Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking Act

Bill: 109-hr-839
Sponsor: Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-30]
Introduced: 2005-02-16 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Censorship
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Conflict of interests
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Decision making
Disciplining of employees
Discrimination in employment
Dismissal of employees
Electronic government information
Federal advisory bodies
Federal employees
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government ethics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Internet
Law
Public corruption
Research
Research ethics
Social science research
Web sites
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: 
Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking Act - Prohibits a federal employee from engaging in: (1) tampering with the conduct of federally funded scientific research or analysis; (2) censorship of findings of such research or analysis; or (3) directing the dissemination of scientific information known by the directing employee to be false or misleading. Sets forth a penalty for violations of such prohibition.
 
Includes under prohibited personnel practices the taking or failing to take, or threatening to take or failing to take, a personnel action with respect to any employee because of: (1) the development or dissemination, within the scope of employment, of scientific research or analysis that the employee reasonably believes to be accurate and valid; (2) any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences tampering with the conduct of federally funded scientific research or analysis, censoring the findings of such research or analysis, or directing the dissemination of scientific information known by the directing employee to be false or misleading.
 
Sets forth requirements relating to federal scientific advisory committees. States that all appointments to such committees shall be made without regard to political affiliation, unless required by federal statute.
 
Directs each federal agency to determine a peer review process that is appropriate for the agency's functions and needs. Provides for &quot;The Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review&quot;, issued on December 16, 2004, to have no force or effect as of enactment of this Act and to not apply to information disseminated by the Federal Government to the public.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to provide annual reports regarding scientific integrity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-02-16
text: Introduced in House