[House Report 115-975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-975
======================================================================
INNOVATIONS IN MENTORING, TRAINING, AND APPRENTICESHIPS ACT
_______
September 25, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Smith of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 5509]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 5509) to direct the National
Science Foundation to provide grants for research about STEM
education approaches and the STEM-related workforce, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as
amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Committee Statement and Views.................................... 4
Section-by-Section............................................... 7
Explanation of Amendments........................................ 9
Committee Consideration.......................................... 9
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch..................... 9
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the
Committee...................................................... 9
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 9
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 9
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................. 9
Federal Advisory Committee Act................................... 10
Unfunded Mandate Statement....................................... 10
Earmark Identification........................................... 10
Committee Estimate............................................... 10
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate... 10
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Innovations in Mentoring, Training,
and Apprenticeships Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) To remain competitive in the global economy, foster
greater innovation, and provide a foundation for shared
prosperity, the United States needs a workforce with the right
mix of skills to meet the diverse needs of the economy.
(2) Evidence indicates that the returns on investments in
technical skills in the labor market are strong when students
successfully complete their training and gain credentials
sought by employers.
(3) The responsibility for developing and sustaining a
skilled technical workforce is fragmented across many groups,
including educators; students; workers; employers; Federal,
State, and local governments; labor organizations; and civic
associations. Such groups need to be able to coordinate and
cooperate successfully with each other.
(4) Coordination among students, community colleges,
secondary and post-secondary institutions, and employers would
improve educational outcomes.
(5) Promising experiments currently underway may guide
innovation and reform, but scalability of some of those
experiments has not yet been tested.
(6) Evidence suggests that integration of academic education,
technical training, and hands-on work experience improves
outcomes and return on investment for students in secondary and
post-secondary education and for skilled technical workers in
different career stages.
(7) Outcomes show that mentoring can increase STEM student
engagement and the rate of completion of STEM post-secondary
degrees.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION STEM INNOVATION AND APPRENTICESHIP
GRANTS.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall award competitive grants to eligible applicants in accordance
with this section.
(b) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall
consult and cooperate with the programs and policies of other relevant
Federal agencies to avoid duplication with, and enhance the
effectiveness of, the provision of grants under this section.
(c) Grants for Associate Degree Programs in STEM Fields.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall award competitive grants to community colleges
to develop or improve associate degree and certificate programs
in STEM fields in which there is significant workforce demand
in the region of the community college receiving the award and
a need to strengthen the global competitiveness of affected
companies.
(2) Application.--In considering applications for grants
under paragraph (1), the Director shall prioritize--
(A) applicants that consist of a partnership between
the applying community college and individual employers
or an employer consortia, or industry or sector
partnerships, and may include a university or other
organization with demonstrated expertise in academic
program development;
(B) applications that demonstrate current and future
workforce demand in occupations directly related to the
proposed associate degree or certificate program.
(C) applications that include commitments by the
partnering employers or employer consortia, or industry
or sector partnerships to offer apprenticeships,
internships or other applied learning opportunities to
students enrolled in the proposed associate degree
program; and
(D) applications that include outreach plans and
goals for recruiting and enrolling women and other
historically underrepresented individuals in STEM
studies and careers in the proposed associate degree
program.
(3) Funding.--The National Science Foundation shall devote
not less than $20,000,000 to awards described in this
subsection, which shall include not less than $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to come from amounts made
available for the Education and Human Resources Directorate.
This subsection shall be carried out using funds otherwise
appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Grants for STEM Degree Applied Learning Opportunities.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall award competitive grants to universities
partnering with employers or employer consortia, or industry or
sector partnerships that commit to offering apprenticeships,
internships, research opportunities, or applied learning
experiences to enrolled university students in identified four-
year STEM degree programs.
(2) Application.--In considering applications for grants
under paragraph (1), the Director shall prioritize--
(A) applicants that consist of a partnership
between--
(i) the applying university; and
(ii) individual employers or an employer
consortia, or industry or sector partnerships;
(B) applications that demonstrate current and future
workforce demand in occupations directly related to
selected STEM fields; and
(C) applications that include outreach plans and
goals for recruiting and enrolling women and other
populations historically underrepresented in STEM.
(3) Funding.--The National Science Foundation shall devote
not less than $10,000,000 to awards described in this
subsection, which shall include not less than $2,500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to come from amounts made
available for the Education and Human Resources Directorate.
This subsection shall be carried out using funds otherwise
appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Grants for Computer-Based and Online STEM Education Courses.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall award competitive grants to institutions of
higher education or nonprofit organizations to conduct research
on student outcomes and determine best practices and
scalability of computer-based and online courses for technical
skills training.
(2) Research areas.--The research areas eligible for funding
under this subsection may include--
(A) post-secondary courses for technical training for
STEM occupations;
(B) improving high-school level vocational training
in STEM subjects;
(C) encouraging and sustaining interest and
achievement levels in STEM subjects among women and
other populations historically underrepresented in STEM
studies and careers; and
(D) combining computer-based and online STEM
education and training with traditional mentoring and
other mentoring arrangements, apprenticeships,
internships, and other applied learning opportunities.
(3) Funding.--The National Science Foundation shall devote
not less than $10,000,000 to awards described in this
subsection, which shall include not less than $2,500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to come from amounts made
available for the Education and Human Resources Directorate.
This subsection shall be carried out using funds otherwise
appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. RESEARCH ON EFFICIENCY OF SKILLED TECHNICAL LABOR MARKETS.
(a) Efficiency of Skilled Technical Labor Markets.--The Directorate
of Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences of the National Science
Foundation, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall support
research that improves the efficiency of skilled technical labor
markets in the United States, including research on labor market
analysis innovations, data and information sciences, electronic
information tools and methodologies, and metrics.
(b) Comparison of United States Workforce.--
(1) Research.--The National Science Foundation shall
commission research that compares and contrasts skilled
technical workforce development between the United States and
other developed countries, including the diversity of skilled
technical and professional workforces, to the extent feasible.
(2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall submit to Congress a report on the results of
the study under paragraph (1).
(c) Skilled Technical Workforce.--
(1) Review.--The National Center for Science and Engineering
Statistics of the National Science Foundation shall consult and
coordinate with other relevant Federal statistical agencies to
explore the feasibility of expanding its surveys to include the
collection of objective data on the skilled technical
workforce.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall submit to Congress a report containing the
progress made in expanding the National Center for Science and
Engineering Statistics surveys to include the skilled technical
workforce. Such report shall include a plan for multi-agency
collaboration in order to effect data collection and reporting
of data on the skilled technical workforce.
SEC. 5. SPENDING LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for
such purpose.
SEC. 6. EVALUATION AND REPORT.
(a) Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall
evaluate the grants and programs provided under this Act.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the evaluation under
paragraph (1), the Director shall use a common set of
benchmarks and assessment tools to identify best practices and
materials developed or demonstrated by the research conducted
pursuant to such grants and programs.
(b) Report on Evaluations.--Not later than 180 days after the
completion of the evaluation under subsection (a), the Director of the
Foundation shall submit to Congress and make widely available to the
public a report that includes--
(1) the results of the evaluation; and
(2) any recommendations for administrative and legislative
action that could optimize the effectiveness of the grants and
programs under this Act.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Director of the
Foundation shall consult the programs and policies of other relevant
Federal agencies to avoid duplication with, and enhance the
effectiveness of, the grants and programs under this Act.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, including computer science.
(2) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has
the meaning given the term ``junior and community college'' in
section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1058).
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution
of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)).
(4) Region.--The term ``region'' means a labor market area,
as such term is defined in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(5) Skilled technical workforce.--The term ``skilled
technical workforce'' means workers with high school diplomas
and two-year technical training or certifications who employ
significant levels of STEM knowledge in their jobs.
(6) University.--The term ``university'' means a 4-year
institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
Committee Statement and Views
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 5509, the ``Innovations in Mentoring, Training and
Apprenticeships Act,'' was introduced by Majority Leader Kevin
McCarthy and co-sponsored by Chairman Lamar Smith. The purpose
of H.R. 5509 is to direct the National Science Foundation (NSF)
to offer competitively awarded grants to community colleges and
four-year institutions to develop and improve science,
technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science
(STEM) courses and degrees. These programs will combine formal
education with applied learning experiences, such as
apprenticeships and internships, by partnering with regional
employers needing to fill skilled and technical STEM jobs. The
bill also calls for NSF to measure student outcomes and
determine best practices of distance learning and simulated
work environment courses for technical skills training.
H.R. 5509 directs NSF to conduct research examining how
different regions of the United States and other developed
nations are cultivating and sustaining their skilled technical
workforces and to report back to Congress with the results. It
also requires NSF to conduct research on labor market analysis
innovations, and to examine the capability of NSF to survey the
skilled technical workforce.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
In June 2017, the President issued Executive Order 13801,
Expanding Apprenticeships in America. The order called for
America's education systems and workforce development programs
to be reformed to meet today's rapidly changing economy. The
order stated that it is more important than ever to prepare
workers to fill both existing and newly created jobs and to
prepare workers for the jobs of the future.
According to the National Science Board's report, Science
and Engineering Indicators 2018, the number of U.S. jobs that
require STEM skills has grown nearly 34 percent over the past
decade. The report also concludes that the demand for a STEM-
proficient workforce is expected to continue to increase and
our ability to meet that demand will be essential to the
Nation's future economic competitiveness and national security.
To remain competitive, the Nation needs flexible STEM-
capable workers at every education level. The STEM workforce is
broad and diverse, ranging from certificate-level computer
programmers to Ph.D.-level physicists.
Among the occupations that are essential to future
competitiveness are those that require technical skills but do
not require a four-year degree. The National Science Board
identifies the ``technical STEM workforce'' as consisting of
workers with high school diplomas and two-year technical
training or certifications, who use significant levels of STEM
knowledge in their jobs. In 2014, 16.1 million U.S. workers
(11.9 percent of the total workforce) were employed in skilled
technical occupations.
A significant proportion of STEM-degree students are not
completing their degree or choose to pursue non-STEM
employment. According to a recent report by ACT (formerly
American College Testing), 38 percent of students who start
with a STEM major do not graduate with one. For every two
students graduating with a STEM degree, only one is employed in
STEM. Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump, has called this
situation a ``vocational crisis.''
Apprenticeship and mentoring initiatives have been shown to
improve the rate of degree completion in STEM fields for
undergraduates at both four-year universities and community
colleges.
Growing the Nation's STEM workforce and reducing barriers
to participation will increase individual economic opportunity
and support our nation's leadership in science and technology.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
On February 14, 2017, the Research and Technology
Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology held a hearing entitled, ``Strengthening U.S.
Cybersecurity Capabilities.'' Witnesses were: Dr. Charles H.
Romine, Director, Information Technology Lab, National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Mr. Iain
Mulholland, Industry Member, Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) Cyber Policy Task Force; Chief
Technology Officer, Security, VMware, Inc.; Dr. Diana Burley,
Executive Director and Chair, Institute for Information
Infrastructure Protection (I3P), Professor, Human and
Organizational Learning, The George Washington University; and
Mr. Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues,
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
On March 9, 2017, the Research and Technology Subcommittee
of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a
hearing entitled, ``National Science Foundation Part I:
Overview and Oversight.'' Witnesses were: Dr. France Cordova,
Director, NSF; and Ms. Allison Lerner, Inspector General, NSF.
On March 21, 2017, the Research and Technology Subcommittee
of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a
hearing entitled, ``National Science Foundation Part II: Future
Opportunities and Challenges for Science.'' Witnesses were: Dr.
Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Acting Chief Operating Officer, NSF; Dr.
Maria Zuber, Chair, National Science Board; Dr. Jeffrey Spies,
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Center for Open
Science and Assistant Professor, University of Virginia; and
Dr. Keith Yamamoto, Vice Chancellor for Science Policy and
Strategy, University of California, San Francisco.
On July 26, 2017, the Research and Technology Subcommittee
of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a
hearing entitled, ``STEM and Computer Science Education:
Preparing the 21st Century Workforce.'' Witnesses were: Mr.
James Brown, Executive Director, STEM Education Coalition; Mr.
Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer, Code.org; Dr. A. Paul
Alivisatos, Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, Vice
Chancellor for Research, and Professor of Chemistry and
Materials Science & Engineering, University of California,
Berkeley; and Mrs. Dee Mooney, Executive Director, Micron
Technology Foundation.
On February 15, 2018, the Research and Technology
Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology held a hearing entitled, `Mentoring, Training, and
Apprenticeships for STEM Education and Careers.'' The witnesses
were: Dr. Victor R. McCrary, Vice President, Research and
Economic Development and Professor of Chemistry, Morgan State
University, Member, National Science Board and Chair, Task
Force on the Skilled Technical Workforce; Dr. John Sands,
Department Chair, Computer Integrated Technologies, Moraine
Valley Community College, Director and Principal Investigator,
Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance; Mr.
Montez King, Executive Director, National Institute of
Metalworking Skills; and Dr. John Bardo, President, Wichita
State University.
On March 15, 2018, the House Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology held a hearing entitled, ``An Overview of the
National Science Foundation Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year
2019.'' Witnesses were: Dr. France Cordova, Director, NSF; and
Dr. Maria T. Zuber, Chair, National Science Board.
On April 17, 2018, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology approved by voice vote H.R. 5509, Innovations in
Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act, as amended.
COMMITTEE VIEWS
STEM workforce demand
The Committee understands that the demand for a STEM-
proficient workforce is expected to continue to increase and
our ability to meet it will be essential to the Nation's future
competitiveness and national security. The legislation directs
NSF to examine and support innovative workforce training
approaches aimed at boosting STEM education and careers in
order to meet current and future STEM professional and skilled
technical workforce needs. The Committee intends that the
initiatives supported by this legislation will leverage the
hard work and ingenuity of women and men of all ages, education
levels, geographic locations, and backgrounds to grow and meet
the demand for a STEM-capable workforce.
STEM student rentention
The Committee recognizes that, whether in technical
schools, community colleges, or four-year university programs,
it has been shown that STEM students are more likely to
complete STEM degree studies and pursue STEM careers if they
are engaged in an applied learning opportunity, such as an
apprenticeship or internship. This point was further
illustrated by witness testimony during the Committee's
February 15, 2018, hearing entitled, ``Mentoring, Training, and
Apprenticeships for STEM Education and Careers.'' Through the
competitive grant programs established in this act, the
Committee intends for NSF to continue to encourage efforts to
strengthen STEM education at all levels and foster interest in
STEM careers through innovative partnerships between academic
institutions and regional industry to offer these important
opportunities.
Expanding apprenticeships in America
The Committee believes that the STEM research and
apprenticeship programs authorized and implemented by this
legislation complements initiatives being driven by President
Trump in Executive Order 13801, Expanding Apprenticeships in
America. Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump, has indicated
the President has a goal of five million apprenticeships and a
unified approach to expanding this mode of training. The
Committee intends for NSF to share their findings with other
appropriate federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor
and the Department of Education. The Committee believes that
NSF research can help to better inform future federal
investments in STEM workforce training programs across the
federal government by increasing the understanding of the
impact of these workforce training tools, the context in which
they are most effective, and identifying the barriers that
exist to their expansion and application.
Section-by-Section
Section 1. Short title
This section establishes the short title for the bill as
the ``Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships
Act.''
Section 2. Findings
This section contains findings regarding the importance of
building and sustaining a STEM proficient workforce, notes that
there is a high return on investments for technical skills
sought by employers and that there is a shared responsibility
for developing and sustaining a skilled technical workforce.
The findings also note that although experiments and innovative
programs are underway, scalability has not been tested, and
that integrating academic education, technical training,
mentorship, and hands-on work experience improves outcomes.
Section 3. National Science Foundation STEM innovation and
apprenticeship grants
This section directs NSF to award competitive grants to
community colleges to develop or improve associate degree or
certificate programs in an in-demand STEM field by partnering
with regional employers to offer apprenticeships, internships,
or other applied learning opportunities to enrolled students.
This section instructs NSF to devote no less than $20,000,000
to these awards, including no less than $5,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2018 through 2021.
This section also directs NSF to award competitive grants
to universities to partner with regional employers or employer
consortia that commit to offering apprenticeships, internships,
research opportunities, or applied learning experiences to
university students enrolled in STEM baccalaureate degree
programs. This section instructs NSF to devote no less than
$10,000,000 to these awards, including no less than $2,500,000
for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021.
Additionally, this section directs NSF to award competitive
grants to conduct research on student outcomes and determine
best practices for STEM education and technical skills
education through distance learning or in a simulated work
environment. This section instructs NSF to devote no less than
$10,000,000 to these awards, including no less than $2,500,000
for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2021. Criteria for
prioritizing and awarding such grants are also provided in this
section.
Section 4. Research on efficiency of skilled technical labor markets
This section directs NSF to work with the Secretary of
Labor to support research on labor market analysis innovation,
data and information sciences, electronic information tools and
metrics. NSF is also directed to conduct a study that compares
and contrasts STEM skilled technical workforce development
across the U.S. and in other developed nations. A report to
Congress on the results of the study is due three years after
enactment. Lastly, this section requires NSF to examine the
feasibility of conducting a statistical survey of the skilled
technical workforce. A report is due to Congress one year after
enactment and will include a plan for multi-agency
collaboration in order to effect data collection.
Section 5. Spending limitation
This section clarifies that no additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the
amendments made by this Act. This Act must be carried out using
amounts otherwise available.
Section 6. Evaluation and report
This section requires NSF's Director, two years after the
date of enactment, to evaluate the grants and programs provided
under this Act and report the findings to Congress no later
than 180 days after completion.
Section 7. Definitions
This section defines the terms ``STEM,'' ``community
college,'' ``region,'' and ``skilled technical workforce.''
Explanation of Amendments
An amendment offered by Representative Bonamici was adopted
by the Committee. The amendment allows for ``industry and
sector partnerships'' to be included as eligible entities for
grants.
Committee Consideration
On April 17, 2018, the Committee met in open session and
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 5509, as amended, by
voice vote, a quorum being present.
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch
Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1 requires a
description of the application of this bill to the legislative
branch where the bill relates to the terms and conditions of
employment or access to public services and accommodations.
This bill directs the National Science Foundation to provide
grants for research about STEM education approaches and the
STEM-related workforce. As such this bill does not relate to
employment or access to public services and accommodations.
Legislative branch employees and their families, to the
extent that they are otherwise eligible for the benefits
provided by this legislation, have equal access to its
benefits.
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
H.R. 5509, the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and
Apprenticeships Act, directs the National Science Foundation to
provide grants for research about STEM education approaches and
the STEM-related workforce.
Duplication of Federal Programs
No provision of H.R. 5509 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee estimates that enacting H.R. 5509 does not
direct the completion of any specific rule makings within the
meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.
Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b).
Unfunded Mandate Statement
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) requires a statement as to
whether the provisions of the reported include unfunded
mandates. In compliance with this requirement the Committee has
received a letter from the Congressional Budget Office included
herein.
Earmark Identification
H.R. 5509 does not include any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of rule XXI.
Committee Estimate
Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the
Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out
H.R. 5509. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides
that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has
included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the
bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act.
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect
to requirements of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received
the following cost estimate for H.R. 5509 from the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 10, 2018.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5509, the
Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani
Shankaran.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 5509--Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act
Summary: H.R. 5509 would authorize the National Science
Foundation (NSF) to award grants to community colleges,
universities, and nonprofit organizations to develop and
improve education and work opportunities in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The bill also
would require the NSF to conduct research on the STEM and
technical workforce in the United States. CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 5509 would cost $29 million over the 2019-
2023 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized and
estimated amounts.
Enacting H.R. 5509 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 5509 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
H.R. 5509 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 5509 is shown in the following table.
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 250
(general science, space, and technology).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
----------------------------------------------------
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019-2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
STEM Grants:
Authorization Level.................................... 10 10 10 10 0 0 30
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 1 5 7 8 5 26
Other Provisions:
Estimated Authorization Level.......................... 0 1 1 1 0 0 3
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 1 1 1 0 0 3
Total:
Estimated Authorization Level...................... 10 11 11 11 0 0 33
Estimated Outlays.................................. 0 2 6 8 8 5 29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R 5509 would effectively authorize the appropriation of $10 million in 2018 for STEM grants. CBO does not
estimate any outlays for that authorization because appropriations for 2018 have already been provided.
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R
5509 will be enacted near the end of 2018. Section 5 of the
bill states that no additional funds are authorized to be
appropriated by H.R. 5509. In CBO's view, however, the bill
effectively authorizes the appropriation of funding because
even if additional funding was not provided specifically for
those purposes, the agency would have to spend appropriated
resources on the new activity instead of using those funds to
carry out other statutory responsibilities.
STEM Grants. H.R. 5509 would establish a program through
the NSF to award grants to community colleges with associate's
degree programs in STEM, to universities that partner with
employers to offer STEM work opportunities, and to nonprofits
and postsecondary education institutions to expand online
technical training. The NSF's Advanced Technological Education
program is similar to the program proposed by the bill. In
recent years, the NSF's spending for that program has been
around $65 million annually. Under current law, no specific
sums are authorized to be appropriated for that program after
2018.
H.R. 5509 would effectively authorize the appropriation of
$10 million annually over the 2018-2021 period for the grants.
CBO does not estimate any outlays for the authorization for
2018 because appropriations for 2018 have already been
provided. Based on historical spending patterns for similar
programs, CBO estimates that implementing those provisions
would cost $26 million over the 2019-2023 period, assuming
appropriation of the authorized amounts.
Other Provisions. Section 4 of the bill would require the
NSF to conduct research and submit reports to the Congress on
the STEM and technical workforce in the United States. Using
information from the NSF, CBO estimates that the agency would
need two additional employees, at an annual average cost of
about $320,000. Section 6 of H.R. 5509 would require the NSF to
evaluate the grants provided under the bill. Based on the costs
of similar evaluations, CBO estimates that provision would cost
about $2 million. In total, CBO estimates that the activities
required by those sections would cost $3 million over the 2019-
2023 period; such spending would be subject to the availability
of appropriated funds.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 5509 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2029.
Mandates: H.R. 5509 contains no intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Janani Shankaran;
Mandates: Jon Sperl.
Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.