The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and
Science Act of 2022
Public Law 117-167
The following are excerpts,
highlighted in red, from the final
legislation and/or conference report which contain references to and
studies for The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine. (Pound signs [##] between passages denote the deletion of
unrelated text.)
HR4346 Ryan (D-Ohio) 07/30/22
Enrolled (finally
passed both houses)
Making appropriations for Legislative Branch
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other
purposes.
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SEC. 10106. HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS PROGRAM
######
(c) COSMIC FRONTIER RESEARCH.—Section 305 of the Department of Energy
Research and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18645 ) is amended by striking
subsection (f) (as redesignated by subsection (a)(1)) and inserting the
following:|
“(f) COSMIC FRONTIER RESEARCH.—The Director shall carry out research activities on the nature of
the primary contents of the universe, including the nature of dark
energy and dark matter. These activities shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, be consistent with the research priorities
identified by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel or the National
Academy of Sciences, and may include—
“(1) collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the National Science Foundation, or international
partners on relevant projects; and
“(2) the development of
space-based, land-based, water-based, and underground facilities and
experiments.
######
“SEC. 308.NUCLEAR PHYSICS.
“(a) PROGRAM.—As part of the activities authorized under section 209 of
the Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7139 ), the
Director shall carry out a research program, and support relevant
facilities, to discover and understand various forms of nuclear
matter.
“(b) ELECTRON ION COLLIDER
“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall support construction of an Electron Ion
Collider as described in the 2015 Long Range Plan of the Nuclear
Science Advisory Committee and the report from the National
Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine entitled ‘An
Assessment of U.S.-Based Electron-Ion Collider Science’, in order to
measure the internal structure of the proton and the nucleus and
answer fundamental questions about the nature of visible
matter.
“(2) FACILITY CAPABILITY.—The Secretary shall ensure that the
facility described in paragraph (1) meets the requirements in the 2015
Long Range Plan described in that paragraph, including—
“(A) at
least 70 percent polarized beams of electrons and light ions;
“(B)
ion beams from deuterium to the heaviest stable nuclei;
“(C)
variable center of mass energy from 20 to 140 GeV;
“(D) high
collision luminosity of 1033–34cm-2s-1; and
“(E) the possibility of
more than 1 interaction region.
“(3) START OF OPERATIONS.—The
Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, ensure
that the start of full operations of the facility under this subsection
occurs before December 31, 2030.
“(4) FUNDING.—Out of funds
authorized to be appropriated under subsection (c), there are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out construction of the
facility under this subsection—
“(A) $90,000,000 for fiscal year
2023;
“(B) $181,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
“(C)
$219,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
“(D) $297,000,000 for fiscal
year 2026; and
“(E) $301,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
######
“SEC. 313.HIGH INTENSITY LASER RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
“(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall establish a high intensity laser research
initiative consistent with the recommendations of the National
Academies report entitled ‘Opportunities in Intense Ultrafast
Lasers: Reaching for the Brightest Light’ and the report from the
Brightest Light Initiative workshop entitled ‘The Future of Intense
Ultrafast Lasers in the U.S.’. The initiative should include
research and development of petawatt-scale and of high average power
laser technologies necessary for future facility needs in discovery
science and to advance energy technologies, as well as support for a
user network of academic and National Laboratory high intensity
laser facilities.
“(b) LEVERAGE.—The Director shall leverage new laser technologies for
more compact, less complex, and low-cost accelerator systems needed for
science applications.
“(c) COORDINATION
“(1) DIRECTOR.—The Director shall coordinate the
initiative established under subsection (a) among all relevant programs
within the Office of Science.|
“(2) UNDER SECRETARY.—The Under
Secretary for Science shall coordinate the initiative established under
subsection (a) with other relevant programs within the Department and
other Federal agencies.
“(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Out of funds authorized to be
appropriated for the Office of Science in a fiscal year, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
activities described in this section—
“(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal
year 2023;
“(2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
“(3)
$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
“(4) $200,000,000 for fiscal
year 2026; and
“(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
######
Subtitle B-STEM education
SEC. 10311. PREK–12 STEM EDUCATION
(a) NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY.—Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study to—
(1)
review the research literature and identify research gaps regarding
the interconnected factors that foster and hinder successful
implementation of promising, evidence-based PreK–12 STEM education
innovations at the local, regional, and national level;
(2)
present a compendium of promising, evidence-based PreK–12 STEM
education practices, models, programs, and technologies;
(3)
identify barriers to widespread and sustained implementation of such
innovations; and
(4) make recommendations to the Foundation,
the Department of Education, the National Science and Technology
Council’s Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Education, State and local educational agencies, and
other relevant stakeholders on measures to address such
barriers.
######
SEC. 10339A. FOUNDATION FUNDING TO INSTITUTIONS HOSTING OR
SUPPORTING CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES
(a) CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE DEFINED.—In this section the term “Confucius
Institute” means a cultural institute established as a partnership
between a United States institution of higher education and a Chinese
institution of higher education to promote and teach Chinese language
and culture that is funded, directly or indirectly, by the Government of
the People’s Republic of China.
(b) RESTRICTIONS OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES.—Except as provided in
subsection (d), none of the funds made available to the Foundation
under this division or division A, or an amendment made by this
division or division A, may be obligated or expended to an
institution of higher education that maintains a contract or
agreement between the institution and a Confucius Institute, unless
the Director, after consultation with the National Academies,
determines such a waiver is appropriate in accordance with
subsection (c).
(c) WAIVER.—The Director, after consultation with the National
Academies, may issue a waiver for an institution of higher education
that maintains a contract or agreement between the institution and a
Confucius Institute if such contract or agreement includes clear
provisions that—
(1) protect academic freedom at the
institution;
(2) prohibit the application of any foreign law on
any campus of the institution;
(3) grant full managerial
authority of the Confucius Institute to the institution, including
full control over what is being taught, the activities carried out,
the research awards that are made, and who is employed at the
Confucius Institute; and
(4) prohibit co-location with the
institution’s Chinese language, history, and cultural programs and
require separate promotional materials.
(d) SPECIAL RULE
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of this section, this section shall not apply to an
institution of higher education if that institution has fulfilled the
requirements for a waiver from the Department of Defense as described
under section 1062 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 ).
(2) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of this section, the prohibition under subsection
(b) shall not apply to amounts provided to students as educational
assistance.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The limitation under subsection (b) shall apply with
respect to the first fiscal year that begins after the date that is two
years after the date of the enactment of this Act and to any subsequent
fiscal year subject to subsection (f).
(f) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective on the date that is
five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
######
SEC. 10343. RESEARCH ETHICS
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) a
number of emerging areas of research have potential ethical, social,
safety, and security implications that might be apparent as early as the
basic research stage;
(2) the incorporation of ethical, social,
safety, and security considerations into the research design and review
process for Federal awards, may help mitigate potential harms before
they happen;
(3) the Foundation’s agreement with the National Academies to
conduct a study and make recommendations with respect to governance
of research in emerging technologies is a positive step toward
accomplishing this goal; and
(4) the Foundation should continue to work with stakeholders to
promote best practices for governance of research in emerging
technologies at every stage of research.
######
SEC. 10374. ADVANCED COMPUTING
(a) COMPUTING NEEDS.—To gather information about the computational needs
of Foundation-funded projects, the Director shall require award
proposals submitted to the Foundation, as appropriate, to include
estimates of computational resource needs for projects that require use
of advanced computing. The Director shall encourage and provide access
to tools that facilitate the inclusion of these measures, including
those identified in the 2016 National Academies report entitled “Future
Directions for NSF Advanced Computing Infrastructure to Support U.S.
Science and Engineering in 2017–2020”.
(b) REPORTS.—The Director shall document and publish every two years a
summary of the amount and types of advanced computing capabilities that
are needed to fully meet the Foundation’s project needs as identified
under subsection (a).
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SEC. 10387. CHALLENGES AND FOCUS AREAS
(a) IN GENERAL.—In consultation with the Assistant Director, the Board,
and the interagency working group established under subtitle F of title
VI, the Director shall identify, and annually review and update as
appropriate, a list of—
(1) not more than 5 United States societal,
national, and geostrategic challenges that may be addressed by
technology to guide activities under this subtitle; and
(2) not
more than 10 key technology focus areas to guide activities under this
subtitle.
(b) INITIAL LIST OF SOCIETAL, NATIONAL, AND GEOSTRATEGIC CHALLENGES.—The
initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges are the
following:
(1) United States national security.
(2) United
States manufacturing and industrial productivity.
(3) United States
workforce development and skills gaps.
(4) Climate change and
environmental sustainability.
(5) Inequitable access to education,
opportunity, or other services.
(c) INITIAL LIST OF KEY TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AREAS.—The initial list of key
technology focus areas are the following:
(1) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related
advances.
(2) High performance computing, semiconductors, and
advanced computer hardware and software.
(3) Quantum information
science and technology.
(4) Robotics, automation, and advanced
manufacturing.
(5) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or
mitigation.
(6) Advanced communications technology and immersive
technology.
(7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and
synthetic biology.
(8) Data storage, data management, distributed
ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics.
(9)
Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as
batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited
to for the
purposes of electric generation (consistent with section
15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 ( 42 U.S.C. 1874 ).
(10)
Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other
next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.
(d) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNITED STATES SOCIETAL, NATIONAL, AND
GEOSTRATEGIC CHALLENGES AND KEY TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AREAS
(1) In
updating the list under subsection (a)(1), the Director shall evaluate
national and global technology trends.
(2) In updating the list
under subsection (a)(2), the Director shall consider the impact of the
selected technologies on United States societal, national, and
geostrategic challenges.
(3) The list under subsection (a)(2) may,
but is not required to, align directly with the list under subsection
(a)(1).
(4) Nothing under this section shall prevent the Director
from making limited investments in technologies or areas not identified
in subsection (a)(1) or subsection (a)(2).
(e) REVIEW AND
UPDATES.—The Director, in coordination with the interagency working
group established under subtitle F of title VI and in consultation with
the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, shall annually review and update as
appropriate, the list of key technology focus areas for purposes of this
division. As part of the annual review, the Director—
(1) shall
consider input from relevant industries and stakeholders;
(2) may
consider the challenges and recommendations identified in the reports
required by sections 206 and 206B of the National Science and Technology
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976, as added by section
10611 and 10613 of this division and in other relevant reports, such as
technology and global trend reports from the defense and intelligence
communities;
(3) shall consider the potential impact of the key
technology focus areas on addressing societal, national, and
geostrategic challenges; and
(4) subject to the limitation under
subsection (a), may add or delete key technology focus areas in light of
shifting national needs or competitive threats to the United States
(including for reasons of the United States or other countries having
advanced or fallen behind in a technological area).
(f) REPORTING.—At the conclusion of the annual review and update process
required by subsection
(e), the Director, in consultation with other Federal research agencies,
as appropriate, shall deliver a report to Congress detailing—
(1)
the key technology focus areas and rationale for their selection;
(2)
the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges and rationale for
their selection;
(3) the role of the Foundation in advancing the
key technology focus areas;
(4) the impact, including to the
academic research community, of any changes to the key technology focus
areas; and
(5) the activities and partnerships between the
Directorate and the private sector.
(g) DETAILED DESCRIPTION.—The National Science Foundation shall, in
coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, submit as
part of their annual budget requests to Congress, a detailed
description of the activities to be funded under this subtitle,
including an explanation of how the requested funding is
complementary and not redundant of programs, efforts, and
infrastructure undertaken or supported by other relevant Federal
agencies.
(h) NATIONAL ACADEMIES.—Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall contract with the National
Academies to conduct a review of the key technology focus areas and
the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges, including—
(1)
an assessment of their selection process;
(2) an assessment of
their relevance to the purposes of the Directorate, including to
solving challenges with social, economic, health, scientific, and
national
security implications;
(3) a review of whether
Federal investment in the key technology focus areas have resulted
in new domestic manufacturing capacity and job creation;
(4) an
assessment of any critical, new emerging areas;
(5) an
assessment of Federal investments in education and workforce
development to support the key technology focus areas; and
(6)
an assessment of relative balance in leadership in addressing the
key technology focus areas between the United States, allied and
partner countries, and the People’s Republic of China.
######
Subtitle G-Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
SEC. 10381. ESTABLISHMENT
There is established within the Foundation the Directorate for
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships to advance research and
development, technology development, and related solutions to address
United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges, for the
benefit of all Americans.
SEC. 10382. PURPOSES
The purposes of the Directorate established under section 10381 are to—
(1) support use-inspired and translational research and accelerate the
development and use of federally funded research;
(2) strengthen
United States competitiveness by accelerating the development of key
technologies; and
(3) grow the domestic workforce in key technology
focus areas, and expand the participation of United States students and
researchers in areas of societal, national, and geostrategic importance,
at all levels of education.
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SEC. 10399A. EVALUATION
(a) IN GENERAL.—After the Directorate has been in operation for 6 years, the
Director shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies
to provide an evaluation of how well the Directorate is achieving
the purposes identified in section 10382.
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The
evaluation shall include—
(1) an assessment of the impact of
Directorate activities on the Foundation’s primary science
mission;
(2) an assessment of the Directorate’s impact on the
challenges and key technology focus areas under section 10387;
(3)
an assessment of efforts to ensure coordination between the
Directorate and other Federal agencies, and with external
entities;
(4) a description of lessons learned from operation
of the Directorate; and
(5) recommended funding levels for the
Directorate;
(c) AVAILABILITY.—On completion of the evaluation,
the evaluation shall be made available to Congress and the
public.
######
SEC. 10405. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF ETHICAL, LEGAL, ENVIRONMENTAL,
SAFETY, SECURITY, AND SOCIETAL ISSUES
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than six months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a
review, and make recommendations with respect to, the ethical,
legal, environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate
societal issues related to engineering biology research and
development. The review shall include the following:
(1) An
assessment of the current research on such issues.
(2) A
description of the research needs relating to such issues.
(3)
Recommendations on how the Initiative can address the research needs
identified pursuant to paragraph (2).
(4) Recommendations on
how researchers engaged in engineering biology can best incorporate
considerations of such issues into the development of research
proposals and the conduct of research.
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The agreement entered into under subsection
(a) shall require the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine to, not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act—
(1) submit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and the Committee on Agriculture of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report containing the findings and
recommendations of the review conducted under subsection (a); and
(2)
make a copy of such report available on a publicly accessible
website.
######
(e) NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.—As part of the
Initiative, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall
carry out the following:
(1) Conduct and support research in engineering biology, including
in synthetic biology, and related to Earth and space sciences,
aeronautics, space technology, and space exploration and
experimentation, consistent with the priorities established in the
National Academies’ decadal surveys.
(2) Award grants, on a competitive basis, that enable
institutions to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who
perform some of their engineering biology research in an industry
setting.
######
SEC. 10511. DEFINITION
In this subtitle, the term “Director” means the Director of the National
Science Foundation.
SEC. 10512. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RURAL STEM
ACTIVITIES
(a) PREPARING RURAL STEM EDUCATORS
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall make awards on a merit- reviewed,
competitive basis to institutions of higher education or nonprofit
organizations (or a consortium thereof) for research and development
activities to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain
high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools.
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—
(A)
IN GENERAL.—Awards made under this subsection shall be used for the
research and development activities referred to in paragraph (1), which
may include—
(i) engaging rural educators, principals, or other
school leaders of students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in
professional learning opportunities to enhance STEM knowledge, including
computer science, and develop best practices;
(ii) supporting
research on effective STEM teaching and school leadership practices in
rural settings, including the use of rubrics and mastery- based grading
practices to assess student performance when employing the
transdisciplinary teaching approach for STEM disciplines;
(iii)
designing and developing pre-service and in-service training resources
to assist such rural educators, principals, and other school leaders in
adopting transdisciplinary teaching practices across STEM courses;
(iv)
coordinating with local partners to adapt STEM teaching practices to
leverage local, natural, and community assets in order to support
in-place learning in rural areas;
(v) providing hands-on training
and research opportunities for rural educators described in clause (i)
at Federal laboratories or institutions of higher education, or in
industry;
(vi) developing training and best practices for educators
who teach multiple grade levels within a STEM discipline;
(vii)
designing and implementing professional development courses and
experiences, including mentoring, for rural educators, principals, and
other school leaders described in clause (i) that combine face-to-face
and online experiences; and
(viii) any other activity the Director
determines will accomplish the goals of this paragraph.
(B) RURAL
STEM COLLABORATIVE.—The Director shall establish a pilot program of
regional cohorts in rural areas that will provide peer support,
mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators,
principals, and other school leaders of students in prekindergarten
through grade 12, in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among
educators, principals, other school leaders, researchers, academia, and
local industry.
(b) BROADENING PARTICIPATION OF RURAL STUDENTS IN STEM
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director shall make awards on a merit- reviewed,
competitive basis to institutions of higher education or nonprofit
organizations (or a consortium thereof) for—
(A) research and
development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face
in accessing high-quality STEM education; and
(B) development of
innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of
rural students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in STEM studies.
(2)
USE OF FUNDS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Awards made under this subsection
shall be used for the research and development activities referred to in
paragraph (1), which may include—
(i) developing partnerships with
community colleges to offer advanced STEM course work, including
computer science, to rural high school students;
(ii) supporting
research on effective STEM practices in rural settings;
(iii)
implementing a school-wide STEM approach, including preparation and
support for principals and other school leaders;
(iv) improving the
Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education program’s coordination and
engagement with rural communities;
(v) collaborating with existing
community partners and networks, such as the Cooperative Extension
System services and extramural research programs of the Department of
Agriculture and youth serving organizations like 4-H, after school STEM
programs, and summer STEM programs, to leverage community resources and
develop place-based programming;
(vi) connecting rural school
districts and institutions of higher education, to improve precollegiate
STEM education and engagement;
(vii) supporting partnerships that
offer hands- on inquiry-based science activities, including coding, and
access to lab resources for students studying STEM in prekindergarten
through grade 12 in a rural area;
(viii) evaluating the role of
broadband connectivity and its associated impact on the STEM and
technology literacy of rural students;
(ix) building capacity to
support extracurricular STEM programs in rural schools, including
mentor-led engagement programs, STEM programs held during non-school
hours, STEM networks, makerspaces, coding activities, and
competitions;
(x) creating partnerships with local industries and
local educational agencies to tailor STEM curricula and educational
experiences to the needs of a particular local or regional economy;
and
(xi) any other activity the Director determines will accomplish
the goals of this paragraph.
(c) APPLICATION.—An applicant seeking an award under subsection (a) or
(b) shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. The application
may include the following:
(1) A description of the target
population to be served by the research activity or activities for which
such award is sought.
(2) A description of the process for
recruitment and selection of students, educators, principals, and other
school leaders, or schools from rural areas to participate in such
activity or activities.
(3) A description of how such activity or
activities may inform efforts to promote the engagement and achievement
of rural students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in STEM
studies.
(4) In the case of a proposal consisting of a partnership
or partnerships with one or more rural schools and one or more
researchers, a plan for establishing a sustained partnership that is
jointly developed and managed, draws from the capacities of each
partner, and is mutually beneficial.
(d) PARTNERSHIPS.—In making awards under subsection (a) or (b), the
Director shall—
(1) encourage applicants which, for the purpose of
the activity or activities funded through the award, include or partner
with a nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education (or
a consortium thereof) that has extensive experience and expertise in
increasing the participation of rural students in prekindergarten
through grade 12 in STEM;
(2) encourage applicants which, for the
purpose of the activity or activities funded through the award, include
or partner with a consortium of rural schools or rural school districts;
and
(3) encourage applications which, for the purpose of the
activity or activities funded through the award, include commitments
from school principals, other school leaders, and administrators to
making reforms and activities proposed by the applicant a priority.
(e) EVALUATIONS.—All proposals for awards under subsections (a) and (b)
shall include an evaluation plan that includes the use of
outcome-oriented measures to assess the impact and efficacy of the
award. Each recipient of an award under this subsection shall include
results from these evaluative activities in annual and final projects.
(f) ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION
(1) EVALUATION REQUIRED.—The
Director shall evaluate the portfolio of awards made under subsections
(a) and (b). Such evaluation shall—
(A) use a common set of
benchmarks and tools to assess the results of research conducted under
such awards and identify best practices; and
(B) to the extent
practicable, integrate the findings of research resulting from the
activity or activities funded through such awards with the findings of
other research on rural students’ pursuit of degrees or careers in
STEM.
(2) REPORT ON EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the
completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Director shall
submit to Congress and make widely available to the public a report that
includes—
(A) the results of the evaluation; and
(B) any
recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could
optimize the effectiveness of the awards made under this subsection.
(g) REPORT BY COMMITTEE ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING.—As part of the first report required by section 36(e) of
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1885c(e)
) transmitted to Congress after the date of enactment of this division,
the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering, in
consultation with the Chief Diversity Officer of the National Science
Foundation, shall include—
(1) a description of past and present
policies and activities of the Foundation to encourage full
participation of students in rural communities in science, mathematics,
engineering, and computer science fields;
(2) an assessment of
trends in participation of rural students in prekindergarten through
grade 12 in Foundation activities; and
(3) an assessment of the
policies and activities of the Foundation, along with proposals for new
strategies or the broadening of existing successful strategies towards
facilitating the goal of increasing participation of rural students in
prekindergarten through grade 12 in Foundation activities.
(h) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this subsection, the Director shall,
for purposes of enhancing program effectiveness and avoiding duplication
of activities, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with the programs and
policies of other relevant Federal agencies.
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director—
(1) $8,000,000 to carry out the
activities under subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2023 through
2027; and
(2) $12,000,000 to carry out the activities under
subsection (b) for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
SEC. 10513. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONLINE EDUCATION
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall make competitive awards to
institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a
consortium thereof, which may include a private sector partner) to
conduct research on online STEM education courses for rural communities.
(b) RESEARCH AREAS.—The research areas eligible for funding under this
subsection shall include—
(1) evaluating the learning and
achievement of rural students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in
STEM subjects;
(2) understanding how computer-based and online
professional development courses and mentor experiences can be
integrated to meet the needs of educators, principals, and other school
leaders of rural students in prekindergarten through grade 12;
(3)
combining computer-based and online STEM education and training with
mentoring and other applied learning arrangements;
(4) leveraging
online programs to supplement STEM studies for rural students that need
physical and academic accommodation; and
(5) any other activity the
Director determines will accomplish the goals of this subsection.
(c) EVALUATIONS.—All proposals for awards under this section shall
include an evaluation plan that includes the use of outcome-oriented
measures to assess the impact and efficacy of the award. Each recipient
of an award under this subsection shall include results from these
evaluative activities in annual and final projects.
(d) ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION
(1) EVALUATION REQUIRED.—The
Director shall evaluate the portfolio of awards made under this
subsection. Such evaluation shall—
(A) use a common set of
benchmarks and tools to assess the results of research conducted under
such awards and identify best practices; and
(B) to the extent
practicable, integrate findings from activities carried out pursuant to
research conducted under this section, with respect to the pursuit of
careers and degrees in STEM, with those activities carried out pursuant
to other research on serving rural students and communities.
(2)
REPORT ON EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the completion of
the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Director shall submit to
Congress and make widely available to the public a report that
includes—
(A) the results of the evaluation; and
(B) any
recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could
optimize the effectiveness of the awards made under this section.
(e) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this section, the Director shall, for
purposes of enhancing program effectiveness and avoiding duplication of
activities, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with the programs and
policies of other relevant Federal agencies.
SEC. 10514. NATIONAL ACADEMIES EVALUATION
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of
this division, the Director shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academies under which the National Academies agree to
conduct an evaluation and assessment that—
(1) evaluates the
quality and quantity of current Federal programming and research
directed at examining STEM education for students in prekindergarten
through grade 12 and workforce development in rural areas;
(2)
in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, assesses
the impact that the scarcity of broadband connectivity in rural
communities, and the affordability of broadband connectivity, have
on STEM and technical literacy for students in prekindergarten
through grade 12 in rural areas;
(3) assesses the core research
and data needed to understand the challenges rural areas are facing
in providing quality STEM education and workforce development;
(4)
makes recommendations for action at the Federal, State, and local
levels for improving STEM education, including online STEM
education, for students in prekindergarten through grade 12 and
workforce development in rural areas; and
(5) makes
recommendations to inform the implementation of programs in sections
10512 and 10513 (___-LOG262) and (___-LOG263).
(b) REPORT TO DIRECTOR.—The agreement entered into under subsection
(a) shall require the National Academies, not later than 24 months
after the date of enactment of this division, to submit to the
Director a report on the study conducted under such paragraph,
including the National Academies’ findings and
recommendations.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director to carry out this section $1,000,000
for fiscal year 2023.
######
Subtitle D-Combating sexual harassment in science
SEC. 10531. FINDINGS
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) .—According to the report issued by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2018 entitled “Sexual
Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine”—
(A) sexual harassment is
pervasive in institutions of higher education;
(B) the most
common type of sexual harassment is gender harassment;
(C) 58
percent of individuals in the academic workplace experience sexual
harassment, the second highest rate when compared to the military,
the private sector, and Federal, State, and local government;
(D)
women who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups are more
likely to experience sexual harassment and to feel unsafe at work
than White women, White men, or men who are members of such
groups;
(E) the training for each individual who has a Doctor
of Philosophy in the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics fields is estimated to cost approximately $500,000;
and
(F) attrition of an individual so trained results in a loss
of talent and money.
(2) According to a 2017 University of Illinois study, among astronomers
and planetary scientists, 18 percent of women who are members of racial
or ethnic minority groups and 12 percent of White women skipped
professional events because they did not feel safe attending.
(3) Reporting procedures with respect to sexual harassment are
inconsistent among Federal research agencies and have varying degrees of
accessibility.
(4) There is not adequate communication among Federal research agencies
and between such agencies and recipients regarding reports of sexual
harassment, which has resulted in harassers receiving Federal funding
after moving to a different institution.
SEC. 10532. PURPOSE
The purpose of this subtitle is to increase understanding of the
causes and consequences of sex-based and sexual harassment, as
discussed in the report issued by the National Academies in 2018
entitled “Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and
Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine”, and
to advance evidence-based approaches to reduce the prevalence and
negative impact of such harassment.
SEC. 10533. DEFINITION
In this subtitle, the term “Director” means the Director of the National
Science Foundation.
######
SEC. 10535. RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT GUIDE
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academies to update the report entitled “On Being a
Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research” issued by the
National Academies. The report, as so updated, shall include—
(1)
updated professional standards of conduct in research;
(2)
.—promising practices for preventing, addressing, and mitigating the
negative impact of sex-based and sexual harassment, to include—
(A)
standards of treatment individuals can expect to receive under
updated standards of conduct;
(B) evidence-based practices for
fostering a climate intolerant of sex-based, sexual, and other forms
of harassment;
(C) methods, including bystander intervention,
for identifying and addressing incidents of such harassment; and
(D)
professional standards for mentorship and teaching with an emphasis
on power diffusion mechanisms and preventing such harassment; and
(3)
promising practices for mitigating potential security risks that
threaten research security.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the effective date of
the agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies, as part
of such agreement, shall submit to the Director and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
the report referred to in such subparagraph, as updated pursuant to
such subparagraph.
######
SEC. 10537. NATIONAL ACADEMIES ASSESSMENT
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Director shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies
to undertake a study and issue a report on the influence of
sex-based and sexual harassment in institutions of higher education
on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce. The
study shall assess—
(1) the state of research on sex-based and
sexual harassment in such workforce;
(2) whether research
demonstrates a decrease in the prevalence of sex-based and sexual
harassment in such workforce;
(3) the progress made with
respect to implementing recommendations promulgated in the National
Academies consensus study report entitled “Sexual Harassment of
Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine”;
(4) where to focus future efforts
with respect to decreasing the prevalence of sex-based and sexual
harassment in such institutions, including specific recommendations;
and
(5) other recommendations and issues, as the National
Academies determines appropriate.
######
SEC. 10645. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN
Section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring
Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3704 ) is amended—
(1) .—in subsection
(a)—
(A) by striking “acidification” each place it appears and
inserting “acidification and coastal acidification”;
(B) in the
first sentence—
(i) by inserting “, and not later than every 5
years following the publication of each subsequent strategic research
plan until 2035” after “the date of enactment of this Act”;
(ii) by
inserting “address the socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification and
coastal acidification and to” after “mitigation strategies to”; and
(iii)
by striking “marine ecosystems” each place it appears and inserting
“ecosystems”;
and
(C) in the second sentence, by striking “National Academy
of Sciences in the review of the plan required under subsection
(d)”, and inserting “Advisory Board established in section
12404(c)”;
######
(d) QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE WORKFORCE EVALUATION AND ACCELERATION
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Director shall enter into an agreement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study
to evaluate and make recommendations for the quantum information
science workforce. The study shall—
(A) characterize the
quantum information science workforce, including by—
(i)
describing what constitutes a quantum information science qualified
worker across sectors, including academia, the Federal Government,
and industry; and
(ii) describing the size and makeup of the
quantum information science workforce, including an assessment of
current and future trends;
(B) identify near- and long-term
quantum information science workforce needs across government,
academia, and industry sectors, including identifying the
cross-disciplinary academic degrees or academic courses necessary
to—
(i) prepare students for multiple career pathways in
quantum information sciences and related fields;
(ii) ensure
the United States is competitive in the field of quantum information
science while preserving national security; and
(iii) support
the development of quantum applications;
(C) assess the state
of quantum information science education and skills training at all
education levels and identify gaps in meeting current and future
workforce needs, including with respect to—
(i) elementary,
middle, and high-school student access to foundational courses,
age-appropriate quantum concepts, and hands-on learning
opportunities;
(ii) elementary, middle, and high-school teacher
professional development and access to resources, materials, lesson
plans, modules, and curricula;
(iii) career pivot and skills
training opportunities, including professional certificates and
internships; and
(iv) higher education curricula, laboratory
experiences in academia, the Federal Government, and industry
settings, and cross-discipline degree programs aligned with
workforce needs; and
(D) make recommendations for developing a
diverse, flexible, and sustainable quantum information science
workforce that meets the evolving needs of academia, the Federal
Government, and industry.
(2) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the National Academies of Science,
Engineering, and Medicine shall submit to Congress and the Director
a report containing the results of the study conducted pursuant to
paragraph (1).
######
Subtitle I-Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation
SEC. 10691. FOUNDATION FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND INNOVATION
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) BOARD.—The term “Board” means
the Board of Directors described in subsection (b)(2)(A).
(2)
DEPARTMENT.—The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.
(3)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The term “Executive Director” means the Executive
Director described in subsection (b)(5)(A).
(4) FOUNDATION.—The
term “Foundation” means the Foundation for Energy Security and
Innovation established under subsection (b)(1).
(5) HISTORICALLY
BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.—The term “historically Black college or
university” has the meaning given the term “part B institution” in
section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ).
(6)
INDIVIDUAL LABORATORY-ASSOCIATED FOUNDATION.—The term “Individual
Laboratory-Associated Foundation” means a Laboratory Foundation
established by an operating contractor of a National Laboratory.
(7)
MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTION.—The term “minority serving institution”
means a Hispanic-serving institution as defined in section 502 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a ), an Alaska
Native-serving institution and a Native Hawaiian-serving institution as
defined in section in 317 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20
U.S.C. 1059d ), or a Predominantly Black Institution, Asian American and
Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, or a Native
American-serving nontribal institution as defined in section 371 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q ).
(8) NATIONAL
LABORATORY.—The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the
term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801
).
(9) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of
Energy.
(10) TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.—The term “Tribal College
or University” has the meaning given in section 316 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c ).
(b) FOUNDATION FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND INNOVATION
(1)
ESTABLISHMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a nonprofit
corporation to be known as the “Foundation for Energy Security and
Innovation”.
(B) MISSION.—The mission of the Foundation shall
be—
(i) to support the mission of the Department; and
(ii) to
advance collaboration with energy researchers, institutions of higher
education, industry, and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to
accelerate the commercialization of energy technologies.
(C)
LIMITATION.—The Foundation shall not be an agency or instrumentality of
the Federal Government.
(D) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS.—The Board shall take
all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure that the Foundation is an
organization that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that
Code.
(E) COLLABORATION WITH EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS.—The Secretary
may collaborate with 1 or more organizations to establish the Foundation
and carry out the activities of the Foundation.
(2) BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.—
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Foundation shall be governed by
a Board of Directors.
(B) COMPOSITION
(i) IN GENERAL.—.—The
Board shall be composed of the ex officio nonvoting members described in
clause (ii) and the appointed voting members described in clause
(iii).
(ii) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—.—The ex officio members of the
Board shall be the following individuals or designees of those
individuals:
(I) The Secretary.
(II) The Under Secretary for
Science.
(III) The Under Secretary for Nuclear Security.
(IV)
The Chief Commercialization Officer.
(iii) APPOINTED MEMBERS.—
(I) INITIAL MEMBERS.—.—The Secretary and the other ex officio
members of the Board shall—
(aa) seek to enter into an
agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine to develop a list of individuals to serve as members of the
Board who are well-qualified and will meet the requirements of
subclauses (II) and (III); and
(bb) appoint the initial members
of the Board from that list, if applicable, in consultation with the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
(II) REPRESENTATION.—.—The appointed members of the Board shall
reflect a broad cross-section of stakeholders from academia, National
Laboratories, industry, nonprofit organizations, State or local
governments, the investment community, and the philanthropic
community.
(III) EXPERIENCE.—.—The Secretary shall ensure that a
majority of the appointed members of the Board—
(aa) (AA) has
experience in the energy sector;
(BB) has research experience in
the energy field; or
(CC) has experience in technology
commercialization or foundation operations; and
(bb) to the extent
practicable, represents diverse regions, sectors, and communities.
######
SEC. 10816. PRIORITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall assess International Space
Station research activities and shall ensure that crew time and
resources allocated to the Administration for use on the International
Space Station prioritize—
(1) the research of the Human Research
Program, including research on and development of countermeasures
relevant to reducing human health and performance risks, behavioral and
psychological risks, and other astronaut safety risks related to
long-duration human spaceflight;
(2) risk reduction activities
relevant to exploration technologies, including for the Environmental
Control and Life Support System, extravehicular activity and space
suits, environmental monitoring, safety, emergency response, and deep
space communications;
(3) the advancement of United States leadership in basic and
applied space life and physical science research, consistent with
the priorities of the most recent space life and physical sciences
decadal survey of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine; and
(4) other research and development activities identified by the
Administrator as essential to Moon to Mars activities.
######
SEC. 10822. SEARCH FOR LIFE
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the report entitled “An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search
for Life in the Universe” published by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines key scientific
questions and methods on the search for the origin, evolution,
distribution, and future of life in the universe; and
(2) the interaction of lifeforms with their environment, a
central focus of astrobiology research, is a topic of broad significance
to life sciences research in space and on Earth.
(b) PROGRAM CONTINUATION
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall
continue to implement a collaborative, multidisciplinary science and
technology development program to search for evidence of the existence
or historical existence of life beyond Earth in support of—
(A) the scientific priorities of the most recent decadal surveys on
planetary science and astrobiology and astronomy and astrophysics of
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;
and
(B) the objective described in section 20102(d)(10) of title 51,
United States Code.
(2) ELEMENT.—The program under paragraph (1)
shall include activities relating to astronomy, biology, geology, and
planetary science.
(3) COORDINATION WITH LIFE SCIENCES PROGRAM.—In
carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall
coordinate efforts with the life sciences program of the
Administration.
(4) INSTRUMENTATION AND SENSOR TECHNOLOGY.—In
carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator may
invest in the development of new instrumentation and sensor
technology.
(5) TECHNOSIGNATURES.—In carrying out the program under
paragraph (1), the Administrator may support, as appropriate,
merit-reviewed, competitively selected research on technosignatures.
SEC. 10823. NEXT GENERATION OF ASTROPHYSICS GREAT
OBSERVATORIES
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) NASA’s
Great Observatories, a suite of space-based telescopes launched over the
course of 2 decades and comprised of the Hubble Space Telescope, Compton
Gamma-Ray Observatory, Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and Spitzer Space
Telescope, have enabled major scientific advances across a broad range
of astrophysics disciplines, including with respect to the origins of
planets, the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies, fundamental
physics, and the structure of the universe;
(2) the decadal survey of the National Academies of Science,
Engineering, and Medicine entitled “Pathways to Discovery in
Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” recommends a vision to
understand the relationships between stars and the bodies that orbit
them by “looking” at the universe through a range of observations,
including radio, optical, gamma rays, neutrinos, and gravitational
waves, in order to understand the origin and evolution of
galaxies;
(3) .—the United States and NASA are uniquely poised—
(A) to
lead the world in the implementation of the next generation of Great
Observatories, as recommended in such decadal survey, including
implementation of an observatory to search for biosignatures of
exoplanets in the habitable zone;
(B) to address the most
compelling scientific questions of the next decade; and
(C) to
transform not only our understanding of the universe and the processes
and physical paradigms that govern the universe, but also the place of
humanity in the universe;
(4) the Administrator should pursue an
ambitious astrophysics program that meets the scientific vision of the
astronomical community and the transformative capacity of technological
innovation; and
(5) .—in implementing astrophysics research, in
order to avoid the major growth in the cost of astrophysics
flagship-class missions that has the potential to impact the overall
portfolio balance of the Science Mission Directorate, the Administrator
should seek to implement lessons learned from previous astrophysics
missions, including by—
(A) establishing sufficient cost and
schedule reserves;
(B) demonstrating in advance of preliminary
design review, as practicable and appropriate, the maturity of necessary
technologies through prototype demonstrations in a relevant
environment;
(C) providing for regular updates to the cost,
schedule, and risk of a project; and
(D) considering, as feasible,
the impacts of cost and schedule changes across the Science Mission
Directorate.
(b) NANCY GRACE ROMAN TELESCOPE
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator
shall continue development of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
(commonly known as the “Roman telescope” and formerly known as the “Wide
Field Infrared Survey Telescope”) in the configuration established
through critical design review, to meet the objectives prioritized in
the 2010 decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics of the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
(2) COST AND
SCHEDULE.—Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code shall apply to
the development of the Roman telescope under paragraph (1).
(3)
QUARTERLY REPORTS.—Not less frequently than quarterly, the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the
progress of the development of the Roman telescope and the budget
profile and schedule relative to the baseline plan for such development.
######
SEC. 10824. EARTH SCIENCE MISSIONS AND PROGRAMS
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the Earth science and applications program of the Administration
provides increasingly valuable data for natural resource management,
agriculture, forestry, food security, air quality monitoring, and
many other application areas; and
(2) .—a robust and balanced
Earth science and applications program contributes significantly
to—
(A) the scientific discovery and economic growth of the
United States; and
(B) supporting the health and safety of the
people of the United States and the citizens of the world.
(b) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms the goal for the
Administration’s Earth science and applications program set forth in
section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, which states: “The
goal for the Administration’s Earth Science program shall be to
pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications
activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and
how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. In
pursuit of this goal, the Administration’s Earth Science program
shall ensure that securing practical benefits for society will be an
important measure of its success in addition to securing new
knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further
pursuit of this goal, the Administration shall, together with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant
agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and
carrying out a cooperative international Earth observations-based
research program.”.
(c) EARTH SCIENCE MISSIONS AND PROGRAMS.—With respect to the
missions and programs of the Earth Science Division, the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, follow the
recommendations and guidance provided by the scientific community
through the decadal survey for Earth science and applications from
space of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine, including—
(1) the science priorities described in
such survey;
(2) the execution of the series of existing or
previously planned observations (commonly known as the “program of
record”); and
(3) the development of a range of missions of all
classes, including opportunities for principal investigator-led,
competitively selected missions.
(d) EARTH SYSTEM OBSERVATORY.—The Administrator shall pursue an Earth
System Observatory, which shall consist of an array of new and
complementary Earth-observing scientific satellites, instruments, and
missions—
(1) .—to address the recommendations of the 2018 Earth science and
applications decadal survey of the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine entitled “Thriving on our Changing
Planet”, including by conducting priority observations in—
(A)
aerosols;
(B) cloud convection and precipitation;
(C) mass
change;
(D) surface biology and geology;
(E) surface
deformation and change; and
(F) other observation areas
designated as high-priority by such decadal survey; and
(2) to
achieve the goal of the Earth Science Program set forth in section
60501 of title 51, United States Code.
######
SEC. 10825. PLANETARY DEFENSE COORDINATION OFFICE
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Near-Earth
objects remain a threat to the United States.
(2) Section 321(d)(1)
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2005 ( Public Law 109–155 ; 119 Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 71101 note
prec.), established a requirement that the Administrator plan, develop,
and implement a Near-Earth Object Survey program to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth
objects equal to, or greater than, 140 meters in diameter in order to
assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the Earth, with the goal
of 90 percent completion of the catalogue of such near-Earth objects by
December 30, 2020.
(3) The goal described in paragraph (2) has not
be met.
(4) .—The report of the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine entitled “Finding Hazardous Asteroids
Using Infrared and Visible Wavelength Telescopes”, issued in 2019,
states that—
(A) NASA should develop and launch a dedicated
space-based infrared survey telescope to meet the requirements of
section 321(d)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–155 ; 119
Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 71101 note prec.); and
(B) the early
detection of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects enabled by a
space-based infrared survey telescope is important to enable
deflection of a dangerous asteroid.
######
(2) CONTINUATION OF MISSION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator
shall continue the development of a dedicated space-based infrared
survey telescope mission, known as the “Near-Earth Object Surveyor”, on
a schedule to achieve a launch-readiness date not later than March 30,
2026, or the earliest practicable date, for the purpose of accomplishing
the objectives set forth in section 321(d)(1) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 ( Public
Law 109–155 ; 119 Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 71101 note prec.).
(B) CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—The design of the mission
described in subparagraph (A) shall take into account the
recommendations of the 2019 report of the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine entitled “Finding Hazardous
Asteroids Using Infrared and Visible Wavelength Telescopes”, the
planetary science decadal survey, and the 2018 United States
National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action
Plan.
######
Subtitle D-Space technology
SEC. 10841. SPACE NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES
(a) NUCLEAR PROPULSION
(1) USE IN ROBOTIC AND HUMAN EXPLORATION
ACTIVITIES.—The Administrator, in collaboration with other relevant
Federal agencies and with industry, shall take all necessary steps to
carry out research and development, ground-based testing and in-space
testing, and other associated activities to enable the use of space
nuclear propulsion in Administration robotic and human exploration
activities, including in cargo missions to Mars in the late 2020’s and
crewed missions to Mars in the 2030’s.
(2) SPACE NUCLEAR PROPULSION
PROGRAM.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish a space
nuclear propulsion program to carry out the activities described in
paragraph (1).
(B) ELEMENTS.—The program established under subparagraph (A) shall
include the following:
(i) Research and development in both
nuclear electric and nuclear thermal propulsion technology
maturation efforts, to the extent practicable, and the development
of consistent figures of merit across both nuclear electric and
nuclear thermal systems, as recommended by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the report entitled “Space
Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration”, so as to inform a
down-selection of a nuclear electric or nuclear thermal propulsion
system by 2026, or as early as practicable.
(ii) Ground-based testing, to the extent practicable, including
not less than 1 ground-based test of a full-scale, integrated nuclear
propulsion system before any in-space test or demonstration of such
system.
(iii) In-space demonstration of a nuclear propulsion system
in the late 2020’s, which may be carried out as a cargo mission to Mars.
######
Subtitle F-Miscellaneous
SEC. 10861. PROGRAM, WORKFORCE, AND INDUSTRIAL BASE REVIEWS
(a) REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL BASE FOR CIVIL SPACE MISSIONS AND OPERATIONS
(1)
IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and from time to time thereafter, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the United
States industrial base for NASA civil space missions and operations.
(2)
ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the
following:
(A) A comprehensive description of the current status of
the United States industrial base for NASA civil space missions and
operations.
(B) A description and assessment of the weaknesses in
the supply chain, skills, manufacturing capacity, raw materials, key
components, and other areas of the United States industrial base for
NASA civil space missions and operations that could adversely impact
such missions and operations if unavailable.
(C) A description and
assessment of various mechanisms to address and mitigate the weaknesses
described pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(D) A comprehensive list of
the collaborative efforts, including future and proposed collaborative
efforts, between NASA and the Manufacturing USA institutes of the
Department of Commerce.
(E) An assessment of—
(i) the defense
and aerospace manufacturing supply chains relevant to NASA in each
region of the United States; and
(ii) the feasibility and benefits
of establishing a supply chain center of excellence in a State in which
NASA does not, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, have a
research center or test facility.
(F) Such other matters relating
to the United States industrial base for NASA civil space missions and
operations as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(b) WORKFORCE AND MODELING AND TEST FACILITIES
(1) REVIEW.—
(A)
IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a
comprehensive review of the workforce, skills-base, and modeling and
test facilities of the Administration.
(B) ELEMENTS.—The review
conducted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i)
A consideration of the use of emerging technologies in relevant
engineering and science disciplines and the skills needed to apply
such capabilities to Administration missions across all mission
directorates.
(ii) Prioritized recommendations on actions
needed to align the Administration's workforce with research
objectives and strategic goals and on the improvements and additions
to modeling capabilities and test facilities needed to meet the
Administration’s strategic goals and objectives.
(C)
REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress report on the results of the review conducted
under subparagraph (A).
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