An Act to establish an Office of Technology Assessment for the Congress as an aid in the identification and consideration of existing and probable impacts of1957'1043-10267 technological application to amend the National 'Science Foundation Act of 1950 land for other purposes
PL 92-484 (H.R.10243), enacted 10/13/1972

86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-484-OCT. 13, 1972 
797 
Public Law 92-484 
AN ACT 
To establish an Office of Technology Assessment for the Congress as an aid in 
the identification and consideration of existing and probable impacts of tech-
nological application; to amend the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950; and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Bepresentati/vea of the 
'nited States of America in Congress assemhled, ^ 
' ' 
be cited as the "Technology Assessment Act of 1972". 
October 13, 197 2 
[H. R.10243] 
United States oj America in Congress assembled', That this Act may AsVe'i'li'J^inf Act 
of 1972. 
FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSE 
SEC. 2. The Congress hereby finds and declares that: 
(a) As technology continues to change and expand rapidly, its 
applications are— 
(1) large and growing in scale; and 
(2) increasingly extensive, pervasive, and critical in their 
impact, beneficial 
and adverse, on ithe natural and 
social 
environment. 
(b) Therefore, it is essential that, to the fullest extent possible, the 
consequences of technological applications be anticipated, understood, 
and considered in determination of public policy on existing and 
emerging national problems, 
(c) The Congress further finds that: 
(1) the Federal agencies presently i-esponsible directly to the 
Congress are not designed to provide the legislative branch with 
adequate and timely information, independently 
developed, 
relating to the potential impact of technological applications, 
and 
(2) the present mechanisms of the Congress do not and are not 
designed to provide the legislative branch with such information. 
(d) Accordingly, it is necessary for the Cona:ress to— 
(1) equip itself with new and effective means for securing 
competent, unbiased information concerning the physical, bio-
logical, economic, social, and political effects of such applications; 
and 
(2) utilize this information, whenever appropriate, as one 
factor in the legislative assessment of matters pending before the 
(^ongress, particularly in those instances where the Federal Gov-
ernment may be called upon to consider support for, or manage-
ment or regulation of, technological applications. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF T H E OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT 
k)EC. 8. (a) In accordance with the findings and declaration of pur-
pose ill section 2, there is hereby created the Office of Technology 
Assessment (hereinafter referred to as the "Office") which shall be 
within and responsible to the legislative branch of the Government. 
(b) The Office shall consist of a Technology Assessment Board 
(hereinafter referred to as the "Board") which shall formulate and 
promulgate the policies of the Office, and a Director who shall carry 
out such policies and administer the operations of the Office. 
(c) The basic function of the Office shall be to provide early indica-
tions of the probable beneficial and adverse impacts of the applica-
tions of technology and to develop other coordinate information which 
may assist the Congress. Tn carrying out such function, the Office 
shall: 
(1) identify existing or probable impacts of technology or 
technological programs; 
Technology 
Assessment 
Board. 
798 
PUBLIC LAW 92-484-OCT. 13, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
Information, 
availability. 
81 Stat. 54. 
(2) where possible, ascertain cause-aiid-effect relationships; 
(3) identify alternative technological methods of implementing 
specific programs; 
(4) identify alternative programs for achieving requisite 
goals; 
(5) make estimates and comparisons of the impacts of alterna-
tive methods and programs; 
(6) present findings of completed analyses to the appropriate 
legislative authorities; 
(7) identify areas where additional research or data collection 
is required to provide adequate support for the assessments and 
estimates described in paragraph (1) through (5) of this sub-
section; and 
(8) undertake such additional associated activities as the 
appropriate authorities specified under subsection (d) may direct. 
(d) Assessment activities undertaken by the Office may be initiated 
upon the request of: 
(1) the chairman of any standing, special, or select committee 
of either House of the Congress, or of any joint committee of 
the Congress, acting for himself or at the request of the ranking 
minority member or a majority of the committee members; 
(2) the Board; or 
(3) the Director, in consultation with the Board. 
(e) Assessments made by the Office, including information, sur-
veys, studies, reports, and findings related thereto, shall be made 
available to the initiating committee or other appropriate commit-
tees of the Congress. In addition, any such information, surveys, 
studies, reports, and findings produced by the Office may be made 
available to the public except where— 
(1) to do so would violate security statutes; or 
(2) the Board considers it necessary or advisable to withhold 
such information in accordance with one or more of the numbered 
paragraphs in section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
Membership. 
Vacancies. 
Chairman and 
vice chairman. 
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BOARD 
SEC. 4. (a) The Board shall consist of thirteen members as follows: 
(1) six Members of the Senate, appointed by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate, three from the majority party and 
three from the minority party; 
(2) six Members of the House of Representatives appointed by 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three from the 
majority party and three from the minority party; and 
(3) the Director, who shall not be a voting member. 
(b) Vacancies in the membership of the Board shall not affect the 
power of the remaining members to execute the functions of the Board 
and shall be filled in the same manner as in the case of the original 
appointment. 
(c) The Board shall select a chairman and a vice chairman from 
among its members at the beginning of each Congress. The vice chair-
man shall act in the place and stead of the chairman in the absence of 
the chairman. The chairmanship and the vice chairmanship shall 
alternate between the Senate and the House of Representatives with 
each Congress. The chairman during each even-numbered Congress 
shall be selected by the Members of the House of Representatives on 
the Board from among their number. The vice chairman during each 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-484-OCT. 13,1972 
799 
Congress shall be chosen in the same manner from that House of 
Congress other than the House of Congress of which the chairman is 
a Member. 
(d) The Board is authorized to sit and act at such places and times 
Meetings. 
during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of Congress, and 
upon a vote of a majority of its members, to require by subpena or 
subpena. 
otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such 
books, papers, and documents, to administer such oaths and affirma-
tions, to take such testimony, to procure such printing and binding, 
and to make such expenditures, as it deems advisable. The Board may 
make such rules respecting its organization and procedures as it deems 
necessary, except that no recommendation shall be reported from the 
Board unLjss a majority of the Board assent. Subpenas may be issued 
over the signature of the chairman of the Board or of any voting mem-
ber designated by him or by the Board, and may be served by such 
person or persons as may be designated by such chairman or member. 
The chairman of the Board or any voting member tliereof may 
administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses. 
DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR 
SEC. 5. (a) The Director of the Office of Technology Assessment 
Appointment. 
shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve for a term of six 
years unless sooner removed by the Board. He shall receive basic pay 
compensation. 
at the rate provided for level I I I of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5314 of title .5, United States Code. 
83 stat. 863. 
(b) In addition to the powers and duties vested in him by this Act, 
the Director shall exercise such powers and duties as may be delegated 
to him by the Board. 
(c) The Director may appoint with the approval of the Board, a 
^ ;,' 
Deputy Director who shall perform such functions as the Director 
.. ; 
may prescribe and who shall be Acting Director during the absence 
or incapacity of the Directoi- or in the event of a vacancy in the office 
of Director. The Deputy Director shall receive basic pay at the rate 
provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(d) Neither the Director nor the Deputy Director shall engage in ^ef^tSon.^"* 
any other business, vocation, or employment than that of serving as 
such Director or Deputy Director, as the case may be; nor shall the 
Director or Deputy Director, except with the approval of the Board, 
hold any office in, or act in any capacity for, any organization, agency, 
or institution with which the Office makes any contract or other 
arrangement under this Act. 
AUTHORITY 
OF T H E 
OFFICE 
SEC. 6. (a) The Office shall have the authority, within the limits of 
available appropriations, to do all things necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act, including, but without being limited to, the 
authority to— 
(1) make full use of competent personnel and organizations 
outside the Office, public or private, and form special ad hoc 
task forces or make other arrangements when appropriate; 
(2) enter into contracts or other arrangements as may be neces- 
contracts. 
sary for the conduct of the work of the Office with any agency 
or instrumentality of the United States, witli any State, territory, 
800 
PUBLIC L
A
W 92-484-OCT. 13, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
. J».-JjP! } » 3 M 
80 Stat. 499; 
83 Stat. 190. 
Recordkeeping. 
Agency cooper-
ation. 
Personnel 
detail. 
or possession or any political subdivision thereof, or with any 
' 
person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution, 
with or without reimbursement, without performance or other 
bonds, and without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes 
(41 U.S.C. 5) ; 
(3) make advance, progress, and other payments which relate 
to technology assessment without regard to the provisions of 
section 3648 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 529); 
(4) accept and utilize the services of voluntary and uncompen-
sated personnel necessary for the conduct of the work of the Office 
and provide transportation and subsistence as authorized by 
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons serving 
without compensation; 
(5) acquire by purchase, lease, loan, or gift, and hold and dis-
pose of by sale, lease, or loan, real and personal property of all 
kinds necessary for or resulting from the exercise of authority 
' 
granted by this Act; and 
(6) prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary 
governing the operation and organization of the Office. 
(b) Contractors and other parties entering into contracts and other 
arrangements under this section which involve costs to the Government 
shall maintain such books and related records as will facilitate an effec-
tive audit in such detail and in such manner as shall be prescribed by 
the Office, and such books and records (and related documents and 
papers) shall be available to the Office and the Comptroller General 
of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, 
for the purpose of audit and examination. 
(c) The Office, in carrying out the provisions of this Act, shall not, 
itself, operate any laboratories, pilot plants, or test facilities. 
(d) The Office is authorized to secure directly from any executive 
department or agency information, suggestions, estimates, statistics, 
and technical assistance for the purpose of carrying out its functions 
under this Act. Each such executive department or agency shall furnish 
the information, suggestions, estimates, statistics, and technical 
assistance directly to the Office upon its request. 
(e) On request of the Office, the head of any executive department or 
agency may detail, with or without reimbursement, any of its person-
nel to assist the Office in carrying out its functions under this Act. 
(f) The Director shall, in accordance with such policies as the Board 
shall prescribe, appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as 
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF T H E TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL 
Membership. 
SEC. 7. (a) The Office shall establish a Technology Assessment 
Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council"). The 
Council shall be composed of the following twelve members: 
(1) ten members from the public, to be appointed by the Board, 
who shall be persons eminent in one or more fields of the physical, 
biological, or social sciences or engineering or experienced in the 
administration of technological activities, or who may be judged 
(jualified on the basis of contributions made to educational or pub-
lic activities; 
(2) the Comptroller General; and 
(3) the Director of the Ongressional Research Service of the 
Tjibrary of Congress. 
86 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-484-OCT. 13, 1972 
801 
(I)) The (/ouiicil, upon request by the Board, shall— 
(1) review and make recommendations to the Board on activ-
ities undertaken by the Office or on the initiation thereof in 
accordance with section 3(d); 
(2) review and make recommendations to the Board on the 
findings of any assessment made by or for the Office; and 
(3) 'undertake such additional related tasks as the Board may 
direct. 
(c) The Council, by majority vote, shall elect from its members 
appointed under subsection (a) (1) of this section a Chairman and a 
Vice Chairman, who shall serve for such time and under such condi-
tions as the Council may prescribe. In the absence of the Chairman, or 
in the event of his incapacity, the Vice Chairman shall act as 
(^hairman. 
(d) The term of office of each member of the Council appointed 
under subsection (a) (1) shall be four years except that any such 
member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration 
of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
for the remainder of such term. No person shall be appointed a member 
of the Council under subsection (a)(1) more than twice. Terms of the 
members appointed under subsection (a) (1) shall be staggered so as 
to establish a rotating membership according to such method as the 
Board may devise. 
(e) (1) The members of the Council other than those appointed 
under subsection (a)(1) shall receive no pay for their services as 
members of the Council, but shall be allowed necessary travel expenses 
(or, in the alternative, mileage for use of privately owned vehicles 
and a per diem in lieu of subsistence at not to exceed the rate prescribed 
in sections 5702 and 5704 of title 5, United States Code), and other 
necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of duties 
vested in the Council, without regard to the provisions of subchapter 1 
of chapter 57 and section 5731 of title 5, United States Code, and regula-
tions promulgated thereunder. 
(2) The members of the Council appointed under subsection (a) (1) 
shall receive compensation for each day engaged in the actual per-
formance of duties vested in the Council at rates of pay not in excess 
of the daily equivalent of the hiirhest rate of basic pay set forth in the 
General Schedule of section 5332(a) of title 5, United States Code, 
and in addition shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other 
necessary expenses in the maiiner proAnded for other members of the 
Council under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 
Duties. 
Chairman and 
Vice Chairman. 
Term of office. 
Travel 
expenses. 
80 Stat. 498; 
83 Stat. 190. 
5 u s e 5701. 
Compensation. 
5 u s e 5332 
note. 
tlTILIZATION OF T H E LIBRARY OF C()N(JRE8S 
SEC. 8. (a) To carry out the objectives of this Act, the Librarian of 
Congress is authorized to make available to the Office such services and 
assistance of the Congressional Research Service as may be appropri-
ate and feasible. 
(b) Such services and assistance made available to the Office shall 
include, but not be limited to, all of the services and assistance which 
the Congressional Research Service is otherwise authorized to pro-
vide to the Congress. 
(c) Nothing in this section shall alter or modify any services or 
i-esponsibilities, other than those performed for the Office, which the 
Congressional Research Service under law perfoi-nis for or on behalf 
802 
PUBLIC LAW 92-484-OCT. 13, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
of the C\)n^ress. Tlie i>.ibi-ariaii is, however, authorized to establish 
within the Congressional Research Service such additional divisions, 
groups, or other organizational entities as may be necessary to carry 
out the purpose of this Act. 
(d) Services and assistance made available to the Office by the Con-
gressional Research Service in accordance with this section may be 
provided with or without reimbursement from funds of the Office, as 
agreed upon by the Board and the Librarian of Congress. 
UTILIZATION OF T H E GENERAL ACCOUNTING 
OFFICE 
SEC. 9. (a) Financial and administrative services (including those 
related to budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and 
procurement) and such other services as may be appropriate shall be 
provided the Office by the General Accounting Office. 
(b) Such services and assistance to the Office shall include, but not 
be limited to, all of the services and assistance which the General 
Accounting Office is otherwise authorized to provide to the Congress. 
(c) Nothing in this section shall alter or modify any services or 
responsibilities, other than those performed for the Office, which the 
General Accounting Office under law performs for or on behalf of the 
Congress. 
(d) Services and assistance made available to the Office by the Gen-
eral Accounting Office in accordance with this section may be provided 
with or without reimbursement from funds of the Office, as agreed 
upon by the Board and the Comptroller General. 
COORDINATION 
W I T H T H E NATIONAL SCIENCE 
FOUNDATION 
SEC. 10. (a) The Office shall maintain a continuing liaison with the 
National Science Foundation with respect to— 
(1) grants and contracts formulated or activated by the Foun-
dation which are for purposes of technology assessment; and 
(2) the promotion of coordination in areas of technology assess-
ment, and the avoidance of unnecessary duplication or overlapping 
of research activities in the development of technology assessment 
techniques and programs. 
rams^"fina''nc'^°" 
^^^ Scctiou 8(b) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, 
^^s'2%'tatT36oT^' 
'i-s amended (42 U.S.C 1862(b)), is amended to read as follows: 
"(b) The Foundation is authorized to initiate and support specific 
scientific activities in connection with matters relating to international 
cooperation, national security, and the effects of scientific applications 
upon society by making contracts or other arrangements (including 
grants, loans, and other forms of assistance) for the conduct of such 
activities. When initiated or supported pursuant to requests made by 
any other Federal department or agency, including the Office of Tech-
nology Assessment, such activities shall be financed whenever feasible 
from funds transferred to the Foundation by the requesting official as 
82^stat^3'65^'*' 
pi'ovided in section 14(g), and any such activities shall be unclassified 
42 use 1873. 
fi"d shall be identified by the Foundation as being undertaken at the 
request of the appi-opriate official.'' 
ANNUAL REPORT 
SEC. 11. The Office shall submit to the Congress an animal report 
which shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of technology 
assessment techniques and identification, insofar as may be feasible, 
of technological areas and programs requiring future analysis. Such 
report shall be submitted not later than March 15 of each year. 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-486-OCT. 13, 1972 
803 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 12. (a) To enable the Office to carry out its powers and duties, 
there is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Office, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not to exceed 
$5,000,000 in the aggregate for the two fiscal years ending June 30, 
1973, and June 30,1974, and thereafter such sums as may be necessary. 
(b) Appropriations made pursuant to the authority provided in 
subsection (a) shall remain available for obligation, for expendi-
ture, or for obligation and expenditure for such period or periods as 
may be specified in the Act making such appropriations. 
Approved October 13, 1972. 
Public Law 92-485 
A N A C T 
October 13, 1972 
To extend the time for coiinnenciiig actions on behalf of an Indian tribe, band, 
[H. R. 13825] 
or group. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assemhJed^ That title 28 of 
Indian claims. 
the United States Code, section 2415, is amended as follows: 
tations. 
(a) The period at the end of subsection (a) shall be changed to a 
^o stat. 304; 
colon, and the following provision shall be added thereto: '•'•Provided " ®
' P* 
further. That an action for money damages which accrued on the 
date of enactment of this Act in accordance with subsection (g) 
brouglit by the United States for or on behalf of a recognized tribe, 
band, or group of American Indians, or on behalf of an individual 
Indian whose land is held in trust or restricted status, shall not be 
bari-ed unless the comjjlaint is filed more than eleven years after the 
right of action accrued or more than two years after a final decision 
has been rendered in applicable administrative proceedings required 
by contract or by law, whichever is later.". 
(b) In subsection (b), the period at the end of the subsection shall 
be chanoed to a comma, and the following words shall be added 
thereto: "except that such actions for or on behalf of a recognized 
tribe, band, or group of American Indians, including actions relating 
.; . :.. 
to allotted trust or restricted Indian lands, or on behalf of an individ-
ual Indian whose land is held in trust or restricted status which 
accrued on the date of enactment of this Act in accordance with sub-
section (g) may be brought within eleven years after the right of 
action accrues.''. 
Approved October 13, 1972. 
Public Law 92-486 
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N 
October 13, 1972 
Authorizing the President to proclaim October 30,1972, as "National Sokol Day". 
ll! 
:_ 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assemhled, That the President is hereby 
National sokoi 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating Octo- °!7' . 
X 
X 
_ 
^ 
^ 
U e s 1 gnat ion 
ber 30, 1972, as "National Sokol Day", and calling upon the people authorization. 
of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies 
and activities. 
Approved October 13, 1972.