98th Congress > House > Vote 577
Description: TO PASS S. 373, A BILL PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL POLICY TO DEAL WITH NATIONAL NEEDS AND OBJECTIVES IN THE ARCTIC. (MOTION PASSED)
Bill summary: (Senate agreed to House amendments with amendments)
Title I: Arctic Research and Policy
- Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 - Directs the President to establish an Arctic Research Commission which shall: (1) establish an integrated national Arctic research policy and a program to implement such policy; (2) promote cooperation between the Federal Government and State and local governments in Arctic research; (3) review and suggest improvements in coordinating Federal research programs in
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the Arctic; (4) recommend methods to improve logistical planning and support for Arctic research; (5) suggest methods for improving efficient sharing and dissemination of information on the Arctic among interested public and private institutions; and (6) cooperate with the Governor and agencies of Alaska in formulating Arctic research policy. Requires the Commission to: (1) conduct at least one public meeting in Alaska annually; (2) publish a statement of the goals and objectives of Arctic research to guide the Office of Arctic Research; and (3) submit an annual report on its activities to the President and Congress.
Requires all Federal agencies to consult with the Commission before undertaking major Federal actions relating to Arctic research.
Designates the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the lead agency responsible for implementing Arctic research policy.
Directs the President to establish an Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee which shall be composed of representatives of the following agencies: (1) NSF; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, State, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and the Interior; (3) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (4) the Environmental Protection Agency. Permits the same agencies to designate representatives to report to and advise the Commission on agency activities relating to Arctic research. Directs the Committee to: (1) survey Arctic research conducted by public and private bodies to determine priorities for future research; (2) develop an integrated national Arctic research policy that will guide Federal agencies in implementing Arctic research programs; (3) consult with the Commission on the national Arctic research policy, the five-year plan implementing such policy, future Arctic research, and guidelines for agencies for awarding and administering research grants; (4) provide for the preparation of a single, multiagency budget request for Arctic research; (5) promote cooperation between the Federal Government and State, local, and foreign governments and among Federal agencies in Arctic research activities; (6) cooperate with the Governor of Alaska; and (7) provide for public participation in the development and implementation of national Arctic research policy. Directs the Committee to submit a biennial report to the President and Congress on its activities and the Commission's activities.
Requires the Committee to prepare, submit to the President for transmittal to Congress, and biennally update a comprehensive five-year plan for the overall Federal effort in Arctic research. Requires the plan to include: (1) an assessment of needs regarding the Arctic and research to address them; (2) a statement of the Committee's goals and objectives for national Arctic research; (3) a listing of all existing Federal programs related to the Arctic, including goals, funds currently being expended, and funding levels for the next five years; (4) recommendations for program changes and other proposals; and (5) a description of actions taken by the Director and the Office to coordinate the budget review process to insure interagency cooperation in carrying out programs and eliminating duplication among programs.
Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to review all agency and department budget requests related to the Arctic. Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider all Federal agency requests related to Arctic research as one integrated multiagency request and to review such request for adherence to the five-year plan prior to submission of the President's annual budget request. Directs the Commission to review the multiagency request after submission and to report to Congress on its adherence to the five-year plan.
Directs OMB to facilitate planning for the procurement, maintenance, and deployment of icebreakers needed to provide a platform for Arctic research by allocating all funds necessary to support icebreaking operations, except for certain recurring costs, to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorizes appropriations.
Title II: National Critical Materials Act of 1984
- National Critical Materials Act of 1984 - Establishes a National Critical Materials Council under the Executive Office of the President to: (1) advise the President on national policy concerning critical materials; (2) coordinate Federal policies and activities concerning such materials; (3) evaluate Government activities according to the policy and directions provided under the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980; (4) evaluate the critical materials needs of basic and advanced industries and the Government; (5) initiate studies to resolve national critical materials problems; (6) prepare, biennially update, and submit to Congress a report providing a domestic inventory of critical resources with projections on the needs for such resources; and (7) recommend necessary changes in policies, regulations, and legislation to Congress.
Authorizes the Council to establish special advisory panels and Federal interagency committees as necessary.
Directs the Council to coordinate materials research and development programs of Federal entities by: (1) establishing a Federal plan for advanced materials research and development; (2) reviewing authorization requests for such research; and (3) assisting the Office of Science and Technology Policy in preparing long- range materials assessments and reports.
Directs the Council to: (1) evaluate the establishment of Centers for Industrial Technology to promote means of providing for innovation and increased productivity within the basic and advanced materials industries; and (2) establish an effective mechanism for the timely dissemination of materials property data.
Sets forth the duties of the Executive Director of the Council, including administrative duties and the initiation of studies to advance knowledge of critical or advanced materials issues.
Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the authority provided for in this title on September 30, 1990, unless otherwise authorized by Congress.
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Bill titles: An act to provide for a comprehensive national policy dealing with national research needs and objectives in the Arctic, for a National Critical Materials Council, for development of a continuing and comprehensive national materials policy, for programs necessary to carry out that policy, including Federal programs of advanced materials research and technology, and for innovation in basic industries, and for other purposes.; A bill to provide comprehensive national policy dealing with national needs and objectives in the Arctic.; National Critical Materials Act of 1984
Original source documents: Digest of the Congressional Record vol. 49, p. 2966;
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
