        innovation across the United States;
            ``(7) assess and make recommendations to improve 
        translation of basic research and the enhancement of technology 
        transfer of federally funded research;
            ``(8) assess and identify the infrastructure and tools 
        needed to maintain the leadership of the United States in 
        science and technology and address other societal and national 
        challenges; and
            ``(9) review administrative or legislative policies that 
        affect the science and technology enterprise and identify and 
        make recommendations on policies that hinder research and 
        development in the United States.
    ``(c) Reporting.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than December 31 of the year 
        in which a quadrennial science and technology review is 
        conducted, the Director shall submit a report of the review to 
        Congress.
            ``(2) Publication.--The Director shall, consistent with the 
        protection of national security and other sensitive matters to 
        the maximum extent possible, make each report submitted under 
        paragraph (1) publicly available on an internet website of the 
        Office of Science and Technology Policy.''.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 178

117th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 3858

                          [Report No. 117-248]

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