PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 316.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Mar 6, 2000
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development and Science Advisory Board Authorization Act of 1999 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 2000 and 2001 for the Office of Research and Development (Office) for environmental research and development and scientific research, development, and demonstration programs. Bars the obligation of such funds until the Administrator submits certain information regarding such programs to specified congressional committees.(Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to assign to the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development the duties of: (1) developing a strategic plan for environmental research and development and scientific research, development, and demonstration programs throughout EPA; (2) integrating such plan into ongoing EPA planning activities; and (3) reviewing such programs to ensure that the research, development, and demonstration is of high quality and does not duplicate other EPA programs. Directs the Assistant Administrator to submit an annual report to the Administrator and specified congressional committees detailing such EPA programs found not to be of high quality and those that are duplicative of other programs.(Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator, in carrying out the Science To Achieve Results Graduate Student Fellowship Program, to ensure that any fellowship award is used only to support scientific research that would further missions of the Office.(Sec. 6) Directs the Science Advisory Board (Board) to report annually to the Administrator and Congress its views on proposed EPA environmental research and development and scientific research, development, and demonstration programs. Provides for periodic Board evaluations of selected areas of such programs.Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for the Board.(Sec. 7) Sets forth provisions regarding reprogramming and limitations on funds as well as certain reporting requirements. Requires notice to specified congressional committees before any major reorganization of any Office or Board program or activity described by this Act.(Sec. 8) Sets forth requirements for the submission of a detailed justification for budget authorization for the programs and activities authorized by this Act.(Sec. 9) Limits the use of funds authorized by this Act for travel costs.Bars the use of funds authorized by this Act for: (1) grants or contracts awarded by EPA to a trade association on a noncompetitive basis; or (2) implementation of the Kyoto Protocol if it has not been submitted to the Senate for ratification and entered into force.Earmarks specified funds for FY 2000 for a field scale environmental research and development project at an existing site for remediation of soils contaminated by recalcitrant hydrocarbon and lead contaminants using specified technologies capable of homogenizing soil and rendering such contaminants inert.(Sec. 10) Permits funding for Office or Board scientific demonstration projects only for technologies or processes that can be reasonably expected to yield new, measurable benefits to the cost, efficiency, or performance of the technology or process.(Sec. 11) Prohibits the use of funds authorized by this Act to award or modify an Office or Board contract in a manner that deviates from the Federal Acquisition Regulation unless the Administrator grants a waiver to allow for such deviation.(Sec. 12) Prohibits the use of funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act by: (1) EPA to prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals for programs under this Act not specifically authorized by Congress; and (2) Office or Board programs under this Act to produce or provide articles or services for purposes of selling them to a person outside the Federal Government unless the Administrator determines that such articles or services are not available from a U.S. commercial source.(Sec. 14) Excludes from consideration for grant agreements for programs described by this Act made by the Office or the Board after FY 1999 any person who received funds appropriated for a fiscal year after FY 1999 under a grant agreement from any Federal funding source for a program that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process. Makes such exclusions effective for a period of five years after the person receives such Federal funds.(Sec. 15) Requires the Administrator to make available through the EPA Internet home page the abstracts relating to all research grants and awards made with funds authorized by this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-43] · R–CA
Legislative record
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 316.
Committee on Commerce discharged.
Committee on Commerce discharged.
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 11, 2000.
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on Commerce for a period ending not later than April 7, 2000 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(f), rule X.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 106-512, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 106-512, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Science.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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