PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7182)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 22, 2004
Requires the General Accounting Office (GAO) to establish a technology assessment capability to coordinate and prepare information for Congress relating to the policy implications of applications of technology.
Provides for technology assessments performed under this Act to: (1) provide Congress with timely and objective information to contribute to legislative consideration of technology applications and their policy implications; (2) be undertaken by the Comptroller General with special attention to the technical expertise and policy analysis skills needed to perform a prospective assessment of technology applications and policy implications; (3) be designed to review an application of technology to an issue of public interest; and (4) include peer review by persons and organizations of appropriate expertise.
Instructs the Comptroller General, in performing technology assessments, to be properly apprised of Federal and non-Federal entities providing information to Congress to: (1) enable effective coverage of critical issues; and (2) avoid duplication of effort.
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Directs the Comptroller General, in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences, to establish a technology assessment advisory panel to provide advice on such technology assessments, methodologies, possible subjects of study, and the means of improving the quality and timeliness of technology assessment services provided to Congress.
Allows the Comptroller General to utilize individuals and enter into contracts or other arrangements to acquire needed expertise.
Requires the Comptroller General to submit annual reports to Congress on GAO's technology assessment activities.
People & committees
Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] · D–NM
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7182)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7180-7182)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Feb 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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