[Senate Report 113-181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 411
113th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 113-181
======================================================================
DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE AND JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2015
_______
June 5, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Mikulski, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 2437]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2437)
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes, reports
favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
Total obligational authority, fiscal year 2015
Total of bill as reported to the Senate\1\.............. $62,167,092,000
Amount of 2014 appropriations........................... 61,403,600,000
Amount of 2015 budget estimate.......................... 61,928,166,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2014 appropriations................................. +763,492,000
2015 budget estimate................................ +238,926,000
\1\This level does not include -$10,628,092,000 in adjustments that the
Congressional Budget Office [CBO] scores to the bill. With these
scorekeeping adjustments, the bill totals $51,202,000,000 in
discretionary budget authority.
CONTENTS
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Page
Purpose of the Bill.............................................. 3
Summary of the Bill.............................................. 3
Fighting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse................................. 5
Reprogrammings, Reorganizations, and Relocations................. 6
Congressional Budget Justifications.............................. 7
Reporting Requirements........................................... 8
Reductions-in-Force.............................................. 8
Appropriations Liaisons.......................................... 8
Title I: Department of Commerce.................................. 9
Title II: Department of Justice.................................. 56
Title III: Science............................................... 104
Office of Science and Technology Policy...................... 104
National Aeronautics and Space Administration................ 106
National Science Foundation.................................. 122
Title IV: Related Agencies....................................... 130
Commission on Civil Rights................................... 130
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission...................... 130
International Trade Commission............................... 131
Legal Services Corporation................................... 131
Marine Mammal Commission..................................... 132
Office of the United States Trade Representative............. 133
State Justice Institute...................................... 134
Title V: General Provisions...................................... 135
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 138
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c) Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate..................................................... 142
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate..................................................... 142
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 144
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 145
Purpose of the Bill
The bill provides funding for: (1) the Department of
Commerce [DOC]; (2) the Department of Justice [DOJ]; (3)
several independent science agencies: the Office of Science and
Technology Policy [OSTP], the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration [NASA], and the National Science Foundation
[NSF]; and (4) several related commissions and agencies: the
Commission on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission [EEOC], the International Trade Commission [ITC],
the Legal Services Corporation [LSC], the Marine Mammal
Commission, the U.S. Trade Representative [USTR], and the State
Justice Institute [SJI].
Summary of the Bill
The bill is presented in the context of continued fiscal
constraint. The sustained national debate on Federal spending,
revenues, and the public debt continues to put pressure on
discretionary spending. While the Murray-Ryan budget agreement
provides an overall level of discretionary spending,
Government-wide non-defense discretionary spending will rise
less than one-tenth of 1 percent from fiscal year 2014 to
fiscal year 2015. Yet the demands on non-defense discretionary
spending continue to grow. This bill prioritizes the
Committee's longstanding commitment to funding activities that
keep America safe from terrorism and violent crime, save lives,
and promote innovation and job creation.
Keeping America safe begins with State and local law
enforcement, and the Committee's recommendation provides
funding to fight crime and violence in America's neighborhoods.
The bill provides resources that assist State and local law
enforcement in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting
crime. The Committee's recommendation also provides resources
for Federal law enforcement agents, correctional officers,
investigators, and prosecutors who thwart terrorists, disrupt
gangs and drug dealers, dismantle human trafficking rings, shut
down cyber criminals, and bring fraudsters to justice. The bill
also prioritizes resources throughout the departments and
agencies it funds for cybersecurity, including funding for the
Department of Justice to catch and prosecute cyber criminals;
for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to
develop standards and measurements to protect dot-mil, dot-gov,
and dot-com; for the National Science Foundation to conduct
basic cybersecurity research; and for all departments and
agencies to improve the security of their own computer
networks.
Weather forecasting does more than tell people if an
umbrella is needed. Severe weather warnings save lives by
telling us when to seek shelter or evacuate from serious
storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. In 2013, there were seven
major weather and climate disasters that are estimated to cost
more than $1,000,000,000 each. While warning times for severe
weather continue to improve, more can be done to give Americans
time to get out of harm's way. Weather forecasts do not
originate from local TV stations or a smartphone app. Forecasts
are generated using satellite and radar data, ocean monitoring,
modeling, and human expertise provided by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. The Committee continues
to prioritize resources to ensure NOAA has the staff and
technology to provide timely and accurate warnings and lengthen
the amount of time before a storm that the public receives
these warnings.
On April 29, 2014, the Senate Appropriations Committee held
a hearing on ``Driving Innovation Through Federal Investment.''
Witnesses and expert testimony for the record highlighted how
scientific research and technology development foster job
creation and economic growth in the private sector. The bill
supports scientific research and development at Government
labs, at colleges and universities, in the ocean, and across
the solar system. This fundamental research generates ideas
that become new products and foster job growth. The bill also
ensures Americans profit from their innovations by funding
patent protection and trade promotion.
The bill continues to face the pressure of funding programs
whose costs are rising outside of the control of the Committee.
While not mandatory for budget purposes, these programs are not
truly discretionary either. In fiscal year 2015, NOAA's
flagship weather satellite programs, the incarceration of
prisoners through the Bureau of Prisons [BOP] and U.S. Marshals
Service's Federal Prisoner Detention, and the taking of the
census are not optional and amount to more than
$11,000,000,000, an increase of more than $410,000,000 above
the fiscal year 2014 level.
NOAA satellites are essential to saving lives with accurate
warnings, but the cost of those satellites is staggering.
NOAA's new polar satellites alone will cost approximately
$11,300,000,000.
The costs of incarceration continue to rise, and the bill
must provide adequate funding to ensure that prison staff and
communities are safe and that prisoners are securely housed,
resulting in an average increase of $192,000,000 each year to
the BOP's budget. According to the President's most recent
budget submission, the total cost of Federal correctional
activities will continue to rise through at least fiscal year
2018. By that time, according to the DOJ Inspector General, if
the BOP's budget increases at the same rate projected for all
Federal correctional activities and the Department's budget
remains flat, the BOP's budget will consume over 28 percent of
the Department's discretionary budget.
The decennial census is mandated by the Constitution. To
provide essential personnel, and develop the methodology and
technology, the annual cost of the census will rise each year
until the count is complete. Fiscal year 2015 is a critical
year for research and planning activities designed to lower the
total cost of the 2020 census.
The Committee has taken action and provided strong
oversight to rein in growing satellite costs, to align
Department of Justice policies related to the growing prison
population with re-entry and rehabilitation efforts, and to
ensure the 2020 census costs less than the 2010 census. The
Committee appreciates the recommendations and oversight of the
Inspectors General on these key programs. Nonetheless, these
programs threaten to crowd out other important activities
supported by the bill as downward pressure on discretionary
spending continues.
Fighting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
The departments, agencies, boards, and commissions funded
in this bill can and should continue to reduce operating
expenses by placing greater scrutiny on overhead costs. Savings
can and should be achieved by reducing non-essential travel,
office supply, rent, and utility costs. The Committee also
calls on departments, agencies, boards, and commissions funded
in this bill to continue to achieve savings by lowering travel
contractor costs related to air fares, as directed in fiscal
year 2014.
The Committee is outraged that some departments, agencies,
boards, and commissions have made widespread errors in travel
disclosures to the General Services Administration regarding
premium travel. Some agencies have failed to meet disclosure
requirements altogether. The Committee continues longstanding
restrictions on first class travel and includes provisions to
improve travel reporting.
The Committee has also reduced official reception and
representation funds by 25 percent since fiscal year 2011.
Modest representation funds are included for agency executives
to provide necessary courtesies to our diplomatic partners and
hold events to honor fallen officers, or to mark historic
occasions such as space exploration missions or stunning
discoveries. However, savings can and should be achieved by
reducing the costs of executive meetings, receptions,
ceremonies, and conferences, and purchasing fewer promotional
items such as t-shirts, hats, mugs, key chains, and other
similar items.
The Committee is extremely concerned about the persistent
pattern of cost overruns and schedule slippages on major
projects and missions carried out by the agencies within this
bill. In addition, reports have exposed a culture within many
agencies that exhibits a lack of accountability and oversight
of grant funding. Therefore, the Committee has continued four
bill-wide provisions to ensure greater oversight and fiscal
responsibility of taxpayer dollars.
First, the bill requires each agency to notify the
Committee immediately upon identification of program cost
overruns greater than 10 percent.
Second, the bill requires the Inspectors General of the
Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, NSF, and the Legal
Services Corporation to conduct reviews of grant and contract
funds to ensure funds are being spent appropriately.
Third, the bill requires each department, agency, board,
and commission funded in this act to report spending on large
conferences, with costs in excess of $100,000 each, to the
Inspectors General for audit.
Fourth, the bill prohibits each department, agency, board,
and commission funded in this act from awarding grants and
cooperative agreements to tax cheats and felons.
Finally, the Committee intends to continue to work with the
Government Accountability Office [GAO] to review selected
large-scale acquisition and construction projects.
Specifically, the Committee directs ongoing GAO reviews of
large NASA projects and separate reviews of the James Webb
Space Telescope, with reports to the Committee on a biannual
basis. Agencies shall provide access to all necessary data, as
determined by the GAO, in order for the reviews to be completed
and provided in a timely manner to the Committee. The Committee
believes that these project status reports are valuable in
identifying cost overrun and schedule slippage problems early,
so they can be addressed immediately.
Reprogrammings, Reorganizations, and Relocations
Section 505 contained in the ``General Provisions'' of
title V provides procedures for the reprogramming of funds. To
reprogram is to change the use of funds from the specific
purposes provided for in the act and the accompanying report
or, in the absence of direction from the Committee, from the
specific purposes provided for in the administration's budget
request. Each title of the bill has also traditionally included
separate provisions that define permissible transfers of
resources between appropriation accounts. These transfer
authority provisions are also pursuant to section 505, and were
initiated in the early 1990s to provide additional flexibility
to the agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
The Committee expects each department and agency closely to
follow the reprogramming procedures listed in section 505.
These procedures apply to funds provided under this act, or
provided under previous appropriations acts that remain
available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2015, or
provided from any accounts in the Treasury available to the
agencies funded by this act. Section 505 requires that the
Committee on Appropriations be notified by letter, at least 15
days prior to reprogramming of funds, whether permanent or
temporary, in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is
less, between programs, projects or activities. This provision
is also applicable in cases where several activities are
involved with each receiving less than $500,000. In addition,
the Committee is to be notified of reprogramming actions which
are less than these amounts if such actions would have the
effect of: committing the agency to significant funding
requirements in future years; increasing funds or personnel by
any means for any project or activity for which funds have been
previously denied or restricted by Congress; creating new
programs, offices, agencies or commissions or substantially
augmenting existing programs, offices, agencies or commissions;
relocating offices or employees; or reorganizing offices,
programs, or activities.
The Committee also expects that any items that are subject
to interpretation will be reported. The Committee is concerned
that, in some instances, the departments or agencies funded
within this appropriations act are not adhering to the
Committee's reprogramming guidelines that are clearly set forth
in this report and in section 505 of the accompanying bill. The
Committee expects that each department and agency funded in the
bill will follow these notification policies precisely and will
not reallocate resources or reorganize activities prior to
submitting the required notifications to the Committee.
The reprogramming process is based on comity between the
Appropriations Committee and the administration. The Commerce,
Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill
provides specific program guidance throughout this report and
tables accompanying the bill. The process is intended to
provide flexibility to meet changing circumstances and
emergency requirements of agencies, if there is agreement
between the executive branch and the Congress that such a
change is warranted. Reprogramming procedures provide a means
to agree on adjustments, if necessary, during a fiscal year,
and to ensure that the Committee is kept apprised of instances
where nonappropriated resources are used to meet program
requirements, such as fee collections and unobligated balances
that were not considered in the development of the
appropriations legislation.
In the absence of comity and respect for the prerogatives
of the Appropriations Committees and Congress in general, the
Committee will have no choice but to include specific program
limitations and details legislatively. Under these
circumstances, programs, projects, and activities become
absolutes and the executive branch shall lose the ability to
propose changes in the use of appropriated funds through the
reprogramming process between programs, projects, and
activities without seeking some form of legislative action.
The Committee expects each executive branch department and
agency to manage its programs, projects and activities within
the levels appropriated. Reprogramming or transfer requests
shall be submitted only in the case of an unforeseen emergency
or situation that could not have been anticipated when
formulating the budget request for the current fiscal year.
Congressional Budget Justifications
The Committee directs that all departments and agencies
funded within this bill shall submit all of their fiscal year
2016 budget justifications concurrently with the official
submission of the administration's budget to Congress. Further,
all departments and agencies with classified programs funded
within this act are directed to submit their classified budget
justification documents to the Committee, through appropriate
means, at the same time the unclassified budget justifications
are transmitted.
These justifications shall include a sufficient level of
detailed data, exhibits, and explanatory statements to support
the appropriations requests, including tables that outline each
agency's programs, projects, and activities for fiscal years
2015 and 2016. For example, when requesting an enhancement of
resources, the justification should detail the existing program
and what the new resources would buy. The Committee directs the
chief financial officer of each department or agency funded in
this act's jurisdiction to ensure that adequate justification
is given to each increase, decrease, staffing and function
change proposed in the fiscal year 2016 budget, particularly
within the departmental operations and management accounts.
The Committee is concerned that many of the budget
submissions are inadequate and necessitate multiple requests
for additional information. At times, conflicting information
is provided in justifications and other budget briefing
documents. This process is inefficient and unnecessarily delays
access to information that is fundamental to the work of the
Committee. The Committee expects that the fiscal year 2016
submissions will include sufficient detail to justify all
programs, projects, and activities contained in each
department, agency, or commission budget request. Budget
justifications are prepared not for the use of the agencies but
are the primary tool of the Committee to evaluate the resource
requirements and proposals requested by the administration.
Each budget justification shall include a detailed description
of cybersecurity resources requested by the department or
agency categorized according to resources that (1) prevent
malicious cyber activity, including the protection of Federal
systems; (2) detect, analyze, and mitigate intrusions,
including investigating and prosecuting cyber criminals; and
(3) shape the cybersecurity landscape, including research and
development.
Reporting Requirements
The Committee is frustrated by the inability of departments
and agencies funded in this bill to complete and submit
congressionally mandated reports on time. Reports are
frequently submitted late, incomplete, or not at all. The
Committee directs the departments and agencies funded in this
bill to submit reports by their deadlines or to provide advance
notification if there is sufficient reason why deadlines cannot
be met, along with the expected date of submission.
The Committee also recognizes that some reporting
requirements from previous Appropriations bills may no longer
be necessary for Committee oversight purposes. In the interest
of reducing government waste and expediting responses to
current report mandates, each departments or agencies is
invited to submit a list of reporting requirements that it
considers outdated or no longer relevant for the review of the
Committees on Appropriations. Any such list submitted for
review shall be limited to reports required under
Appropriations bills, and shall cite the original authority as
well as a justification for eliminating each reporting
requirement.
Reductions-in-Force
The Committee directs departments or agencies funded in the
accompanying bill that are planning to conduct a reduction-in-
force [RIF] to notify the Committee in writing 30 days in
advance of the date of the proposed personnel action.
Appropriations Liaisons
The Committee prefers to channel the majority of its
inquiries and requests for information and assistance through
the budget offices or comptroller offices of the departments
and agencies which it oversees, but reserves the right to call
upon any individual or organization in any agency under its
jurisdiction.
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Committee recommends a total of $8,555,875,000 for the
Department of Commerce [DOC]. The recommendation is
$375,258,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$190,596,000 below the budget request.
The Department of Commerce is a major innovation engine for
the Nation. Few departments in the U.S. Government have the
opportunity to so strongly influence and protect America's
businesses and competitiveness in this volatile economy. DOC's
science and innovation programs strive to find new ways to
solve today's problems and anticipate tomorrow's challenges.
New research inspires new technology, and DOC's development of
new standards allows the Department to partner with industry to
keep citizens safe and manufacturers on the right track. These
new technologies and ideas deserve protection, and the
Department also preserves intellectual property for our
Nation's creative thinkers--small and big businesses alike.
Once products and services are ready for the global market, DOC
promotes export of U.S. goods and enforces trade agreements,
sending new ideas into the marketplace while protecting our
workers and helping businesses create jobs at home. The
Department monitors progress and prosperity through statistical
analysis, economic monitoring, and periodic censuses.
The Secretary of Commerce is the chief spokesperson for
American business, but the Secretary is also the chief manager
in charge of addressing major management challenges at the
Department. Persistent problems need strong oversight, and
accountability remains a top concern for the Committee.
Controlling costs for the 2020 decennial census remains a
top oversight concern for the Inspector General, the Government
Accountability Office, and this Committee. Cost overruns became
a major problem during the 2010 decennial census, and the
Department cannot afford cost increases for the 2020 census.
The budget request suggests that the Census Bureau intends to
reduce the 2020 census costs to 2010 census levels by finding
ways to reduce door-to-door operations, using the Internet to
solicit responses, and using scalable technology such as
elastic agency-wide IT systems that can expand for the 2020
census and then contract back to normal operations. While this
indicates improved direction at the Census Bureau, the
Committee needs assurances that the Bureau will remain on a
reliable path for achieving real cost savings.
When it comes to protecting American intellectual property
[IP], DOC needs to be cyber-obsessed and create ways to protect
its own dot-gov systems while working with the private sector
to better protect dot-com. The National Institute of Standards
and Technology [NIST], DOC's outstanding science and research
agency, helps the private sector find new ways to solve today's
cybersecurity problems. This bill advances cybersecurity
activities at NIST to protect online consumers and the private
sector from cyber attacks.
When it comes to saving lives and livelihoods, this bill
provides balanced funding to allow all of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's [NOAA] services to function.
Operational readiness is important to the scientists and
forecasters who depend on NOAA to do their jobs. Information
and forecasts from NOAA are vital to our communities--from the
coastal States that depend on accurate hurricane forecasts to
the interior States that depend on timely tornado and severe
storm warnings. Commerce's budget request maintains reforms to
NOAA's satellite programs in response to direction made by this
Committee and to critical recommendations made by outside
experts. The Committee welcomes these changes but remains
guarded that these important missions retain financial and
management stability, especially as downward pressure on non-
defense discretionary spending continues.
Spending Plans.--Under section 534 of this act, the
Department is required to submit a spending plan within 45 days
of the enactment of this act. That plan should describe the
programs, projects, and activities of the Department so that
the Committee receives detailed descriptions of how the
Department intends to operationalize the funding provided in
annual appropriations bills. The Committee expects a detailed
accounting of each bureau's spending, including reimbursable,
fee-funded, or Working Capital Fund spending, particularly with
regard to specific programs, projects, and activities described
in the bill and accompanying report. However, with the
exception of NOAA, the Department provides little detail about
how it intends to execute its base activities. As a result, the
Committee must make repeated inquiries about spending on
specific activities and often receives inconsistent, confusing,
and conflicting answers. The Department shall work with the
Committees on Appropriations to ensure that its spending plans
provide adequate information for continued oversight of the
Department.
The Committee looks forward to working with the Department
of Commerce to promote innovation, stimulate economic growth,
and protect American citizens and businesses during the 2015
fiscal year and beyond.
International Trade Administration
OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $470,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 506,731,000
Committee recommendation................................ 480,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $480,000,000 for
the International Trade Administration [ITA]. The
recommendation is $10,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $26,731,000 below the budget request.
The Committee recommendations, by function, are displayed
in the following table:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION FUNDING
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry and Analysis................................. 55,000
Enforcement and Compliance............................ 74,500
Global Markets........................................ 327,000
Executive Direction/Administration.................... 23,500
-----------------
Total........................................... 480,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offsetting Fee Collections.--The Committee is disappointed
to learn that ITA has consistently and significantly
underestimated its fee collections in recent budget submissions
to Congress. While ITA requested a fee offset of $9,439,000 for
fiscal year 2015, the agency has actually collected more than
this amount for each of the last 6 fiscal years. The Committee
rejects the fee estimate in the congressional budget
submission, and the funding recommendation shall be offset by
fee collections of $10,000,000.
ITA shall brief the Committee on its revised fee estimation
process no later than 60 days after enactment of this act. ITA
shall also identify and include expected fee collections and
corresponding expenditures in the fiscal year 2015 spend plan
and all future spend plans.
SelectUSA.--The Committee supports the SelectUSA Initiative
and provides up to $15,000,000 to facilitate foreign direct
investment in the United States. ITA shall develop and share
with the Committee a protocol to ensure that SelectUSA
activities do not encourage investment in the United States by
state-owned entities.
Trade Enforcement.--The Committee provides up to
$12,000,000 for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center [ITEC]
in partnership with the U.S. Trade Representative. ITA is
directed to provide a detailed funding profile for ITEC as part
of its fiscal year 2015 spending plan. Further direction for
ITEC is provided under the heading ``Office of the United
States Trade Representative''.
Global Markets.--The Committee recognizes the important
role that ITA's Global Markets division plays in promoting U.S.
exports and attracting foreign investment, including through
the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service [CS] and the activities
previously housed in the Market Access and Compliance division.
The Committee urges Global Markets to deploy resources in a
manner that maximizes economic potential for U.S. workers and
businesses.
National Export Initiative.--The Committee notes with
interest that ITA and other Federal partners on the National
Export Initiative are pursuing an increasingly customer
service-driven strategy of export promotion. ITA shall report
to the Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this
act on: how this strategy will affect the existing level of
market-access and industry-based export assistance; how the
strategy will affect CS fees and collections; and how ITA will
examine return on investments for trade promotion service
offerings to ensure that resources are spent where they can
have the greatest impact on the U.S. economy.
Commercial Service Resource Allocation.--The Committee
supports ITA's increased attention to developing and emerging
markets, including those in Asia and Africa. The Committee
directs ITA to fund CS at the highest possible level in fiscal
year 2015 while still preserving other essential functions
within Global Markets. ITA should place particular emphasis on
maintaining and expanding the number of CS officers and support
staff overseas and on providing them with adequate resources to
operate fully and effectively in their regions.
The Committee has not yet received the report mandated by
the fiscal year 2014 appropriations act regarding the factors
used to determine how CS resources are allocated, including how
these variables account for developing and emerging markets
where U.S. exports may currently be low, but the potential for
an increase in trade is high. ITA shall deliver this overdue
report to the Committee no less than 30 days after enactment of
this act. Additionally, ITA is directed to continue to notify
the Committee within 30 days when changes are made to domestic
or overseas Commercial Service posts or State Department
Partner Posts.
Staff Retention Overseas.--No later than 180 days after
enactment of this act, ITA shall report to the Committee on
ways to improve retention of valuable Locally Engaged Staff
[LES] working with Foreign Commercial Service Officers and
other Department of Commerce staff overseas, including
opportunities for professional development.
China Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duty Activities.--The
Committee provides no less than $16,400,000 for China anti-
dumping and countervailing duty enforcement and compliance
activities.
Domestic Trade Coordination.--The Committee recognizes the
important role that State and local governments play in
promoting exports and urges ITA and the Trade Promotion
Coordinating Committee [TPCC] to support the application of
best practices among Federal, State, and local governments in
promoting exports. Additionally, the Committee encourages the
TPCC to continue collaborating with State trade partners to
identify ways to reduce overlap and improve coordination
between Federal and State agencies. This effort may include
establishment of a working group including regionally equitable
and diverse representatives of State international trade
resource centers and Federal agencies involved in export
promotion.
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations.--The
Committee recognizes the importance of ITA's efforts to promote
trade and investment while ensuring fair trade through the
enforcement of trade laws. In particular, the Committee
recognizes the work of the Enforcement and Compliance unit,
which verifies the accuracy and completeness of questionnaire
responses provided to the Department of Commerce during
antidumping [AD] and countervailing duty [CVD] investigations.
The Committee encourages ITA to evaluate its procedures with
respect to the number of on-site verifications it conducts and
the number of respondents it investigates from each country in
new trade cases. ITA shall provide a report to the Committee no
later than 90 days after enactment of this act that assesses
its AD/CVD investigations, including any additional steps that
can be taken to improve the process or additional resources
needed to ensure that a thorough investigation can be made to
promote fair trade and investment.
Foreign Subsidies.--ITA's Enforcement and Compliance
division shall examine direct and indirect subsidies in
countries that are thought to administer large amounts of
subsidies in violation of World Trade Organization rules,
particularly in those countries that have been major
destinations for outsourced U.S. manufacturing jobs. ITA shall
examine legal authorities and resources used by U.S. trade
enforcement agencies to analyze foreign subsidies and is
requested to coordinate its analysis with other Federal
agencies. A report on such subsidies shall be provided to the
Committee within 180 days of enactment of this act.
Foreign Trade Zone Board.--Recently, the Foreign Trade Zone
[FTZ] Board provided inaccurate and misleading information
pursuant to a request from the Committee. Moreover, the
Committee has learned that the Board, rather than correct the
erroneous information as soon as it learned of its error,
instead made a deliberative decision to allow the Committee to
continue to operate with inaccurate information. These facts
are troubling and unacceptable. The Department is reminded that
the Committee plays a crucial oversight role for all activities
funded under this title, including activities of the FTZ Board,
and it is paramount that the Committee receives timely and
accurate information. The Department is directed to work with
the FTZ Board to ensure that it has the appropriate procedures
in place to prevent similar problems from occurring in the
future such that the Committee may perform necessary and
appropriate oversight.
Bureau of Industry and Security
OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $101,450,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 110,549,000
Committee recommendation................................ 105,549,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $105,549,000 for
the Bureau of Industry and Security [BIS]. The recommendation
is $4,099,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$5,000,000 below the budget request.
BIS is the principal agency involved in the development,
implementation, and enforcement of export controls for
commercial technologies and for many military technologies as a
result of the President's export control reform initiative. The
Export Enforcement Division detects, prevents, investigates,
and assists in the sanctioning of illegal exports of such
items.
Export Control Reform.--The Committee directs BIS to
continue its exporter outreach program to educate companies of
all sizes on the new regulatory requirements resulting from
export control reform. The Committee encourages BIS to target
small- and medium-sized businesses and to work with State and
local trade and export associations in addition to working with
national industry groups.
Economic Development Administration
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $246,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 248,182,000
Committee recommendation................................ 232,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $232,000,000 for
the Economic Development Administration [EDA]. The
recommendation is $14,500,000 below the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $16,182,000 below the budget request. The
bill also provides access to $40,000,000 in prior-year
recoveries and unobligated balances.
EDA provides grants to local governments and nonprofit
agencies for public works, planning, and other projects
designed to facilitate economic development. Funding amounts
for the two appropriations accounts under this heading are
displayed below.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $209,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 210,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 195,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $195,000,000 for
Economic Development Assistance Programs. The bill also
includes $40,000,000 in unobligated and deobligated funds from
prior year appropriations for EDA's use in fiscal year 2015.
The recommendation is $14,500,000 below the fiscal year 2014
level and $15,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee
expects EDA to use all available carryover and prior year
recoveries to the maximum extent possible. EDA shall consider
geographic equity in making all award decisions and shall
ensure that rural projects are adequately represented among
those selected for funding. Of the amounts provided, funds are
to be distributed as follows. Any deviation of funds shall be
subject to the procedures set forth in section 505 of this act:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Works............................................ 114,000
Economic Adjustment Assistance.......................... 42,000
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms................... 15,000
Regional Innovation Program and Science Parks Loan 20,000
Guarantees.............................................
Partnership Planning.................................... 30,500
Technical Assistance.................................... 12,000
Research and Evaluation................................. 1,500
Prior-year recoveries................................... -40,000
---------------
Total............................................. 195,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee encourages the administration to focus on
generating financial investment, job creation, and sustained
economic growth in manufacturing, exports, innovation, and
other areas of growth through EDA's existing grant programs,
including Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, Trade
Adjustment Assistance, and the Regional Innovation Program. The
Committee encourages EDA to identify ways to make strong
investments in these areas while preserving the successful and
national reach of existing grant programs, avoiding overlap in
the mission or execution of such programs, and meeting the need
for improved infrastructure across the country.
Innovative Energy Efficiency Grants.--Within the amounts
provided for Economic Adjustment Assistance, the Committee
provides up to $5,000,000 to continue innovative energy
efficiency finance programs that benefit small businesses. EDA
shall report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of
this act on energy efficiency grants made with fiscal year 2013
and 2014 funding.
Regional Innovation Program.--The Committee maintains
support for EDA's Regional Innovation Program, which awards
competitive grants to regional entities in support of
innovation and entrepreneurship, including investments in
science parks, regional innovation clusters, and the i6
Challenge program. The Committee provides $20,000,000 for
grants and loan guarantees as authorized under the America
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, of which no less than
$5,000,000 shall be for loan guarantees for science park
infrastructure. EDA shall make Regional Innovation Program
awards to multiple grantees and in multiple and diverse
geographic areas.
Within funds provided for the Regional Innovation Program,
$2,000,000 shall be for cluster grants to support nonprofit,
job-creating, revolving, equity-based seed capital funds. EDA
shall report to the Committee when these funds and similar
funds from fiscal year 2014 are awarded, including the purposes
of each grant.
The Committee encourages EDA to support university-based,
high-tech business incubators to encourage entrepreneurship and
promote technology commercialization through business startups.
Loan Guarantees.--In fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014, the
Committee provided a cumulative total of $25,000,000 dedicated
to loan guarantee programs for science parks and for innovative
manufacturing. The Committee acknowledges the challenges in
establishing loan guarantee programs but is dissatisfied with
EDA's pace, progress, and effort put forth to accomplish this
task. EDA is directed to work expediently to establish both
programs as soon as possible.
EDA shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations the
report required in the fiscal year 2014 appropriations act on
the status of loan guarantees as soon as possible. The report
shall include a plan to establish, implement, and oversee loan
guarantee programs including details on any necessary staff
hiring, external expertise sought and utilized, and steps to
ensure the programs remain solvent in the out years. EDA is
directed to move forward with implementation of the loan
guarantee programs expeditiously, and preparation of this
report should not delay progress. EDA shall report to the
Committee the status of the loan guarantee programs every 180
days following the initial report until both loan guarantee
programs are fully operational.
Inconsistencies in Grant Review Process.--In a February
2014 report titled: ``Economic Development Administration:
Documentation of Award Selection Decisions Could Be Improved,''
GAO found significant inconsistencies in EDA's grant review
process. In particular, the report called into question methods
used by EDA's regional offices to award grants to distressed
communities. The Committee finds this unacceptable and directs
EDA to immediately implement GAO's recommendations to resolve
these issues. Furthermore, EDA shall report to the Committee,
within 90 days of enactment of this act, on specific actions
taken to implement GAO's recommendations to ensure the grants
award process remains fair and transparent across EDA's
regional offices.
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms.--The Committee again
rejects the administration's proposal to cut funding for Trade
Adjustment Assistance Centers [TAACs]. Trade Adjustment
Assistance for Firms is a small but effective program. The
Committee agrees that there is room for improvement in the
management and administration of the program and centers, but
notes that eliminating a significant portion of the program
does not solve these institutional problems.
The Committee appreciates EDA's efforts to improve its
metrics across all programs and directs the agency to continue
developing and implementing a success-based model of
performance measurement for TAACs and other EDA grantees.
However, the Committee is also concerned about issues raised in
the GAO report titled ``Trade Adjustment Assistance: Commerce
Program has Helped Manufacturing and Services Firms, but
Measures, Data, and Funding Formula Could Improve.'' GAO found
inconsistencies in EDA's data collection across TAACs. The
Committee believes that EDA should systematically maintain data
collected by TAACs about assisted firms in an easily accessible
format, such as a database, that can be used by regions and
headquarters. EDA shall also provide appropriate guidance
regarding specific measures TAACs should be tracking, including
metrics that assess program outcomes. Additionally, the
Committee directs EDA to address the GAO recommendations
regarding improvements to the current funding formula for TAACs
and to brief or report to the Committee on the results. The
Committee believes that EDA should do more to ensure that
allocations of funding provided by this act for TAACs better
reflect the varied need for assistance among firms and regions.
Job Losses From Nuclear Power Plant Closures.--The
Committee notes that recent closures of nuclear power plants
throughout the United States have had a negative impact on the
economic foundations of surrounding communities, and there is
potential for additional plant closures in coming years.
Research shows that the long-term economic impacts and job
losses from nuclear power plant closures are substantial and
difficult to address. The Committee believes that the EDA
should help identify and develop best practices to aid
communities facing nuclear power plant closures, including the
coordination of economic development efforts across multiple
States or Economic Development Districts.
Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Program
[IMCP].--The Committee acknowledges the administration's recent
announcement designating 12 regions as ``manufacturing
communities'' through EDA's Investing in Manufacturing
Communities Partnership [IMCP] program. The Committee remains
disappointed that the Department proceeded with IMCP activities
in spite of the Committee's rejection of proposed funding for
such purposes in fiscal year 2014. No funding has been provided
for the IMCP program in fiscal year 2015.
It is the view of the Committee that IMCP, as proposed,
does not constitute a coherent, well-designed program that
meets the needs of the varied and diverse communities
traditionally served by EDA. Moreover, in developing the
proposal, the administration overlooked and even cut funding
for existing EDA programs that accomplish similar goals in an
effort to create a new economic development program. The
Committee believes that the administration should have worked
within EDA's existing structure to develop a comprehensive
strategy to share and integrate best practices for economic
planning while aiding communities across the country to
maintain consistency with EDA's core mission and authorization.
The Committee remains concerned with the underlying premise
of IMCP, which selects a limited number of communities for
special assistance through an incentive structure that affects
grant programs across the Federal Government. This new
structure awards ``extra credit'' to a select number of chosen
communities applying for Federal grants, rather than putting
all distressed communities on equal footing. In addition, the
Committee is concerned that distressed regions not chosen for
the IMCP program could be further disadvantaged through the
IMCP incentive structure that provides favored treatment for
designated communities.
EDA shall provide a report to the Committee not later than
90 days after the enactment of this act detailing a plan to
better utilize existing programs to assist various types of
distressed communities across the country using a bottom-up,
demand-driven approach to manufacturing investment.
Additionally, the report shall include a comprehensive strategy
to share and integrate best practices for economic development
planning to attract new manufacturing investments to distressed
communities across the country.
Coordinated Environmental Reviews.--A March 2014 GAO report
titled ``Additional Actions Needed to Better Support Tribal
Efforts'' raised concerns about the multiple environmental
reviews required by Federal agencies that fund development
projects. The Committee encourages EDA to work with the
Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce
duplication in the environmental review process.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $37,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 38,182,000
Committee recommendation................................ 37,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $37,000,000 for
salaries and expenses. The recommendation is the same as the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $1,182,000 below the budget
request.
Staffing Decisions.--The Committee directs EDA to provide a
report to the Committee within 30 days of enactment of this act
detailing the geographic distribution of mission-critical staff
vacancies in regional offices and geographic areas in need of
additional staffing due to the size and location of respective
jurisdictions. The report shall specifically address the wide
geographic coverage areas for some Economic Development
Representatives and Economic Development Specialists and any
increasing demands for services in areas with vast distances
between jurisdictions. EDA shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations every 180 days thereafter on mission-critical
vacancies in regional offices, including the specific location
of each vacancy; a description of each vacant position and its
associated responsibilities and geographic coverage, if
applicable; and the amount of time the position has been
vacant.
The Committee notes that the information submitted in
response to the fiscal year 2014 reporting requirement on
mission-critical vacancies was submitted several months late
and did not contain all of the requested information. EDA is
directed to submit this report on time and to include all
information listed above.
Minority Business Development Agency
MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $28,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 28,286,000
Committee recommendation................................ 28,286,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $28,286,000 for the
Minority Business Development Agency [MBDA]. The recommendation
is $286,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and is the
same as the budget request. MBDA is the only Federal agency
dedicated to promoting the growth of minority-owned firms and
assists small, medium, and large minority business enterprises
increase revenues and create jobs.
New MBDA Centers.--The Committee commends MBDA for its
efforts to reduce administrative expenses. MBDA used these
savings to award funding for seven new MBDA Business Centers in
fiscal year 2013.
Export Opportunities for Minority-Owned Businesses.--The
Committee recognizes the important services that MBDA provides
to minority-owned businesses in every State and encourages MBDA
to continue working with the International Trade Administration
in pursuit of increased export opportunities and export-related
jobs for minority-owned businesses, including small- and
medium-sized enterprises.
Economic and Statistical Analysis
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $99,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 111,033,000
Committee recommendation................................ 106,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $106,000,000 for
Economic and Statistical Analysis [ESA]. The recommendation is
$7,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$5,033,000 below the budget request. ESA conducts research to
provide a better understanding of the U.S. economy, which helps
Government make more informed policy decisions.
Lease Negotiation.--The Committee recognizes the
significant cost of the Bureau of Economic Analysis's [BEA]
upcoming lease negotiation and directs BEA to work with the
General Services Administration to find the most cost-effective
move or renovation option without precluding the possibility of
a future move into the Herbert C. Hoover Building, which is
currently under renovation. BEA is directed to brief the
Committee on the status of the lease negotiation,
reconfiguration requirements, and moving costs within 60 days
of enactment of this act and every 180 days thereafter until
BEA is housed in the newly leased space.
Propane Pricing Analysis.--The Committee is aware of
difficulties encountered in the analysis of propane pricing
data pursuant to the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 6408(a). The
Committee encourages ESA to identify other sources of data that
may be available to enable the Secretary to carry out the
responsibilities of 15 U.S.C. 6408(a) and, using any statutory
or other authorities available, restart the annual analysis of
propane prices. Further, the Committee directs the Secretary to
provide a report detailing the Department's progress on this
effort not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this act, including any recommended legislative changes to the
authorizing statute.
Bureau of the Census
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $945,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,211,428,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,148,944,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,148,944,000 for
the Census Bureau. The recommendation is $203,944,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $62,484,000 below the budget
request.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $252,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 248,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 252,200,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $252,200,000 for
salaries and expenses. The recommendation is $200,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $4,200,000 above the budget
request. This account provides for the salaries and expenses
associated with the statistical programs of the Bureau of the
Census, including measurement of the Nation's economy and the
demographic characteristics of the population.
The increase above the request shall be used to expand the
sample of the Current Population Survey's Annual Social and
Economic Supplement, which shall compare health insurance
statistics to baseline data from 2010 and 2013. In collecting
additional health insurance data, the Census Bureau is directed
to ensure that it maintains sufficient comparative data points
to allow for data collected from 2010 to 2013 in the interest
of preserving statistical rigor.
PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $693,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 963,428,000
Committee recommendation................................ 896,744,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $896,744,000 for
periodic censuses and programs. The recommendation is
$203,744,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$66,684,000 below the budget request.
This account provides for the constitutionally mandated
decennial census as well as other programs that are cyclical in
nature. Additionally, individual surveys are conducted for
other Federal agencies on a reimbursable basis.
Oversight of Periodic Census Programs.--The Committee's
recommendation provides $1,551,000 for the Office of Inspector
General [OIG] to continue oversight and audits of periodic
censuses and to provide the Bureau and Congress with
independent recommendations for improving operations, which
will be useful for oversight of the 2020 decennial census. The
Committee directs the Bureau to continue to incorporate all of
the OIG's recommendations as it transitions into the 2020
decennial, including: a thorough review of the training
process; better communication of Census' various enumeration
practices; increased transparency and accuracy of budget
formulations; and the development of a realistic research and
testing schedule leading up to major 2020 design decisions.
Monthly Status Reports.--Census is directed to continue its
dashboard monthly status reports to the Committee as it
transitions into preparations for the 2020 decennial.
Working Capital Fund [WCF].--The Committee expects the
Bureau to execute the funding to the fullest extent possible
without any carryover balances. The Committee directs the
Bureau to continue to use the WCF only as a repository for
reimbursable funds from other agencies and to obligate and
execute that funding expeditiously. The Census Bureau shall
provide a report to the Committee within 30 days after
enactment of this act regarding balances in the Working Capital
Fund including carryover funds, the intended uses of those
funds, and a spending plan. The spending plan shall include
collections and obligations for both reimbursable and
appropriated funding.
2020 Decennial Census.--Controlling costs for the 2020
decennial census remains a top oversight concern for the
Committee. The Bureau shall continue to bring down the cost of
the 2020 decennial census to a level less than the 2010 census
and to work toward spending less than the 2000 census, not
adjusting for inflation. The Committee has not yet received the
report mandated in the fiscal year 2014 appropriations act
regarding the Bureau's plan to reduce spending compared to the
2010 decennial census and descriptions of any challenges the
Bureau anticipates could prevent it from achieving the
budgetary goal. The Census Bureau is directed to prioritize
spending for activities that have the greatest potential to
reduce cost and reduce risk for the 2020 census.
Administrative Records.--One way the Census Bureau plans to
save money during the 2020 decennial census cycle is by using
existing records and data to reduce unnecessary and costly
duplication, including using administrative records to update
the Master Address File and to conduct more efficient non-
response follow up. However, the Committee is concerned that
the Census Bureau is counting on these cost savings without
adequately or accurately assessing the steps that need to be
taken in order to secure access to this data. The Bureau is
directed to work expeditiously with Federal, State, tribal,
local, and other partners to obtain the necessary records. The
Bureau shall report to the Committee and to the Office of
Inspector General within 90 days of enactment of this act on
its need for, and access to, specific administrative records
for the 2020 census.
Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing.--The
Committee recognizes the Bureau's need to develop a more
efficient and secure data processing system well in advance of
the 2020 census and supports the request level for the Census
Enterprise Data Collection and Processing [CEDCaP] initiative.
This initiative will create a single enterprise data system
that can be scaled up for the decennial census and scaled down
during years that require less data processing capacity. The
long-term maintenance, operation, and security costs of the new
CEDCaP system are expected to be lower than the cost of
maintaining, operating, and securing the current series of
redundant, single-use systems.
The Committee also directs the Census Bureau to take
appropriate steps to ensure that cost estimates and
implementation timelines are accurate and that the new system
is fully secured against cyber attack or intrusion before it
becomes operational. The Bureau is directed to cooperate with
the Office of Inspector General on all oversight activities for
this system and shall brief the Committee on the development
and implementation schedule for CEDCaP no less than 60 days
after enactment of this act.
Web-based Questionnaires.--The Committee directs the Bureau
to continue to incorporate a Web-based version of its census
forms, including the American Community Survey, when planning
for the 2020 decennial census. Such digital tools will likely
ensure a more complete initial response and reduce the need for
nonresponse follow-up work, which is the most expensive phase
of census operations. In planning and creating such a tool,
Census is further directed to use the best cybersecurity
practices and protocols to ensure personal information remains
secure and confidential.
American Community Survey [ACS].--The Committee directs the
Bureau to continue using the ACS as a test bed for innovative
survey and data processing techniques that will help to save
money and reduce risk during the 2020 census cycle.
Additionally, the Committee directs the Census Bureau to
continue to provide an updated report to the Committee no later
than 120 days after enactment of this act on efforts to
evaluate questions included in the ACS, and the steps being
taken by the ombudsman position established by the Census
Bureau in fiscal year 2013 to ensure that the ACS is conducted
as efficiently and unobtrusively as possible.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $46,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 51,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 48,500,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $48,500,000 for the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
[NTIA] salaries and expenses. The recommendation is $2,500,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $2,500,000 below
the budget request.
The Committee retains language from previous years allowing
the Secretary of Commerce to collect reimbursements from other
Federal agencies for a portion of the cost resulting from the
coordination of spectrum management, analysis, and operations.
NTIA shall submit a report to the Committee no later than June
1, 2015, detailing the collection of reimbursements from other
agencies. The Committee directs NTIA to continue monitoring
broadband grants to ensure that funds are used appropriately by
recipients.
Broadband.--The Committee supports the request to continue
monitoring existing broadband grants and directs NTIA to ensure
that funds are used appropriately by recipients.
Spectrum Management.--The Committee directs NTIA to
continue to evaluate options for repurposing spectrum for
broadband use in support of the President's goal of making 500
MHz of spectrum available for wireless broadband use. The
Committee directs NTIA to provide the Committee with a status
update of making 500 MHz of spectrum available for commercial
mobile use including: how much spectrum has been freed up from
Federal agencies for exclusive commercial mobile use to date;
how much revenue has been generated from spectrum freed up to
date; and the strategy for freeing up additional spectrum from
Federal agencies for exclusive commercial mobile use in order
to meet the National Broadband Plan's goal of making all 500
MHz available for commercial mobile use by 2020, including
costs to Federal agencies for relocation and associated reserve
potential.
Internet Policy Center.--The Committee is concerned with
the proposed creation of the Internet Policy Center [IPC],
which would require an additional $7,500,000 and 11 employees
to coordinate policy development within the Government related
to the Internet and telecommunications infrastructure,
technology, and services. As the lead agency for the Federal
Government representing the Nation's interests in the
governance and operations of the Internet, such activities
should already be undertaken by NTIA as part of that
responsibility. Should NTIA choose to initiate the IPC, or
parts of the IPC, the agency may only do so from within funds
provided and shall identify such activities in the agency's
spending plan to the Committee.
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
[ICANN].--The Committee remains concerned that the Department
of Commerce, through NTIA, has not been a strong advocate for
American companies and consumers and urges greater
participation and advocacy within the Governmental Advisory
Committee [GAC] and any other mechanisms within ICANN in which
NTIA is a participant. The Committee strongly encourages NTIA
to be an active supporter for the interests of the Nation
within ICANN and to ensure that the principles of
accountability, transparency, security, and stability of the
Internet are maintained for consumers, business, and the
Government. The Committee awaits the past due report on NTIA's
plans for greater involvement in the GAC and the efforts it is
undertaking to protect U.S. consumers, companies, and
intellectual property.
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.--The Committee
understands NTIA's plans to transition the agency's technical
stewardship of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority [IANA]
and is asking ICANN to convene a multi-stakeholder process to
develop a transition plan that will maintain an open,
transparent, and internationally supported process. However,
the Committee is concerned that NTIA's move could lead to other
government or inter-governmental control over IANA and
subsequently the Internet. While NTIA has stated that it will
not accept a proposal that includes government-led or
intergovernmental control over ICANN, the Committee directs
NTIA to conduct a thorough review and analysis of any proposed
transition of the IANA contract. This review shall ensure that
ICANN has in place a NTIA approved multi-stakeholder oversight
plan that is insulated from foreign government and inter-
governmental control. Further, the Committee directs NTIA to
report quarterly to the Committee on all aspects of the
privatization process and further directs NTIA to inform the
Committee, as well as the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, not less than 7 days in advance of any decision
with respect to a successor contract.
FirstNet.--The Committee supports the transfer of
$1,400,000 from FirstNet to the Department of Commerce's
Inspector General for the purposes of oversight and
accountability of FirstNet. The Committee encourages FirstNet
to report on the cost efficiencies of using deployable and
self-contained architectures that operate with and without
backhaul capabilities which include fiber, microwave, and
satellite services in FirstNet deployment.
PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, PLANNING, AND CONSTRUCTION
The Committee provides bill language allowing the NTIA to
continue oversight and administration of previously awarded
grants. NTIA shall not use unobligated balances to award new
grants.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $3,024,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 3,458,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,458,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $3,458,000,000 for
the United States Patent and Trademark Office [USPTO], which is
$434,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget request, to be derived from offsetting fee
collections.
USPTO is the central hub of an innovation-friendly
Government. USPTO examines patent applications, grants patent
protection for qualified inventions, and disseminates
technological information disclosed in patents. USPTO also
examines trademark applications and provides Federal
registration to owners of qualified trademarks.
Budget Execution.--The Committee continues to allow USPTO
full access to patent and trademark fees and provides language
allowing USPTO to retain any revenue in excess of appropriated
levels.
Transfer to Office of Inspector General.--The Committee
provides $2,000,000 for the Office of Inspector General [OIG]
to continue oversight and audits of USPTO operations and budget
transparency, and USPTO is directed to work with the Department
of Commerce to implement all OIG recommendations.
Fee Collections Projections.--The Committee directs the
USPTO to continue to provide quarterly reports on its projected
fee collections, and to notify the Committee during any month
when significant changes in such projections prompt serious
concern or require drastic budgetary responses. It is
imperative that USPTO balance sustainable operations with
realistic revenue and judicious reserve spending.
Reprogramming and Spend Plan.--USPTO is required to
continue to follow the reprogramming procedures outlined in
section 505 of this act before using excess fee collections to
forward fund expenses beyond fiscal year 2015. Any deviations
from the funding distribution provided for, including carryover
balances, are subject to the standard reprogramming procedures
set forth in section 505 of this act. USPTO is directed to
provide, as part of the spending plan required in section 534
of this act, all carryover balances from previous fiscal years,
and a description of any changes to the patent or trademark fee
structure. Any changes from the spending plan shall also be
subject to section 505 of this act. USPTO is directed to submit
all reprogramming requests, spending plans and budget
justifications to the Committee through the Department of
Commerce.
Hiring.--The Committee supports USPTO's plan to hire 1,000
new patent examiners in each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
This hiring will keep USPTO on track to reach its target
pendency goals for patent decisions of 10 months for first
action and 20 months for final action in fiscal year 2019.
Patent Reviews.--The Committee urges USPTO to increase the
quality of patent reviews by continuing to increase the level
of industry expertise the agency retains on staff, including
exploring innovative solutions such as engaging and employing
retired industry experts on a part-time basis. The Committee
also strongly encourages USPTO to reduce ambiguity in patent
decisions by increasing examiner training regarding the
appropriate use of rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112 (a) and (b),
which dictate that the patent applicant more thoroughly defend
the invention by describing it as fully, clearly, and exactly
as possible, and by distinctly delineating its bounds at the
time of application submission to USPTO.
Satellite Offices.--The Committee maintains support for
USPTO's nationwide workforce program and the establishment of
satellite offices. The Committee's recommendation will support
allowing existing satellite offices to occupy permanent
facilities. Additionally, the Committee recognizes the value of
creating additional satellite offices in regions with a high
volume of patents filed and issued to provide increased access
to patent seekers. When selecting locations for additional
satellite offices, the Committee directs USPTO to consider the
regional volume of patent activity, geographic distribution of
existing satellite offices, availability of donated space for
satellite offices within a geographic area not currently served
by USPTO, access to transportation options, and proximity to
universities and patent experts.
Reducing Patent Application Fees.--The Committee supports
USPTO's decision to pursue lower application fees for patent
applications submitted online. This will reduce costs for
inventors and businesses applying for patent protections and
increase overall efficiency at USPTO.
Intellectual Property Rights Attaches.--In addition to
granting patents and registering trademarks, USPTO works to
protect and promote the protection of American intellectual
property domestically and overseas. USPTO advises the White
House and all Federal agencies on national and international
intellectual property policy issues and is authorized to
provide guidance, conduct programs and studies, and otherwise
interact with foreign intellectual property offices and
international intergovernmental organizations on matters
involving the protection of intellectual property.
An important component of USPTO's international efforts is
the Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] Attache Program. IPR
Attaches, stationed in eight countries, promote U.S. Government
IPR policy internationally, help secure strong and balanced IP
protections in international agreements and host country laws,
and otherwise encourage strong and balanced IPR protection and
enforcement by U.S. trading partners for the benefit of U.S.
stakeholders. The Committee encourages efforts within the
Department of Commerce and the administration to strengthen the
IPR Attache Program by, among other actions, elevating the
diplomatic rank of the individuals serving as Attaches and
ensuring sufficient funding to support their efforts.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $850,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 900,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 900,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $900,000,000 for
the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST]. The
recommendation is $50,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and the same as the budget request. Up to
$9,000,000 may be transferred from the Scientific and Technical
Research and Services account to the Working Capital Fund.
NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial
competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards,
and technology in ways that enhance economic security and
improve our quality of life.
A description of each NIST account and the corresponding
Committee recommendation follows in the subsequent three
headings.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $651,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 680,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 685,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $685,000,000 for
NIST research and services. The recommendation is $34,000,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $5,000,000 above
the budget request.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee supports the administration's
request for cybersecurity activities within NIST, which
includes: $15,000,000 for the National Cybersecurity Center of
Excellence [NCCoE]; $16,500,000 for the National Strategy for
Trusted Identities in Cyberspace including further pilots; and
$4,000,000 for the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education in order to address the need for a well-trained
cybersecurity workforce. In addition, the Committee provides no
less than $60,700,000 for cybersecurity research and
development, an increase of $5,000,000 above the fiscal year
2014 level for cryptographic standards.
The Committee expects the NCCoE to evolve into a technology
transfer hub for cyber solutions derived from Government and
private sector tools. As companies continue to partner and
coordinate with NCCoE, the Committee encourages NIST to create
a plan for increasing innovation opportunities by encouraging
companies to co-locate near the Center. In order to maximize
opportunities for collaboration with academia and business, the
Committee encourages NIST to execute its responsibilities as
coordinator of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education through the NCCoE.
The Nation's retail sector is increasingly vulnerable to
and targeted by cyber-attacks that seek both private customer
data and valuable intellectual property and which threaten the
growing e-commerce marketplace. In order to assist the retail
sector to innovate and stay ahead of evolving threats, the
Committee encourages the NCCoE to build upon existing industry-
sector focused work to create an initiative focused on retail
sector challenges and solutions in addition to existing public-
private partnerships and initiatives focused on the health,
energy and financial sectors.
The Center should seek partnerships with national leaders
in retail information technology [IT] security who have shown a
willingness to innovate and involve their integrated supplier
networks, as well as academic entities with experience in
retail cybersecurity and retail supply chain management and
logistics. The goal of this public-private partnership should
be to enable cheaper and more widespread integration of
advanced cybersecurity tools developed by the Federal
Government for defense and homeland security applications to
protect online financial transactions and retail IT networks.
The Committee encourages DOC to fund multidisciplinary
programs of study and research that focus on tackling
cybersecurity issues on a global scale. When establishing
criteria for external grant funding, consideration should only
be given to institutions of higher education, including
community colleges, designated by the National Security Agency
as Centers of Academic Excellence for Information Assurance
Education and Centers for Academic Excellence for Information
Assurance Research.
Lab-to-Market Technology Transfer.--More than
$135,000,000,000 in Federal research and development (R&D)
spending is requested government-wide for fiscal year 2015. In
order to maximize the impact of Federal R&D, the Committee has
included the full budget request of $6,000,000 for Lab-to-
Market Technology Transfer. This funding will allow NIST to
develop and disseminate best practices and strategies to
accelerate the transfer and commercialization of Federal
technologies to help discoveries become companies that create
jobs and expand the economy. This initiative shall coordinate
with the NCCoE to help promote cybersecurity technology
transfer through NIST's cybersecurity hub.
Centers of Excellence.--The Committee includes the budget
request level of $15,000,000 to support Centers of Excellence
selected in fiscal year 2013 and to be selected in fiscal year
2014 that produce collaborations between NIST, academic, and
industry specialists on research focused on innovations in
measurement science and new technology developments.
The Committee encourages NIST to propose funding to create
an appropriate number of new centers of excellence in future
fiscal years, including centers in fields such as advanced
photonics, cryptography, and technologies associated with
ribonucleic acid.
Forensic Science.--In addition to the funding requested to
be provided to the Department of Justice and transferred to
NIST, the Committee supports the full request for measurement
science and standards in support of forensic science, an
increase of $3,500,000 above fiscal year 2014, and directs NIST
to continue to coordinate its activities with the Department of
Justice and the National Science Foundation.
Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence.--Digital
evidence is information stored or transmitted in digital form,
including emails, the contents of computer memory, Internet
browser histories, and many other items. Scientific Working
Groups [SWG] consist of scientific subject-matter experts who
collaborate to determine best practices and to develop
consensus standards with the goal of improving the processes
within a particular area of forensic science. The complex,
diverse, and rapidly evolving technological advances of digital
technologies dictates the need for a SWG in this field that is
integrated into the Organization of Scientific Area Committees
[OSAC] to establish consensus standards and guidelines to
improve quality and consistency of forensic science practices
for digital evidence.
The Committee understands that the memorandum of
understanding between NIST and the Department of Justice
specifically prohibits the establishment of a SWG for digital
evidence under the new NIST structure and disagrees with this
prohibition. The Committee therefore directs NIST to establish
a SWG for digital evidence within the OSAC. The NIST-supported
Digital Evidence SWG should develop a transition plan to ensure
that the members and expertise of the Justice-supported SWG can
be transitioned and fully integrated into the overall OSAC
process.
Urban Dome Program.--The Committee notes the value of
NIST's Urban Dome program and the importance of accurate
measurement science for environmental monitoring and human
health as more than half the world's population is living in
urban areas, a level of concentration expected to intensify
over the coming decades. The Committee has included an
additional $2,000,000 for the Office of Special Programs to
expand the number of urban dome locations in fiscal year 2015.
The Committee expects a plan on the Urban Dome program
including anticipated outcomes, inclusion of additional U.S.
cities over the next 5 years, ways the United States can enlist
the support of international partners for comparable efforts in
other countries, and any plan for transitioning research to
operations, including transitioning operations to another
Government agency within the next 3 fiscal years. This plan
should be submitted within 60 days of enactment of this act.
Facility Security.--The Committee continues to provide
funding for NIST to maintain security operations for its
laboratories and facilities. The Federal Protective Services
[FPS] has previously proposed to take over NIST's security
operations, yet the Committee has not received a plan from the
administration that would detail the transfer of security
funding and responsibility from NIST to FPS. Therefore, the
Committee does not grant such a transfer during fiscal year
2015.
STEM Education.--The Committee continues to support NIST's
activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics [STEM] Education and fully funds its activities
authorized under 15 U.S.C. 278g-2a.
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $143,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 161,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 156,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $156,000,000 for
Industrial Technology Services. The recommendation is
$13,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$5,000,000 less than the budget request. Supporting the
Nation's manufacturers, especially small businesses, is
critical to keeping America innovative in a global marketplace.
The Committee's recommendation provides $141,000,000 for the
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program and
$15,000,000 for the Advanced Manufacturing Consortia.
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program
[MEP].--The Committee recommends the full request of
$141,000,000 for MEP. The Committee supports the MEP focus on
strengthening the existing network of MEP centers and providing
additional support to centers based on the documented
performance of the center's activities and the manufacturing
capacity of the area served by the center. The Committee
encourages centers, as appropriate, to support efforts to
reshore manufacturing operations and jobs.
Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AmTech) Consortia.--
Initial funding for AmTech was provided in fiscal year 2013.
The program's current activities include planning and small
grants for industry-led consortia, which will identify and
prioritize research projects supporting long term industrial
research needs. The Committee reiterates its earlier view that
there is no significant distinction between the AmTech
consortia and the proposed National Network for Manufacturing
Innovation [NNMI] institutes.
While NNMI has not been authorized, the Committee
recognizes that the Department of Defense and the Department of
Energy have begun investments in mission-related NNMI pilot
institutes using discretionary funding, and NIST is responsible
for coordinating these efforts through the Advanced
Manufacturing National Program Office. The Committee has not
provided the $5,000,000 requested in the budget for NNMI
coordination activities, but rather directs NIST to fund NNMI-
related activities through AmTech, as in fiscal years 2013 and
2014. No funds are requested or provided for new NNMI pilot
institutes. The Committee directs NIST to report, within 60
days of enactment, on the AmTech-related resources necessary in
fiscal year 2015 and the resources it expects to need in future
years to support the existing NNMI institutes and any potential
growth should NNMI authorization legislation be enacted.
CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $56,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 59,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 59,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $59,000,000 for
construction of research facilities. The recommendation is
$3,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget request.
The recommendation funds the highest priority construction,
maintenance, and repair projects at NIST, including planning
for renovation of Building 245. The Committee encourages NIST
to include full funding to complete high priority projects like
Building 245 renovation in the fiscal year 2016 request and
directs NIST to provide quarterly reports on the status of all
construction projects.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $5,314,606,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 5,488,735,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,420,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $5,420,000,000 for
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. The
recommendation is $105,394,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $68,735,000 below the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation for NOAA maintains a
balanced science and research portfolio that encompasses all
aspects of our oceans, coasts, and weather, while managing
current fiscal constraints. The Committee has provided modest
but sufficient increases to all of NOAA's line offices in an
effort to advance research and operations while providing a
necessary boost to NOAA's acquisitions accounts including
supporting the requested increases for improving weather
information technology infrastructure and the construction of
our next generation of weather satellites.
OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $3,157,392,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 3,237,993,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,228,964,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $3,228,964,000 for
NOAA's operations, research, and facilities. The recommendation
is $71,572,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$9,029,000 below the budget request.
NOAA NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
The Committee's recommendation provides $489,787,000 for
the National Ocean Service [NOS]. NOS programs provide
scientific, technical, and management expertise to promote safe
navigation; assess the health of coastal and marine resources;
respond to natural and human-induced threats; and preserve the
coastal, ocean and global environments.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation, Observations and Positioning:
Navigation, Observations and Positioning........... 141,876
Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts........... 25,250
Integrated Ocean Observing System--Regional 29,500
Observations......................................
----------------
Total, Navigation, Observations and Positioning.. 196,626
================
Coastal Science and Assessment:
Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and 71,613
Restoration.......................................
Competitive External Research...................... 10,000
----------------
Total, Coastal Science and Assessment............ 81,613
================
Ocean and Coastal Management and Services:
Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and 43,274
Restoration.......................................
Coastal Management Grants.......................... 71,646
Coral Reef Program................................. 26,078
National Estuarine Research Reserve System......... 21,550
National Marine Sanctuaries........................ 49,000
----------------
Total, Ocean and Coastal Management and Services. 211,548
================
GRAND TOTAL NOS.................................. 489,787
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation, Observations and Positioning.--The Committee
supports the administration's request for activities under
Navigation, Observations and Positioning, including the full
operational funding for NOAA's Navigation Response Teams. A
total of $25,250,000 is provided for Hydrographic Survey
Contracts, which is $250,000 above the request. The Committee
directs NOAA to report within 60 days of enactment on progress
made to survey and prepare navigational information for the
Bering Straits region and the Arctic. NOAA is further directed
to report on hydrographic activities planned for fiscal year
2015, including: vessels to be utilized, the areas to be
surveyed, and the remaining gaps in the Arctic region.
The Committee provides $3,700,000 within Navigation,
Observations and Positioning to continue the competitive
Geospatial Modeling Grants Program of which all funding shall
be distributed externally.
The Committee provides $5,500,000 for the Physical
Oceanographic Real-Time System [PORTS]. The Committee believes
these operations, which exist as a partnership between NOAA and
local port authorities, are extremely valuable tools for
providing information for safe vessel navigation and data for
weather and coastal monitoring. The Committee encourages NOAA
to request funding that reflects the totality of the program's
costs, including operations and maintenance as authorized by
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (Public Law 110-386) in
future budget submissions.
The Committee supports the requested level and intended use
of funds for Hydrographic Research and Technology Development.
The Committee provides an additional $300,000 for NOAA to
designate joint ocean and coastal mapping centers in other
areas of the country to be co-located with an institution of
higher education as authorized by the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). The Committee is
disappointed that NOAA has yet to provide the report requested
by the Committee in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014
(Public Law 113-76) on the agency's plans to designate two
additional joint ocean and coastal mapping centers, and directs
NOAA to expedite delivery of this report.
For fiscal year 2015, the Committee supports NOAA's
Alliance for Coastal Technologies [ACT] given the program's
valuable expertise in marine sensor technology development. The
Committee directs NOAA to maintain full funding for ACT within
the National Ocean Service.
Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and Restoration.--
Within the funds provided for Coastal Science, Assessment,
Response and Restoration, $2,500,000 shall be for operations
and staffing of the Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center
[DRC], of which up to $500,000 may be used to support
authorized activities, carried out at the DRC, for the Gulf
Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which was established by
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321). The
DRC shall serve as the Gulf Coast hub for NOAA's emergency
preparedness, response, and recovery operations which
complement the mission of the Restoration Council.
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science [NCCOS].--The
Committee maintains strong support for NCCOS and the services
that the various centers provide. As such, the Committee
rejects NOAA's proposal to consolidate NCCOS facilities and
instead continues funding for all existing labs in fiscal year
2015.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
act, NOAA shall provide a report to the Committee outlining
options to avoid unnecessary costs associated with maintaining
a presence at the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and
Biomolecular Research [CCEHBR] without significantly disrupting
the ongoing partnership at the Hollings Marine Laboratory
[HML]. In developing the report, NOAA shall consult and
coordinate with representatives from each partner organization
that is party to the Joint Project Agreement at HML.
With regard to the Beaufort NCCOS lab, NOAA may explore
options for transferring the lab and associated funding to a
different line office outside of the National Ocean Service in
future budget requests while ensuring that the important
research conducted at the lab continues.
The Committee notes that NCCOS provides valuable services
to the Nation by leveraging internal expertise and extramural
research. However, the West and Gulf Coasts of the United
States currently lack a NCCOS presence, especially in the Gulf
Coast where the National Ocean Service has shared
responsibility over NOAA's RESTORE Act Science Program. As part
of its 90-day report, NOAA shall include plans on how NCCOS
could increase its presence on the West Coast and the Gulf
Coast. The Committee encourages NOAA to leverage partnerships
when planning these NCCOS expansions including through the co-
location of NCCOS staff and research equipment at university
and non-profit research facilities on the West and Gulf coasts
currently carrying out activities consistent with the goals of
NCCOS.
Marine Debris.--The Committee supports the requested level
for NOAA's Marine Debris Program, but is concerned that NOAA
has placed insufficient emphasis on efforts to clean up and
dispose of marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese
tsunami. Within the funds provided, NOAA shall give priority to
clean-up and disposal activities on Federal lands within States
inundated with debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.
Additional consideration should be given to marine debris
projects in urban communities that include the removal of
abandoned vessels and pilings that harm the ecosystem and
hinder recreational fishing.
Coastal Zone Management and Services.--Within the increased
funds for Coastal Zone Management and Services, the Committee
encourages NOAA's Coastal Services Center to conduct research,
provide services, and conduct educational programs to better
prepare our citizens for disasters, both natural and man-made.
Coastal Management Grants.--The Committee supports the
requested funding levels for Coastal Zone Management Grants and
Regional Coastal Resilience Grants.
National Marine Sanctuary System.--Among the ongoing
responsibilities of the Office of National Marine Sanctuary
[ONMS] is the preservation and conservation of artifacts
recovered from cultural resource sites within its boundaries,
including the USS Monitor, which was designated as the first
National Marine Sanctuary in 1975. Proper conservation of
maritime artifacts can take years, and ONMS does not embark on
such long-term commitments without crafting proper management
plans and securing conservation agreements with its Federal and
non-Federal partners. ONMS is directed to remain a good steward
of these historic assets and that existing commitments and
responsibilities are met before pursuing new ones.
NOAA NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
The Committee's recommendation provides $836,192,000 for
the National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS]. NMFS programs
provide for the management and conservation of the Nation's
living marine resources and their environment, including fish
stocks, marine mammals, and endangered species. Using science-
based conservation, management, and restoration activities,
these resources can benefit the Nation on a sustained basis.
NMFS seeks to build sustainable fisheries, recover protected
species, and sustain healthy coastal ecosystems and the
communities that depend on them.
Committee recommendations are displayed in the following
table:
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protected Species Research and Management:
Protected Species Research and Management Programs 39,200
Base.............................................
Species Recovery Grants........................... 5,000
Marine Mammal Protection.......................... 49,000
Other Protected Species........................... 10,200
Marine Turtles.................................... 12,200
Atlantic Salmon................................... 6,000
Pacific Salmon.................................... 60,000
-----------------
Total, Protected Species Research and Management 181,600
=================
Fisheries Research and Management:
Fisheries Research and Management Programs........ 177,000
National Catch Share Program...................... 25,000
Pacific Coast Groundfish Capacity Reduction....... 300
Expand Annual Stock Assessments................... 72,000
Economics and Social Sciences Research............ 7,417
Salmon Management Activities...................... 30,200
Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions....... 32,738
Fisheries Statistics.............................. 22,000
Fish Information Networks......................... 22,000
Survey and Monitoring Projects.................... 24,200
Fisheries Oceanography............................ 2,179
American Fisheries Act............................ 3,782
Interjurisdictional Fisheries Grants.............. 2,502
National Standard 8............................... 1,001
Reducing Bycatch.................................. 3,508
Product Quality and Safety........................ 6,700
-----------------
Total, Fisheries Research and Management........ 432,527
=================
Enforcement and Observers:
Enforcement and Surveillance...................... 65,350
Observers and Training............................ 43,100
-----------------
Total, Enforcement and Observers................ 108,450
=================
Habitat Conservation and Restoration.................. 52,190
=================
Other Activities Supporting Fisheries:
Antarctic Research................................ 2,942
Aquaculture....................................... 6,000
Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity........ 2,500
Computer Hardware and Software.................... 1,805
Cooperative Research.............................. 12,080
Information Analyses & Dissemination.............. 15,100
Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment and 801
Prediction Program...............................
National Environmental Policy Act................. 6,609
NMFS Facilities Maintenance....................... 3,302
Regional Studies.................................. 10,286
-----------------
Total, Other Activities Supporting Fisheries.... 61,425
=================
GRAND TOTAL NMFS................................ 836,192
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protected Species, Marine Mammals.--The Committee supports
NMFS's mission under this activity to monitor, protect, and
recover at-risk marine mammal species who were listed under the
Endangered Species Act in 2005, but whose populations continue
to decline. The Committee directs NMFS to utilize funding for
the protection and recovery of marine mammal species at risk
due to factors such as limited prey species, water-borne toxin
accumulation, and vessel and sound impacts. The Committee
rejects the administration's proposal to reduce funding for the
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
and provides sufficient funding for Prescott grants within the
Marine Mammal Protection account.
Protected Species, Atlantic Salmon.--NOAA has identified
major threats to Atlantic salmon, including interrelated
effects of freshwater salmon habitat loss, lost prey buffering,
and marine derived nutrients from declines of co-evolved
diadromous species. Within the funds provided, the Committee
encourages NOAA to enable a broader use of funds for
restoration of diadromous species and habitat that support
salmon recovery by providing ecological functions critical to
the Atlantic salmon life cycle. The Committee also encourages
NOAA to ensure that adequate resources continue to be provided
for State agencies to effectively implement the recovery
strategy.
Protected Species, Pacific Salmon.--The Committee is
concerned that NMFS is not allocating sufficient resources to
the West Coast Region to fulfill the agency's full range of
Pacific salmon recovery and management requirements in a timely
manner. The requirements affect not only the well-being of the
species but also important natural resource management
decisions in the region such as water allocations. The
Committee directs NOAA to provide the funding necessary to
support Pacific salmon research and management activities
carried out by the West Coast Region, including, but not
limited to: Endangered Species Act compliance, reviews and
permitting; operational decision support; revisions of Pacific
salmon biological opinions; drought mitigation; drought
barriers; real-time monitoring; adaptive management programs;
and passive integrated transponder tagging programs.
Protected Species, Marine Turtles.--The Committee provides
$12,200,000 for marine turtle activities and opposes the budget
request which specifically targeted Hawaiian sea turtles for
reduced funding. The Committee reallocated $812,000 from NMFS's
Fisheries Management account to provide the balance of the
funding in fiscal year 2015 for marine turtles. The Committee
understands that fiscal constraints may lead NOAA to request
budget cuts to marine turtles, but should reduced funding be
deemed necessary in future budget requests, the Committee
directs NOAA to make such reductions equitable and not
disproportionately target specific turtle species.
Promote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research Funding
Transfer.--The bill maintains the provision restricting the use
of the Promote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research
funds transferred from the Department of Agriculture to NOAA in
a way that better meets the intended purpose of the transfer
mandated by the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. None of the funds may
be used for internal NOAA or Department of Commerce management
but rather funds may only be used for activities that directly
help U.S. fisheries and fishery communities. Specifically,
these funds may only be used for: cooperative research; annual
stock assessments; efforts to improve data collection,
including catch monitoring and reporting for commercial,
charter, and recreational fisheries; interjurisdictional
fisheries grants; and Fisheries Information Networks.
As part of the fiscal year 2015 spending plan, NOAA shall
include a clear accounting of how the Promote and Develop
transfer funds will be allocated based on the funding criteria
described in this bill.
The Committee further directs that no less than 10 percent
of the total amount of the transferred funds shall be provided
for the competitive Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant program. NOAA
shall consult with each Regional Fishery Management Council and
the Marine Fisheries Commissions to identify regional funding
priorities. Prior to the expenditure of any of these funds,
NOAA shall provide the Committee with a detailed spending plan
describing which fisheries activities will be funded in each of
the regions and how the plan incorporates regional priorities.
Red Snapper Stock Assessments.--The Committee directs NOAA
to continue taking into account the benefits provided by
artificial reefs and offshore man-made structures, such as oil
rigs and other fixed energy exploration infrastructure, when
updating stock assessments or conducting any new stock
assessments for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico under a
Fisheries Management Plan, including red snapper. Furthermore,
NOAA shall take into consideration any imbalance in the
ecosystem that may be occurring between larger red snapper and
other fish species before accepting amendments to existing
regulations or implementing new regulations that directly
affect red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Epipelagic Apex Predators.--The Committee acknowledges
growing evidence that yellowfin tuna and other epipelagic apex
predators are aggregating at offshore oil platforms in a
similar manner to their more traditional aggregation points.
These offshore platforms may alter yellowfin movements, diet,
diseases, growth, age at maturity, and spawning. However, NOAA
lacks fundamental data on how this new association may impact
these important species. Within funding provided, NOAA should
examine the impact of offshore oil platforms on the biology of
highly migratory species such as yellowfin tuna. NOAA shall
provide a report on the results of this research no later than
1 year after enactment of this act.
Marine Recreational Information Program.--Improved stock
assessments are critical to maintaining and, in some cases,
rebuilding our Nation's fisheries, which is why the Committee
has consistently provided increased funding for Annual Stock
Assessments within NMFS's budget. However, such support does
not come without accountability as the Committee monitors these
funds to ensure that they are being spent effectively.
Consequently, the Committee has serious concerns about the
accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of recreational fisheries
data collected and analyzed by NOAA's fisheries science
centers.
The Committee notes an opinion issued in March of 2014 by
the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which
found that NMFS ``failed to use the best scientific information
available,'' and carried out management actions that were
``arbitrary and capricious'' for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper
fishery. This resulted in harm to the commercial sector and
will harm the recreational sector by further restricting future
red snapper seasons for recreational anglers in the Gulf of
Mexico. In the Caribbean, 11 separate NOAA stock assessments
conducted between 2003 and 2013 failed to produce any usable
data, yet the agency continues to refuse to incorporate
additional outside data into its assessment process despite
having insufficient resources to meet demand. In the Atlantic,
erroneous data on recreational sea bass catches remain
uncorrected and unsubstantiated, and continue to propagate into
NOAA's regulations resulting in unjustified size and catch
limits.
Despite years of transition, the Marine Recreational
Information Program's [MRIP's] improvements upon the legacy
Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey have yet to be
fully realized, and reforms to MRIP that were intended to be
made years ago--such as license data audits--have yet to be
implemented. Therefore, the Committee finds that MRIP may be
inadequate to serve as the primary source of data collection
for recreational fishing used to make management decisions
throughout the country. The Committee encourages NMFS to
augment, or replace when feasible, MRIP data with data
collected from electronic reporting programs approved by
regional fishery management councils.
Furthermore, the Committee directs the Government
Accountability Office to review MRIP methodologies including
the general practices and procedures of NOAA's fisheries
science centers, to provide recommendations about how the
agency can address the specific issues associated with the
aforementioned events and improve overall coordination with all
stakeholders.
Pacific Coast Groundfish.--In the event that legislation is
enacted during fiscal year 2015 that authorizes changes to the
existing loan program that has funded the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishing capacity reduction program, the
recommendation includes up to $300,000 to support those
changes.
Salmon Management Activities.--Within the amount provided
for Salmon Management activities, the Committee recommends
$10,900,000 to enable States and tribal communities to
implement necessary Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements. The
Committee fully supports all other aspects of the budget
request for Salmon Management activities that are essential to
meeting these treaty obligations. The Committee also provides
additional funding above the request to be used for the
operation and maintenance of Mitchell Act hatcheries.
Baseline Data for Gulf of Mexico.--The Committee directs
NOAA to continue supporting baseline research for fisheries
health in the Gulf of Mexico, including studies of pelagic
species. NOAA is encouraged to increase and continue
collaborations in the gulf to establish an integrated and
comprehensive ecosystem-level fisheries monitoring enterprise
and sentinel species program.
Charter Vessels.--To help improve the quality and abundance
of fishery data used for stock assessments, the Committee
continues to encourage NOAA to expand the agency's activities
in chartering commercial fishing vessels to serve as research
and fishery survey vessels. Increasing these charter
opportunities will enlarge the geographically diverse data
collection for broad fish populations and enhance numerous
ocean research programs. Other parts of NOAA, including the
National Ocean Service and the Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research line offices, shall charter commercial
fishing vessels, when applicable, to augment ongoing survey and
research activities.
American Lobster.--The southern New England stock of
American lobster continues to decline and is under increasing
stress. Although the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission
exercises primary regulatory responsibility for this fishery,
portions of six out of seven management areas are in Federal
waters. NMFS implements complementary regulations for the
fishery in these areas, but a lack of data about the condition
of this fishery still exists. To improve coordination and
consistency, the Committee continues to direct NMFS to engage
the industry in conducting surveys and research that
complements activities undertaken by the States and directs
NOAA to report to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of
this act on its progress in working with industry on this
mandate.
Bycatch Reduction.--The development and implementation of
practical bycatch solutions is a priority for U.S. and
international fisheries management and protected species
conservation. The Committee supports the requested amount for
Reducing Bycatch, of which NMFS is directed to make $2,500,000
available for competitive grants to non-Federal researchers
working with U.S. fishermen on the development of improved
fishing practices and innovative gear technologies.
Enforcement and Observation.--The Committee is aware that
implementation of the Northeast Multispecies fishery sector
management program continues to present substantial financial
challenges to the participants as well as to the economic
sustainability of the fishery and fishing communities
throughout the region. Within the funding provided for the
National Catch Share Plan and observer coverage, the Committee
directs NMFS to provide adequate funding for at-sea and
dockside monitoring for fisheries with approved catch share
management plans that impose observer coverage as a condition
for new or expanded fishing opportunities.
Electronic Logbooks.--The Committee supports NOAA's efforts
to transition to cellular electronic logbooks and monitoring
systems, which are essential to the implementation of current
fishery regulations. Within the funds provided for NMFS, NOAA
is directed to maintain full funding for the continued
installation of new logbooks and monitoring systems during the
initial transition phase, including, but not limited to, the
Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. During the development and
implementation of electronic reporting and monitoring programs,
NOAA shall consult directly with industry and work through the
Fishery Management Councils pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1851-1852k to
develop appropriate cost-sharing arrangements.
NMFS shall continue work in fiscal year 2015 with small
boat fixed gear fleets throughout the country to implement a
cooperative research program designed to test the functionality
of available electronic monitoring systems. This cooperative
research program shall address data quality, costs, species
identification capabilities, and the reliability of hardware.
NMFS shall ensure that this effort is adequately resourced for
the fiscal year 2015 work program.
Further, NMFS is encouraged to exercise reasonable
discretion when evaluating requests by small boat fixed gear
vessels seeking a release from the requirement to carry a human
observer due to a lack of physical space or other operational
constraint. The Committee is concerned with NMFS's approach to
granting observer release based on hardship and therefore
directs the agency to grant such releases based on the actual
number of bunks on a vessel and reasonable assessment of vessel
operations with due consideration for the well-being of the
crew. The Committee encourages NMFS to support the use of
experimental fisheries permits, to continue the expeditious
development of electronic monitoring equipment and procedures,
and to use the experimental fisheries permits as the bridge
between cooperative research and the implementation of
electronic monitoring technology by regulation as a component
of the Observer Program for small boat fixed gear fleets.
In addition, within the funds provided for NMFS, $2,000,000
shall be available, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3701, for
collaborative partnerships that include non-Federal matching
funds, to implement cost-shared electronic monitoring and
reporting programs that support fisheries conservation and
management, including but not limited to, on a voluntary basis,
the for-hire recreational fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat Conservation and Restoration.--The Committee
maintains support for the consolidation of coastal habitat
programs into the Habitat Conservation and Restoration program
and supports the requested level for Fisheries Habitat
Restoration. The Committee encourages NOAA to include a
broader, ecosystem-based management philosophy, expand criteria
to include recreational species, managed commercial species,
and forage species, and prioritize proposals that engage
communities. NOAA is directed to give priority to habitat
restoration grants for river basins that are critical to the
restoration of priority fisheries, especially restoration
projects that support multistakeholder agreements, including
settlements of litigation and conflict over water management,
particularly involving the settlement of tribal water rights.
Furthermore, NOAA is encouraged to work with local communities
and tribal governments so they can engage in collaborative
management and restoration of fisheries.
Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants.--The Committee
provides an additional $10,000,000 to NMFS's Habitat
Conservation and Restoration, to fund coastal zone restoration
projects to specifically enhance ocean and coastal ecosystem
resiliency to extreme weather. NOAA shall coordinate with other
appropriate Federal agencies, especially the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Governors from coastal States, academic
institutions, and nonprofit organizations to solicit and
identify projects in coastal zones that would improve or
restore ocean and coastal ecosystems such as erosion
stabilization through living shorelines, wetlands restoration,
and dam removal. To maximize the usefulness of these funds,
NOAA should include a cost sharing requirement in the grant
solicitation as part of its criteria for selecting projects.
NOAA may use these funds to support a project for a coastal
State only with the approval of the State's Governor.
Aquaculture.--Within the funds provided for Aquaculture,
the Committee supports ongoing research in off-bottom oyster
production in coastal areas, including the Gulf of Mexico, and
encourages NMFS to dedicate resources for further research in
oyster genetics, disease, and economic modeling.
Lionfish.--The Committee is concerned about the increasing
threat posed by the invasive marine fish belonging to the genus
Pterois, particularly the lionfish. The lionfish has invaded
habitats along the southeastern coast of the United States and
recent sightings have been reported off western portions of the
gulf coast. The Committee encourages NOAA to work with
interested State, local, private and nonprofit partners to
mitigate the negative impacts of lionfish on natural
ecosystems, including but not limited to studying how
artificial reefs may affect lionfish migration into the gulf.
Oyster Reef Restoration.--The Committee continues to
encourage NOAA to work with its State and non-Federal partners
to consider supporting oyster shell recycling programs as part
of the agency's competitive external funding opportunities for
habitat restoration projects.
Cooperative Research.--Depleted fish stocks result in
significant economic losses to our Nation. At a time when
fishing opportunities are constrained by uncertainty in stock
assessment, and increased access to healthy stocks depends on
better data, the Committee believes that maintenance of ongoing
monitoring programs and surveys is critical. The Committee
encourages NMFS to continue to prioritize long-time series
surveys, with emphasis on surveys that are conducted
cooperatively with industry and States. In addition, the
Northeast Fisheries Science Center is directed to work
collaboratively with the fishing industry to update the
Northeast Cooperative Research Strategic Plan, including: the
identification of science priorities; a process for greater
involvement of fishermen in data collection; and better
communication of how the results of cooperative fisheries
research are used.
Big Eye Tuna Quotas in the Western and Central Pacific.--
The Committee notes that NMFS intends to amend the fishery
management plans in its Pacific Islands region to allow for the
assignment of unused big eye tuna quota from American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands, and Guam to Hawaii's
longline fleet. This amendment is crucial to support the well-
managed domestic longline fishery for big eye tuna. The
Committee directs NMFS to complete adoption of the amendment no
later than 30 days after enactment of this act.
Seafood Reporting.--The United States leads the world in
responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture, and the
Committee supports NOAA's activities to inform consumers about
our Nation's sustainable fisheries through the agency's
FishWatch program. However, the Committee is concerned that the
exclusive use or recognition of third-party certifications for
seafood sustainability by the Department could have unintended
consequences for various domestic fisheries. The Committee
acknowledges that some United States fisheries voluntarily
utilize third-party seafood sustainability certification
schemes but believes it is not the Department's role to adopt
such certification schemes when doing so could result in the
Department arbitrarily influencing the United States domestic
seafood market. The Committee believes support for third-party
certifications is best presented in non-governmental forums.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Department not to adopt,
use, or promote any third-party certification scheme for
seafood sustainability, but to instead continue providing
consumers with independent and accountable information
generated from within the Department.
NOAA OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
The Committee's recommendation provides $430,033,000 for
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research [OAR]. OAR programs provide
the environmental research and technology needed to improve
NOAA weather services, air quality warnings, forecasts, climate
predictions, and marine services. To accomplish these goals,
OAR supports a network of scientists in its Federal research
laboratories, universities, and joint institutes and
partnership programs.
Committee recommendations are displayed in the following
table:
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH OPERATIONS, RESEARCH AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate Research:
Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.......... 60,000
Regional Climate Data and Information............ 40,000
Climate Competitive Research..................... 60,000
------------------
Total, Climate Research........................ 160,000
==================
Weather and Air Chemistry Research Programs:
Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.......... 64,547
U.S. Weather Research Program.................... 7,236
Tornado Severe Storm Research/Phased Array Radar. 13,111
------------------
Total, Weather and Air Chemistry Research...... 84,894
==================
Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research:
Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.......... 26,669
National Sea Grant College Program............... 62,800
Marine Aquaculture Research...................... 5,000
Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring...... 41,347
Integrated Ocean Acidification................... 11,000
Ocean Exploration................................ 26,220
------------------
Total, Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research. 173,036
==================
High Performance Computing Initiatives............... 12,103
==================
GRAND TOTAL OAR................................ 430,033
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.--The Committee
provides an increase to Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research
Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes and expects the
administration to fully fund these cooperative institutes at
appropriate levels in future years, including well-established
institutes focused on: watershed impacts on marine ecosystems;
remote sensing; and long-term monitoring of oil spill impacts
on marine ecosystem health. The Committee also encourages NOAA
to consider how additional cooperative institutes could
strengthen NOAA's ability to improve coastal sustainability and
resilience, and better prepare coastal communities to make
smart land-use decisions.
Climate Research.--The Committee provides the requested
level for supporting and expanding the National Integrated
Drought Information System, including the Regional Drought
Early Warning Information System, and for increased funding for
the Arctic Research Program to improve regional-scale
information. The Committee also encourages NOAA to sustain and
expand an observation and analysis system with existing
enterprises to provide 20 additional towers to support this
effort and to leverage existing capital expenditures and
relevant data to support the accurate measurement of greenhouse
gases.
Multi-Function Phased Array Radar.--The bill includes
$13,111,000 for continued development of the multi-function
phased array radar [MPAR], the same as the budget request. The
Committee recognizes the benefits current MPAR research has
provided to both NOAA and the Federal Aviation Administration
[FAA], while recognizing the continued uncertainty about cost
sharing between the FAA and NOAA for both technical risk
reduction and non-recurring engineering costs. The Committee
directs NOAA to serve as the technical agent for the execution
and completion of the MPAR program. The Committee requires a
joint spending plan from NOAA and the FAA within 45 days of
enactment of this act that incorporates investments from both
the FAA and NOAA with a consolidated approach to completing the
program's technical risk reduction and making more transparent
choices on the program's initial investment decision milestone.
A promising MPAR design, which effectively combines dual
polarization with phased arrays, is the Cylindrical
Polarimetric Phased Array Radar [CPPAR]. Within funds provided,
the Committee encourages NOAA to expand research in CPPAR,
including developing a full-scale prototype to examine how
CPPAR capabilities could add value to weather forecasting and
future severe storm research.
Vortex-Southeast [Vortex-SE].--The southeastern United
States commonly experiences devastating tornadoes under
variables and conditions that differ considerably from the
Midwest where conditions for tornado research have historically
been focused. Within funds provided for Weather and Air
Chemistry Research Programs, OAR shall collaborate with the
National Science Foundation's Vortex-SE to better understand
how environmental factors that are characteristic of the
southeast United States affect the formation, intensity, and
storm path of tornadoes for this region. NOAA shall report to
the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this act on OAR's
role and contributions to the Vortex-SE program.
National Sea Grant Program.--The Committee opposes the
administration's requested decrease to the National Sea Grant
Program base and the proposed elimination of education and
fellowship activities within the program. Within funds
provided, NOAA is encouraged to leverage resources and pursue
partnerships with Sea Grant universities and other Federal
agencies to carry out aquatic animal health monitoring and
research. This effort contributes to Sea Grant and NOAA's
broader mission of providing services to enhance coastal
community resilience. Further, NOAA is encouraged to continue
its partnership with academic programs that provide legal
expertise related to the missions of the program and NOAA.
Marine Aquaculture Research.--The Committee encourages
NOAA, in partnership with universities, to support marine
aquaculture research and development efforts that have led to
beneficial outcomes such as development and commercialization
of new technologies to meet U.S. demand for warm water marine
seafood, including finfish, shrimp, and oysters.
Ocean Exploration.--The bill provides $26,220,000 for the
Ocean Exploration Program. NOAA is encouraged to continue
fundamental ocean exploration in which open source data are
collected for the oceanographic community in real-time through
telepresence technology. Within funds provided, NOAA is
encouraged to award competitive grants to institutions that
have partnered with OAR in the past, including those with ocean
going assets, to support new exploration missions, expeditions,
and deep sea research. Another primary focus should be the
continued exploration of the United States Exclusive Economic
Zones. As in the past, the program shall use ships operated by
non-governmental organizations and academic institutions
provided that any data acquired are open-sourced. In addition,
the Committee rejects the budget request to eliminate Ocean
Exploration's education program.
NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The Committee's recommendation provides $954,153,000 for
the NOAA National Weather Service [NWS]. NWS programs provide
timely and accurate meteorologic, hydrologic, and oceanographic
warnings and forecasts to ensure the safety of the population,
mitigate property losses, and improve the economic productivity
of the Nation. NWS is also responsible for issuing operational
climate forecasts for the United States. The Committee has made
saving lives and livelihoods though accurate weather
forecasting a priority.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Observations.......................................... 210,777
Central Processing.................................... 96,617
Analyze, Forecast, and Support........................ 483,060
Dissemination......................................... 40,099
Science and Technology Integration.................... 123,600
=================
GRAND TOTAL NWS................................. 954,153
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather Service Modernization.--The Committee remains
supportive of NWS moving forward with plans to modernize its
services, operations, and infrastructure. As such, the
Committee approves the NWS budget reorganization proposed in
the 2015 budget request and supports the requested relocation
of the National Logistics Supply Center and National
Reconditioning Center. The Committee encourages NWS to continue
working with all of its external partners and internal
components to deliver a comprehensive weather modernization
plan to the Committee that includes short-term and long-term
objectives.
Information Technology Officers.--For the third year in a
row, the Committee does not support the budget request to
eliminate Information Technology Officer positions at the
forecast offices around the country. This repeated request
continues to ignore the Committee's direction to provide
perspective on how this proposal fits within NWS's broader
workforce and modernization plans. The Committee also notes
that NOAA has not provided the report requested in fiscal year
2014 outlining a multi-phase plan for consolidating NWS's
information technology operations that would streamline system
configuration, shore up existing cybersecurity vulnerabilities,
contribute to the expedited rollout of Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System, and achieve cost savings while
resulting in no degradation of service.
Facilities.--The Committee recommends that, wherever
possible, NWS co-locate its local or regional facilities with
established universities, emergency management offices, and
private sector atmospheric research entities that have forecast
capabilities for atmospheric events, placing priority on
developing more accurate and timely warnings and forecasts of
high impact weather events that endanger life and property.
Fiscal year 2015 funds may be used for the planning, design,
and long-term co-location lease agreements, with priority given
to the States most impacted by recent extreme weather events
where current leases may be expiring.
National Data Buoy Center [NDBC].--The Committee provides
sufficient funding to maintain, at a minimum, NDBC operations
at 80 percent data availability. The Committee understands the
challenges associated with deploying, operating and maintaining
the National Data Buoy Center's network of buoys in the
offshore marine environment and is encouraged that some
progress is being made to restore operability of buoys.
However, the Committee remains concerned by the large number of
outages and service interruptions experienced within the
National Data Buoy network. In many instances, buoys have been
partially or entirely offline for longer than 18 months. The
Committee directs NOAA to include as part of the agency's
spending plan a schedule to restore existing data buoy
operability and its strategy to minimize outages in the future.
The Committee is aware that NOAA has developed a new
version of the DART buoy known as the Easy-To-Deploy DART [ETD-
DART], and has been informed that other nations have
successfully deployed the ETD-DARTs at significant savings
without compromise to public safety. NOAA is therefore directed
to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on replacing or enhancing
its current network of DART buoys with ETD-DART buoys and
submit the analysis to the Committee no later than 180 days
from enactment of this act.
National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program [NTHMP].--The
Committee rejects NOAA's proposal to terminate funding for
tsunami preparedness within the NTHMP, and instead instructs
the Agency to maintain funding at the fiscal year 2014 level
and to strengthen the NTHMP in accordance with the 2011
evaluation by the National Academy of Sciences.
Central Forecast Guidance.--NOAA shall maintain its efforts
to develop and implement the COASTAL Act (Public Law 112-141).
The Committee supports NOAA's work to assist homeowners
impacted by destructive winds and storm surges associated with
hurricanes and super-storms. The Committee directs NOAA to
continue to leverage existing Federal assets, expertise, and
partnerships in carrying out COASTAL Act activities.
Small Business Innovation Research.--The Committee is
encouraged by NWS's success in carrying out Small Business
Innovation Research [SBIR] contracts as part of the agency's
technology transfer initiative. NWS has effectively designed
these SBIR contracts to build community resilience in the face
of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather impacts, which
is part of NWS's ``Weather-Ready Nation'' concept. These
contracts, in part, will better inform emergency managers,
first responders, government officials, businesses, and
ultimately the public, to make fast, smart decisions to save
lives and livelihoods. The Committee directs NWS to continue to
support, and even expand, these SBIR contracts in fiscal year
2015.
National Mesonet Program.--The Committee provides
$16,000,000 for the continuation and expansion of the National
Mesonet Program and is encouraged by the Administration's
request to maintain the program. Funds should be made available
through a competitive weather data procurement that sustains
coverage of areas currently included within the national
mesonet, as well as an expansion of coverage in high risk
areas. NOAA is also encouraged to add new observations such as
coastal observations, boundary layer data and total lightning
data. NOAA should require that awardees provide mesonet data in
formats that can be integrated by NWS for use in forecasts and
severe weather alerts. NOAA should also encourage efforts to
demonstrate the validity of mesonet observation data in
increasing severe weather warning times and demonstrate the
economic benefit of Mesonet observations for various key
sectors, such as commercial aviation and electric grid
management. Of the funds provided, up to $500,000 may be used
for Meterological Assimilation Data Ingest System [MADIS]
activities including transitioning MADIS from research to
operations and enabling the distribution of Mesonet data
through the Advanced Weather Interaction Processing System
[AWIPS]. Up to $500,000 may be used for costs associated with
the National Mesonet Program Office. The Committee sees the
national mesonet as an important component of any effort to
effectively develop a ``Weather-Ready Nation'' and expects that
future NOAA budget requests will continue to reflect it as a
priority.
Space Weather.--The Committee is concerned that the Nation
is ill prepared for the potential for a severe space weather
event that could substantially disrupt critical infrastructure
and that our ability to forecast such events is not
sufficiently robust to mitigate these effects. The Committee
therefore directs the NOAA Administrator to convene an outside
panel of experts, in concert with other Federal agencies
engaged in activities directly related to space weather, to
review and consider how best to provide decisionmakers with
relevant and timely space weather and operational information
and processes to mitigate and utilize space weather effects.
Such a panel should offer its recommendations to the NOAA
Administrator not later than June 1, 2015, with concurrent
transmission of its findings to the Committee.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE
The Committee's recommendation provides $189,167,000 for
the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information
Service [NESDIS] operations. NESDIS programs operate
environmental polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, and
collect and archive global environmental data and information
for distribution to users in commerce, industry, agriculture,
science and engineering, the general public, and Federal,
State, and local agencies.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE
OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Satellite Observing Systems:
Office of Satellite and Product Operations........ 92,500
Product Development, Readiness & Application...... 26,000
Commercial Remote Sensing Licensing & Enforcement. 1,100
Office of Space Commercialization................. 1,000
Group on Earth Observations [GEO]................. 500
-----------------
Total, Environmental Satellite Observing Systems 121,100
=================
National Environmental Information Office............. 68,067
-----------------
GRAND TOTAL NESDIS.............................. 189,167
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Environmental Information Office.--The Committee
recommends $68,067,000 for the National Environmental
Information Office [NEIO], which is a new office that
consolidates several programs that were previously funded
separately. While the Committee supports the new budget
structure for NESDIS, it is essential to ensure that key
programs continue to receive adequate funding. Specifically,
the Committee provides no less than $6,000,000 for the Regional
Climate Services, $3,650,000 for Regional Climate Centers, and
$4,567,000 for Coastal Data Development. These amounts reflect
fiscal year 2014 funding levels. Within NEIO, the Committee
encourages NOAA to fully support critical international
partnerships, including the Global Climate Observing System.
NOAA-WIDE PROGRAM SUPPORT
The Committee's recommendation provides $460,632,000 for
NOAA-wide program support. These programs provide for overall
NOAA management, including staffing of the Under Secretary's
office and services to NOAA and DOC field offices through the
regional Administrative Support Centers. These programs also
support NOAA's Education Office consistent with the
recommendations of the Joint Ocean Commission. The facilities
subactivity provides for repair and maintenance to existing
facilities, facilities planning and design, and environmental
compliance. The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
provides aircraft and marine data acquisition, repair, and
maintenance of the existing fleet, planning of future
modernization, and technical and management support for NOAA-
wide activities through the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
Committee recommendations are displayed in the following
table:
PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Services:
Under Secretary and Associate Offices Base........ 27,000
Facilities........................................ 24,000
NOAA Wide Corporate Services and Agency Management 114,500
DOC Accounting System............................. 10,000
IT Security....................................... 8,300
DOC Working Capital Fund.......................... 43,000
-----------------
Total, Corporate Services....................... 226,800
=================
NOAA Education Program................................ 27,200
=================
Fleet and Aircraft Operations......................... 206,632
=================
GRAND TOTAL, PROGRAM SUPPORT.................... 460,632
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Services.--Within the increased funds for
Corporate Services, NOAA is directed to focus on restoring the
functionality of its Workforce Management Office and
Acquisition and Grant Services.
The Committee remains concerned about administrative costs
incurred by NOAA's corporate staff and line offices, including
regional and field offices. The Committee is aware of NOAA's
practice to excise a portion of program funds from line offices
to support line office operations and management. In continuing
this practice, NOAA shall ensure transparency and equity among
all programs charged within a particular line office. In its
annual budget request and in its spending plan required by
section 534 of this act, the Committee directs NOAA to include
any proposed funds taken from each program activity in order to
support line office operations and management, and to disclose
the total amount of operations and management funding for each
line office. During any fiscal year, NOAA shall not make any
changes to the amount taken from programs for line office
operations unless approved as part of that fiscal year's
spending plan, or the Committee has been notified 30 days prior
to any change regardless of the amount. NOAA is reminded of
overall direction included in this report to reduce overhead
and achieve administrative savings.
NOAA's Use of Radio Frequency Spectrum.--The fiscal year
2015 budget request includes the administration's plan to
auction, or assign via fee, the 1675-1680 megahertz band of
radio frequency spectrum, which NOAA currently uses for weather
balloon communications. This portion of spectrum has been
identified as part of National Telecommunications and
Information Administration's Ten-Year Plan and Timetable to
make 500 megahertz of Federal and non-Federal spectrum
available for wireless broadband use. The Committee is aware
that NOAA's radio frequency requirements can be relocated
adequately to another band of spectrum. Therefore, the
Committee supports this auction and the expeditious relocation
of NOAA's operations to a different radio frequency band
provided that the proceeds of the auction will be used to
offset NOAA's relocation costs.
Education.--Within the funds provided for NOAA's Education
Program, $5,600,000 is for competitive educational grants,
which includes continued support for Environmental Literacy
Grants and for improving geographic literacy; $14,400,000 is
for the educational partnership program with minority-serving
institutions; and $7,200,000 is for Bay-Watershed Education and
Training regional programs, which was touted by the Department
of Education as a model program for how Federal and State
agencies should collaborate on STEM education.
A full description of the Committee's assessment and
direction regarding the administration's Co-STEM consolidation
proposal is found in the Office of Science Technology and
Policy portion of this report. For NOAA's part, the Committee
continues to encourage efforts to streamline STEM education
programs across NOAA line offices that make sense and support
the internal consolidation of NOAA education programs. However,
the Committee does not support the elimination of NOAA's
Teacher at Sea program and the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship
Program.
Justification Improvement.--NOAA is directed to continue to
work with the Committee to reformat the budget justification
into a more transparent, informative, and user-friendly
document. The Committee also expects the justification to be
submitted on time with the rest of the Department's
justifications.
Marine and Aviation Operations.--Any decisions related to
laying up any vessels, grounding any aircraft, or
decommissioning any capital asset are subject to the standard
reprogramming procedures set forth in section 505 of this act.
Any changes from the spending plan shall also be subject to
section 505 of this act. NOAA shall continue to provide the
Committee with a monthly operational status of the fleet and
aircraft. NOAA is further directed to provide the Committee
with updated long-term management and acquisition plans for the
fleet and aircraft within 60 days of enactment of this act.
New Vessel Construction.--The Committee supports NOAA's
plan to construct a new ocean-going survey vessel in an effort
to modernize its aging fleet. NOAA is urged to ensure that
sufficient funding to commence the new vessel construction is
included in its fiscal year 2016 request.
PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,022,864,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,206,392,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,131,686,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $2,131,686,000 for
NOAA's procurement, acquisition, and construction. The
recommendation is $108,822,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $74,706,000 below the budget request.
Committee recommendations are displayed in the following
table:
PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Ocean Service:
National Estuarine Research Reserve Construction.. 1,700
Marine Sanctuaries Construction/Acquisition....... 2,000
-----------------
Total National Ocean Service--PAC............... 3,700
=================
Ocean and Atmospheric Research:
Research Super Computing.......................... 13,379
=================
National Weather Service:
Observations...................................... 12,000
Central Processing................................ 64,000
Dissemination..................................... 45,000
WFO Construction.................................. 12,000
-----------------
Total, National Weather Service--PAC............ 133,000
=================
National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information
Services:
Geostationary Systems [GOES-R].................... 980,838
Joint Polar Satellite System [JPSS]............... 916,267
COSMIC-2.......................................... 6,800
Satellite Ground Services......................... 52,136
System Architecture and Advanced Planning......... 4,000
Projects, Planning, and Analysis.................. 25,200
Satellite CDA Facility............................ 2,166
-----------------
Total, NESDIS--PAC.............................. 1,987,407
=================
Program Support:
Vessel Equip. and Tech Refresh.................... 7,200
-----------------
Unobligated balances from prior years................. (13,000)
-----------------
GRAND TOTAL, PAC................................ 2,131,686
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Estuarine Research Reserve Construction.--The
Committee remains concerned about the increased costs and lack
of transparency associated with certain third-party green
building rating systems. The use of certain green building
standards can arbitrarily discriminate against domestic
building materials such as wood that could be locally sourced,
thereby increasing costs to taxpayers without significant
benefits in energy and water savings. The Committee again
directs NOAA to use funding provided for National Estuarine
Research Reserve Construction on green building rating systems
or standards that are voluntary consensus standards, have
achieved American National Standard Institute [ANSI]
Designation, or were developed by an ANSI Audited Designator,
and take into consideration the environmental and economic
benefits of building materials through lifecycle analysis. Not
later than 90 days after the enactment of this act, NOAA shall
report on any new, existing, or planned construction projects
at NERRS sites that receive accreditation for energy savings
from a third-party green building rating system.
Research Supercomputing.--The Committee's recommendation
fully funds the request of $13,379,000 for Research
Supercomputing within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research. The Committee urges NOAA to continue to invest in the
use of leadership class high performance computing [HPC] and
directs NOAA to develop a long-term plan to upgrade deployed
HPC technology and architecture and submit a report to the
Committee within 180 days of enactment of this act.
Weather Satellites.--The 2015 budget request shows a
concerted direction from the administration to focus on weather
data acquisitions as the primary requirement of NOAA's weather
satellites. Given a constrained budget environment and finite
resources, the Committee expects the Department to continue to
highlight the budget requests for satellite procurement and
acquisition as necessary funding for NOAA to accomplish its
core missions. The Committee believes that NOAA should
prioritize satellite programs directly related to weather
forecasting including those that result in the greatest
reduction of risk to lives and property.
While the budget request shows that NOAA is staying within
its projected life-cycle cost caps for the Joint Polar
Satellite System [JPSS] and the Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellites R-series [GOES-R] missions, the
Committee is concerned about the transparency of the annual
cost accounting for individual fiscal years. One recent
manifestation of this concern was NOAA's reprogramming request
to the Committee in fiscal year 2014 that proposed to move
funds from JPSS and GOES-R into other programs despite NOAA's
previous insistence that all of the funds requested in fiscal
year 2014 for these two weather satellite programs were
essential to maintain schedule integrity. Keeping these
flagship weather satellite missions on-budget and on-schedule
is extremely important, but so is maintaining cost controls,
especially when NOAA's satellite missions continue to dominate
NOAA's annual budget increases. While the Committee provides
the full funding request for JPSS and GOES-R in this bill, the
Committee reiterates its direction to NOAA to find savings from
operating expenses and to reduce duplicative Government
overhead shared with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration [NASA], starting with Projects, Planning and
Analysis.
The Committee is troubled by reports that the Commerce
Inspector General has been excluded from portions of Program
Management Council [PMC] satellite meetings. In particular, the
Committee has learned that the Council has established
alternative meeting structures in order to exclude the
Inspector General from critical discussions regarding the
status of weather satellite acquisition and procurement. The
Inspector General serves a critical oversight role for the
Department's weather satellite procurement and acquisition
programs. Given the history of NOAA's satellite procurement
program, including significant cost overruns and a looming gap
in polar satellite data, it is vital that the Inspector General
be present for all PMC satellite meetings to properly carry out
his oversight responsibilities. The Department shall take
necessary steps to ensure the Inspector General's office is
represented and present for all PMC meetings and report back to
the Committee, not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, on the steps the Department has taken to
address these issues.
JPSS Gap Mitigation.--The Committee is disappointed by the
Department's failure to present a viable gap mitigation plan
for JPSS. The Government Accountability Office and the
Department of Commerce Inspector General project a potential
gap in critical polar satellite data between the Suomi National
Polar-Orbiting Partnership satellite and JPSS-1 up to 17
months. While the Department has taken steps to ensure
robustness and redundancy in JPSS-1 and JPSS-2, it has failed
to put forth a comprehensive plan to fill or mitigate a
potential gap that could occur before JPPS-1 becomes fully
operational. The Committee finds this unacceptable and directs
the Department to provide the Committee a report detailing
specific steps NOAA is taking to mitigate a gap in polar
satellite data as part of the agency's spending plan required
in this bill. The report shall include viable proposals for a
gap filler to ensure continuity of data provided by ATMS and
CrIS instruments.
Jason-3 and DSCOVR.--The Committee restates that NOAA's
flagship weather satellites take financial priority over NOAA's
smaller observing satellites despite the fact that these
smaller missions have just as much scientific merit. In light
of the financial pressure within NOAA's PAC account to keep the
weather satellite missions moving forward, the Committee is
transferring the development costs and responsibilities of
Jason-3 and DSCOVR from NOAA to NASA's Earth Science mission
directorate. NASA is already partnering with NOAA on
constructing these important missions as well as arranging the
launch vehicles. The underlying goal of this transition is to
keep Jason-3 and DSCOVR on-schedule and on-budget given that
both missions are set to launch in fiscal year 2015.
Solar Irradiance Data and Rescue [SIDAR].--The Committee
does not provide funding for the newly proposed satellite
mission SIDAR which is primarily, though not solely, intended
to fly another Total Solar Irradiance Sensor [TSIS-2] as a
continuation of NASA's SORCE mission and of TSIS-1, which NASA
is also managing per the Committee's direction in fiscal year
2014. The Committee does not dispute the importance of
maintaining the total solar irradiance dataset, but given
NASA's current role in providing these instruments, NOAA is
directed to work with NASA on how this follow-on mission can be
better supported though that agency's Science directorate.
Further, before the Committee considers funding another
stand alone satellite mission or a non-weather centric polar
free flyer proposal, NOAA must first create a comprehensive
plan for weather gap mitigation discussed previously in this
report. NOAA should prioritize submitting that plan rather than
aggressively pursuing missions that do not directly contribute
to weather forecasting or help mitigate any future weather
gaps.
Radio Occultation Data.--The Committee supports the request
of $6,800,000 for continuing the advancement of acquiring the
next generation of radio occultation [RO] data for the purposes
of improving and augmenting baseline weather forecasting data.
Currently NOAA is preparing to support the ground system for
processing RO data from the first phase of the Constellation
Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate
[COSMIC] 2 RO satellites. Six COSMIC-2 satellites are planned
to launch in fiscal year 2018 as part of this first phase, but
the Committee has not received a comprehensive plan for the
second phase of the COSMIC-2 mission. If further RO data is
needed past the first phase of COSMIC-2, NOAA shall submit a
plan no later than 120 days after enactment of this act, to
include expected out year costs by agency and outside partners,
with appropriate milestones and deliverables. NOAA shall also
include an analysis for acquiring radio occultation weather
data from private sector providers in this report.
NOAA Satellite Reporting.--The Committee directs NOAA to
provide quarterly programmatic and procurement status reports
of all satellites actively flying and under development unless
any reprogramming, system failure, or other extraordinary
circumstance warrants an immediate update. As part of the
agency's quarterly satellite briefing, NOAA shall include
updates on preparations and enhancements, and initial cost
estimates compared to actual expenditures that need to be made
to accommodate the increased volume of satellite data.
PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $65,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 50,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 65,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $65,000,000 for the
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery. The recommendation is the same
as the fiscal year 2014 level and $15,000,000 above the budget
estimate. Funds are for conservation and restoration of Pacific
salmon populations. State and local recipients of this funding
will provide matching contributions of at least 33 percent of
Federal funds. In addition, funds will be available to tribes,
which do not require matching dollars.
FISHERMEN'S CONTINGENCY FUND
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $350,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 350,000
Committee recommendation................................ 350,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $350,000 for the
Fishermen's Contingency Fund. The recommendation is the same as
the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the President's request.
FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... -$6,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... -6,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ -6,000,000
The Committee recommends that direct loans administered
through this account for individual fishing quotas may not
exceed $24,000,000. Traditional direct loans may not exceed
$100,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2014 level
and budget request.
OTHER
Departmental Management
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $55,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 57,637,000
Committee recommendation................................ 56,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $56,000,000 for
Departmental Management Salaries and Expenses. The
recommendation is $500,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and $1,637,000 below the budget request.
Within Departmental Management, the Salaries and Expenses
account provides funding for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary,
and support staff. Responsibilities involve policy development
and implementation affecting United States and international
activities, as well as establishing internal goals and
operations of the Department.
Within 90 days of enactment of this act, the Department
shall submit to the Committee a report detailing actions taken
to cut costs and a detailed account of funds saved by such
actions across the Department's bureaus.
BusinessUSA.--The Committee is supportive of the
administration's request to continue BusinessUSA, an initiative
designed to streamline government bureaucracy and create one-
stop shops for business assistance. The Committee provides bill
language allowing the Secretary more flexibility to enter into
office space agreements with BusinessUSA partners.
Business Application Solutions.--The Committee supports the
request for the Business Application Solutions [BAS]
modernization project, which will consolidate and upgrade the
systems used to manage finances, acquisitions, properties, and
reporting requirements for the Department of Commerce. The
Department is directed to brief the Committee on BAS
implementation on a quarterly basis.
Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR].--The Committee
recognizes the important successes SBIR programs have in
helping domestic small businesses to commercialize federally
funded research and development projects. The Committee
therefore directs the Department to place an increased focus on
awarding SBIR awards to firms with fewer than 50 employees.
Unobligated Balances.--The amount of unobligated funding
within the Department of Commerce is of great concern to the
Committee, which is one reason for the Committee's requirement
to receive quarterly updates from the Department on unobligated
balances. Thus, the Committee was alarmed by findings made by
the Inspector General in a June 2013 report regarding the
Department's relatively poor oversight and accounting of
obligated balances. The Department is directed to report to the
Committee on the status of steps taken to fulfill the Inspector
General's recommendations no more than 30 days after enactment
of this act. The Department shall continue to report every 60
days thereafter until the OIG certifies to Congress that the
steps taken to address the OIG's concerns are both adequate and
complete.
RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $4,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 11,733,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,000,000
The Committee recommendation provides $10,000,000, which is
$6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$1,733,000 below the budget request, for building renovation at
the Department of Commerce.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 30,596,000
Committee recommendation................................ 30,596,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $30,596,000 for the
Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The recommendation is
$596,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the same
as the budget request.
In addition to funds provided under this heading, the
Committee has recommended transfers to the OIG: $2,000,000 from
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; $1,302,000 from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and $1,551,000
from the Census Bureau for oversight and audits of those
activities.
Working Capital Fund Audits.--The Committee continues to
direct the OIG to audit all of the working capital funds within
the Department. The objective of the audit is to evaluate the
budgetary controls over all of the Department's working capital
funds. The OIG shall assess: the controls in place to develop
reimbursement formulas; the relationship of reimbursements to
client services; the appropriateness of the level of fund
balances; and compliance with appropriation law and direction.
As part of this assessment, the Inspector General shall pay
particular attention to the increasing amounts of funding
needed to support the Department's Office of General Counsel,
including the justification and metrics of how such funding is
being levied against each agency and, reciprocally, how the
agencies account for the services they receive from the Office
of General Counsel.
Hurricane Sandy Supplemental Funding.--The Committee is
concerned by a May 2014 investigation by the Inspector General
that highlighted possible improper spending by NOAA with regard
to replacing equipment damaged by Hurricane Sandy. A portion of
the emergency supplemental funding was designated for repairing
and replacing NOAA's ocean observing and coastal monitoring
assets damaged by the hurricane. These supplemental funds are
separate from any existing operations and maintenance funding
that is provided to NOAA in annual appropriations acts.
However, the OIG found that the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System [NERRS]--acting on guidance from NOAA and DOC's
Office of General Counsel--spent supplemental funds to replace
equipment that was not directly damaged by the storm. The
amount in question is possibly as much as $550,200 of the
$1,035,163 that NERRS was allocated out of a total $7,000,000
the Committee appropriated to NOAA to repair or replace such
equipment.
The Committee's Hurricane Sandy Supplemental bill language
and intent was clear, yet NOAA and DOC's Office of General
Counsel apparently provided guidance to expand the eligibility
of these funds. The Committee requests that the OIG conduct a
full audit of the entire $7,000,000 of equipment repair funds
as well as $9,000,000 that was provided to repair NOAA
facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy. NOAA and DOC are
directed to provide the Committee within 30 days of enactment
of this act a report on how the agency and the Department have
implemented the five recommendations accompanying the Inspector
General's investigation.
Audits and Investigations.--The OIG serves a critical
oversight role at the Department. The Committee believes that
robust investigations and audits are essential to routing out
waste, fraud and abuse, however, the current practice that
limits inquiries to individuals in the Department does not lend
itself to comprehensive findings and recommendations. The
Committee directs the OIG to modify its policies and procedures
to ensure that investigations or reports include interviews
with all parties to the project or program in question,
including, but not limited to, contractors responsible for
projects under review. The Committee cautions the OIG against
issuing preliminary findings prior to interviewing a majority
of the entities involved with the program or project under
investigation, unless the OIG believes the findings are time
sensitive and additional interviews are immaterial.
Allegations of Impropriety.--The Committee is disappointed
by recent allegations that the OIG forbid former employees from
talking to oversight authorities, including congressional
committees. While the Committee recognizes that this may not
have been the OIG's intent, the Inspector General, in
particular, should recognize that even the appearance of threat
or intimidation can be devastating to the cause of responsible
governance.
The Committee supports the steps that the OIG has taken to
address this matter and directs the Inspector General to notify
the Committee within 15 days of any future allegations related
to employment contracts.
General Provisions--Department of Commerce
Section 101 makes Commerce Department funds available for
advanced payments only upon certification of officials
designated by the Secretary that such payments are considered
to be in the public interest.
Section 102 makes appropriations for salaries and expenses
available for the hire of passenger motor vehicles, and for
services, uniforms, and allowances as authorized by law.
Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds
between Department of Commerce accounts. The provision makes
transfers subject to the Committee's standard reprogramming
procedures.
Section 104 extends congressional notification requirements
for the NOAA satellite programs.
Section 105 provides authority for the Secretary of
Commerce to furnish certain services within the Herbert C.
Hoover Building.
Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the
Department of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography,
copyright infringement, or any other unlawful activity over
their networks.
Section 107 provides NOAA the authority to share resources
with entities outside the agency.
Section 108 requires that, before charging for
congressional reports, the National Technical Information
Service [NTIS] advise the public of free ways to receive or
access these reports. For those reports that cannot be found
free of charge or when a customer requires a mailed, hard copy,
NTIS may only charge a de minimus copying and mailing fee. The
Committee is concerned about outrageous fees the National
Technical Information Service charges the public for hard
copies of congressional reports and documents available for
free online.
Section 109 allows NOAA to be reimbursed by Federal and
non-Federal entities for performing certain activities.
The Committee is concerned that agreements for offsetting
collections provided for under this section could result in a
conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of
interest, for the Department. The Department is directed to
exercise caution and consider any unintended consequences that
could result from such agreements, including, but not limited
to, augmentation of appropriations, initiation of new programs
not authorized by this act or any other act of Congress, and
liabilities extending beyond the period of any such agreement.
The Department shall provide to the Committee monthly updates
on all offsetting fee collections, including each entity
participating in the agreement, as well as the terms of and
specific activities funded by the agreement. Additionally,
estimates of anticipated fee collections shall be included in
the Department's annual spend plans. To further ensure the
Committee maintains sufficient oversight for activities carried
out under this section, language is included specifying that
any offsetting collection would require the consent of each
party subject to the agreement and all offsetting collections
shall be subject to procedures set forth by section 505 of this
act.
Section 110 allows the Secretary of Commerce to waive the
bond requirement for research vessel repair and construction
contracts which would align Commerce's authorities with those
of other Federal agencies and address difficulties NOAA has
experienced in obtaining competitive bids for ship repairs.
Prior to exercising waiver authority under section 110 of
this act, the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate
regulations specifying criteria under which waiver authority
may be used, including the types of contracts eligible for
consideration, surety alternatives and acceptable risk profiles
in order to protect the taxpayer and ensure that NOAA
experiences cost-savings. The Department is directed to notify
the Committee not less than 15 days prior to any waiver issued
under this section. In addition, the Department shall, not
later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this act,
prepare a report including the actual costs of repairing,
rehabilitating and replacing vessels in fiscal years 2012, 2013
and 2014 and annually thereafter, including an indication of
those vessels for which NOAA waived the Miller Act.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The Committee recommends a total of $27,996,816,000 for the
Department of Justice [DOJ]. The recommendation is $260,257,000
above the fiscal year 2014 funding level and $23,282,000 above
the budget request. Funding recommendations for the
Department's classified programs are detailed in the classified
annex accompanying this report. The Committee's recommendation
emphasizes key priorities regarding funding for the
Department's critical ongoing missions and activities to
protect the safety, security, and rights of our citizens.
Justice Lifecycle.--The Committee must provide the Federal
Bureau of Prisons [BOP] and the U.S. Marshals Service's Federal
Prisoner Detention program an increase of $97,307,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 level to safely guard the Nation's Federal
prison inmate and detention populations. While these activities
are not considered mandatory for budget purposes, they are not
truly discretionary in that the Committee has an obligation to
adequately fund them regardless of budgetary constraints. While
the annual increase in the Federal inmate population has
leveled off in recent years, the cost of detaining these
inmates has not. Absent substantial decreases in the Federal
inmate population, the day may be approaching when Federal
prison and detention demands, which are not dynamic budget
requests, overwhelm the Department's budgetary resources. The
Committee knows all too well that neither the Department nor
Congress can afford to let this happen.
The administration has announced a ``Smart on Crime''
initiative and a ``Clemency Initiative,'' both intended to
reform the criminal justice system. These efforts are
consistent with the Committee's direction in fiscal year 2014
for the Department and the administration to work together with
Congress to carefully assess and, where necessary, reform all
aspects of the DOJ's enforcement and incarceration policies.
The Committee is pleased that the budget request suggests that
the ```Smart on Crime' initiative will help stem the tide of
offenders entering the BOP and will lead to lower average
sentences, where appropriate, and thus should decrease the
BOP's population growth over the long term.'' However, more
work remains to contain the growing costs of the BOP while
maintaining our adherence to the rule of law in order to
protect the people of this Nation. The Committee expects to
work with the administration on appropriate steps forward
pursuant to any findings or recommendations resulting from the
GAO report requested in fiscal year 2014 on incarceration and
the recommendations of the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal
Corrections, due in fiscal year 2015.
Department of Veterans Affairs.--The Committee is deeply
troubled by allegations that veterans may have suffered, or
perhaps even died, due to lack of medical care as officials at
the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] kept patients
languishing on secret waiting lists while maintaining false
patient care records purporting to show that no such delays
existed. Further, allegations that VA employees may have
submitted such false records in order to justify their own
receipt of performance bonuses suggest the possibility that
deceit and mistreatment may also have been compounded by fraud.
While the Inspector General of the VA is currently conducting
an investigation and a separate review of the allegations is
underway, evidence has also come to light suggesting that
senior officials may have known about these problems for some
years. The Committee believes that this tragedy has dragged on
for far too long, and has become mired in internal VA politics.
To that end, this bill provides adequate resources for criminal
and civil investigations into allegations that the VA falsified
patient records at one or more of the VA's 150 medical centers
and 820 community outpatient clinics. The Offices of United
States Attorneys, the Office of Public Integrity, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and any other component within the
Department should swiftly and definitively determine whether
any current or former VA officials violated the law, and bring
any charges that might be appropriate against any responsible
parties. The Department of Justice shall report to the Congress
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act
regarding the initiation of investigations and a description of
the activities being conducted by each component, and shall
hereafter provide quarterly reports to the Committee regarding
the progress of the investigations and any pending
recommendations and/or criminal proceedings.
Combating Gun Violence and Enforcing Gun Laws.--Gun
violence has touched States, counties, cities, and towns across
our Nation, and it is clear that this problem must be
addressed. The Committee's recommendation provides a total of
$1,150,613,000, an increase of $38,513,000 above the fiscal
year 2014 enacted level, in Federal, State, and local resources
in order to reduce gun violence and prevent future tragedies.
These resources will be provided to the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives [ATF], the Federal Bureau of
Investigation [FBI], and State, local, and tribal law
enforcement partners to keep guns out of the wrong hands; help
those on the ground prevent and mitigate violent situations
when they occur; keep people safe; and secure our cities,
neighborhoods, and schools.
Heroin Crisis.--Law enforcement, health officials, and
communities across the United States are alarmed by the drastic
increase in heroin use and overdoses. According to the
Department of Health and Human Services, heroin use rose 79
percent nationwide between 2007 and 2012 (from 373,000 users in
2007 to 669,000 users in 2012). Heroin is often an inexpensive
substitute for prescription pills, costing as little as $10 a
hit. About four in five new heroin addicts report that they
became addicted to prescription pills before they ever used
heroin. Unlike pills, there is no way to regulate the dosage of
heroin, given its undetermined purity.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, heroin
availability rose in 2012, likely due to an escalation of
Mexican production and traffickers expanding into new markets
including suburban and rural communities. Between 2008 and
2012, the amount of heroin seized each year at the Southwest
border more than tripled from 1,200 pounds in 2008 to 4,000
pounds in 2012.
The Federal Government must have a comprehensive approach
to the growing heroin crisis. While a strong law enforcement
effort is critical to the response, heroin is not simply an
enforcement problem. As discussed at the subcommittee's hearing
on the Department of Justice's fiscal year 2015 budget request
on April 3, 2014, the Committee directs the DOJ to lead the
response by convening a multi-agency task force to address the
growing heroin problem in the United States. The task force
should convene experts from the law enforcement, medical,
public health, and educational fields to develop a coordinated
response to help our citizens and communities. The Department
is directed to report back to the Committee on the
establishment and progress of this multi-disciplinary task
force not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this act and issue a final report along with any related
funding and policy recommendations within 1 year of enactment
of this act.
Boko Haram and International Terrorism.--The Committee
encourages the Department to offer any available law
enforcement assistance in response to international acts of
terrorism, violations of human rights, and criminal cases of an
international nature when appropriate. In regard to the April
2014 abduction of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls by the U.S.-
designated terrorist group Boko Haram, the Committee commends
the immediate offer of assistance from INTERPOL and the offer
of intelligence and technical capabilities by the FBI to the
Government of Nigeria.
Cybersecurity.--In 2013, cybersecurity breaches became
front page headlines. Major retailers, Internet security
protocols, and web browsers suffered vulnerabilities that
exposed personal information as well as trade secrets.
Computers and the Internet have become tools for the full range
of criminal activities as nation-state actors, terrorists,
organized criminals, spies, corporate thieves, human
traffickers, child predators, and other common criminals
threaten Americans, our economy, and our National security. The
Committee believes that increased public awareness of the
nature and scope of the cyber threat is essential to enable all
Americans to protect themselves and their families in
cyberspace. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Department
to expand its efforts to inform the public of the importance of
cybersecurity and of its own activities in defending against
the cyber threat.
For several years, the Committee has provided increased
resources for the Department to combat cybercrime and to carry
out its role, consistent with the February 2014 Executive Order
on Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. As a
result, on May 19, 2014, the Department announced a first-of-
its-kind criminal cyber-espionage case against Chinese military
officials accused of industrial espionage and a major
prosecution of criminal hackers accused of writing and
distributing malware that infected more than 500,000 computers
in 100 countries. These efforts are supported by the strategic
initiatives the Department has developed to improve its ability
to investigate and prosecute cases and to deter, detect, and
disrupt cyber threats, particularly efforts to ensure that all
DOJ investigators and attorneys receive training on cybercrime
and digital evidence. The Committee's recommendation again
supports the full request for cybersecurity efforts across the
Department to allow the DOJ to catch and prosecute cyber
criminals and to support efforts to secure its own information
technology systems.
In fiscal year 2015, the Department has continued to
prioritize cybersecurity in its Strategic Plan. The Department
plans an annual review of all objectives in the Strategic Plan
and has developed performance measures to evaluate progress
toward meeting these objectives. The Committee directs the
Department to identify and report, within 180 days of
enactment, on specific metrics by which its efforts to fight
cybercrime may be measured, including the number of disruptions
and dismantlements of computer intrusions; investigations
conducted; indictments returned; percentage of cases favorably
resolved; and enforcement efforts carried out in conjunction
with state and local law enforcement partners.
Gang Violence.--The Committee recognizes the challenges
posed by the increasing number of gang members and the violent
crimes they commit in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The Committee understands that to combat these gangs, continued
and increased cooperation between Federal, State, and local law
enforcement is required as well as support, coordination, and
expertise from the Federal level. The Committee acknowledges
the work currently being undertaken to fight gangs by the FBI
Violent Safe Streets Task Forces, the Drug Enforcement
Administration [DEA], the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement
and Coordination Center [GangTECC], the ATF, the U.S. Marshals
Service [USMS], BOP, the U.S. Attorneys' offices, and other
Federal agencies. The Committee urges these agencies to
intensify current efforts, while enhancing coordination across
the Federal Government and with State and local law enforcement
in order to maximize the impact of limited personnel resources.
The Committee's recommendation includes $5,000,000 for the USMS
for gang enforcement efforts within the Regional Fugitive Task
Forces and $8,500,000 for the Violent Gang and Gun Crime
Reduction Program within the Office of Justice Programs aimed
at reducing gang violence.
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty Reform.--The Committee
supports the Department's full request for much needed reform
to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty [MLAT] process which will
not only provide resources to the Criminal Division, FBI and
the U.S. Attorneys Offices, but also help improve our Nation's
interaction with our international partners. This funding will
significantly increase personnel dedicated to reviewing and
executing MLAT requests as well as technological enhancements
to improve the way requests are analyzed, categorized, and
prioritized. Should the Department need additional resources to
fully fund this effort, funding from unobligated balances
should be used. The Department is directed to submit a detailed
spending plan to the Committee including personnel hires and
technology upgrades to improve the MLAT process within 45 days
of enactment of this act.
Crimea.--The Committee remains concerned about the Russian
aggression in Ukraine, Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea,
and Russia's illegal and unacceptable efforts to exploit stolen
Crimean resources, and urges that none of the funds in this act
be used to recognize, or imply recognition of, the sovereignty
of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its territory, airspace,
or territorial waters.
Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence.--The
Committee understands that the memorandum of understanding on
forensic science between the National Institute of Standards
and Technology [NIST] and the Department of Justice
specifically prohibits the establishment of a Scientific
Working Group [SWG] for digital evidence under the new NIST-run
Organization for Scientific Area Committees and disagrees with
this prohibition. In order to ensure continued support of the
digital evidence SWG, the Committee directs NIST to establish a
digital evidence SWG in title I of the report. The Committee
expects that members and expertise developed by the Justice-led
digital evidence SWG would be transitioned to the NIST-
supported SWG and that NIST would continue to operate all SWGs
in a consensus-driven manner that places value on input from a
wide range of practitioners.
Crime and the Bakken Oil Region.--The Committee recognizes
the growing incidence of serious crimes committed in the Bakken
oil region which crosses multiple State and local
jurisdictions. Communities in the region are experiencing
unprecedented growth and an influx of workers due to continued
demand for labor. Unfortunately, increased crime, including
incidents of violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking,
have also risen. The Committee directs the DOJ to report within
90 days of enactment of this act on the Department's current
and anticipated presence in the Bakken oil region, including
the associated level of staffing and resource needs among its
law enforcement and prosecutorial components. The Department
shall also include an analysis of crime trends in the region in
its report to the Committee.
Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act.--The Committee
fully supports the goals of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil
Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-344) to investigate
and prosecute previously unresolved civil rights era ``cold
case'' murders suspected of having been racially motivated,
through a partnership among the Civil Rights Division [CRT],
the FBI, and the Community Relations Service [CRS], as well as
with State and local grant resources. To continue supporting
Emmett Till activities, the Committee urges the Department to
use such sums as may be necessary from within the budget base
for the CRT's Cold Case Initiative; for the FBI to pursue
Emmett Till Act cold cases; and for the CRS to partner with law
enforcement agencies and communities to help resolve conflicts
resulting from the investigation of unsolved civil rights era
cases. Additionally, the Committee directs the National
Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the
Office for Victims of Crime to continue providing grants for
cold case DNA investigations to aid State and local law
enforcement agencies in their investigation and prosecution of
unsolved civil rights cold cases.
Eliminating Duplication and Improving Efficiencies in DOJ
Grants.--The Committee continues to believe that, given current
budgetary constraints, it is prudent to ensure that
governmental resources, including those awarded through grants
and subgrants, are appropriately targeted and that duplication
is eliminated.
Within 90 days of enactment of this act, the Committee
directs the Department to submit a report on the progress made
on the assessment of grant duplication required by Public Law
113-76 along with any changes to law needed to ensure
efficiency in grant funding.
Working Capital Fund [WCF].--The Committee expects the
Department to execute the funding to the fullest extent
possible without any carryover balances. The Committee directs
the DOJ to continue to use the WCF only as a repository for
reimbursable funds from components and to obligate and execute
that funding expeditiously. The DOJ shall provide a report to
the Committee within 30 days after enactment of this act
regarding balances in the WCF including carryover funds, the
intended uses of those funds, and a spending plan. The spending
plan shall include collections and obligations for both
reimbursable and appropriated funding. The Department is
further directed to provide quarterly updates on the WCF to the
Committee.
Spending Plan.--In compliance with section 534 of this act,
the Committee directs the Department of Justice to submit a
spending plan, signed by the Attorney General, within 45 days
of enactment of this act.
General Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $110,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 128,851,000
Committee recommendation................................ 115,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $115,000,000 for
General Administration salaries and expenses. The
recommendation is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and $13,851,000 below the budget request.
The General Administration account provides funding for
senior policy officials responsible for Departmental management
and policy development. The specific offices funded by this
account include the following: the immediate Office of the
Attorney General; the immediate Office of the Deputy Attorney
General; the immediate Office of the Associate Attorney
General; Office of Legal Policy; Office of Public Affairs;
Office of Legislative Affairs; Office of Professional
Responsibility; Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison;
and the Justice Management Division.
Coordination on Tribal Land and the Office of Tribal
Justice.--The Committee encourages the Department of Justice
and the Bureau of Indian Affairs [BIA] to improve coordination
to provide critical law enforcement resources to tribes. Both
agencies support investigators, tribal courts, and detentions
centers, which all play an important role in comprehensive law
enforcement in Indian Country, including providing adequate
assistance for the operation and maintenance of detention
centers. The Committee strongly encourages the Department to
renew its focus on working with the BIA to ensure that tribes
are receiving sufficient resources to operate detention
centers.
Wildlife Trafficking.--The Committee notes the recent
increase of illegal trade in rhinoceros horns, elephant ivory,
and illegally harvested timber, along with the large sums of
money that these products command on the black market. The
linkages between illegal wildlife and natural resources
trafficking and other transnational organized crimes (including
trafficking in narcotics, arms and humans) is indisputable. The
illegal harvesting of elephant ivory and other high-value
wildlife products used to finance armed insurgencies and other
groups threatens the stability and development of African
countries and poses a threat to U.S. security interests. The
Committee is pleased with the Department's membership on the
Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking that was
established by Executive Order on July 1, 2013. The Committee
directs the Attorney General to submit a status update report,
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
act, outlining the specific steps being taken by the Department
to further address wildlife trafficking and the illegal natural
resources trade; the engagement of the Department with the
Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, including
steps to build prosecutorial and legal structures to help
address wildlife trafficking in other countries; the efforts to
implement the National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking; and
the resources that have been aligned with activities and
initiatives to this end.
JUSTICE INFORMATION SHARING TECHNOLOGY
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $25,842,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 25,842,000
Committee recommendation................................ 25,842,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $25,842,000 for
Justice Information Sharing Technology [JIST]. The
recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2014 enacted level
and the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation includes the requested
transfer of up to $35,400,000 from agency components to augment
JIST base resources to advance initiatives to transform DOJ-
wide information technology [IT] enterprise infrastructure and
cybersecurity, and to create a reinvestment pool to provide
funding for smart IT investments.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee's recommendation fully funds
JIST's budget request for cybersecurity of $4,422,000 so DOJ
may continue to proactively defend against and respond to
current and emerging cybersecurity threats and attacks against
DOJ's network infrastructure. The Committee supports the
Department's efforts to better protect its networks and other
IT assets, and expects that these resources will allow DOJ to
maintain successful cybersecurity implementation as documented
by its Federal Information Security Management Agency [FISMA]
report card. DOJ and other Federal agencies should lead by
example on cybersecurity and have an obligation to secure their
dot-gov networks.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPEALS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $315,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 351,072,000
Committee recommendation................................ 351,072,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $351,072,000 for
Administrative Review and Appeals, of which $4,000,000 is a
transfer from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[USCIS] Immigration Examiners Fee Account. The recommendation
is $36,072,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
equal to the budget request.
This account fully funds the Executive Office for
Immigration Review [EOIR], including the Board of Immigration
Appeals [BIA], immigration judges, and administrative law
judges who decide through administrative hearings whether to
admit or exclude aliens seeking to enter the country, and
whether to deport or adjust the status of aliens whose status
has been challenged. This account also fully funds the Office
of the Pardon Attorney, which receives, investigates, and
considers petitions for all forms of executive clemency.
EOIR represents the Department's frontline presence with
respect to the application of immigration law. EOIR receives
cases directly from Department of Homeland Security [DHS]
enforcement personnel, in which the Federal Government is
seeking the removal of immigrants who are in the United States
without lawful status or who have committed some act, typically
a criminal offense, that renders them removable. EOIR's
immigration court caseload continues to increase as a result of
heightened border enforcement efforts. The annual caseload
increased by over 60 percent between fiscal year 2009 and the
end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, to more than
360,000 new matters for adjudication. Additionally, the BIA
receives more than 30,000 appeals per year, an extremely large
volume for an appellate court. Court dockets are scheduled
unacceptably far into the future, with most courts backlogged
at least a year.
Given these increasing caseload demands, the Committee's
recommendation includes the requested programmatic increase of
$17,000,000 to add 35 new Immigration Judge [IJ] Teams, for a
total of 284 IJ teams. This will allow EOIR to better
coordinate with DHS enforcement efforts and to help adjudicate
up to 39,000 more cases annually.
Legal Orientation Program [LOP].--The Committee's
recommendation includes $10,024,000, an increase of $2,824,000
above fiscal year 2014, and equal to the budget request, to
cover the expansion of LOP. The Committee supports LOP, which
informs detained non-citizens about their legal rights and
responsibilities in immigration court. The Committee
understands that approximately 80 percent of immigration
detainees must act pro se in immigration court, and these
individuals greatly benefit from accurate information about
their legal claims and removal proceedings. The Committee
emphasizes that LOP also benefits taxpayers by increasing the
efficiency of immigration proceedings and reducing costs
related to immigration detention.
Recognizing that LOP served detained individuals in a
limited number of States last year, the Committee directs that
attention be paid to geographic equity as LOP expands the reach
of its services to additional detention centers. The Committee
notes the particular need for legal services at more remote
immigration detention sites that are far from legal service
providers in urban centers.
The Committee's recommendation includes $2,000,000, as
requested in the budget base for LOP, pursuant to the
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-457), for custodians of unaccompanied,
undocumented children to address the custodian's responsibility
for the child's appearance at all immigration proceedings, and
to protect the child from mistreatment, exploitation, and
trafficking.
Pilot-Innovation Ideas.--The Committee provides the
requested $5,824,000 to fund the ``Pilot-Innovation Ideas'' to
improve the level and quality of legal representation for
unaccompanied minor children. The Committee directs EOIR to
work with the Department of Health and Human Services' Office
of Refugee Resettlement [ORR] as well as the Department of
Homeland Security to ensure that the services provided by each
agency are complimentary, rather than duplicative, so that
cases can be adjudicated more efficiently. The Committee
directs EOIR to submit a report on the status of the pilot
program to include a detailed breakout of spending within 45
days of enactment of this act. In addition, the Committee
directs EOIR, in consultation with ORR, to submit a plan
detailing the responsibilities of each agency, along with
recommended funding, to ensure the representation of these
children along with the fiscal year 2016 budget.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $86,400,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 88,577,000
Committee recommendation................................ 88,577,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $88,577,000 for the
Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The recommendation is
$2,177,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget request.
This account finances the activities of the OIG, including
audits, inspections, investigations, and other reviews of
programs and operations of the Department of Justice to promote
efficiency and effectiveness, and to prevent and detect fraud,
waste, and abuse, as well as violations of ethical standards
arising from the conduct of Department employees in their
numerous and diverse activities.
Right to Access.--The Committee has included bill language
providing the Inspector General access to documents and other
materials at the Department of Justice which may be necessary
in the normal conduct of the Inspector General's duties. The
Committee asks the Inspector General to report on the
effectiveness of this provision within 180 days of enactment.
United States Parole Commission
salaries and expenses
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $12,600,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 13,308,000
Committee recommendation................................ 13,308,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $13,308,000 for the
United States Parole Commission. The recommendation is $708,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
Legal Activities
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, GENERAL LEGAL ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $867,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 935,854,000
Committee recommendation................................ 915,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $915,000,000 for
General Legal Activities salaries and expenses. The
recommendation is $48,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $20,854,000 below the budget request.
This appropriation funds the establishment of litigation
policy, conduct of litigation, and various other legal
responsibilities, through the Office of the Solicitor General,
the Tax Division, the Criminal Division [CRM], the Civil
Division [CIV], the Environmental and Natural Resources
Division, the Civil Rights Division [CRT], the Office of Legal
Counsel, and INTERPOL Washington.
INTERPOL Washington.--From within funds provided for
General Legal Activities, the Committee directs the Department
to provide $32,000,000 for INTERPOL Washington, equal to the
budget request. The Committee has provided no-year authority in
the amount of $685,000 to ensure sufficient resources are
available for INTERPOL Washington's dues payments and help the
Department better manage fluctuations in currency exchange
rates. The mission of INTERPOL Washington is to provide the
United States' Federal, State, local, and tribal law
enforcement authorities a central point of communication to the
international law enforcement community, and to serve as the
official U.S. representative to the International Criminal
Police Organization [INTERPOL]. INTERPOL Washington's command
center [IOCC] operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days
a year, responding to requests for international criminal
investigative and humanitarian assistance from more than 18,000
U.S. law enforcement agencies and their counterparts in 189
other INTERPOL-member countries. In fiscal year 2013, the IOCC
processed an average of 27,472 individual requests for
assistance each month, or 903 requests per day. INTERPOL
Washington's responsibility to respond to increasing foreign
and domestic requests places additional operational demands on
the resources of this organization.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee's recommendation fully funds
the requested programmatic increase of $2,580,000 and 25
positions, including 9 attorneys, for a total of $31,637,000,
to enable the CRM to combat the growing and evolving cyber
threat. The Committee expects that these new positions will be
devoted solely to cybersecurity and will allow the Department
to bring additional prosecutions of cyber criminals.
Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] Enforcement.--The
Committee supports the Department's request of $2,200,000, and
11 positions, to support the CRM in combating international
theft of IP, which causes losses of hundreds of billions of
dollars each year and reduces the incentive for innovation and
creativity within the U.S. economy.
Human Trafficking and Slavery.--The Committee's
recommendation provides $6,500,000 for the Human Trafficking
and Slavery Prosecution Unit [HTSPU] in the CRT to fight human
trafficking and slavery. The Committee encourages the HTSPU and
the Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams to continue working
with victim service providers and non-governmental
organizations to ensure victim needs are prioritized as part of
the overall strategy to combat human trafficking, forced labor,
and slavery in the United States.
Civil Rights.--The Committee provides a total of
$158,000,000 to the CRT to strengthen its efforts to enforce
civil rights laws; expand its capacity to prosecute and provide
litigation support for human trafficking, hate crimes, and
unsolved civil rights era crimes; carry out its
responsibilities associated with the civil rights of
institutionalized persons and the access rights of the
disabled; investigate and prosecute police misconduct; and
enhance the enforcement of fair housing and fair lending laws.
Civil Rights Violations in State and Local Prisons and
Jails.--The Committee continues to be concerned by reports of
civil rights violations in State and local prisons and jails,
and directs the CRT to increase efforts to investigate and
address violations of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized
Persons Act in State and local prisons and jails. The Committee
directs the CRT to use such sums as necessary from amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2015 to address such issues in
State and local prisons and jails.
Human Rights Crimes.--The Committee remains concerned by
the large number of suspected human rights violators from
foreign countries who have found safe haven in the United
States and directs the CRM to continue its efforts to
investigate and prosecute serious human rights crimes,
including genocide, torture, use or recruitment of child
soldiers, and war crimes. For this purpose, the Committee's
recommendation supports continued funding for the CRM to
investigate and prosecute individuals who violate Federal laws
regarding serious human rights abuses.
THE NATIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINE INJURY ACT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $7,833,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 7,833,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,833,000
The Committee's recommendation provides a reimbursement of
$7,833,000 for legal costs. The recommendation is equal to the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request.
This account covers the Department's expenses associated
with litigating cases under the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660).
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, ANTITRUST DIVISION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $160,400,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 162,246,000
Committee recommendation................................ 162,246,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $162,246,000 for
the Antitrust Division. The recommendation is $1,846,000 above
the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the budget
request. This appropriation is offset by $100,000,000 in pre-
merger filing fee collections, resulting in a direct
appropriation of $62,246,000.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $1,944,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,955,327,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,950,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,950,000,000 for
the Executive Office for United States Attorneys [EOUSA] and
the 94 U.S. Attorneys' [USAs] offices. The recommendation is
$6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$5,327,000 below the budget request.
As in past years, the Committee directs the USAs to focus
their efforts on those crimes where the unique resources,
expertise, or jurisdiction of the Federal Government can be
most effective.
Adam Walsh Act Implementation.--The Committee expects the
EOUSA to continue to focus on investigations and prosecutions
related to the sexual exploitation of children, as authorized
by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
(Public Law 109-248), and as part of Project Safe Childhood.
The recommendation fully funds the budget request of
$43,998,000 for this purpose in fiscal year 2015.
Combating Financial and Mortgage Fraud.--The Committee's
recommendation fully funds the request of $55,708,000, to hold
accountable criminals who perpetrate financial and mortgage
fraud, deter future perpetrators of fraud, and recover monies
stolen from U.S. taxpayers. The USAs will conduct criminal
investigations and prosecutions of mortgage and financial
fraud, predatory lending, financial fraud, and market
manipulation matters. The USAs will also increase civil
enforcement efforts to continue to obtain recoveries from
individuals and companies that have defrauded the Government by
violating the terms of Federal contracts, grants, loans, and
subsidies.
Human Trafficking.--The Committee directs the EOUSA, in
consultation with the USAs, to designate a point of contact in
each U.S. Attorney's office who shall serve as the coordinator
for all activities within that office concerning human
trafficking and slavery matters covered by the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act. Designating a point of contact improves
communication and coordination within each jurisdiction,
including with victim service organizations, in order to better
serve the victims of human trafficking, forced labor, and
slavery.
Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] Enforcement.--The
Committee expects the Department to continue to make IPR
enforcement an investigative and prosecutorial priority for
Federal prosecutors.
National Advocacy Center.--The Committee is aware of the
excellent training for U.S. Attorneys, Assistant U.S.
Attorneys, and other legal professionals which has been
provided for two decades at the National Advocacy Center. The
Committee expects the Department to maintain the integrity of
the original agreement in light of unavoidable delays impeding
the Federal Government's ability to take possession of the
facility.
UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $224,400,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 225,908,000
Committee recommendation................................ 225,908,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $225,908,000 for
the U.S. Trustee System Fund. The recommendation is $1,508,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the
budget request. The appropriation is fully offset by fee
collections.
The U.S. Trustee Program, authorized by 28 U.S.C. 581 et
seq., is the component of the Department with responsibility
for protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system by
overseeing case administration and litigation to enforce the
bankruptcy laws. In fiscal year 2015, the U.S. Trustee Program
will participate in an estimated 1.4 million business and
consumer bankruptcy case filings.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,100,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,326,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,326,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $2,326,000 for the
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. The recommendation is
$226,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to
the budget request.
The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission settles claims of
American citizens arising from nationalization, expropriation,
or other takings of their properties and interests by foreign
governments.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF WITNESSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $270,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 270,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 270,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $270,000,000 for
fees and expenses of witnesses. The recommendation is equal to
the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request.
This appropriation, which is considered mandatory for
scorekeeping purposes, provides for fees and expenses of
witnesses who appear on behalf of the Government in cases in
which the United States is a party, including fact and expert
witnesses. These funds are also used for mental competency
examinations, as well as witness and informant protection.
The Committee expects that no funds will be expended for
expert witness services, including the payment of fees and
expenses of expert witnesses, from any DOJ accounts but Fees
and Expenses of Witnesses.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 12,972,000
Committee recommendation................................ 12,972,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $12,972,000 for the
Community Relations Service [CRS]. The recommendation is
$972,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to
the budget request.
The Community Relations Service, established by title X of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provides assistance to
communities and persons in the prevention and resolution of
disagreements arising from discriminatory practices.
Hate Crimes Prevention.--Within the funds provided, the
Committee provides $2,500,000 to handle an increase in workload
and responsibilities stemming from passage of the Matthew
Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act [HCPA]
(Public Law 111-84). The HCPA has expanded the CRS's mandate,
requiring that it help communities prevent and respond to
violent hate crimes committed on the basis of gender, gender
identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability, in
addition to race, color, and national origin. These
enhancements will maximize the CRS crisis response nationwide
and enable it to fulfill both its original mandate and expanded
mandate under the HCPA.
ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $20,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 20,514,000
Committee recommendation................................ 20,514,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $20,514,000 for the
Assets Forfeiture Fund [AFF]. The recommendation is $14,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
The AFF provides funds for qualifying expenses of Federal
law enforcement agencies and their State or local partners.
Funds for these activities are provided from receipts deposited
in the AFF resulting from the seizure and liquidation of
assets. Expenses related to the management and disposal of
assets are also provided from the AFF by a permanent,
indefinite appropriation.
United States Marshals Service
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,727,800,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,790,107,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,790,107,000
The Committee's recommendation provides a total of
$2,790,107,000 for the United States Marshals Service [USMS].
The recommendation is $62,307,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
salaries and expenses
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $1,185,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,185,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,185,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,185,000,000 for
USMS salaries and expenses. The recommendation is equal to the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request.
The core missions of the USMS include the apprehension of
fugitives; protection of the Federal judiciary and witnesses;
execution of warrants and court orders; and the custody and
transportation of unsentenced prisoners.
Regional Fugitive Task Forces.--The Committee strongly
supports the USMS's Regional Fugitive Task Forces [RFTFs],
which are effective partnerships with other Federal, State and
local law enforcement agencies to apprehend violent fugitives.
These task forces exemplify well-coordinated law enforcement
efforts. The Committee directs the USMS to ensure that existing
RFTFs have the resources and work space necessary to maintain
their continued success at capturing fugitives. The Committee
directs the USMS to provide a report detailing the space
arrangements currently available for each of the RFTFs and any
plans for acquiring new or additional space no later than 30
days after the date of enactment of this act.
Tactical Training Space.--The Committee is concerned that
the USMS has interpreted the Office of Management and Budget
Memorandum [OMB] M-1212, Section 3 ``Freeze the Footprint''
policy to include tactical training space thereby prohibiting
the acquisition of such space by RFTFs. However, the guidance
specifically states that agencies ``shall not increase the
total square footage of their domestic office and warehouse
inventory . . .'' and defines office space as ``buildings
primarily used for office space or military headquarters.'' The
Committee believes that tactical training space does not meet
the definition of ``office space'' included in the memorandum.
Tactical training space, including live fire simunitions shoot
houses, allows Federal law enforcement as well as their State
and local partners to train together as cohesive units under
realistic conditions through scenario-based training. The RFTFs
have developed an intensive, specialized, and comprehensive
training curriculum for all task force participants ensuring
personnel are trained to the same standards. The Committee
directs the USMS to ensure that its application of OMBs
``Freeze the Footprint'' policy is consistent with the
definitions included therein and does not incorporate tactical
training space. The USMS is directed to report to Congress on
its progress in and plans for obtaining tactical training space
for RFTFs not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this act.
Gang Enforcement.--With some 20,000 violent street gangs,
motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs with nearly one million
members criminally active in the United States today, the
Committee recognizes the urgent need to reduce the
proliferation of gang members and gang crime. One of the key
strengths of the USMS RFTF model is the ability to conduct
short-term, street level enforcement operations. This expertise
enhances the Marshals Service's Federal, State, and local law
enforcement partners' ability to track down, root out, and
prosecute the most dangerous violent gang members, thereby
removing gangs and the tools of their trade--illicit weapons,
drugs, and laundered money--from communities plagued by
violence.
Within the amount provided in the budget request, the USMS
shall dedicate no less than $5,000,000 to operate anti-gang
investigative units within the RFTFs, including supporting the
supervisory, operational, equipment, and training needs of
these units, in order to target gangs of national significance.
These units will increase law enforcement's ability to
identify, locate, and arrest violent gang fugitives, as well as
increase USMS gang training and increase innovative anti-gang
and violent crime reduction operations. If necessary, the
Committee urges the Department to submit a reprogramming
request in 2015 that would reallocate funds from lower priority
programs across the Department or from unobligated no-year
balances to enable the USMS to expand its gang enforcement
mission.
Sex Offender Apprehension.--The Adam Walsh Child Protection
and Safety Act of 2006 [AWA] (Public Law 109-248) gives the
USMS the authority to treat convicted sex offenders who fail to
register as fugitives. The act also directs the USMS to assist
jurisdictions in locating and apprehending these individuals.
In 2013, the USMS tracked down and arrested more than 11,800
fugitive sex offenders and opened 3,607 Adam Walsh Act
investigations.
The USMS currently has on board 160 Deputy Marshals to
assist States in locating and apprehending sex offenders who
violate sex offender registration requirements. However, the
USMS estimates it needs a dedicated force of at least 500
Deputy Marshals to expand AWA enforcement activities in
districts across the country. The Committee's recommendation
provides not less than $55,733,000 to continue AWA enforcement.
The funds provided will also continue support for the
National Sex Offender Targeting Center and reinforce
infrastructure including costs associated with the use of
administrative subpoenas so that Deputy Marshals have timely,
accurate investigative information to track down and arrest
those who prey on our Nation's children.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $9,800,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 9,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,800,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $9,800,000 for
construction in space controlled, occupied, or utilized by the
USMS in Federal courthouses and buildings, including but not
limited to the creation, renovation, and expansion of prisoner
movement areas, elevators, and other law enforcement and court
security support space. The recommendation is equal to the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request.
The Committee notes that the budget request will result in
funding for this account dropping roughly 63 percent in a span
of 5 years, from $26,625,000 in fiscal year 2010 to $9,800,000
provided in the recommendation. The USMS has approximately
$47,000,000 in shovel-ready construction and/or renovation
projects pending at Federal courthouses and buildings. These
upgrades are essential for maintaining the security and safety
of judicial officials, courtroom participants, the public, USMS
personnel, and prisoners. The Committee expects future budget
submissions to more realistically reflect construction needs.
FEDERAL PRISONER DETENTION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $1,533,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,595,307,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,595,307,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,595,307,000 for
Federal Prisoner Detention [FPD]. The recommendation is
$62,307,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget request.
The Committee expects the USMS to anticipate the true
funding needs for this account in order to avoid funding
shortfalls and the need for emergency reprogrammings to avert
deficiencies. The Committee directs the USMS to report to the
Committee on a quarterly basis the current number of
individuals in the detention system, the projected number of
individuals, and the annualized costs associated with them.
National Security Division
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $91,800,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 91,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 91,800,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $91,800,000 for the
National Security Division [NSD]. The recommendation is equal
to the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request.
The NSD coordinates the Department's national security and
counterterrorism missions through law enforcement
investigations and prosecutions, and handles counterespionage
cases. The NSD works in coordination with the FBI, the
Intelligence Community, and the U.S. Attorneys. Its primary
function is to prevent acts of terrorism and espionage from
being perpetrated in the United States by foreign powers.
Combating Cyber Threats to National Security.--The
Committee's recommendation funds the full request of
$29,675,000 for cybersecurity activities within the NSD for
investigative, prosecutorial, intelligence collection, and
oversight abilities that support the Intelligence Community in
identifying and disrupting cyber threats to national security.
This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2014 enacted level.
Interagency Law Enforcement
INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $514,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 505,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 505,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $505,000,000 for
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement. The recommendation is
$9,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget request.
The Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement account funds
the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces [OCDETF],
which is the centerpiece of the Department's drug enforcement
and counternarcotics efforts. The mission of the OCDETF is to
ensure a coordinated, multi-agency, intelligence-based, and
prosecutor-led approach to identifying, disrupting, and
dismantling those drug trafficking and money laundering
organizations primarily responsible for the Nation's illicit
drug supply and drug-related violence.
Law Enforcement Coordination.--The Committee notes the
important role that the OCDETF provides by allowing Federal law
enforcement agencies to work together to combat drug
trafficking and money laundering. The Committee requests the
Department provide non-sensitive law enforcement information
regarding how, under the OCDETF program, law enforcement
agencies prioritize and coordinate information and activities
across the country to combat drug trafficking, especially in
areas of the United States that have a disproportionately high
level of drug trafficking not later than 90 days after
enactment of this act.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $8,245,802,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 8,278,219,000
Committee recommendation................................ 8,291,233,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $8,291,233,000 for
the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] salaries and
expenses. The recommendation is $45,431,000 above the fiscal
year 2014 enacted level and $13,014,000 above the budget
request.
Next Generation Cyber Initiative.--Cyber threats expand and
evolve each year with cyber criminals using whatever
vulnerabilities they can find, from sandwich menus and heating
and cooling systems to relentless, nation-state sponsored
assaults to compromise U.S. Government and private sector
computer networks. Whether the criminals behind the keyboard
are seeking profit, intelligence, or intellectual property, the
FBI is in a unique position to counter the threat. The FBI
remains the only agency with the statutory authority,
expertise, and ability to combine counterterrorism,
counterintelligence, and criminal investigatory resources to
neutralize, mitigate, and disrupt illegal computer-supported
operations domestically.
The Committee recognizes the FBI's efforts to counter cyber
threats and recommends continued funding at the fiscal year
2014 enacted level, to further the FBI's investigatory,
intelligence gathering, and technological capabilities. These
funds will support efforts by the Comprehensive National
Cybersecurity Initiative [CNCI] to increase coverage of cyber-
terrorist threats and allow the FBI's National Cyber
Investigative Joint Task Force [NCIJTF] to continue 24/7
operations. The NCIJTF plays an important role in coordinated
national cybersecurity operations. Because threat actors
operate globally, a significant volume of cyber threat activity
occurs outside of normal business hours. The increasing need
for real-time analysis to support operations and provide
program management for multi-agency efforts requires the NCIJTF
to boost its after-hours presence.
Cyber Training for Field Agents.--The Committee expects the
FBI to continue using, from within funds provided, $5,000,000
to train FBI cyber agents involved in national security
intrusion cases. This will allow the FBI to continue building
its cyber threats workforce by increasing the number of cyber
agents qualified to understand current techniques and tactics
used by those engaged in illicit cyber activities, and stay
abreast of emerging technologies that are used to overcome
computer systems' defenses and to infiltrate networks, such as
those of the U.S. Government, utility companies, defense
contractors, and financial institutions.
National Instant Criminal Background Check System [NICS].--
The Committee's recommendation fully funds the programmatic
increase of $13,424,000 for a total of $141,864,000, to
maintain the substantial improvements to NICS in fiscal year
2014 that increased the capacity of the existing NICS system to
perform background checks on prospective firearms buyers.
National Gang Threat Assessment.--The Committee finds the
information provided in the National Gang Intelligence Center's
[NGIC] National Gang Threat Assessment useful and urges the
NGIC to issue its biannual report not later than the end of the
calendar year in which it is due. Additionally, in order to
better inform policy makers, the Committee encourages the NGIC
to work with State, local, and Federal law enforcement to
include as much detailed information about the location of
gangs and gang members by State and region as is possible.
Financial and Mortgage Fraud.--The FBI continues to develop
new approaches and techniques for detecting, investigating, and
combating the highest impact and most complex financial
crimes--corporate fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and
mortgage fraud. The Committee's recommendation includes the
request of $147,103,000 to support the FBI's ability to combat
financial and mortgage fraud at all levels of organizations,
and will enable the FBI to adapt as new fraud schemes emerge.
The FBI identifies mortgage fraud as the top white collar
crime problem in the United States. The Bureau is currently
investigating nearly 1,600 mortgage fraud cases, compared to
approximately 700 investigations in fiscal year 2005. Roughly
70 percent of the FBI's pending investigations involve losses
exceeding $1,000,000 per case. Efforts to combat mortgage fraud
are paying off and, in 2013, the FBI successfully pursued cases
that resulted in nearly 1,300 convictions.
Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] Enforcement.--The
Committee expects IPR enforcement to remain an investigative
priority at the FBI. A 2012 report by the U.S. Department of
Commerce found that IP-intensive industries, including
copyright industries, contributed $5,060,000,000,000, or 34.8
percent of GDP, to the U.S. economy and supported the jobs of
40 million American workers. The FBI shall, as part of the
spend plan, provide specific information regarding the number
of dedicated agents investigating IPR cases. In addition, the
FBI shall provide quarterly updates to the Committee detailing
the activities of its dedicated agents investigating IPR cases.
Criminal Justice Information Services [CJIS] Division.--The
Committee's recommendation provides $765,055,511, including fee
collections, for the CJIS Division, derived from $347,031,257
in appropriated funds and $418,024,254 in anticipated user
fees.
FBI Headquarters Consolidation.--The Committee directs the
FBI to coordinate closely with the General Services
Administration [GSA] to move forward in a timely and
transparent way with the full consolidation of FBI Headquarters
so that employees currently located at the J. Edgar Hoover
building may be co-located with their colleagues who are
currently spread out across 20 leased offices in the region.
The Committee strongly encourages the FBI and GSA to pursue a
strategy for a new FBI Headquarters using federally owned or
donated land within a reasonable distance of the White House,
the United States Capitol, and the FBI Complex in Quantico,
Virginia, that is also within 2 miles of a Metrorail station
and 2.5 miles of the National Capital Region Beltway. This
consolidation is in the best interest of the FBI's information
sharing, collaboration, and integration of strategic
priorities. The FBI must have a central headquarters that meets
its needs for security and transportation access.
TEDAC.--The Committee recommendation includes $25,000,000
for the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center for
additional FBI staff required to complete the activation of new
facilities. This funding will strengthen the role of TEDAC as
the U.S. Government's strategic-level improvised explosive
device exploitation center and provide the resources necessary
to staff the new facility as it comes online. The Committee
views TEDAC as a key U.S. Government interagency resource in
combating the global threat posed by terrorist use of
explosives and in sharing IED threat information and
intelligence. The Committee is especially encouraged by the
joint initiative of the FBI and the Department of Homeland
Security to leverage resources and collaborate on explosives
characterization and performance testing at the TEDAC
facilities.
Hazardous Devices School.--The Committee is aware that
limitations on student capacity at the Hazardous Devices School
[HDS] are impacting the ability of the FBI to satisfy demands
for both basic and advanced training, resulting in a waiting
list for classes. HDS is the sole U.S. Government entity for
accrediting and certifying U.S. public safety bomb squads and
bomb technicians. Ensuring sufficient training capacity at HDS
is critical to providing State and local public safety bomb
technicians with the basic and advanced knowledge, tools, and
techniques needed as the first line of defense in responding to
threats posed by terrorist use of improvised explosive devices.
The Committee recommendation includes $3,000,000 for the HDS
within the Salaries and Expenses account for additional
training staff to provide expanded course offerings.
Human Rights Violations.--The Committee remains concerned
by the large number of suspected human rights violators from
foreign countries who have found safe haven in the United
States, and directs the FBI to continue its efforts to
investigate and support the DOJ's criminal prosecution of
serious human rights crimes committed by these foreign
nationals, including genocide, torture, use or recruitment of
child soldiers, and war crimes. The Committee's recommendation
supports funding at the fiscal year 2014 enacted level for this
effort.
Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors Through
Online Web Sites.--The Committee is concerned by the use of
online classified advertising Web sites that facilitate human
trafficking, and in particular the sexual exploitation and sex
trafficking of minors, by expanding an illegal market
previously inaccessible to most people. Criminal gangs are
increasingly finding human trafficking to be more lucrative
than other traditional forms of revenue generation. The
Committee directs the FBI to report within 120 days of
enactment of this act on any instance where an online
classified adult Web site is determined to be the conduit for
exploiting trafficked persons, especially minors. The report
should include the number of incidents; the location of the
incidents, including the city and State; and, with the help of
the Department and the Executive Office for United States
Attorneys, the number of resulting prosecutions and
convictions.
Innocent Images National Initiative [IINI].--The
Committee's recommendation provides the $58,021,000 requested
in base funding for the Innocent Images National Initiative,
which allows the FBI to target and investigate sexual predators
on the Internet. This funding will address the critical
requirements for Federal law enforcement in targeting child
sexual exploitation and child victimization. The Committee
trusts that the budget request is sufficient to cover the
current Innocent Images caseload. Should the threat of child
predators on the Internet increase, however, the Committee
expects that future budget requests for the FBI will include
adequate resources dedicated to investigate child predators who
prey on children online.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $97,482,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 68,982,000
Committee recommendation................................ 93,982,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $93,982,000 for FBI
construction. The recommendation is $3,500,000 below the fiscal
year 2014 funding level and $25,000,000 above the budget
request. Of the amount provided, $2,000,000 is for the annual
operations and maintenance for Terrorist Explosive Device
Analytical Center operations facilities, transfer, build-out,
and related costs, and $23,000,000 is provided for construction
of additional classrooms, mock training venues, and facilities
upgrades of the existing Hazardous Devices School facility.
Drug Enforcement Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,378,917,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,384,680,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,384,680,000
The Committee's recommendation provides total resources of
$2,384,680,000 for the Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA],
of which $366,680,000 is derived from the DEA's Drug Diversion
Control Fee Account. The recommendation is $5,763,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
The DEA's mission is to enforce the controlled substances
laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the
criminal and civil justice system of the United States--or any
other competent jurisdiction--those organizations and principal
members of organizations involved in the growing,
manufacturing, or distribution of controlled substances
appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United
States; and to support non-enforcement programs aimed at
reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on
the domestic and international markets.
Diversion Control Program.--Full funding of $366,680,000 is
provided for the Diversion Control Program, which is an
increase of $5,763,000 from the fiscal year 2014 enacted level
for expanded forensic support of diversion cases and is fully
offset with fee collections.
Prescription Drug Abuse.--The Committee continues to
believe that prescription drug abuse is an urgent public health
crisis and reiterates its direction to the Department in Public
Law 113-76 to provide a report on how the DEA is approaching
this growing epidemic. This report was due to the Committee on
May 14, 2014, but has not yet been delivered. The Committee
directs the DEA to prioritize production of this report.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Days.--The Department shall
take steps to ensure that of the funds appropriated for the
DEA's Diversion Control Fee Account, sufficient resources shall
be allocated to increase the annual number of Prescription Drug
Take-Back Days.
International Mission.--The DEA currently assists the
Government of Afghanistan in establishing drug enforcement
institutions and capabilities needed to enforce the rule of
law. The Committee encourages the DEA to continue its
counternarcotics activities in Afghanistan including, to the
extent practicable, continued funding for Sensitive
Investigative Units, National Interdiction Units, and Technical
Investigative Units. The Committee directs the DEA to submit an
assessment of past effectiveness of its Sensitive Investigative
Units and the costs and benefits of expanding the program in
Central America and West Africa no later than 90 days after
enactment of this act.
Drug Take-Back Operations for Servicemembers and
Veterans.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the
alarming rate of suicide among servicemembers and veterans. In
2012, the Department of Defense [DOD] reported 349 suicides of
military personnel and the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]
estimated 22 veterans a day were lost to suicide based on
information gathered from 21 States. A February 2014 report by
the DOD Inspector General found that many servicemembers,
including high-risk patients such as wounded warriors, do not
have a reliable, safe, accessible, and accountable method to
dispose of medications no longer needed for treatment. As a
result, many may be at risk for overdose or misuse of unneeded
medications that could result in unnecessary hospitalization
and even death. The report recommended that the Attorney
General expedite the decision to allow for DOD medical
treatment facility pharmacies to conduct routine take-backs of
unnecessary prescription medication.
It is essential that DOD and VA facilities be allowed to
fully participate in DEA's drug take-back efforts in order to
combat the unique challenge posed by prescription drug misuse
and abuse and the continuing crisis of military and veteran
suicides. The Committee understands that the rule is currently
undergoing review at the Office of Management and Budget, but
expects that the DEA's final rule, once published, will provide
the DOD and the VA with the means to establish meaningful drug
take-back programs for their beneficiaries in order to reduce
prescription drug misuse and abuse, and avoid tragic events.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $1,179,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,201,004,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,201,004,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,201,004,000 for
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF].
The recommendation is $22,004,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
The ATF reduces the criminal use of firearms and illegal
firearms trafficking, and assists other Federal, State, and
local law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and violence.
The ATF investigates bombing and arson incidents and assists
with improving public safety by reducing the criminal misuse of
and trafficking in explosives, combating acts of arson and
arson-for-profit schemes, and removing safety hazards caused by
improper and unsafe storage of explosive materials.
Combating Gun Violence and Enforcing Gun Laws.--The
Committee's recommendation provides the requested increase of
$22,004,000 to enhance the ATF's ability to enforce existing
firearms laws and perform regulatory oversight and training, as
well as to update and expand the National Integrated Ballistics
Information Network [NIBIN]. This will enhance the ATF's
ability to collect, report, and share ballistic intelligence
with Federal, State, local and tribal law enforcement partners
to identify, target, and disrupt violent criminals, including
serial shooters. These funds will support the replacement of
outdated equipment and software upgrades that will enable
firearms examiners to more easily discern distinct markings on
the cartridge casings and link evidence for separate cases.
Funds will also be used to support work with State and local
law enforcement agencies and laboratories to collect ballistic
hit information to provide leads to Firearms Intelligence
Groups for investigations and document successful prosecutions
as a result of NIBIN.
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network
Improvements.--The Committee is aware that the ATF has
successfully operated NIBIN for over a decade, linking more
than 185 State and local law enforcement partner agencies to a
database with approximately 2.5 million images of ballistics
evidence retrieved from gun crime scenes. To date, nearly
123,000 shootings have been linked, providing crime solving
leads to investigators. The Committee supports NIBIN, including
the significant investment made by State and local law
enforcement partners to build the current NIBIN database.
Pursuant to direction from the Committee in Public Law 113-
76 instructing the Department to take the necessary steps to
ensure ballistics information is entered into NIBIN when
Federal law enforcement recovers evidence such as fired bullets
and cartridge cases at a crime scene, the Committee directs the
ATF to provide a report detailing its efforts in that regard
not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this act.
United States-Mexico Firearms Trafficking.--The Committee
continues to support the ATF's efforts to combat weapon
trafficking on the border. The ATF shall continue to provide
the Committee with annual data on the total number of firearms
recovered by the Government of Mexico, and of those, the number
for which an ATF trace is attempted, the number successfully
traced, and the number determined to have originated in the
United States prior to being recovered in Mexico.
National Center for Explosives Training and Research
[NCETR].--Preventing the criminal use of explosives is one of
the core missions of the ATF, and NCETR serves as the Bureau's
Center of Excellence in this regard. A key goal of NCETR is to
foster arson- and explosives-related training and expertise
through research and training courses. While the ATF has
increased the number of staff and course offerings at NCETR,
more is needed. To that end, the Committee directs the ATF to
provide $4,000,000, from within the additional resources
provided, to NCETR to restart the advanced fire investigation
training course and provide additional advanced explosives
disposal techniques courses for public safety bomb technicians.
Federal Prison System
The Committee's recommendation provides a total of
$6,911,700,000 for the Federal Prison System, or the Bureau of
Prisons [BOP]. The recommendation is $50,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $15,000,000 above the budget
request.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $6,769,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 6,804,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,804,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $6,804,000,000 for
BOP salaries and expenses. The recommendation is $35,000,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
The recommendation shall be expended, consistent with the
budget request, in the following manner:
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inmate Care and Programs............................... 2,560,219
Institution Security and Administration................ 2,986,408
Contract Confinement................................... 1,051,323
Management and Administration.......................... 206,050
----------------
Total............................................ 6,804,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By law, the BOP must accept and provide for all Federal
inmates, including but not limited to inmate care, custodial
staff, contract beds, food, and medical costs. The BOP cannot
control the number of inmates sentenced to prison and, unlike
other Federal agencies, cannot limit assigned workloads and
thereby control operating costs. In effect, the BOP's expenses
are mandatory, which leaves the Bureau with extremely limited
flexibility.
Prison Overcrowding.--Prison overcrowding has been
identified as a programmatic material weakness in every
Performance and Accountability Report prepared by the
Department since 2006. According to the Office of the Inspector
General [OIG], the DOJ faces a significant challenge in
``addressing the growing cost of housing a continually growing
and aging population of Federal inmates and detainees.'' In
order to address this challenge, the BOP has contracted with
private sector, State, and local facilities to house certain
groups of low security inmates, purchased existing facilities,
and even constructed new, Federal facilities. None of these
efforts, however, have had a significant impact on
overcrowding.
Overall prison overcrowding has been decreasing, at 38
percent in fiscal year 2012, 36 percent in fiscal year 2013,
and projected to be 33 percent in fiscal year 2014, due to a
decrease in the overall institutional prison population, an
increase in the number of beds, and greater use of contract bed
space. However, medium-security facilities are 41 percent
overcrowded, while high-security facilities are 51 percent
overcrowded.
While the trends in incarceration rates and overall
overcrowding are encouraging, the fact remains that the
Bureau's budget consumes 25 percent of the budget for the
Department of Justice. Moreover, recent per capita expenditure
data from the BOP indicate that it is becoming more expensive
each year to incarcerate an inmate in the Federal system. In
fact, from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2013 the cost of
incarceration rose from approximately $22,000 per inmate to
more than $29,000 per inmate, an increase of 35.6 percent.
These numbers suggest that the BOP could eventually consume an
even greater share of the Department's overall budget and
potentially lead to an increase in the overall crowding rate as
resources become tighter.
In order to address this challenge, the OIG made a number
of recommendations in fiscal year 2014 regarding the use of
existing programs. While the BOP has limited ability to address
crowding in the Federal Prison System due to the requirement of
housing inmates commensurate with their sentences, the programs
identified by the OIG, as well as the use of contract
confinement for low security inmates, are options currently
available to the BOP. The Committee is aware of efforts at the
BOP to establish a system for considering compassionate release
applications and is pleased that this effort is underway. This
is, however, only one step towards the development of a
comprehensive plan to address the growth in the Federal prison
population as directed last year. The Committee recognizes that
there is a comprehensive assessment underway by the GAO that
may be beneficial to the BOP in developing such a plan.
However, the Committee expects the BOP to provide an update on
its progress and any impediments or delays that may inhibit
BOP's ability to deliver the plan within the required 180 day
deadline. A comprehensive plan that includes the use of
authorities vested in the BOP to address crowding issues as
well as administrative efforts previously announced by the
Attorney General, are essential to inform policymakers as they
consider efforts to reduce overcrowding in our Federal prisons.
Oleoresin Capsicum [OC] Aerosol Spray Pilot Program.--The
Committee is concerned about the safety of correctional
officers and other prison staff and wants to determine if OC
spray would help enhance safety needs of the BOP's staff. The
Committee directs the BOP to report no later than 90 days after
enactment of this act on the status and results of the pilot
program authorizing use of OC spray by some corrections
officers in 20 BOP facilities. The report should include the
BOP's full review of and recommendations regarding the OC
program, along with any plans for expanding the program to
allow the carrying of OC spray by other BOP employees and at
other BOP facilities.
Contract Confinement.--The Committee's recommendation fully
funds the request of $1,051,323,000 for contract confinement
needs. This activity provides for the confinement of sentenced
Federal offenders in Government-owned, contractor-operated
facilities, contracts with State and local facilities, the care
of Federal prisoners in contract community residential centers,
and assistance by the National Institute of Corrections to
State and local corrections. This activity also covers costs
associated with management and oversight of contract
confinement functions.
Activations and Expansions.--The Committee fully funds the
request to activate prisons that currently sit empty or
partially empty due to prior year budget constraints. These
funds will continue the activation of a high-security prison in
Yazoo City, Mississippi, a medium-security prison in Hazelton,
West Virginia, and a high-security prison in Thomson, Illinois.
With the overcrowding rate at 51 percent at high-security
prisons and 41 percent at medium-security prisons, the
completion of these three activations will help to reduce these
incredibly high overcrowding rates. The Committee expects the
BOP to adhere to the activation schedule included in the BOP's
budget submission regarding those prison facilities. The BOP
shall notify the Committee of any deviations to this schedule.
Strategic Sourcing.--A recent GAO Report entitled, ``Audit
of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Efforts to Improve
Acquisition Through Strategic Sourcing,'' found that purchasing
operations at the BOP are, ``largely de-centralized, with
institutions making procurement decisions locally,'' which
resulted in an underutilization of cost-savings efforts.
Moreover, the report found that, ``BOP had not conducted a
comprehensive spend analysis to identify areas where multiple
suppliers are providing similar goods and services, and where
leveraging the BOP's buying power would be most beneficial.''
While there are uncontrollable factors that impact the BOP's
overall budget, the lack of clarity regarding broad
expenditures throughout the Bureau that are, in fact,
controllable is troubling. To that end, the Committee directs
the BOP to immediately undertake a comprehensive spend analysis
as recommended by the GAO. Further, the Committee believes that
the Bureau should develop a strategic sourcing plan and take
steps to consolidate purchases in order to better leverage the
Government's buying power particularly when it comes to medical
and healthcare services. Specifically, the Committee believes
that efforts to consolidate contracts for the provision of
medical services could produce significant overall savings and
should be carefully considered. The BOP is directed to report
back to the Committee on its progress in achieving these
directives no later than 45 days after the date of enactment of
this act as well as quarterly thereafter with an accounting of
cost savings achieved through these efforts.
Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons.--The Committee continues
to be concerned about the use of contraband cell phones in
facilities administered by or under contract with the BOP and
urges the BOP to accelerate its testing of available
technology, including jamming technology and managed access
systems, to detect and combat the use of unauthorized cell
phones in prisons. The BOP is directed to submit a report to
the Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this act
detailing the results of the detection technologies tested and
the current cost to implement, in a single, representative BOP
facility, a viable cell phone detection technology.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $90,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 90,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 105,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $105,000,000 for
the construction, modernization, maintenance, and repair of
prison and detention facilities housing Federal prisoners. The
recommendation is $15,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and the budget request. Of the amount provided,
$91,000,000 is for modernization and repairs of which
$15,000,000 is for modernization and repairs at USP Thomson.
The Committee includes bill language in Title V--General
Provisions stipulating that no BOP resources may be used for
facilities to house detainees from the United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Long-Term Planning.--The Committee is concerned about the
seemingly ad hoc process for determining the need for new
prison construction or facility expansion, the prioritization
of those projects, consideration of capacity needs by region,
inmate proximity to home, inmate movement from one facility to
another, and communication with impacted communities regarding
facility plans. The Committee believes that the consideration
of any new facility or facility expansion should be based upon
a long-term strategic plan which incorporates a robust capital
planning process including leading capital planning practices
as outlined in OMB and GAO guidance. The Committee directs the
BOP to undertake the development of a formal process that
addresses the issues raised heretofore and memorialize that
process in a published plan, not later than 45 days after the
date of enactment of this act. The BOP is directed to provide
quarterly reports to the Committee on the progress of its
efforts.
Construction.--The BOP currently has no plans to activate
new prisons, aside from those activations proposed in the
fiscal year 2015 request, and the Committee reiterates its
direction to BOP in Public Law 113-76 regarding any significant
construction appropriation requests in coming fiscal years.
After receipt of the GAO's comprehensive assessment of ways to
reduce prison overcrowding, the BOP shall submit to the
Committee a comprehensive plan, including funding for new
prison construction if merited in future requests.
The Committee directs the BOP to continue providing the
Committee the most recent monthly status of construction
report, and to notify the Committee of any deviations from the
construction and activation schedule identified in that report,
including detailed explanations of the causes of delays and
actions proposed to address them. These reports are critical to
the Committee's ability to monitor and assess the BOP's needs.
The BOP shall collaborate and coordinate with the Justice
Management Division on methods that will efficiently deliver
these critical reports to the Committee in a timely manner.
FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
(LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES)
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,700,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,700,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,700,000
The Committee's recommendation provides a limitation on the
administrative expenses of $2,700,000 for the Federal Prison
Industries, Inc. The recommendation is equal to the fiscal year
2014 enacted level and the budget request.
State and Local Law Enforcement Activities
In total, the Committee recommends $2,263,300,000 for State
and local law enforcement and crime prevention grant programs,
including $2,192,300,000 in discretionary appropriations. The
discretionary total is $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $10,300,000 above the budget estimate.
Collaboration Between Grants Administering Components.--For
many years, the Office on Violence Against Women [OVW], the
Office of Justice Programs [OJP], and the Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services [COPS] have collaborated on many
projects and initiatives to address problems that fall within
their respective missions. The Committee expects the OVW, OJP,
and COPS to continue and improve upon their collaborative
efforts, where feasible, in order to avoid duplication of
effort and to make the best possible use of their
appropriations.
Management and Administration Expenses.--The Department
shall, in preparation of its fiscal year 2015 spending plan,
assess management and administration [M&A] expenses against
program funding. The Committee directs the Department to ensure
that its assessment methodology is equitable and, for programs
funded through the Crime Victims Fund, that the assessment
reflects a fair representation of the share of each program
devoted to common M&A costs. The Committee also directs grant
offices to minimize administrative spending in order to
maximize the amount of funding that can be used for grants or
training and technical assistance. The Committee reiterates the
direction provided in Public Law 113-76 that the Department
shall detail, as part of its budget submission for fiscal year
2016 and future years, the actual costs for each grant office
with respect to training, technical assistance, research and
statistics, and peer review for the prior fiscal year, along
with estimates of planned expenditures by each grant office in
each of these categories for the current year and the budget
year.
Evidence-Based Programs.--Faced with an era of budget
constraints, the Committee strongly urges the OJP, COPS, and
OVW to ensure that, to the greatest extent practicable,
competitive grants are used for evidence-based programs and
activities of proven effectiveness, innovation, targeted
training and technical assistance, and multi-disciplinary
collaboration, so as to maximize the result for each dollar
spent.
Grants Consolidation.--Many of the initiatives proposed by
the Department come at the expense of effective existing grant
programs popular with Congress. This leaves the Committee in
the position of filling holes, while trying to provide some
funding for the administration's priorities. This also means
that the number of grant programs grows, and the Committee
cannot fund several programs at the levels necessary to be most
effective.
While the proposed activities of many of these grant
programs are noble, the Committee remains concerned that the
perpetual authorization and proposal of new grants programs,
while not de-authorizing or omitting redundant and archaic
ones, has become unmanageable, particularly during these tight
fiscal times. The Committee directs the Department to work more
closely with the appropriate congressional committees to
seriously consider the modification or omission of existing
outdated programs before new proposals and initiatives are
unveiled. The Committee once again urges the DOJ, working with
Congress and stakeholder groups, to devise a proposal to
consolidate and eliminate ineffective grant programs and focus
on successful programs that have a proven track record and are
cost-effective for the taxpayers' dollars, but reminds the
Department that the appropriations process is not the venue for
broad authorizing changes.
Grant Funding Set-Asides.--The Committee notes the
significant number of reductions in grant funding allowable for
various purposes, including training, technical assistance,
research, evaluation and statistics activities with set-asides
ranging anywhere from 2 percent to 10 percent of total grant
funding provided. In years past, the Committee sought to obtain
a detailed accounting of these reductions by grant category as
specified in the bill to no avail. To that end, the Committee
directs the Department to prepare a comprehensive report to be
provided concurrent with the spending plan that details the
total amount provided for each grant program in this act, the
specific reductions taken, the purpose for those reductions and
the final use of those resources, including any transfers that
may occur within the OJP, OVW and COPS. The Committee expects
that the report will provide a complete analysis of the final
amounts externally awarded and the amounts retained internally
for other purposes.
Performance Partnership Pilots.--The bill includes language
permitting OJP to participate, with other Federal agencies, in
the Performance Partnership Pilot program authorized in
division H of Public Law 113-76. Performance Partnership Pilots
take an evidence-based approach to better serve disconnected
youth in our communities. The Committee supports innovative
efforts to coordinate programs across the Federal Government
that serve these young people. Nonetheless, the Department must
remain accountable for the proper use and effectiveness of its
grant funds. The proposal for these pilots states that outcome-
focused criteria will be used as part of the evaluation
process. In addition, jurisdictions receiving funding will be
held accountable to a set of cross-agency, data-driven outcomes
and interventions will be measured and rigorously evaluated
using real-time performance and outcome data.
The OJP shall inform the Committee, not later than 45 days
after enactment of this act, on how it intends to participate
in Performance Partnership Pilots, including the intended
amount and source of funding; how the Department will
participate in evaluating and soliciting grant applications
including evaluation and accountability criteria; and how the
Department will ensure oversight and accountability for its
contributions. Not later than 15 days after pilots have been
selected, the Department shall brief the Committee with
detailed information on the pilots in which it is
participating, including detailed information about the
grantee, the program being undertaken, specific metrics
incorporated to determine outcomes, and the accountability
measurements associated with these metrics. The Department's
Office of Inspector General should coordinate with the
Inspectors General of other participating departments and
agencies to ensure timely audits and oversight of these funds.
The Committee encourages the Department to work with
appropriate authorizing committees to share lessons learned
from the pilots, including recommendations to improve DOJ-
administered grant programs.
One-Year Prision Rape Elimination Act [PREA] Exemption.--
The Committee has included bill language providing a 1 year
exemption from the penalties required under the PREA for the
following grant programs: the OVW's Services, Training,
Officers, and Prosecutors [STOP] Grants; the OJP's Edward Byrne
Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; and the Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Title II Formula
Grant Program.
Blue Alert System.--Similar to the AMBER Alert system, a
Blue Alert system would rapidly notify law enforcement
agencies, the media, and the public to aid in the apprehension
of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, State,
or Federal law enforcement officers. The Committee directs the
Department to report, not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this act, on the costs and feasibility of
establishing a national Blue Alert communications network to
issue alerts in coordination with State and local law
enforcement agencies, and other appropriate entities. The
report should include an evaluation of the potential use of
existing systems of infrastructure that could facilitate the
implementation of this type of alert.
Office on Violence Against Women
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $417,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 422,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 430,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $430,000,000 for
OVW grants. The recommendation is $13,000,000 above the fiscal
year 2014 enacted level, and $7,500,000 above the budget
request. Resources are provided to the OVW above the budget
request to respond to the needs of all victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking,
including, but not limited to, Native women, immigrants, LGBT
victims, college students, youths, and public housing
residents.
Timeliness of Grant Awards.--The Committee expects the OVW
to award grants within the same fiscal year that funds are
appropriated. While the Committee recognizes there may be
exceptions to this rule, such as the creation of or substantial
funding for a new grant program, the Committee has made it a
priority to provide adequate funding for the OVW salaries and
expenses in order to ensure the timeliness of grant awards. The
Committee expects the OVW to discuss, calculate, and plan in
detail the best way to administer a grant program. However, the
OVW cannot allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good
when too much preparation results in unnecessary delays of
getting grants out the door and on the ground to help victims.
Not later than 45 days after the end of the current fiscal
year, the OVW shall submit to the Committee a report on grants
appropriated but not awarded in that year, including a detailed
explanation of such delays and the expected award dates, as
well as the OVW's end-of-year unobligated balances from both
fiscal year 2015 and prior years.
The table below displays the Committee's recommendations
for the programs under this office.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP Grants............................................ 195,000
Transitional Housing Assistance........................ 26,000
National Institute of Justice Research and Evaluation 3,000
on Violence Against Women.............................
Consolidated Youth Oriented Program.................... 10,000
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies.................... 50,000
Homicide Reduction Initiative...................... (4,000)
Sexual Assault Victims Services........................ 30,000
Rural Domestic Violence Assistance Grants.............. 33,000
Violence on College Campuses........................... 12,000
Civil Legal Assistance................................. 42,500
Elder Abuse Grant Program.............................. 4,500
Family Civil Justice................................... 16,000
Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims..... 6,000
National Center on Workplace Responses................. 500
Research--Violence Against Indian Women................ 1,000
Sex Assault in Indian Country Clearinghouse............ 500
----------------
Total............................................ 430,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP Grants.--Within the discretionary budget authority
appropriated, $195,000,000 is for formula grants to the States.
This is $2,000,000 above both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2014 enacted level. The fiscal year 2015 recommendation
will allow jurisdictions to implement mandatory pro-arrest and
prosecution policies to prevent, identify, and respond to
violent crimes against women, support coordination of State
victim services, assist Native victims in Indian country, and
provide secure settings and specialized procedures for
visitation and exchange of children in families experiencing
domestic violence. The recommendation supports increasing
access to comprehensive legal services for victims, providing
short-term housing assistance and support services for domestic
violence victims, and education and training to end violence
against and abuse of women with disabilities.
Sexual Assault Services Act [SASA].--The Committee's
recommendation provides $30,000,000, which is $3,000,000 above
both the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the budget request,
to fund directly the needs of sexual assault victims.
As part of the VAWA 2005 and reauthorized by VAWA 2013, the
Sexual Assault Services Program addresses considerable gaps in
services to sexual assault victims. The Committee supports a
dedicated stream of funding to provide a broad range of
services to male, female, and child sexual assault victims and
their families through the well-established and well-regarded
system of community-based rape crisis centers throughout the
United States, and maintains its strong commitment to ensuring
that these rape crisis centers have access to technical
assistance, training, and support.
Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs [OJP] is responsible for
providing leadership, coordination, and assistance to its
Federal, State, local, and tribal partners to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of the United States justice
system in preventing, controlling, and responding to crime. As
most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention
falls to law enforcement officers in States, cities, and other
localities, the Federal Government is effective in these areas
only to the extent that it can enter into successful
partnerships with these jurisdictions. Therefore, the OJP is
tasked with administering grants; collecting statistical data
and conducting analyses; identifying emerging criminal justice
issues; developing and testing promising and innovative
approaches to address these issues; evaluating program results;
and disseminating these findings and other information to
State, local, and tribal governments.
The Committee directs the OJP to submit a quarterly report
on grant programs that do not receive a sufficient number of
applicants.
Gang Prevention Grants and Crime Rates.--The Committee
remains concerned about gang activity and violent crime
throughout the country, noting that Federal partnership with
law enforcement is essential--not only in our largest cities,
but also in suburban and rural jurisdictions, where gang
activity and violent crime rates can exceed national averages.
To strengthen Federal partnership across all jurisdictions, the
Committee directs the OJP to review the criteria by which OJP
awards discretionary grants relating to gang violence and
prevention under the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance
and Juvenile Justice Programs on a per capita basis, of
applicant cities and jurisdictions where gang activity and
violent crime rates exceed national averages. The Committee
encourages the OJP to report on the relative success rate of
awards granted to applicant cities and jurisdictions with
disproportionately high gang and violent crime activity,
including the murder rates of those cities and jurisdictions.
The report should also consider the relative success rate of
applicant cities and jurisdictions that have an established
gang commission or community planning body, have completed the
Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention [OJJDP] gang
assessment, and have consulted with or received technical
assistance from the OJJDP National Gang Center regarding gang
initiatives in the community.
Safe Return.--Each year more than 600,000 ``wandering''
incidences occur that involve autistic children, placing these
children at risk of death or serious injury, and resulting in
enormous strains on families and responding law enforcement
agencies. The Committee encourages OJP to evaluate autism
spectrum disorders [ASD] wandering safe return strategies,
which may serve as the basis for launching a coordinated
nationwide response to meet the needs of the 1-in-88 Americans
with ASD, their families, and law enforcement. To the extent
appropriate, OJP should explore ways for law enforcement to
quickly and efficiently share information that will aid in
identifying children with ASD who have wandered. The Committee
is pleased that the Department expanded eligibility under the
Byrne-JAG program to include wandering-prevention technology
for those with ASD in February 2014 and encourages OJP to make
potential pools of grant awardees aware of this expanded
offering for fiscal year 2015.
RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $120,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 136,900,000
Committee recommendation................................ 115,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $115,000,000 for
the Research, Evaluation and Statistics account. The
recommendation is $5,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and $21,900,000 below the budget request.
Funding in this account provides assistance in the areas of
research, evaluation, statistics, hate crimes, DNA and
forensics, criminal background checks, and gun safety
technology, among others.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Justice Statistics......................... 42,000
National Institute of Justice........................ 38,000
Regional Info Sharing Activities..................... 30,000
Forensic Initiative.................................. 5,000
Transfer to NIST................................. (4,000)
------------------
Total.......................................... 115,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spending Plans.--The Department shall submit to the
Committee as part of its spending plan for State and Local Law
Enforcement Activities a plan for the use of all funding
administered by the National Institute of Justice and the
Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], respectively, for approval
by the Committee prior to the obligation of any such funds.
National Institute of Justice [NIJ].--The Committee's
recommendation provides $38,000,000 for the NIJ, in addition to
$1,000,000 transferred from the OVW for research and evaluation
on violence against women and Indian women. The NIJ's mission
is to advance scientific research, development, and evaluation
to advance the administration of justice and public safety.
Forensic Initiative.--The Committee provides $5,000,000 for
a forensics initiative, of which $4,000,000 is provided by
transfer to the National Institute of Standards and Technology
[NIST] to support Scientific Working Groups. The Department of
Justice shall coordinate its forensics initiative activities
with NIST.
Building Digital Forensics Capabilities.--The Committee
continues to stress the importance of training and equipping
State and local law enforcement with the tools and expertise
needed to investigate and prosecute electronic crime. As
smartphones and the Internet have become fundamental parts of
daily life, these technologies have also become a fundamental
part of criminal acts and enterprises, including drug deals and
murder hits ordered by text, to ATM heists via laptops, to
child pornography Web sites.
Given that more than 95 percent of all criminal cases are
investigated and prosecuted at the State and local levels, the
Committee remains concerned that the ability of State and local
law enforcement to investigate and effectively prosecute cases
involving digital evidence- and computer-based crimes will
diminish without the Department's support of training and
research. The Committee encourages the Department to prioritize
State and local assistance for computer forensics tool
development and digital evidence training for investigations
surrounding drug, violent, and financial crimes, and crimes
against children.
Regional Information Sharing Activities.--The Committee
recommends $30,000,000, an increase of $5,000,000 above the
budget request, to support activities that enable the sharing
of nationwide criminal intelligence and other resources with
State, local, and other law enforcement agencies and
organizations. Such activities should address critical and
chronic criminal threats, including gangs, terrorism,
narcotics, weapons and officer safety or ``event
deconfliction,'' and should reflect regional as well as
national threat priorities. In addition, funds shall be
available to support local-to-local law enforcement data and
information sharing efforts focused on solving routine crimes,
especially in rural areas, by sharing law enforcement
information not categorized as criminal intelligence. All
activities shall be consistent with national information-
sharing standards and requirements as determined by the Bureau
of Justice Assistance.
Gun Safety Technology.--From within funds made available
under the set-aside for criminal justice research, evaluation,
and statistics, the Committee supports the administration's
request for an additional $2,000,000 for a gun safety
technology initiative to encourage the development of
innovative and cost-effective gun safety technology.
The fiscal year 2014 enacted bill also provided funding for
this purpose. The Committee directs the Department to provide a
report detailing the use of these resources within 45 days of
enactment of this act.
Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Databases.--Tens
of thousands of Americans go missing every year, while at the
same time, there are an estimated 40,000 sets of unidentified
human remains being held or disposed of across the country. Due
to gaps in the Nation's missing persons systems, missing
persons and unidentified remains are rarely matched. While
Federal law mandates that law enforcement report missing
children, there are no such requirements for adults, or for
unidentified decedents. Even when missing adults and remains
are reported, the wide range of unconnected Federal, state,
local, and non-profit databases to help match the missing with
unidentified remains makes finding a match an often
insurmountable challenge. The Committee directs the Government
Accountability Office [GAO] to conduct a review on how to
better integrate national missing persons databases,
particularly the NIJ's National Missing and Unidentified
Persons System [NamUs] and the FBI's National Crime Information
Center [NCIC], including technical challenges that may exist.
The GAO should also examine ways to facilitate reporting of
missing persons by States, local law enforcement authorities,
medical examiners, and coroners to NamUs and NCIC.
STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $1,171,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 1,032,900,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,149,500,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $1,149,500,000 for
State and local law enforcement assistance. The recommendation
is $22,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014 enacted level, and
$116,600,000 above the budget request.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants............. 376,000
SLATT Intelligence State and Local Training...... (1,000)
State & Local Help Desk and Diagnostic Center.... (2,000)
VALOR Initiative................................. (15,000)
Smart Policing................................... (10,000)
Smart Prosecution................................ (5,000)
Firearm Safety & Gun Locks....................... (3,000)
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.............. 150,000
Byrne Competitive Grants............................. 10,000
Victims of Trafficking Grants........................ 15,000
Drug Courts.......................................... 41,000
Mentally Ill Offender Courts......................... 9,000
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment................ 12,000
Capital Litigation/Wrongful Prosecution Review....... 2,000
Economic, High-Tech, and Cybercrime Prevention....... 15,000
IP Enforcement................................... (2,500)
John R. Justice Grant Program........................ 2,000
Adam Walsh Act Implementation........................ 20,000
Children Exposed to Violence Initiative.............. 8,000
Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program............ 17,000
Bulletproof Vests Partnership........................ 23,000
Transfer to NIST/OLES............................ (1,500)
National Sex Offender Public Web site................ 1,000
Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction................. 8,500
National Instant Criminal Background Check System 58,500
[NICS] Initiative...................................
NICS Improvements................................ (12,000)
Paul Coverdell Forensic Science...................... 12,000
DNA Initiative....................................... 125,000
Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants.................. (117,000)
Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing (4,000)
Grants..........................................
Sex Assault Exam Kits............................ (4,000)
Community-Based Sexual Assault Response Reform....... 41,000
Court-Appointed Special Advocates [CASA]............. 6,000
Second Chance Act.................................... 70,000
Smart Probation.................................. (7,000)
Children of Incarcerated Parents Demo Grants..... (5,000)
Pay for Success.................................. (15,000)
Veterans Treatment Courts............................ 5,000
Prescription Drug Monitoring......................... 7,000
Campus Public Safety................................. 2,000
Justice Reinvestment Initiative...................... 22,000
Project HOPE......................................... 4,000
Vision 21............................................ 12,500
Comprehensive School Safety Program.................. 75,000
------------------
Total.......................................... 1,149,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.--
The Committee recommends $376,000,000 for Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG). Funding is not available
for luxury items, real estate, or construction projects. The
Department should expect State, local, and tribal governments
to target funding to programs and activities that conform with
evidence-based strategic plans developed through broad
stakeholder involvement. The Committee directs the Department
to make technical assistance available to State, local, and
tribal governments for the development or updating of such
plans.
VALOR Initiative.--The Committee's recommendation fully
funds the budget request of $15,000,000 within Byrne-JAG for
the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer
Resilience and Survivability Initiative [VALOR]. This is a
national training initiative that promotes a culture of safety
within Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies by training officers to respond to and react better in
deadly situations, such as ambush attacks, while on duty. The
Committee expects Federal law enforcement to continue and
expand on efforts to provide local police with information as
to whether or not a suspect has a violent history, to the
extent that transfer of such information is allowable and
available via Federal law enforcement databases, in an effort
to prevent officer deaths.
National Instant Criminal Background Check System [NICS]
Initiative Grants.--The Committee recommends funding the
program at $58,500,000, equal to the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level, to continue to improve the submission of State criminal
and mental health records to the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System [NICS]. This investment will strengthen
the national background check system by assisting States in
finding ways to make more records available in the NICS system,
especially mental health records, thereby addressing gaps in
Federal and State records currently available in NICS. Those
gaps significantly hinder the ability of NICS to quickly
confirm whether a prospective purchaser is prohibited from
acquiring a firearm.
National Technical Assistance and Training.--The Committee
encourages the Department to continue its efforts to assist
States in the development and use of criminal justice
information systems that accelerate the automation of
identification processes for fingerprints and other criminal
justice data, and which improve the compatibility of State and
local law enforcement systems with the FBI's Integrated
Automated Fingerprint Identification System [IAFIS].
Human Trafficking.--The United States is a destination
country for thousands of men, women, and children trafficked
largely from Mexico and East Asia, as well as countries in
South Asia, Central America, Africa, and Europe, for the
purposes of sexual and labor exploitation. Trafficking victims
are subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Victims
need various types of assistance to begin healing and recovery,
including counseling, housing, medical care, support groups,
and legal assistance.
The Committee's recommendation provides $15,000,000 for
task force activities and services for U.S. citizens, permanent
residents, and foreign nationals who are victims of
trafficking, including no less than $7,000,000 for victim
services for foreign national victims of trafficking. The OJP
shall consult with stakeholder groups in determining the
overall allocation of Victims of Trafficking funding and shall
provide to the Committee a plan for the use of these funds as
part of the Department's fiscal year 2015 spending plan. The
spending plan should be guided by the best information
available on the regions of the United States with the highest
incidence of trafficking.
An effective national criminal justice response to human
trafficking requires quick and accurate identification of
victims along with immediate protection and support. The
Committee supports further efforts to pursue evidence-based
approaches that ensure trafficking victims' services are
comprehensive, culturally competent, and use a trauma-informed
care approach that maximizes safety, trust, and choice for
survivors.
The Committee notes that funding provided in this program
may be used for victims of sex trafficking who are minors,
which is authorized under VAWA 2013. Child trafficking victims
require specialized care, and grant funding can be used for
items like residential care, emergency social services, mental
health counseling, and legal services.
Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program.--Persistent
crime and public safety problems, especially gang activity and
youth violence, cannot be addressed solely by law enforcement.
These issues require a comprehensive interagency approach that
enables law enforcement, educators, social services agencies,
and community organizations to address both public safety
problems and their underlying causes.
The Committee provides $17,000,000 to support the Byrne
Criminal Justice Innovation Program, which provides
demonstration grants in communities to support innovative,
evidence-based approaches to fighting crime and improving
public safety, as well as addressing its underlying problems.
The OJP will coordinate with the Department of Housing and
Urban Development [HUD] and other agencies to promote
interagency collaboration and enable a wide range of new and
existing partners to further stabilize neighborhoods that face
the most severe violence and crime. This program builds upon
the approach of supporting communities with strategies that
combine law enforcement, community policing, prevention,
intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration.
Byrne Competitive Grants.--The Committee's recommendation
includes $10,000,000 for competitive, peer-reviewed grants to
programs of national significance to prevent crime, improve the
administration of justice or assist victims of crime. The
Committee expects that the OJP will take all steps necessary to
ensure fairness and objectivity in the award of these and
future competitive grants.
Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction.--Violent crime and
homicide continue to exact a heavy toll on victims, families,
and neighborhoods. The Committee's recommendation provides
$8,500,000, equal to the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$3,500,000 above the request, for competitive grants aimed at
reducing homicides and gun-related violent crime in communities
overwhelmed by gangs of national significance, and illegally
purchased and trafficked guns. Popularly known as the Project
Safe Neighborhoods model, this funding shall be used to hire
new Federal and State prosecutors, support investigators,
provide investigative and litigation training, deter juvenile
gun crime, and develop and promote community outreach efforts,
as well as to support other gun and gang violence reduction
strategies.
Drug, Mental Health, and Problem Solving Courts.--For the
seventh straight year, the Committee's recommendation rejects
the administration's proposal for a new Drug, Mental Health,
and Problem Solving Courts grant program.
The Committee notes the distinct success of the Drug Courts
and Mentally-Ill Offender Courts grant programs. While the
Committee recognizes the Department's attempt to consolidate
grant programs, the Committee rejects this proposal given that
professionals in the field have made a clear distinction
between the two programs, and congressional support for
maintaining separate programs remains strong.
Veterans Treatment Courts.--The recommendation provides
$5,000,000 for veterans treatment courts, an increase of
$1,000,000 over the fiscal year 2014 enacted level. The
Committee expects the Department to work in conjunction with
the Department of Veterans Affairs, as appropriate, to provide
grant support for collaborative, rehabilitative approaches for
continuing judicial supervision of offenders who are veterans.
Bulletproof Vests.--Within the $23,000,000 provided for
bulletproof vests, $1,500,000 is to be transferred directly to
the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards [OLES] to continue
supporting ballistic- and stab-resistant material compliance
testing programs. The Committee expects the BJA to continue
strengthening internal controls to manage the Bulletproof Vest
Partnership program. Improving grantee accountability in the
timely use of Federal funds to purchase body armor will help
every police officer who needs a vest to get one, thus saving
officers' lives.
Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry Programs.--The
recommendation provides $70,000,000 for Second Chance Act [SCA]
grants. The Committee expects that SCA funding will support
grants that foster the implementation of strategies that have
been proven to reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful
reentry back to their communities of adults released from
prisons and jails. The SCA supports activities such as
employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing,
mentoring, family programming, and victim support. SCA grants
will also support demonstration projects designed to test the
impact of new strategies and frameworks. Within the amount
provided, the Committee's recommendation makes targeted
investments in initiatives requested by the administration to
test and replicate new models of improving criminal justice
efficiencies and recidivism outcomes.
The Department is directed to submit as part of its
spending plan for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance a
plan for the use of all funds appropriated for Second Chance
Act programs, including new initiatives requested by the
Department that are funded in this recommendation. It is
expected that such a plan will designate funds for proven,
evidence-based programs that will further the goal of
maximizing public safety, as well as for promising new
approaches and projects.
Criminal Justice Reform and Recidivism Reduction.--The
Committee provides $22,000,000 for a justice reinvestment
initiative, which expands OJP's investment in data-driven
approaches to improve public safety, drive down corrections and
related criminal justice spending, and reinvest savings in
effective strategies that can reduce crime and recidivism and
strengthen neighborhoods. The Committee supports the OJP's
steps to make justice reinvestment a national model for much-
needed criminal justice reform. Funds may be used to provide
technical assistance and competitive financial support to
States, counties, cities, and tribes that are either currently
engaged in justice reinvestment activities or are preparing to
undertake such work.
Colson Task Force.--The Committee looks forward to
reviewing the report from the Charles Colson Task Force on
Federal Corrections, which was established and fully funded in
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
76). The bi-partisan task force is expected to address
challenges in the Federal corrections system including
overcrowding and violence in BOP facilities and prisoner
reentry programs by developing practical, data-driven policy
options to increase public safety, improve offender
accountability, reduce recidivism, and control growth of
spending on corrections.
DNA Backlog/Crime Lab Improvements.--The Committee
continues its strong support for DNA backlog and crime lab
improvements by recommending $125,000,000 to strengthen and
improve Federal and State DNA collection and analysis systems
that can be used to accelerate the prosecution of the guilty
while simultaneously protecting the innocent from wrongful
prosecution. Within the funds provided, $117,000,000 is for
Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Reduction grants, $4,000,000 is for
Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing grants, and
$4,000,000 is for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners grants. From
within the funding provided for Debbie Smith DNA Backlog
Reduction grants, the Committee expects the Department to
prioritize reducing rape kit backlogs, given that it is the
primary reason why the Committee continues to provide robust
funding for these grants.
The Committee expects that the OJP will make funding for
DNA analysis and capacity enhancement a priority to meet the
purposes of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. The
Committee directs the Department to submit to the Committee as
part of its spending plan for State and Local Law Enforcement
Activities a plan with respect to funds appropriated for DNA-
related and forensic programs, including the alignment of
appropriated funds with the authorized purposes of the Debbie
Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.
Community-Based Sexual Assault Response Reform.--Untested
sexual assault kits represent lost opportunities for survivors
to heal as well as sexual assault for perpetrators to be
brought to justice. The Committee has a strong track record of
supporting DNA and forensics grants, including the Debbie Smith
DNA Backlog Grant Program, that tests kits backlogged in crime
labs, and this bill continues that support. However, it is
estimated that as many as 400,000 sexual assault kits are
languishing in police evidence lockers nationwide. Once a
backlog is acknowledged and kits begin to be tested,
communities are still left to grapple with the enormous task of
not just finding a way to test all of their backlogged kits,
but also investigating and prosecuting these cases, reengaging
victims in the process, and addressing any systemic failures
that led to the creation of the backlog in the first place.
In 2011, the NIJ supported two action research studies in
Houston, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan, focusing on the issue of
untested sexual assault kits, the need to improve sexual
assault investigations and improving services to sexual assault
victims. The projects were conducted in several phases that
included planning, cataloging and accounting of untested kits,
testing, and follow up, including investigation, prosecution,
and victim services. In Detroit, for example, law enforcement,
prosecutors, researchers and advocates worked together to
understand the causes of the backlog and develop and implement
a plan for testing kits and resolving cases.
The Committee provides $41,000,000 for a competitive grant
program to support multi-disciplinary community response teams
tasked with developing and implementing comprehensive reform
regarding sexual assault, including reducing the backlog of
sexual assault kits at law enforcement agencies. The Committee
notes that this effort is to compliment and not duplicate other
DNA-related efforts focused on the testing of sexual assault
kits at crime labs. The Committee directs that this new grant
program be predicated on the lessons learned from the NIJ's
initial research projects in Detroit and Houston and that the
OJP establish a record of best practices for community-based
sexual assault response reform. These best practices shall be
disseminated nationwide along with the results of grantees'
projects so other jurisdictions can capitalize on this work to
implement their own processes for change.
Grant applications shall specifically include planning,
implementation, and long-term evaluation. The planning phase
shall include an inventory of backlogged rape kits and
development of a comprehensive approach to addressing the
resolution of all cases in the backlog. In the implementation
phase, grants may be used to test kits, develop ``cold case''
units to pursue new investigative leads, and support victims
throughout the process. Grants shall also be used to develop
evidence-tracking systems, train law enforcement on sexual
assault investigations, and conduct research on outcomes in
sexual assault cases. The Committee expects the NIJ to brief
the Committee on the design of this program not less than 45
days after the enactment of this act, including design and
evaluation criteria for the program, ideal grant size, and the
number of jurisdictions where this intervention is needed. The
Committee encourages the administration to work with
appropriate authorizing committees to develop a comprehensive
approach to ending the backlog of untested sexual assault kits
regardless of where they are stored.
Economic, High-Tech, and Cybercrime Prevention.--The
Committee recommends $15,000,000 to assist State and local law
enforcement agencies in the prevention, investigation, and
prosecution of economic, high-tech, and Internet crimes. Given
the importance of protecting our Nation's new technologies,
ideas, and products, the Committee includes the request of
$2,500,000 for competitive grants that help State and local law
enforcement tackle intellectual property [IP] thefts, such as
counterfeiting and piracy.
The Committee also supports the continued efforts of the
Department to provide State and local law enforcement with the
training, technical assistance, and outreach support needed to
prevent, investigate, and prosecute economic and cybercrimes.
The Committee directs the OJP to provide $2,000,000 for
operational support of existing or proposed computer forensics
and digital evidence at the State and local levels.
Flexible Tribal Assistance.--The Committee recommends
funding tribal grant programs by permitting 5 percent of
discretionary grant and reimbursement program funds made
available to the OJP to be used for tribal criminal justice
assistance, and continues to strongly support efforts to help
tribes improve the capacity of their criminal justice systems.
The OJP is expected to consult closely with tribal stakeholders
in determining how tribal assistance funds will be awarded for
detention facilities, courts, alcohol and substance abuse
programs, civil and criminal legal assistance, and other
priorities. The Committee directs the OJP to submit, as part of
the Department's spending plan for fiscal year 2015, a plan for
the use of these funds that has been informed by such
consultation. The Committee notes that the bill includes
additional grant funding for tribal law enforcement programs
through COPS and OVW.
HOPE Grants.--As part of the Committee's efforts to reduce
recidivism, the Committee's recommendation includes $4,000,000
for a nationwide program based on the successful court-based
HOPE model. HOPE identifies probationers with a high risk for
re-offending, focusing on reducing drug use, new crimes, and
incarceration. Offenders are deterred from using drugs and
committing crimes by frequent and random drug tests, backed by
swift and certain jail stays, along with treatment, when
necessary. This funding will be used for replicating the use of
``swift and certain'' sanctions in probation at additional
sites.
Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services.--The Committee's
recommendation provides $12,500,000 for Vision 21. The
Committee directs the Department to submit as part of its
spending plan for State and Local Law Enforcement Activities a
plan for the use of all funding administered by the Office for
Victims of Crime [OVC] for Vision 21.
Rather than follow the administration's proposal to fund
this program out of the mandatory Crime Victims Fund, the
Committee chooses to provide funding through discretionary
resources. The Committee encourages the Department to work with
Congress on legislation that will best meet the needs of crime
victims in the 21st century including submitting a proposal to
authorize Vision 21.
The Committee supports Vision 21's goals of funding
initiatives that will address the need for more data-driven
research and evaluation on victimization and services; holistic
legal assistance for crime victims; resources to reach tribal
and rural victims in areas where service providers do not
exist; support of national emergency hotlines, online, and
other programs that serve American crime victims at the
national and international level; and capacity building to
provide technology- and evidence-based training and technical
assistance.
Comprehensive School Safety.--The Committee's
recommendation includes $75,000,000 to continue a competitive
grant program as part of the comprehensive school safety
initiative started in fiscal year 2014. The NIJ shall provide
competitively awarded grants with strong research and
evaluation components to local school districts and State
educational agencies to support the implementation of school
safety interventions under the existing construct. The
Committee directs the NIJ to provide a report not later than
120 days after the date of enactment of this act, on its
progress in developing a strategy and model for comprehensive
school safety as required by Public Law 113-76.
JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $254,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 299,400,000
Committee recommendation................................ 257,500,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $257,500,000 for
juvenile justice programs. The recommendation is $3,000,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $41,900,000 below
the budget request.
The mission of the Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention [OJJDP] is to provide national
leadership, coordination and resources to prevent and respond
to juvenile delinquency and victimization. The OJJDP supports
States, tribes and local communities in efforts to develop,
implement and improve the juvenile justice system in order to
protect the public safety, hold offenders accountable, and
provide treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the
needs of juveniles and their families.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part B--State Formula.................................. 61,500
Emergency Planning--Juvenile Detention Facilities.. (500)
Youth Mentoring Grants................................. 53,000
Title V--Delinquency Prevention........................ 37,000
Tribal Youth....................................... (5,000)
Gang and Youth Violence Education and Prevention... (3,000)
Alcohol Prevention................................. (1,000)
Juvenile Justice and Education Collaboration (8,000)
Assistance........................................
Victims of Child Abuse (VOCA).......................... 19,000
Community-Based Violence Prevention.................... 11,000
Missing & Exploited Children Programs.................. 68,000
Child Abuse Training for Judicial Personnel............ 1,500
National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention............ 1,000
Children of Incarcerated Parents Web Portal............ 500
Girls in the Justice System............................ 2,000
Juvenile Indigent Defense.............................. 3,000
----------------
Total............................................ 257,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any deviation from the above plan is subject to the
reprogramming requirements of section 505 of this act.
Part B: State Formula Grants.--The Committee provides
$61,500,000 for grants to implement comprehensive State
juvenile justice plans, including community-based prevention
and intervention programs and activities for juvenile
offenders. This amount is $6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
level and $11,500,000 above the budget request.
Within the amount provided, the Committee recommends
$500,000 for competitive demonstration grants for State, local,
and tribal juvenile justice detention facilities and systems to
meet the needs of children and adolescents housed in detention
facilities in preparation for, during, and after a disaster, as
detailed in the 2011 emergency planning guidance issued by the
OJJDP.
The Committee directs the OJP to submit as part of its
spending plan for State and Local Law Enforcement Activities a
plan for the administration of Part B State Formula Grants. The
Committee expects this plan to include details pertaining to
the formulas utilized in awarding grants under this heading.
The Committee urges DOJ to encourage title II grant
recipients to coordinate with their State education agencies to
support continuity of education opportunities for adjudicated
youth.
Youth Mentoring Grants.--To support the critical work of
national, regional, and local organizations in nurturing and
mentoring at-risk children and youths, the Committee recommends
$53,000,000 for competitive, peer-reviewed youth mentoring
grants. Within 45 days of enactment of this act, the OJP is
directed to provide a report and spend plan to the Committee
detailing the criteria and methodology that will be used to
award these grants as well as an explanation of any deviations
from the criteria used in fiscal year 2014. The Committee
expects that the OJJDP will take all steps necessary to ensure
fairness and objectivity in the award of these and future
competitive grants.
Victims of Child Abuse Act.--The Committee's recommendation
provides $19,000,000 for the various programs authorized under
the Victims of Child Abuse Act [VOCA] (Public Law 101-647) and
directs the OJJDP to ensure that not less than 90 percent of
the grants awarded are for the purposes of developing and
maintaining child advocacy centers, including training and
accreditation. The Committee rejects the administration's
request to eliminate this program. Within the funds provided,
$5,000,000 shall be for Regional Children's Advocacy Centers
[RCACs] Programs. The RCACs were established to provide
information, consultation, training, and technical assistance
to communities, and to help establish child-focused programs
that facilitate and support coordination among agencies
responding to child abuse.
Missing and Exploited Children Programs.--The OJP works
with law enforcement agencies to find missing children and to
target and prosecute predatory child molesters and those who
traffic in child pornography. The Committee recommends
$68,000,000 for Missing and Exploited Children Programs and
expects the Department to allocate no less than the current
funding level for task force grants, training and technical
assistance, research and statistics, and administrative costs
for the Internet Crimes Against Children [ICAC] program. The
Committee directs the OJP to provide a spending plan for the
use of these funds as part of the Department's spending plan
for fiscal year 2015.
The Committee supports efforts across the country to train
child protection professionals beginning with undergraduate and
graduate curricula and following up with ongoing training for
professionals in the field, including the development of State
forensic interviewing courses. The Committee directs the OJJDP
to provide training and technical assistance to improve
forensic interview training for investigation and prosecution
professionals, evidence-based community prevention programs for
child protection professionals, and undergraduate and graduate
curricula on the maltreatment and exploitation of children.
Improving Juvenile Indigent Defense.--The Committee
provides $3,000,000 for a new program within the OJJDP to
develop and implement standards of practice and policy for the
management of effective model juvenile indigent defender
offices. The program will also provide cost-effective and
innovative training for the juvenile indigent defense bar, and
court-appointed counsel working on behalf of juvenile indigent
defendants, particularly in rural, remote, and underserved
areas.
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS BENEFITS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $97,300,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 87,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 87,300,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $87,300,000 for
public safety officers benefits. The recommendation is
$10,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal
to the budget estimate. This program provides a one-time death
benefit payment to eligible survivors of Federal, State, and
local public safety officers whose death was the direct and
proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of
duty or certain eligible heart attacks or strokes. Within funds
provided, $71,000,000 is for death benefits for survivors, an
amount estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and
considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes.
The Committee also recommends $16,300,000, as requested,
for disability benefits for injured officers and education
benefits for the families of officers who have been permanently
disabled or killed in the line of duty.
Community Oriented Policing Services
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $214,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 274,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 224,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $224,000,000 for
community oriented policing services. The recommendation is
$10,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and
$50,000,000 below the budget request.
Local law enforcement is not only essential to ensuring the
safety of the public but also plays a critical role in
preventing and responding to terrorist threats. Since its
creation, the Community Oriented Policing Services [COPS]
office has assisted State and local law enforcement agencies by
providing grants, training, and technical assistance that not
only ensure public safety from traditional crime, but also
better enable law enforcement officers to address the growing
threat from terrorist organizations.
The Committee's recommendations are displayed in the
following table:
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup (Transfer to DEA).......... 7,000
Tribal Resources Grant Program......................... 16,500
COPS Hiring Grants..................................... 180,500
Transfer to Tribal Resources Grant Program......... (16,500)
Community Policing Development/Training and (7,500)
Technical Assistance..............................
Collaborative Reform Model......................... (5,000)
Anti-Meth Task Forces.................................. 10,000
Anti-Heroin Task Forces................................ 10,000
----------------
Total............................................ 224,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any deviations from the above plan are subject to the
reprogramming requirements of section 505.
COPS Hiring Program.--The Committee recommends $180,500,000
for COPS Hiring grants to help State, local, or tribal law
enforcement agencies to create and preserve police officer
positions and to increase community policing capacity and crime
prevention efforts. Like the request, the grants will have an
award cap of $125,000 and require grantees to provide a 25
percent local match.
Training and Technical Assistance.--The Committee's
recommendation provides $7,500,000 within the COPS Hiring
Program to provide Training and Technical Assistance to assist
agencies with developing innovative community policing
strategies through applied research and evaluation initiatives.
Due to limited tax bases and growing poverty levels, public
safety professionals in rural areas face unique challenges when
attempting to secure crime-fighting tools and personnel. The
Committee encourages the COPS Office to focus on efforts to
provide training and technical assistance to increase the
capacity of law enforcement agencies, executives, and managers
serving rural communities. This will allow these communities to
enhance the use of community policing practices and innovations
in policing to increase the effectiveness of limited resources.
Methamphetamine Hot Spots.--The Committee's recommendation
includes a $7,000,000 transfer to reimburse the DEA for
assistance to State and local law enforcement for proper
removal and disposal of hazardous materials at clandestine
methamphetamine labs, and to initiate container programs. This
is the level the DEA estimates will be sufficient in fiscal
year 2015 to operate the full cleanup program for States to
transition to container program cleanups, and to cover the
costs of smaller methamphetamine cleanups in States where the
problem is intermittent.
Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces.--The Committee's
recommendation provides $10,000,000 for the COPS Office to make
competitive grants to law enforcement agencies in States with
high seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine,
laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures. These funds shall
be utilized for investigative purposes to locate or investigate
illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories,
or methamphetamine traffickers.
Anti-Heroin Task Forces.--The DEA's 2013 National Drug
Threat Assessment Summary notes the troubling trend of
increases in the numbers of heroin seizures and overdose deaths
caused by heroin in recent years. Heroin is relatively
inexpensive, readily available, and highly addictive. The
Committee's recommendation provides $10,000,000 for the COPS
Office to make competitive grants to law enforcement agencies
in States with high per capita levels of primary treatment
admissions for both heroin and other opioids. These funds shall
be utilized for drug enforcement, including investigations and
activities related to the distribution of heroin or unlawful
diversion and distribution of prescription opioids. Priority
shall be given to those drug task forces, managed and operated
by the State, serving a majority of counties in the State.
Tribal Resources.--The Committee has provided a total of
$33,000,000 in programs targeted entirely to tribal communities
through the Tribal Resources Grant Program [TRGP]. Within the
TRGP, $16,500,000 is provided through direct appropriations and
$16,500,000 is provided by transfer from the COPS Hiring
program. All funds available to the TRGP can be used for
equipment and hiring or training of tribal law enforcement.
This will allow tribes maximum flexibility to respond to the
priorities they deem most urgent.
School Resource Officers.--The placement of law enforcement
officers in schools carries a risk of contributing to a
``school-to-prison pipeline'' process where students are
arrested or cited for minor, non-violent behavioral violations
and then diverted to the juvenile court system. This pipeline
wastes community resources and can lead to academic failure and
greater recidivism rates for these students. The Committee
takes note of the guidance and resource documents for schools
issued by the Departments of Justice and Education which notes
that schools using school-based law enforcement officers such
as school resource officers or other school security should
provide memoranda of understanding or other written agreements
that clearly define these officers' roles and responsibilities
on campus, focus officers' roles on safety, and provide proper
training and monitoring of the program's activities, including
data collection and evaluation. The Committee directs that the
COPS Office continue to implement requirements and procedures
regarding written memorandum of understanding and proper
training for any COPS Hiring Grant funds used to hire school-
based law enforcement officers.
General Provisions--Department of Justice
The Committee recommends the following general provisions:
Section 201 limits the amount of funding the Attorney
General can use for official reception and representation.
Section 202 prohibits the use of funds in this title to pay
for an abortion except where the life of the mother would be in
danger.
Section 203 prohibits the use of funds in this title to
require a person to perform or facilitate an abortion.
Section 204 requires female prisoners to be escorted when
off prison grounds.
Section 205 allows the Department of Justice, subject to
the Committee's reprogramming procedures, to transfer up to 5
percent between appropriations, but limits to 10 percent the
amount that can be transferred into any one appropriation.
Section 206 authorizes the Attorney General to extend a
personnel management demonstration project.
Section 207 limits the placement of maximum or high
security prisoners to appropriately secure facilities.
Section 208 restricts Federal prisoner access to certain
amenities.
Section 209 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General
and the Department's Investigative Review Board prior to the
obligation or expenditure of funds for major technology
projects.
Section 210 requires the Department to follow reprogramming
procedures prior to any deviation from the program amounts
specified in this title or the reuse of specified deobligated
funds provided in previous years.
Section 211 prohibits the use of funds for OMB Circular A-
76 competitions for work performed by employees of the Bureau
of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated.
Section 212 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from simultaneously
holding multiple jobs outside of the scope of a U.S. Attorney's
professional duties.
Section 213 permits up to 3 percent of grant and
reimbursement program funds made available to the Office of
Justice Programs to be used for training and technical
assistance, permits up to 2 percent of grant and reimbursement
program funds made available to that office to be transferred
to the National Institute of Justice or the Bureau of Justice
Statistics for criminal justice research and statistics, and
permits up to 5 percent of discretionary grant and
reimbursement program funds made available to OJP to be used
for tribal criminal justice assistance. The Committee continues
to support strongly efforts to help tribes improve the capacity
of their criminal justice systems.
Section 214 gives the Attorney General the authority to
waive matching requirements for Second Chance Act adult and
juvenile reentry demonstration projects; State, tribal and
local reentry courts; and drug treatment programs.
Section 215 waives the requirement that the Attorney
General reserve certain funds from amounts provided for
offender incarceration.
Section 216 prohibits funds, other than funds for the
national instant criminal background check system established
under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being
used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a
known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement
personnel do not continuously monitor or control such firearm.
Section 217 requires the Department to provide documents to
the Inspector General that are necessary as part of audits and
investigations.
Section 218 exempts the penalties required by the Prison
Rape Elimination Act on certain grant programs for 1 year.
Section 219 permits the Department of Justice to
participate in Performance Partnership Pilot collaboration
programs.
TITLE III
SCIENCE
Office of Science and Technology Policy
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $5,555,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 5,555,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,555,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $5,555,000. The
recommendation is the same as the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and the budget request.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy [OSTP] was
created by the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-282)
and coordinates science and technology policy for the White
House. OSTP provides scientific and technological information,
analysis, and advice for the President and the executive
branch; participates in formulation, coordination, and
implementation of national and international policies and
programs that involve science and technology; maintains and
promotes the health and vitality of the U.S. science and
technology infrastructure; reviews and analyzes, with the
Office of Management and Budget, the research and development
budgets for all Federal agencies; and coordinates research and
development efforts of the Federal Government to maximize the
return on the public's investment in science and technology and
to ensure Federal resources are used efficiently and
appropriately.
Open Access to Federal Research.--The Committee has
received a report by OSTP on the progress of all Federal
agencies in developing and implementing policies to increase
public access to federally funded scientific research. The
Committee is pleased by the progress being made and expects all
plans currently under review by OSTP to be finalized and
approved by the relevant agencies by the end of calendar year
2014. The Committee expects that a majority of Federal agencies
will have entered into the implementation phase for their plan
in early calendar year 2015. As these plans are finalized, OSTP
is directed to report to the Committee every quarter on the
implementation timelines for each participating agency and
component. The report should also include an estimate of the
associated implementation costs for each agency and associated
components, as well as the cumulative cost and a timeline for
full implementation.
Medical Imaging Research Initiative.--The Committee
believes there is potential in the near future to accelerate
revolutionary new imaging technology for medical professionals
and researchers to combat disease and support high-skilled
manufacturing jobs in the United States. Such advances will
require inter-agency coordination of Federal medical imaging
research and development initiatives to accelerate the transfer
of new technologies into commercial products manufactured in
the United States and strengthen innovative research programs.
Since many Federal agencies have existing and complementary
roles on medical imaging research, there is a strong need for a
Federal strategy that will coordinate and accelerate such
research. The Committee directs OSTP, in cooperation with the
National Institutes of Health as the lead agency, to establish,
through the National Science and Technology Council's Committee
on Science, a Medical Imaging Subcommittee [MIS] to coordinate
Federal investments in imaging research. The MIS should be
required to develop a roadmap for the full scope of imaging
research and development, including: basic STEM science and
technology creation, medical and translational research,
evidence generation, clinical implementation, workforce and
training support, and export-oriented manufacturing incentives.
Ensuring American Manufacturing Competitiveness.--The
Committee supports the goal of creating a national
manufacturing strategy and believes updating the National
Science and Technology Council's National Strategic Plan for
Advanced Manufacturing is the best manner for creating such a
plan. Consequently, the Committee directs OSTP to report to
Congress within 180 days of enactment of this act identifying
steps the agency can take to revise its National Strategic Plan
for Advanced Manufacturing to include a recurring national
strategic plan for manufacturing. This report should include an
identification of agencies that should be included in the
development of a national manufacturing strategy, topics to be
addressed, stakeholders that should be consulted, how a
comparative international perspective could improve the plan,
what resources may be needed to produce an expanded plan, and
an identification of metrics by which the success of a strategy
can be measured, along with other matters that OSTP deems
important. In drafting the report the Advanced Manufacturing
Partnership Steering Committee of the President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology [PCAST] should provide
recommendations to assist OSTP.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Education.--Within the fiscal year 2015 budget request, the
administration has again proposed a government-wide
consolidation of STEM education programs. The Committee is
encouraged that, unlike fiscal year 2014, the administration
refrained from transferring existing STEM education programs
from NOAA, NASA, NIST and other Federal science agencies into
new lead STEM institutions--the National Science Foundation,
the Department of Education, and the Smithsonian Institution--
until a more viable transition plan is formulated. The
Committee is also encouraged that the administration listened
to the Committee and voices outside of the administration that
the list of programs slated for elimination in fiscal year 2014
was over-reaching, resulting in a perception that the
administration was only focused on reducing the number of
programs and the amount of STEM funding rather than improving
the quality of federally supported STEM education.
For fiscal year 2015, the administration responded with a
more focused and scaled-down proposal. However, while the
Committee maintains its support of greater efficiencies and
consolidation, several proven and successful programs have
again been eliminated with no evaluation on why they were
deemed duplicative or ineffective. The Committee still has
concerns that the proposal as a whole has not been thoroughly
communicated with the education community or congressional
authorizing committees, and lacks thorough guidance and input
from Federal agencies affected by this proposal.
Therefore, the Committee continues to support effective
mission-oriented STEM education programs at NASA, NOAA, and
NIST within this bill, and encourages OSTP to work with the
non-Federal education and outreach communities to present a
proposal that supports efficiencies while garnering wider
support. In seeking efficiencies for STEM programs, OSTP and
its partners should be mindful of ensuring that scientists
supported by the Federal Government are not absolved of
responsibility to educate and train the next generation. OSTP
should also take care to preserve effective training and
education programs designed to directly fulfill the unique
STEM-related mission needs of the agencies administering them.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $17,646,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 17,460,600,000
Committee recommendation................................ 17,900,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $17,900,000,000 for
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA]. The
recommendation is $253,500,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $439,400,000 above the budget request.
NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space
Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-568) to conduct space and
aeronautical research and development and to conduct flight
activities for peaceful purposes. NASA's unique mission of
exploration, discovery, and innovation is intended to preserve
the United States' role as both a leader in world aviation and
as the pre-eminent space-faring nation. It is NASA's mission
to: advance human exploration, use and development of space;
advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding
of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe; and research,
develop, verify, and transfer advanced aeronautics and space
technologies.
The budget request for NASA is below the fiscal year 2014
level with unbalanced priorities resulting in a reduction of
$179,200,000 to the Science directorate and a combined
reduction of $363,900,000 to the Space Launch System and Orion
Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle. The Committee is concerned that the
budget request does not invest adequately in current or future
missions, as evident by proposed cuts and cancellations for top
priority missions. The Committee's recommendation seeks to
reinstate a balanced space program that adequately funds
science, space exploration, and aeronautics, all made possible
by reliable and safe space transportation. For Science, the
Committee's recommendation strives to keep NASA's near-term
launches on track to continue progress in exploring our solar
system and the universe, understanding the sun, and observing
and protecting our planet. The Committee expects NASA to
continue making progress on the recommendations of National
Academies' decadal surveys, now and in the future.
The Committee believes this bill represents a solid path
forward for human spaceflight that reaches beyond low-Earth
orbit with affordable crew and launch vehicles; invests in the
burgeoning commercial launch industry that is bringing cargo,
and eventually crew, to the International Space Station [ISS];
and revitalizes NASA science and technology programs. These
elements should be viewed as complementary pieces of a balanced
whole.
NASA utilizes a broad variety of launch vehicles, from
suborbital to heavy configurations, in order to successfully
execute its missions. Missions are planned and payloads are
designed and configured based upon the launch vehicle that will
be used. While there are a variety of vehicles that NASA may
choose in planning a mission, the Committee believes that NASA
must weigh the needs of a mission when choosing a launch
vehicle, including the ability of a launch provider to meet the
intended launch schedule. In some cases, missions have launch
windows of just seconds and delays due to conflicting launch
manifests and vehicle oversubscription could have negative
effects, including additional mission costs that could be
avoided. The Committee encourages NASA to choose those launch
vehicles that prioritize their manifests such that NASA has a
reasonable confidence level that its missions can be reliably
launched when scheduled. The Committee directs NASA to provide
the Committee with a quarterly launch schedule, by mission,
that describes risks associated with launch delays due to
problems with the launch vehicle; impacts of launch delays to
other missions in the launch queue, and a budget estimate of
the anticipated carrying costs for missed launch windows.
The Committee is counting on NASA to maintain focus on
improving oversight and accountability throughout the agency.
NASA's acquisition management remains on the Government
Accountability Office's [GAO] ``high risk'' list, though the
Committee notes that NASA is making progress in strengthening
financial management. GAO's most recent assessment of NASA's
large-scale projects found the agency's cost and schedule
performance on major projects has improved since GAO's first
assessment in 2009. The average cost overrun is down from 4
percent to 3 percent, while average launch delays are down from
4 months to under 3 months. NASA is directed to cooperate fully
and to provide timely program analysis, evaluation data, and
relevant information to the GAO so that GAO can report to
Congress shortly after the annual budget submission of the
President and semiannually thereafter on the status of large-
scale NASA programs, projects, and activities based on its
review of this information.
In addition, NASA is directed to include in its budget
justification the reserve assumed by NASA to be necessary
within the amount proposed for each directorate, theme,
program, project, and activity, or, if the proposed funding
level for a directorate, theme, program, project, or activity
is based on confidence level budgeting, the confidence level
assumed in the proposed funding level.
This bill attempts to make tough choices in order to afford
a balanced space program. To do that, the Committee was
informed by the priorities of the Senate as well as the
administration. However, the Committee does not always agree
with the administration. The Committee grants NASA flexibility
to craft spending plans that manage funds appropriately and,
where necessary, address funding shortfalls that were not
foreseen by the Congress or the agency prior to passage of
annual appropriations. However, that latitude should not be
viewed as a license to disregard the Congress' choices about
where limited resources should be spent. The Federal funding
priorities for NASA set forth in this bill should not be
interpreted as a suggestion from the Committee; rather they
should be interpreted like any other statutory requirement
levied upon NASA. The Committee objects to NASA's efforts in
recent fiscal years to redirect funding away from priorities
clearly set by the Congress in law. Continued use of section
505 of this bill in this manner will result in limited funding
flexibility in the future.
The Committee has chosen to articulate the funding levels
of programs within the account structure for NASA in the form
of tables. Major mission and program funding is listed within
the tables and, if necessary, supplemented with explanatory
report language.
SCIENCE
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $5,151,200,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 4,972,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,200,000,000
The Committee provides $5,200,000,000 for Science, which is
$48,800,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level and $228,000,000
above the budget request. The Science account encompasses five
lines of study: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics,
the James Webb Space Telescope, and Heliophysics. This funding
seeks to answer fundamental questions concerning the ways in
which Earth's climate is changing; the comparison of Earth with
other planets in the solar system and around other stars; the
connections between the Sun and Earth; and the origin and
evolution of planetary systems, the galaxy, and the universe,
including the origin and distribution of life in the universe.
These objectives are achieved through robotic flight missions,
ground-based scientific research and data analysis, and the
development of new technologies for future missions.
SCIENCE
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Science:
Earth Science Research............................. 447,200
Earth Systematic Missions.......................... 850,600
Earth System Science Pathfinder.................... 266,100
Earth Science Multi-Mission Operations............. 176,100
Earth Science Technology........................... 55,600
Applied Sciences................................... 36,300
----------------
Subtotal, Earth Science.......................... 1,831,900
================
Planetary Science:
Planetary Science Research......................... 215,500
Discovery.......................................... 250,800
New Frontiers...................................... 281,400
Mars Exploration................................... 345,000
Outer Planets...................................... 79,000
Technology......................................... 130,000
----------------
Subtotal, Planetary Science...................... 1,301,700
================
Astrophysics:
Astrophysics Research.............................. 164,300
Cosmic Origins..................................... 260,300
Physics of the Cosmos.............................. 108,800
Exoplanet Exploration.............................. 47,500
Astrophysics Explorer.............................. 126,900
----------------
Subtotal, Astrophysics........................... 707,800
================
James Webb Space Telescope............................. 645,400
================
Heliophysics:
Heliophysics Research.............................. 220,800
Living with a Star................................. 256,400
Solar Terrestrial Probes........................... 70,400
Heliophysics Explorer.............................. 123,600
----------------
Subtotal, Heliophysics........................... 671,200
================
Education.............................................. 42,000
================
Total, Science................................... 5,200,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Science Missions.--The Committee maintains the
ongoing development of the Tier I Earth Science missions, and
provides the full budget requests for the Soil Moisture Active
and Passive [SMAP] and the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation
Satellite [IceSat-2] missions.
Given the importance to water resource management, ice
dynamics measurement, and earthquake and tsunami research, the
Committee directs NASA to provide sufficient funding to ensure
that the dual L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar
mission can pass into formulation in mid-fiscal year 2015.
Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, Ecosystem.--The Committee maintains
support for the Pre-Aerosol, Clouds, Ecosystem [PACE] mission,
and provides an additional $25,000,000 to begin technology risk
reduction and formulation studies. By starting this mission in
fiscal year 2015, the gap in the essential Ocean Color time-
series will be reduced by 2 to 3 years. Restoring this data
stream will better equip the ocean ecology, ocean biology,
aerosol and cloud science communities to address challenges
highlighted in the National Academies' Earth Science Decadal
Survey.
Landsat Data Continuity.--The Committee provides
$68,100,000, $4,000,000 above the request, for a land imaging
mission successor to Landsat 8. With Landsat 7 at risk for
ending its mission life as early as 2017, the Committee is
deeply troubled at the potential loss of 8-day continuous
terrestrial coverage now provided through the Landsat satellite
series. The Committee does not concur with various
administration efforts to develop alternative ``out of the
box'' approaches to this data collection--whether they are
dependent on commercial or international partners. Given the
constraints in Federal funding, and the absence of credible
alternatives to a conventional land imaging mission that
ensures Landsat data continuity, NASA should proceed with an
acquisition in fiscal year 2015 for a mission to launch a
follow on to Landsat 8 by not later than 2020 that does not
exceed a cost cap of $650,000,000, inclusive of all launch
vehicle costs. Such a mission shall maximize the utilization of
non-recurring engineering efforts from Landsat 8 to maintain a
relatively low level of project risk. In addition, as a follow
on to Landsat 8, program reserves shall be limited to not more
than 10 percent for the duration of the mission's development
and all hardware contracts should be firm fixed price and
reflect steep discounts over the price paid for comparable
components for Landsat 8. The Committee notes that the notional
land imaging fiscal year 2016 budget is now more than
$100,000,000 below what is needed for a 2020 launch. Hence, the
Committee expects the 2016 budget to reflect resources
necessary to meet that launch date.
Carbon Monitoring.--Of the funds provided within the Earth
Science research and analysis activity, the Committee
recommends no less than $8,000,000 to continue efforts for the
development of a carbon monitoring system. The majority of the
funds should be directed toward acquisition, field sampling,
quantification, and development of a prototype monitoring,
reporting and verification system. Priority should be given to
mapping States that have previously demonstrated the ability
and willingness to map forests on a county level to enable the
program to demonstrate how to cost effectively scale these
measurements.
Jason-3 and DSCOVR.--The Committee transfers development
costs and responsibility of Jason-3 and the Deep Space Climate
Observatory [DSCOVR] from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration [NOAA] to NASA within the funding provided for
Earth Systematic Missions. The Committee provides additional
funds on top of the requested amounts for these two missions to
account for funding that had been requested within NOAA, which
results in $25,600,000 for Jason-3 and $24,800,000 for DSCOVR.
NASA is directed to complete the construction and launch of
these important Earth science missions on schedule and on
budget, which NASA is already facilitating on behalf of NOAA.
NASA shall continue to partner with NOAA to transfer
operational components of both programs as planned.
Planetary Science.--With the exception of increased funding
for Mars Exploration and the Discovery Program, the Committee
supports Planetary Science at the budget request levels,
including $137,200,000 for Technology, $40,000,000 for Near
Earth Object Observations within Planetary Science Research,
and $281,400,000 for New Frontiers, which includes $224,800,000
for the OSIRIS-REx mission.
Discovery Program.--The Committee recommends $250,800,000
for the Discovery Program in fiscal year 2015, an increase of
$20,000,000 above the budget request. The additional funds
should be allocated for future Discovery lines in other
missions and data analysis to initiate Phase B activities
consistent with an upcoming announcement of opportunity [AO].
The Committee is concerned by the Agency's delays in issuing
this AO and for the proposed scheduling of Discovery launches
every 36 months rather than the 24-month cycle long supported
by the Committee and recommended by the Planetary Science
Decadal Survey ``Visions Voyages for Planetary Sciences 2013-
2022''. The Committee opposes any lengthening of the launch
cycle for Discovery missions.
New Frontiers.--The Committee is concerned about the dearth
of opportunities for medium-sized planetary missions after
fiscal year 2015. The Juno and New Horizons missions will
deliver new science discoveries over the next 2 years, followed
by the launch of OSIRIS-REx in 2016. However, beyond these
opportunities, NASA lacks a plan for the next set of medium
class missions. As a result, the Committee directs NASA to
initiate a New Frontiers announcement of opportunity as soon as
practicable with the expectation of launching the next New
Frontiers mission within 48 months of the award. The fiscal
year 2016 budget submission should reflect an enhanced profile
to accommodate this effort.
New Horizons.--The Committee notes that the Planetary
Science Decadal Survey that recommended the New Horizons
mission also recommended that NASA retarget the spacecraft
toward Kuiper Belt objects following the encounter with Pluto
in July 2015. The Committee encourages the planetary science
community to select the secondary destination as soon as
possible in order to maximize the opportunity for success
during an extended mission. The Committee strongly supports
surveying the accessible region of space that the New Horizons
spacecraft will be able to transit in order to determine if
potential targets of opportunity exist that the spacecraft can
explore.
Europa.--A mission to Europa represents one of the highest
large mission priorities of the Planetary Science Decadal
Survey. As one of these top priorities, Europa presents NASA
with an opportunity to capitalize on investments it has made in
producing a heavy lift launch vehicle capability. The Committee
believes that any planning for a Europa mission should seek to
maximize the scientific return and utilize the capabilities of
NASA's own heavy lift launch vehicle. The Committee directs
NASA, in setting the baseline Europa mission highlighted in the
decadal survey, to use the Space Launch System as the launch
vehicle.
Mars Exploration.--The Committee provides $345,000,000,
which is $65,700,000 above the request level, for Mars
Exploration. The Committee does not support the budget request
to cut funding for robotic rovers and in-space observatories
expected to culminate in a Mars sample return, which was
identified as the top priority for planetary science by the
Planetary Science Decadal Survey.
Astrophysics.--Within funds provided to advance scientific
knowledge of the origins of the universe, the Committee
provides $98,600,000 for the Hubble Space Telescope [HST],
$87,000,000 for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared
Astronomy [SOFIA], and $38,000,000 for the Balloon Project.
The Committee disagrees with NASA's position that a change
in HST's grants administration offers any significant savings
over fiscal year 2014 operations. In the history of NASA, HST
has proven to be the agency's premier scientific observatory.
Therefore, HST's operations and grant awards, particularly in
an era of fiscal constraint, should not be used as a budget
gimmick to achieve artificial savings. In order to plan for the
remaining life of HST and provide for an initial overlap with
the James Webb Space Telescope through 2020, NASA is directed
to undertake a study of operations and associated budget for
fiscal years 2015 through 2020. This study should consider the
full range of science capabilities, operational staffing, and
risk reduction to assure a scientifically productive HST
program.
The Committee disagrees with NASA's effort to terminate the
SOFIA mission and believes that such decisions for science
missions should be made only after a senior review that
evaluates the relative scientific benefit and return from
continued investment.
Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope [WFIRST] Science
Mission.--Within the funds provided, the Committee provides
$56,000,000 for NASA to proceed with further risk reduction and
detailed formulation on a science mission that meets the
exoplanet and dark energy science objectives of WFIRST. This
recommendation builds upon the Agency's work with both the
Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope to
ensure that the synergies and discoveries from those missions
enhance WFIRST's scientific objectives so that they can be
achieved in a way that is both cost effective and advances the
field of study in astrophysics to guarantee world class
results.
Senior Review Panel for Astrophysics.--The Committee is
aware that the Senior Review Panel for NASA's Astrophysics
program deliberated after the fiscal year 2015 budget was
submitted. The Committee notes that the panel's May 2014 report
states: ``The operation of the nation's space borne
observatories is so severely impacted by the current funding
climate in Washington that the Senior Review Panel feels that
American pre-eminence in the study of the Universe from space
is threatened to the point of irreparable damage if additional
funds cannot be found to fill the projected funding gaps.'' The
Committee believes that the decision to continue supporting
large-scale science missions, such as these astrophysics
resources, should first be considered for their scientific
merit and viability and then in the context of any fiscal
constraints. The Committee directs NASA to take into account
the panel's recommendations when allocating funding for
astrophysics programs in the agency's spending plan.
James Webb Space Telescope.--The Committee maintains strong
support for the completion of the James Webb Space Telescope
[JWST], and provides $645,400,000, the same as the budget
request. The bill maintains an overall development cost ceiling
for JWST at $8,000,000,000, and the Committee intends to hold
NASA and its contractors to that commitment. The Committee
expects to be kept fully informed on issues relating to program
and risk management, achievement of cost and schedule goals,
and program technical status. The Committee appreciates GAO's
continuing work to monitor JWST progress, costs, and schedule.
Heliophysics.--Within funds provided to advance scientific
knowledge of the Sun's impact on the Earth, the Committee
recommends $43,900,000 for the Research and Analysis program,
an increase of $10,000,000 above the budget request. The
Committee directs NASA to implement the multiagency
``Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture, and Educate'' [DRIVE]
initiative as recommended in the Heliophysics Decadal Survey in
order to take advantage of new opportunities yielded by the
Heliophysics Systems Observatory assets and data.
The Committee provides $48,500,000 for the Magnetospheric
Multiscale [MMS] mission. The Committee expects NASA to
maintain the current MMS launch profile and to keep the
Committee apprised on this matter.
The Committee also provides $145,600,000 for the Solar
Probe Plus mission, the same as the budget request. The
Committee strongly affirms its multiyear commitment to a 2018
launch for the solar probe plus mission as advanced technology
development funds provided to NASA in prior years have retired
substantial technical risk and made the funding profile for the
mission manageable, points independently verified by outside
reviews. The Committee fully expects that all future NASA
budget submissions will adhere to a funding profile that
guarantees a 2018 launch.
The Committee provides the budget request of $123,600,000
for the Heliophysics Explorer Program. The Committee believes
that this program and other programs of opportunity are crucial
to a robust space science program, and that each Explorer
selection round should be adequately funded to guarantee one
full mission for astrophysics and a corresponding one for
heliophysics. The Committee expects to monitor this activity
carefully since this program is one of NASA's longest running
most successful programs, and more than 90 explorer missions
have launched, including Explorer 1, which discovered the
Earth's radiation belts, and the Nobel Prize-enabling Cosmic
Background Explorer mission.
Science Mission Directorate, Education.--The Committee is
encouraged by the administration's attempt to follow the
Committee's direction to preserve education funding within the
Science Mission Directorate [SMD] by requesting $15,000,000 in
fiscal year 2015. However, the administration touts this
request as a generous new initiative when the amount is
actually $27,000,000 below the fiscal year 2014 level of
$42,000,000. For fiscal year 2015, the Committee provides no
less than $42,000,000 for education as reflected in a more
transparent single line within the SMD funding chart. This
includes the $15,000,000 education funding included in the
budget submission within the Astrophysics program. However, the
Committee supports the recommendation that the Astrophysics
program administer this SMD-wide education funding.
The Committee notes that the $42,000,000 is well below the
authorized mandate that 1 percent of all NASA science funds are
allocated to education-related efforts. Thus, this amount does
not represent a cumulative total of all on-going and
longstanding education activities that will be conducted
throughout SMD in fiscal year 2015.
AERONAUTICS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $566,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 551,100,000
Committee recommendation................................ 551,100,000
The Committee provides $551,100,000 for Aeronautics, which
is $14,900,000 below the fiscal year 2014 level and equal to
the budget request. The Aeronautics account funds research in
key areas related to the development of advanced aircraft
technologies and systems, including those related to aircraft
safety, environmental compatibility and fuel efficiency, and
research that supports the Next Generation Air Transportation
System in partnership with the Joint Planning and Development
Office.
The Committee supports the budget reorganization for the
Aeronautics directorate that is proposed with the fiscal year
2015 budget. However, the Committee is disappointed in the
requested reduction in rotary craft research and encourages
NASA to increase funding for this activity within funds
provided.
The Committee supports the budget request level of
$25,000,000 for the Advanced Composites Project within the
Advanced Air Vehicles Program.
The Committee also supports the requested level of
$127,000,000 for the Integrated Aviation Systems Program. The
Committee notes that the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]
recently identified six sites it will use to establish unmanned
aerial systems [UAS] safety standards and develop technology
required to integrate UAS safely into the National Airspace
System [NAS]. The Committee urges NASA to coordinate its UAS
activities with the test sites to the greatest extent possible
to ensure the safest and most efficient integration of these
platforms into the NAS.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $576,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 705,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 580,200,000
The Committee provides $580,200,000 for Space Technology,
which is $4,200,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level and
$125,300,000 below the budget request. The Space Technology
Program funds basic research that can advance multi-purpose
technologies to enable new approaches to NASA's current
missions. It includes NASA's Small Business Innovative Research
[SBIR] and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs.
Within Space Technology, the Committee prioritizes funding
for ongoing activities including Crosscutting Space Technology.
The Committee recommends Space Technology continue to fund
satellite servicing in concert with the Space Operations
directorate. This funding will contribute to a competitive
demonstration mission and shall be managed by the Space
Operations mission directorate.
The Committee recognizes the importance of the SBIR program
and its previous success in commercialization of results from
federally funded research and development projects. The SBIR
program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in
Federal research and development, and creates jobs. The
Committee therefore directs NASA to place an increased focus on
awarding SBIR awards to firms with fewer than 50 employees.
Within the funds provided for Crosscutting Space Technology
Development, the Committee provides $17,000,000 for Flight
Opportunities.
EXPLORATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $4,113,200,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 3,976,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,367,700,000
The Committee provides $4,367,700,000 for Exploration,
which is $254,500,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level and
$391,700,000 above the budget request. The Exploration account
funds the capabilities required to develop, demonstrate, and
deploy the transportation, life support, and surface systems
that will enable sustained human presence throughout the solar
system, including at the International Space Station [ISS], in
low-Earth orbit, and beyond low-Earth orbit.
The Committee believes the Nation deserves a safe, robust
human spaceflight program. This program aims to regularly and
reliably provide access to the ISS and enable exploration
beyond low-Earth orbit. Capabilities to reach the ISS with U.S.
vehicles and to explore beyond low-Earth orbit must work hand
in hand. The United States must continue building a heavy lift
rocket to complement emerging domestic capabilities for a
sustainable human spaceflight program that can accomplish both
of these goals.
Furthermore, the United States must engage its
international partners to have a truly robust and successful
program. With the funds provided here, the United States will
be able to contribute heavy lift launch technology to that
effort, including the capability to launch humans beyond low-
Earth orbit.
EXPLORATION
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration Research and Development................... 311,400
Commercial Space Flight................................ 805,000
Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle........................ 1,200,000
Space Launch System.................................... 1,700,000
Exploration Ground Systems............................. 351,300
----------------
TOTAL............................................ 4,367,700
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human Exploration Capabilities.--The Committee is committed
to the development of a U.S. capability that will enable NASA
to access space beyond low-Earth orbit and do so, carrying U.S.
astronauts. The development of the Space Launch System [SLS]
and Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle [MPCV] will ensure the
United States has the inherent capability to take humans to
destinations well beyond current capabilities. SLS and Orion
MPCV will also provide a capability that is not achievable by
the vehicles currently under development in the commercial crew
program. The goal of our human space program has always been to
explore beyond our own planet. To attain NASA's goal, proper
resources are essential to ensure that the development of SLS
and Orion MPCV will be successful. Unfortunately, the requested
funding levels for these vehicles have again fallen below what
is necessary. In fact, since the inception of the program, the
Committee has repeatedly included the funding necessary to keep
these programs on schedule and on budget because the budget
request itself has fallen far short of requirements by
providing unreliable and unsubstantiated cost estimates.
The Committee remains disappointed that the funding
requested by NASA for SLS and the Orion MPCV once again bears
little relation to either funding levels provided in previous
years or NASA's own cost estimates and policies. NASA has yet
to provide independent cost and schedule assessments for SLS
and Orion MPCV, which the Committee has requested since the
programs began. To preserve the current schedule and maintain
proper funding for planned work and reserve levels, the
Committee must rectify NASA's planned budget shortfall for SLS
and Orion MPCV. The bill provides $1,700,000,000 for SLS rocket
development to keep the program on a path toward successfully
meeting its launch milestones. The proposed funding for SLS, by
NASA's own cost and schedule standards, is not sufficient to
deliver an initial test launch by the planned December 2017
date. Moreover, insufficient funding for SLS will lead to cost
escalation and unnecessary schedule delays that will have to be
addressed in future budget years. The Committee has
consistently supported funding for SLS and has done so again
this year. The additional resources provided in this bill will
ensure that NASA can make the investments necessary, including
those required for risk mitigation, to maintain a 2017 launch
date.
The Committee also provides $1,200,000,000 for the Orion
MPCV. The Committee believes the funds above the request are
necessary to maintain the consistent progress this program has
achieved, including a path to achieve Exploration Mission-1,
scheduled for 2017, the first mission to integrate Orion MPCV
and the SLS.
In response to longstanding issues with cost overruns and
schedule delays in NASA missions, NASA issued NASA Procedural
Requirements [NPR] 7120.5E which instituted the joint cost and
schedule confidence level [JCL] process. The JCL is intended to
assess potential risk and cost of a mission and consequently
determine the likelihood of completing all remaining work at or
below the budgeted levels on or before the mission's planned
completion date. The standard JCL that NASA requires is 70
percent meaning the mission has a 70 percent chance of meeting
budget and schedule targets. The Government Accountability
Office [GAO], in its annual assessment of NASA's large-scale
projects, has indicated that the JCL process helps ensure
estimates are more realistic, but cautions that NASA has a
cultural tendency to be optimistic. In addition, GAO's 2014
annual report states that overall, the JCL process ``has likely
contributed to the recent decrease in cost and schedule growth
in [NASA's] portfolio compared to historical levels.''
During the course of the Committee's annual budget
hearings, NASA testified that SLS did not need a JCL of 70
percent, as specified in NPR 7120.5E, yet NASA has not provided
any documentation to substantiate this claim. A budget proposal
resulting in a low JCL ties NASA's hands by limiting its
ability to mitigate technical risks, control program cost
growth, and minimize schedule delays. These risks are contrary
to the stated purpose of NPR 7120.5E to ``improve program and
project performance.''
To ensure that NASA follows its own guidance and does not
require SLS and Orion MPCV to incur a higher risk profile than
other major missions, the bill directs NASA to formulate a
reliable and realistic JCL. In doing so, NASA shall provide the
Committee with an annual budget profile based upon NASA's own
70 percent JCL standard which is to be submitted concurrently
with the annual budget submission. Any JCL that is less than 70
percent shall be justified and documented, and NASA shall still
provide the Committee with the full cost estimates that would
be needed to achieve a 70 percent JCL.
Commercial Crew.--The Committee has been consistent in its
direction that NASA use a FAR-based contract for the
development of a domestic crew capability. The use of the FAR
was considered necessary due to the risks associated with
transporting humans. Additionally, the Committee felt that a
FAR-based contract was the only contracting vehicle that would
provide NASA the transparency necessary to ensure the
appropriateness of cost and pricing data and the insight into
the ongoing work. While NASA has chosen to use a FAR-based
contract, it has also waived significant portions of the
standard FAR-based contract, including verifiable cost data,
capping repayment of funds in case of inability to perform, and
rights in data. NASA has informed the Committee that these
deviations were necessary to ensure competition. However, with
multiple entrants that collectively have extensive Federal
contracting experience, the Committee questions the true need
to waive these traditional requirements.
While the Committee appreciates NASA's commitment to a
firm, fixed-price contract for a commercial crew launch
vehicle, it remains concerned that NASA may use other funding
vehicles to provide additional resources. Given the importance
of the commercial crew program to the long-term viability of
the International Space Station, the need for transparency only
grows in importance. As with any such project, the technical
risk and probability for cost growth is high. Without the
proper foundation and necessary requirements for certified cost
and pricing data, NASA will have no insight into ongoing cost
growth that could jeopardize the viability of the program.
In order for NASA and Congress to have the appropriate
level of transparency to ensure that the cost of the program is
in line with the activities undertaken and that it does not
grow exponentially, the Committee directs NASA to maintain FAR
15.403-4, related to certified cost and pricing data for prime
contractors, for any contracts entered into to support the
development of a commercial crew vehicle. Further, NASA shall
require quarterly reports to be submitted to NASA and the
Committee that detail the funds invested by NASA and by the
awardees during the previous quarter and cumulatively,
including legacy launch systems that may be integrated with the
crew vehicle.
The Committee agrees with concern expressed by the
Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, the OIG, and others that Space
Act agreements may not give NASA sufficient oversight to
correct safety defects. The Committee directs NASA to only
place astronauts on a commercial crew vehicle that NASA
acquired under a FAR contract that allows NASA to require the
company to meet all safety requirements. The Committee
encourages NASA to continue working closely with commercial
companies, even under Space Act agreements, so that those
companies know what will be acceptable should NASA eventually
contract for crew transportation services aboard those
companies' vehicles. The Committee encourages NASA to develop
plans to fully utilize NASA-owned rocket testing infrastructure
for commercially developed launch vehicles to ensure that these
vehicles are not only tested in the same manner as Government-
developed launch vehicles but at the same facilities to ensure
consistency in testing across all potential vehicles.
Advanced Exploration Systems.--Within Exploration Research
and Development, the Committee recommends the request level of
$182,900,000 for Advanced Exploration Systems. The Committee
encourages NASA to continue to develop and test technology for
supporting human spaceflight, including the use of expandable
habitats, per the budget request.
SPACE OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $3,778,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 3,905,400,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,830,800,000
The Committee provides $3,830,800,000 for Space Operations,
which is $52,800,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level and
$74,600,000 below the budget request. The Space Operations
account funds the International Space Station [ISS], and the
supporting functions required to conduct operations in space.
The ISS is a complex of research laboratories in low-Earth
orbit in which American, Russian, Canadian, European, and
Japanese astronauts are conducting unique scientific and
technological investigations in a microgravity environment.
International Space Station.--The Committee provides
$3,012,800,000 for the ISS Program, which includes ISS
Operations, ISS Research, and ISS Crew and Cargo Services. This
Committee has consistently supported the construction and
operation of the ISS on the promise that it would support
world-class, international science that could improve life on
Earth. The Committee is encouraged by NASA's recent
announcement in January 2014 to extend the life of
International Space Station [ISS] to 2024, and encourages NASA
to work with its international partners to ensure this new goal
is financially viable to maintain a high level of safety and
sufficient research production. The Committee considers
astronaut safety its highest priority and maintains support for
the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel's recommendation that NASA
reconsider its criteria for future human spaceflight to the
ISS. NASA must ensure that safety standards for transportation
to, and ongoing operations at, the ISS improve should NASA
begin to purchase crew transportation services from commercial
providers.
Commercial Cargo Resupply.--The Committee recommends the
requested amount of $1,530,700,000 for ISS resupply
transportation. NASA, in partnership with private industry, has
successfully developed and enabled a domestic cargo resupply
capability for the ISS. This capability would not have been
possible without significant Federal investment. The additional
investments NASA is currently making to advance crew vehicle
development will ultimately enable greater competition for ISS
cargo resupply missions through the creation of more viable
entrants than were originally available. With a more mature
competitive environment, the Committee believes that exceptions
to procurement practices to provide reliable cargo transport
may be unnecessary. As NASA begins soliciting participants for
the second round of cargo resupply missions, certified cost and
pricing data should be required and made available to NASA.
Satellite Servicing.--The Committee recommends $130,000,000
for satellite servicing within Space Operations, which includes
funds transferred from the Space Technology directorate. Funds
should be used for: space technology developments including
continued work related to demonstrations on the International
Space Station; continuing a Restore Pathfinder mission to be
achieved no later than 2017 and which may be used for either a
low-earth orbit or geostationary orbit servicing of government
assets only; and recommendations for a Restore mission beyond
2017.
The Committee notes that the replacement value of existing
government assets in space, including operational weather
satellites and other platforms critical to essential government
activities, is in the tens of billions. Given constraints
imposed by the Budget Control Act, satellite servicing offers a
unique and valuable means to stagger the capital requirements
for new missions by significantly extending the useful life of
existing ones. The Committee continues to be deeply concerned
with, and highly frustrated by, the agency's most senior
leadership not embracing this transformational approach to
managing the Nation's governmental space assets. The Committee
expects NASA to provide for a full program of record on
satellite servicing that includes technology development, the
Restore Pathfinder, and recommendations for a Restore follow-on
mission in the fiscal year 2016 budget. The Committee remains
resolute in its commitment to this mission and believes it to
be in the best interests of taxpayers and agencies with a large
portfolio of space assets whose replacement value continues to
increase at a time when resources are greatly constrained.
21st Century Launch Complex Program.--The Committee
provides $33,900,000 for the 21st Century Space Launch Complex,
which is $8,000,000 above the request. The Committee is
concerned about the ability of commercial space launch
providers to plan for the future, given the preponderance of
funding that is dedicated from the 21st Century Space Launch
Complex to the facilities at Kennedy Space Center. The
program's authorized purposes include projects at all NASA-
owned launch facilities. The Committee directs that any new
Commercial Space Flight infrastructure investment proposals for
the 21st Century Space Launch Complex program take into account
the cargo mission needs also demonstrated at the Wallops Flight
Facility [WFF]. There are now growing capacity issues at WFF
that, if not resolved, could soon prevent the center from
taking on small and large missions due to limitations
associated with spacecraft processing and fueling facility and
associated facilities that need to be addressed. Therefore, the
Committee provides the increased funding to fill maintenance
gaps at the WFF launch complex, and further directs NASA to
take to consideration the full potential of all NASA-owned
launch complexes.
EDUCATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $116,600,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 88,900,000
Committee recommendation................................ 108,000,000
The Committee provides $108,000,000 for Education, which is
$8,600,000 below the fiscal year 2014 level and $19,100,000
above the budget request. The Education account funds science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] education
activities to educate and inspire our next generation of
explorers and innovators.
EDUCATION
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASA Space Grant........................................ 40,000
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.. 18,000
Minority University Research and Education Program...... 30,000
STEM Education and Accountability Projects.............. 20,000
---------------
TOTAL............................................... 108,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Workforce Development.--The Committee continues to direct
NASA to review all existing programs that offer internships,
fellowships, and other related undergraduate and graduate
programs and identify those programs that are directly
associated with NASA's mission, and those that are of general
value which may be more effectively coordinated through the
National Science Foundation. NASA should also consider whether
fellowships funded in Space Technology are more appropriate for
the Education mission directorate.
Space Grant.--The Committee provides $40,000,000 for Space
Grant, and directs NASA to support an extension of the current
Space Grant program, and to allocate the funding for consortia-
led institutions in all 52 participating jurisdictions
according to the percentage allocation provided to States in
the current 5-year grant award.
STEM Education and Accountability Program.--The Committee
provides no more than $10,000,000 for the Competitive Program
for Science, Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitors Centers
within the STEM Education and Accountability Program [SEAP].
This competitive grant program creates interactive exhibits,
professional development activities, and community-based
programs to engage students, teachers, and the public in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
CROSS AGENCY SUPPORT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $2,793,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 2,778,600,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,778,600,000
The Committee provides $2,778,600,000 for Cross Agency
Support, which is $14,400,000 below the fiscal year 2014 level
and the same as the budget request. The Cross Agency Support
account funds agency management, including headquarters and
each of the nine NASA field centers, as well as the design and
execution of non-programmatic Construction of Facilities and
Environmental Compliance and Restoration activities.
Independent Verification and Validation [IV&V] Program.--
Within the amounts provided for cross-agency support, the
Committee recommends $39,100,000 for NASA's IV&V Program.
Cybersecurity.--NASA spends more than $1,500,000,000
annually on approximately 550 IT systems used to control
spacecraft; collect, process, and archive scientific data; and
communicate within NASA as well as with contractors, academia,
and the public. NASA is an attractive target for hackers
whether they are seeking recognition for attacking a well-known
agency, or seeking to obtain personal information for identity
theft and fraud, or intellectual property.
The Inspector General [IG] testified in May 2014 that
NASA's IT governance structure remains one of NASA's top
management challenges. On May 15, 2014, the IG reported to the
Committee that NASA is expected to fully implement the IG's
recommendations from the June 2013 report ``NASA's Information
Technology Governance'' by the end of calendar year 2014.
The Committee's recommendation includes the full request of
$183,600,000 for Agency Information Technology [IT] Services to
support shifting NASA's IT model to one with strong governance
and strong information security practices.
Employee Performance Communications System [EPCS].--The
EPCS is the performance appraisal system used by NASA as the
basis for training, rewarding, reassigning, promoting, reducing
in grade, retaining, and removing employees. The Committee
notes that EPCS data from some NASA centers indicates
significantly lower performance ratings for African-American,
Hispanic and Asian-American employees compared to non-minority
employees during each of the last 5 years of this system's
implementation. This 5-year trend also indicates managerial
employees receiving superlative ratings at a significantly
higher rate than those in non-supervisory positions.
As a means of mitigating the effect of any sources of bias
resulting in these disparities and adverse outcomes, the
Committee encourages NASA to work with agency management,
employee representatives, employee resource groups, and other
stakeholders at NASA centers to reform and implement more fair
and equitable performance-related criteria.
CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $515,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 446,100,000
Committee recommendation................................ 446,100,000
The Committee provides $446,100,000 for Construction and
Environmental Compliance and Restoration, which is $68,900,000
below the fiscal year 2014 level and the same as the budget
request. The Construction and Environmental Compliance and
Remediation account provides for design and execution of
programmatic, discrete and minor revitalization, construction
of facilities projects, facility demolition projects, and
environmental compliance and remediation activities.
In order to maintain continuity within the projects for
major construction, NASA shall prioritize available funding
towards activities that have initiated demolition, site
preparation, or construction activities during the previous
fiscal year, followed by projects that were deferred in
previous budget requests and have since been requested again
for funding in the fiscal year 2015 request.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $37,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 37,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 37,500,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $37,500,000 for the
Office of Inspector General [IG], which is the same as the
fiscal year 2014 level and $500,000 above the budget request.
The Office is responsible for promoting efficiency and
preventing and detecting crime, fraud, waste, and
mismanagement.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
The Committee includes bill language regarding the
availability of funds for certain prizes. The Committee also
includes bill language regarding transfers of funds between
accounts and the NASA spending plan for fiscal year 2015.
National Science Foundation
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $7,171,918,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 7,255,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,255,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $7,255,000,000 for
the National Science Foundation [NSF]. The recommendation is
$83,082,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the
same as the budget request.
The National Science Foundation was established as an
independent agency by the National Science Foundation Act of
1950 (Public Law 81-507) and is authorized to support research
and education programs that promote the progress of science and
engineering in the United States. The Foundation supports
research and education in all major scientific and engineering
disciplines through grants, cooperative agreements, contracts,
and other forms of assistance in all parts of the United
States. The Foundation also supports unique, large-scale
research facilities and international facilities.
RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $5,808,918,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 5,807,460,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,838,690,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $5,838,690,000. The
recommendation is $29,772,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level and $31,230,000 above the budget request.
The Research and Related Activities [R&RA] appropriation
funds scientific discovery, trains a dynamic workforce, and
supports broadly accessible state-of-the-art tools and
facilities. Research activities will contribute to the
achievement of these outcomes through expansion of the
knowledge base; integration of research and education;
stimulation of knowledge transfer among academia and public and
private sectors; and international activities, and will bring
the perspectives of many disciplines to bear on complex
problems important to the Nation. The Foundation's discipline-
oriented R&RA account includes: Biological Sciences; Computer
and Information Science and Engineering; Engineering;
Geosciences; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences; Office of
Cyberinfrastructure; Office of International Science and
Engineering; Office of Polar Programs; Integrative Activities;
and the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
The Committee's fiscal year 2015 recommendation renews its
support for Federal long-term basic research that has the
potential to be transformative to our economy and our way of
life in the context of a stagnant Federal budget.
Scientific Facilities and Instrumentation.--A critical
component of the Nation's scientific enterprise is the
infrastructure that supports researchers in discovery science.
Investments to advance the frontiers of research and education
in science and engineering are critical to the Nation's
innovation enterprise. The Committee expects the NSF to fully
fund world-class U.S. scientific research facilities and
instruments to adequately support scientists and students
engaged in research to maximize sustained investments in
science.
Astronomy.--U.S.-based astronomy facilities continue to
make groundbreaking discoveries and maintain excellent world-
class scientific research even as operating budgets have been
continually constrained. The Committee expects NSF to sustain
support for the scientific facilities funded by the
Astronomical Sciences division, including the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory, which shall be funded at no less than
the fiscal year 2014 level of $43,140,000.
Advanced Manufacturing.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of domestic biomanufacturing and the considerable
investments made by U.S. competitors in this field. As part of
its Advanced Manufacturing initiative, the Committee encourages
NSF to include at least $15,000,000 for new research in
biomanufacturing to advance the U.S. global competitiveness in
this area.
High Performance Computing.--The Committee requests a plan
from NSF on how the agency plans to maintain and modernize its
high performance computing infrastructure, software, and
applications that support all areas of its scientific research
and education. The plan should also include how the agency
plans to transition research using high performance computers
to operations that will require similar computing capacity. The
plan should include NSF's estimate of cost for any
modernization efforts as well as any costs associated with
maintaining these systems.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee's recommendation includes the
fiscal year 2014 level of $159,000,000 for cybersecurity
research, including support for core computer science research
at academic institutions. The discovery and innovation in
cybersecurity supported by NSF will form the intellectual
foundations for practical applications that make our
information networks safer, more secure, and better able to
predict, resist, repel, and recover from cyber attacks.
Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research
[EPSCoR].--Within the amount provided, the Committee provides
$159,690,000 for EPSCoR, an amount equal to the fiscal year
2015 request.
Ocean Science Infrastructure--The Committee supports the
requested increase in funding for the planning and design of
the regional class research vessels. The Committee directs NSF
to ensure that these vessels will soon be approved for
inclusion in the Major Research Equipment and Facilities
Construction account.
Icebreakers.--The Committee supports the interagency
process to develop requirements for a new polar-class
icebreaker, recognizing the strategic importance of Arctic
operations to our Nation's future security and prosperity and
the critical support that such a vessel will provide to NSF's
research and logistics in Antarctica. NSF is encouraged to work
with its interagency partners to support this effort, which
should result in an operational requirements document no later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this act.
Southeast Tornado Research.--NSF has previously worked with
NOAA on tornado related research in the Midwest with the Vortex
I and Vortex II research campaigns. This research provides
valuable insight into the formation of storms in this region
and assists in lengthening the warning time for these violent
storms. The Southeast region of the country also experiences
tornado activity, but under different environmental and
geologic conditions. The Southeast has not been the focus of
previous Vortex research campaigns. Therefore, the Committee
directs NSF to collaborate with NOAA's Weather and Air
Chemistry Research Programs to focus on tornadic activity in
the Southeast through a Vortex Southeast [Vortex-SE] research
campaign. NSF shall report to the Committee within 180 days
after the enactment of this act on these efforts.
Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability
[SEES].--The Committee supports the full budget request for
SEES and encourages NSF to expand efforts in the Hazard SEES
Interdisciplinary Research in Hazards and Disasters program and
the Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials program.
MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $200,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 200,760,000
Committee recommendation................................ 200,760,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $200,760,000. The
recommendation is $760,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and is the same as the budget request.
The major research equipment and facilities construction
appropriation supports the acquisition, procurement,
construction, and commissioning of unique national research
platforms and facilities as well as major research equipment.
Projects supported by this appropriation will push the
boundaries of technology and offer significant expansion of
opportunities, often in new directions, for the science and
engineering community. Preliminary design and development
activities, on-going operations, and maintenance costs of the
facilities are provided through the Research and Related
Activities appropriation account.
The Committee's recommendation includes funding at the
requested level for the following ongoing projects: the
Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory;
the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope; the Ocean Observatories
Initiative; the National Ecological Observatory Network; and
the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.
EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $846,500,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 889,750,000
Committee recommendation................................ 889,750,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $889,750,000 for
this account. The recommendation is $43,250,000 above the
fiscal year 2014 enacted level and the same as the budget
request.
The Education and Human Resources appropriation supports a
comprehensive set of programs across all levels of education in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM]. The
appropriation supports activities that unite school districts
with institutions of higher learning to improve precollege
education. Other precollege activities include the development
of the next generation of precollege STEM education leaders,
instructional materials, and the STEM instructional workforce.
Undergraduate activities support curriculum, laboratory, and
instructional improvement; expand the STEM talent pool; attract
STEM participants to teaching; augment advanced technological
education at 2-year colleges; and develop dissemination tools.
Graduate support is directed to research and teaching
fellowships and internships and instructional workforce
improvement by linking precollege systems with higher
education. Programs also seek to broaden the participation of
groups underrepresented in the STEM enterprise and promote
informal science education. Ongoing evaluation efforts and
research on learning strengthen the base for these programs.
Committee on STEM Education.--The Committee believes that
NSF is well suited to handle undergraduate and graduate
fellowships, internships, and specific grants similar to its
current mission and, if there are general needs across
Government, that NSF could similarly serve as a clearinghouse
for such students. However, the Committee remains concerned
that moving all or too many graduate related fellowships and
scholarships to NSF will not meet the long-term, mission-
specific, STEM workforce needs of the entire Government. The
Committee requests that NSF continue to work with OSTP on
refining a plan for ways NSF could implement a broader program
for graduate and undergraduate programs across the entire
Federal Government, and to identify which programs across
Government could benefit from such a program.
Advanced Technological Education.--The Committee supports
the full request level of $64,000,000 for Advanced
Technological Education.
Robert Noyce Scholarship Program.--The Committee provides
the budget request level of $60,890,000 for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship program. This program helps fill the critical need
for STEM teachers in elementary and secondary schools by
funding institutions of higher education to provide
scholarships, stipends, and programmatic support to recruit and
prepare STEM majors and professionals to become K-12 teachers.
Scholarship and stipend recipients are required to complete 2
years of teaching in a high-need school district for each year
of support.
CyberCorps: Scholarships for Service.--The CyberCorps:
Scholarships for Service program helps the Federal Government
respond to threats to our information technology infrastructure
by providing scholarships to train cybersecurity professionals.
In return, scholarship recipients agree to serve in a Federal
Government agency position, building the Government's capacity
to understand, respond to, and prevent cyber threats. More than
900 students have completed the program, which was initiated in
fiscal year 2001; 92.6 percent of students have placed with
more than 120 Federal agencies. The Committee provides
$45,000,000, which is $20,000,000 above the requested level and
the same as the fiscal year 2014 level, for the Federal Cyber
Service: Scholarships for Service program.
Not less than $5,000,000 of the additional amount should be
used to continue work with community colleges that have been
designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Information
Assurance 2-Year Education [CAE2Y] by the National Security
Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
Informal Science Education.--The Committee maintains its
strong support for NSF's informal science education program and
supports the requested levels of $55,000,000 for Advancing
Informal STEM Learning and $57,080,000 for STEM-C Partnerships.
The Committee encourages the NSF to coordinate and provide
necessary support for investments in and out of school time
STEM education programs across Federal agencies, including
support for extracurricular STEM programs. The Committee also
encourages NSF to include components to STEM-C Partnerships
that could improve geographic literacy.
Division on Human Resource Development.--The Committee
continues its longstanding support for existing initiatives to
broaden participation in STEM fields and recognizes these
programs have various purposes and engage students in a
different manner. The Committee notes support for these
programs has stagnated in spite of increases to the overall NSF
budget. The Committee recommends $32,000,000 for the
Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs]
Undergraduate Program, $8,000,000 for the Alliance for Graduate
Education and the Professoriate, $46,000,000 for the Louis
Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, $13,500,000 for
the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, and $24,000,000
for Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology.
In proposal selection, the Committee encourages NSF to give
priority to grant proposals that have demonstrated maturity,
including previous partnerships with other Federal agencies.
Innovation Corps.--The Committee supports the NSF's request
to increase the size and scope of the Innovation Corps [I-
Corps] program to build on the initial successes of his
innovative public-private partnership model. However, the
Committee is concerned that despite over 140 I-Corps awards to
date, none have been made to HBCUs. This trend of failing to
include HBCUs does little to connect minority-serving
institutions to local innovation ecosystems that create new
economic opportunities in all communities. NSF's budget
justification states that the agency will support approximately
15 new Innovation Corps sites. The Committee encourages that no
fewer than three of these awards shall be made to qualified
HBCU applicants using the standard peer review processes.
HBCUs Excellence in Research.--HBCUs often lack human
capital and the research infrastructure to effectively compete
for Federal research funding. Currently, institutions that are
modestly successful in winning Federal research investments are
concentrated at a very small number of HBCU research
universities, which significantly limits the access of
underrepresented populations to benefit at the graduate or
undergraduate levels from meaningful research experiences. With
the Committee's urging, NSF has developed some research
experience programs through its Education and Human Resources
directorate. However, NSF's primary research directorates have
a far more anemic track record in this support--a reality that
the Committee believes must change if the Nation is to take
advantage of the country's growing diversity to enhance
America's economic competitiveness. No later than 120 days
after enactment of this act, the NSF Director shall convene a
high-level panel to devise a comprehensive strategy to
accelerate significant competitive opportunities for HBCUs that
can continuously tap NSF's core research directorates rather
than its education and human resources program base. The
strategy should include measurable milestones, and the panel
should be comprised primarily of leaders from the Nation's
HBCUs with an emphasis on those institutions with strong
graduate programs that are successful at capturing Federal
research funding.
Transformative Learning Initiative.--The Committee is aware
of complaints from the business community that recent college
graduates are often poorly prepared for the workforce, and
specifically lack necessary critical thinking, reasoning, and
problem solving skills. While this problem does not have one
source or solution, there is research that suggests that
college professors can use teaching methods that increase the
chances for students to experience a ``transformative learning
experience'' that both improves subject knowledge and boosts
these needed critical thinking skills. The Committee directs
NSF to report to the Committee within 120 days from enactment
of this act on a description of the agency's existing research
on transformative learning and professional development
approaches, particularly within respect to undergraduate
programs at urban universities and HCBUs. If NSF is not
currently conducting any transformative learning research or
education initiatives, then, as part of the report, NSF shall
provide the Committee with recommendation on establishing such
an initiative including scope and costs.
Life STEM.--The Committee believes that without targeted
interventions at an early age, it will become increasingly
difficult to guarantee a stable pipeline of minority applicants
who can become candidates for degrees in STEM-related fields.
While some institutions of higher education in urban areas have
experimented with programs to generate greater minority
candidates for STEM fields, they have generally not been
sustained for long periods of time or subject to sufficient
evaluation to determine their effectiveness. NSF, with its
longstanding efforts to examine the means to address STEM-
related challenges through use of innovative intervention, has
the ability to pursue a rigorous program of record to
experiment with various models on how best to create a pipeline
for life and bioscience careers for minorities beginning with
elementary school.
For this reason, the Committee directs NSF to use up to
$7,500,000 within existing programs targeting broadening
participation, particularly at HBCUs, to create effective
models of intervention to nurture students from elementary
school through undergraduate studies with an emphasis on life
sciences. NSF shall report to the Committee not later than 180
days from enactment of this act on the prospects for creating a
mechanism for evaluating effective models of creating or
retaining pipelines that would increase the numbers of
underrepresented minorities in advanced science fields
targeting minority serving institutions with an emphasis on
STEM sciences that partner with elementary, middle and high
schools near their institutions. The evaluation should examine
formal and informal educational experiences on a year-round
basis, including curriculum development, teacher support, and
engagement in after school and related activities.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSI] Program.--Investment in
STEM education is vital for American economic competitiveness,
and Hispanic Americans are underrepresented in science and
engineering disciplines. The Committee provides $5,000,000 as
authorized under 42 U.S.C. 1862o-12 for NSF to implement a
Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSI] Program that is designed to
increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of
Hispanic students pursuing associate or baccalaureate degrees
in STEM fields.
AGENCY OPERATIONS AND AWARD MANAGEMENT
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $298,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 338,230,000
Committee recommendation................................ 307,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $307,000,000. The
recommendation is $9,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and $31,230,000 below the budget request.
The appropriation provides salaries and expenses funds for
staff salaries, benefits, travel, training, rent, advisory and
assistance services, communications and utilities expenses,
supplies, equipment, and other operating expenses necessary for
management of the National Science Foundation's research and
education activities.
The Committee reiterates its direction to NSF to find
savings from operating expenses and future headquarters
planning.
The Committee reiterates its long-standing requirement that
NSF submit reprogrammings when initiating new programs or
activities of more than $500,000 or when reorganizing
components. The Committee expects to be notified of
reprogramming actions which involve less than the above-
mentioned amount if such actions would have the effect of
changing the agency's funding requirements in future years, or
if programs or projects specifically cited in the Committee's
reports are affected.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $4,300,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 4,370,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,370,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $4,370,000. The
recommendation is $70,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
The National Science Board is the governing body of NSF and
is charged with serving as an independent adviser to the
President and Congress on policy matters related to science and
engineering research and education.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $14,200,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 14,430,000
Committee recommendation................................ 14,430,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $14,430,000. The
recommendation is $230,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
The Office of Inspector General appropriation provides
audit and investigation functions to identify and correct
deficiencies that could create potential instances of fraud,
waste, or mismanagement.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION
The bill includes one administrative provision to allow
limited transfers of funds among accounts.
TITLE IV
RELATED AGENCIES
Commission on Civil Rights
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $9,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 9,400,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,400,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $9,400,000 for the
salaries and expenses of the Commission on Civil Rights. The
recommendation is $400,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $364,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 365,531,000
Committee recommendation................................ 365,000,000
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] is the
leading Federal agency dedicated to eradicating employment
discrimination in both the public and private sectors on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,
pregnancy, age, disability, and family medical history or
genetic information. The EEOC serves both U.S. public and
private workplaces by helping provide a fair and inclusive
workplace, which engenders employee satisfaction and
commitment, and enhances employee retention, productivity, and
profitability.
The Committee's recommendation provides $365,000,000 for
EEOC salaries and expenses. This recommendation is $1,000,000
above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level, and $531,000 below
the request. This funding will support the EEOC's obligations
to investigate and prosecute charges of employment
discrimination. The Committee notes that the EEOC has also
undertaken reforms that should enable it to reduce its pending
inventory of private sector charges, enhance efficiency in the
Federal sector, and help prevent employment discrimination.
Implementing Efficiencies and Cost Savings.--The EEOC
should continue its efforts to leverage technology to increase
productivity and streamline customer service. These efforts
include the establishment of an electronic portal for private
sector charges for intake inquiries, scheduling, uploading
charge documents, and checking the status of a charge online,
as well as an electronic portal for Federal sector cases. The
Committee encourages the EEOC, during implementation of its
Strategic Plan and Strategic Enforcement Plan, to also review
other proposals that may increase efficiencies and generate
cost savings, which in turn may improve services provided to
the public.
Transparency of EEOC Processes and Commitment to Bipartisan
Efforts.--The Committee commends the EEOC for its transparency
during the development of its Strategic Plan, Strategic
Enforcement Plan, and Quality Control Plan, as well as for the
bipartisan manner in which the Commission operates. The
Committee expects the Commission will continue its efforts at
transparency and bipartisanship.
State and Local Enforcement Assistance.--The Committee
recommends up to $30,000,000 to assist State and local
enforcement agencies. This will ensure that EEOC provides
adequate resources to its State partners.
International Trade Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $83,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 86,459,000
Committee recommendation................................ 85,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $85,000,000. The
recommendation is $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level
and is $1,459,000 below the budget request.
The International Trade Commission [ITC] is an independent,
quasi-judicial agency responsible for conducting trade-related
investigations and providing Congress and the President with
independent technical advice related to United States
international trade policy.
The Committee appreciates ITC's timely responses to
Committee inquiries and continued on-time delivery of mandated
reports.
Legal Services Corporation
PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $365,000,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 430,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 400,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $400,000,000 for
payment to the Legal Services Corporation [LSC]. The
recommendation is $35,000,000 above the fiscal year 2014
enacted level, and $30,000,000 below the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation provides $367,000,000 for
basic field programs, to be used for competitively awarded
grants and contracts; $19,000,000 for management and
administration; $4,000,000 for client self-help and information
technology; $4,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General
[OIG]; $1,000,000 for loan repayment assistance, and $5,000,000
for the LSC's Pro Bono Innovation Fund.
Governance and Management.--The LSC must continue its
governance and management improvement efforts in order to
further restore the credibility of the organization and direct
additional funds into legal aid, where they are desperately
needed. The Committee expects the Inspector General of the LSC
to continue conducting annual audits of LSC grantees to ensure
that funds are not being used in contravention of the
restrictions by which LSC grantees are required to abide.
Pro Bono Innovation Fund.--The Committee's recommendation
provides full funding of $5,000,000 to continue the Pro Bono
Innovation Fund. This fund will support innovative projects
that promote and enhance pro bono initiatives throughout the
Nation, as well as leverage Federal dollars to increase free
legal aid for low-income Americans by engaging private
attorneys.
Consideration of Catastrophic Events.--The Committee
recognizes that catastrophic natural disasters can have
disparate impacts on the funding allocations provided to
States. The LSC is encouraged to consider the circumstances
resulting in widespread displacement of residents which might
drastically alter the poverty level when making state
allocations.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION--LEGAL SERVICE CORPORATION
The Committee's recommendation continues the administrative
provisions contained in the fiscal year 1998 appropriations act
(Public Law 105-119) regarding operation of this program to
provide basic legal services to disadvantaged individuals and
the restrictions on the use of LSC funds.
LSC funds cannot be used to engage in litigation and
related activities with respect to a variety of matters
including: (1) redistricting; (2) class action suits; (3)
representation of illegal aliens; (4) political activities; (5)
abortion; (6) prisoner litigation; (7) welfare reform; (8)
representation of charged drug dealers during eviction
proceedings; and (9) solicitation of clients. The exception to
the restrictions occurs in a case where there is imminent
threat of physical harm to the client or prospective client.
The bill makes no changes to the permanent restrictions
established under the Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C.
Sec. 2996 et seq.). The Committee provides language that
affects only the 1996 appropriations rider in the following
manner: (1) keeps the restriction on use of funds from all
private and public sources for abortion-related litigation,
representation of prisoners, and class action suits; and (2)
lifts the restriction on use of funds from all private
sources--but keeps the restriction on use of all public
sources--for all other activities currently restricted by the
rider. This provision was included to level the playing field
between legal aid attorneys and their counterparts in the
private sector and open potentially crucial sources of
additional revenue to legal aid providers given that State and
private funding sources have declined in recent years.
Marine Mammal Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $3,250,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 3,431,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,431,000
The Committee recommendation provides $3,431,000. The
recommendation is $181,000 above the fiscal year 2014 enacted
level and is the same as the budget request.
The Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals provide oversight and
recommend actions on domestic and international topics to
advance policies and provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection
Act. The Commission provides precise, up-to-date scientific
information to Congress on issues related to the safety of
marine mammals.
Office of the United States Trade Representative
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $52,601,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 56,170,000
Committee recommendation................................ 55,000,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $55,000,000 for the
Office of the United States Trade Representative [USTR]. The
recommendation is $2,399,000 above the fiscal year 2014 level
and is $1,170,000 below the budget request.
USTR is responsible for developing and leading
international negotiations for the United States on policies
regarding international trade, direct investment, and
commodities. Its areas of responsibility include all matters
relating to the World Trade Organization; trade, commodity, and
direct investment matters dealt with by certain international
institutions; industrial, agricultural and services trade
policy; and trade-related protection of intellectual property
and the environment. The Committee's recommendation supports
the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center [ITEC].
Economy Act Transfers.--USTR is directed to continue
isolating Economy Act payments as individual transfers, and to
submit documentation of and justification for all Economy Act
transfers, regardless of amount, to and from other Federal
agencies, to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations
not less than 15 days before such transfers of sums are made.
Responsiveness.--The Committee is concerned by USTR's lack
of responsiveness and attention to Committee inquiries and
requests. USTR leads an aggressive trade agenda for the
Administration, participating in various trade negotiation and
enforcement activities that have a significant impact on all
sectors of our economy. The Committee serves a crucial
oversight role ensuring that funds provided for USTR activities
are spent effectively and responsibly in order to protect and
advance our Nation's interests. To ensure that the Committee is
able to provide necessary and appropriate oversight, USTR is
directed to provide monthly travel reports detailing all trips
outside of the United States, including the purposes and costs
of such trips. In addition, beginning in the second quarter of
fiscal year 2015, USTR shall provide the Committee quarterly
reports outlining ongoing trade negotiations as well as
enforcement activities and objectives achieved for existing
trade agreements.
Interagency Trade and Enforcement Center.--The Committee
supports ITEC's efforts to facilitate activities among Federal
agencies involved in trade enforcement. However, the Committee
is concerned that ITEC's role in the trade enforcement process
are not clearly defined or well understood.
ITEC is directed to work with participating trade
enforcement agencies to develop a publicly available document
that describes the types of trade violations, the available
remedies for each, and the role each agency plays in the trade
enforcement process, including ITEC. The Committee feels that
this information will enable businesses, intellectual property
holders, government officials, and other stakeholders to better
understand, support, and participate in the trade enforcement
process.
State Justice Institute
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2014.................................... $4,900,000
Budget estimate, 2015................................... 5,121,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,121,000
The Committee's recommendation provides $5,121,000 for the
State Justice Institute. The recommendation is $221,000 above
the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and equal to the budget
request.
The Institute was created in 1984 to further the
development and adoption of improved judicial administration in
State courts.
TITLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)
The Committee recommends the following general provisions
for the departments, agencies and commissions funded in the
accompanying bill. Similar provisions were included in the
fiscal year 2014 act.
Section 501 prohibits the use of appropriations for certain
publicity and propaganda purposes. The Committee directs the
Departments of Commerce and Justice and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to provide, within 180
days of enactment, a detailed summary of any advertising funded
by the Department or Administration, including the total amount
spent for development and placement of the advertising, the
authority under which the advertising was conducted, and what
the advertising is intended to accomplish. This summary shall
be provided to the Committees on Appropriations and may be
provided to relevant authorizing committees.
Section 502 prohibits any appropriations contained in this
act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly provided.
Section 503 limits funds for certain consulting purposes.
Section 504 provides that should any provision of the act
be held to be invalid, the remainder of the act would not be
affected.
Section 505 stipulates the policy and procedures by which
funding available to the agencies funded under this act may be
reprogrammed for other purposes.
Section 506 provides for a penalty for persons found to
have falsely mislabeled products.
Section 507 requires agencies to provide quarterly reports
to the Appropriations Committees regarding unobligated
balances.
Section 508 requires agencies and departments funded in
this act to absorb any necessary costs related to downsizing or
consolidation within the amounts provided to the agency or
department.
Section 509 limits funds for the sale or export of tobacco
or tobacco products.
Section 510 stipulates obligation of receipts available
under the Crime Victims Fund.
Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice
funds for programs that discriminate against, denigrate, or
otherwise undermine the religious beliefs of students
participating in such programs.
Section 512 limits transfers of funds between agencies.
Section 513 provides that funding for E-government
initiatives are subject to reprogramming guidelines established
by this act.
Section 514 requires the Inspectors General of the
Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and
the Legal Services Corporation to conduct reviews of activities
funded in this act; prohibits the use of funds for certain
banquets and conferences; and requires certifications regarding
conflicts of interest.
Section 515 prohibits funds for information technology
acquisitions unless the acquiring department or agency has
assessed the supply chain risk of the technology.
Section 516 prohibits the use of funds to support or
justify the use of torture.
Section 517 limits funds pertaining to certain activities
related to the export of firearms.
Section 518 limits funds to process permits to import
certain products.
Section 519 prohibits funds for activities that seek to
include certain language in new trade agreements.
Section 520 prohibits funds to authorize a national
security letter in contravention of the statutes authorizing
the FBI to issue national security letters.
Section 521 requires notification to the Committees in the
event of cost overruns.
Section 522 authorizes funds appropriated for intelligence
activities for the Department of Justice during fiscal year
2015 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2015.
Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess
of $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee has
certified in writing that he or she has filed all Federal tax
returns, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the
IRS Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment.
Section 524 specifies rescissions of prior appropriations.
Section 525 prohibits the use of funds to purchase first
class or premium airline travel in contravention of current
regulations and improves reporting.
Section 526 prohibits the use of funds to pay for the
attendance of more than 50 employees at any single conference
outside the United States.
Section 527 prohibits the use of funds in a manner that is
inconsistent with the principal negotiating objective of the
United States with respect to trade remedy laws.
Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this act for the
transfer or release of certain individuals detained at Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or within the United States,
its territories or possessions.
Section 529 prohibits the use of funds in this act to
construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United
States, its territories, or possessions to house certain
individuals who, as of June 24, 2009, were located at Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or
imprisonment in the custody or control of the Department of
Defense.
Section 530 requires, when practicable, the use of ``Energy
Star'' or ``Federal Energy Management Program'' designated
light bulbs.
Section 531 requires agencies funded in this act to report
on undisbursed balances.
Section 532 prohibits funds made available by this act from
being used to deny the importation of certain shotgun models.
Section 533 prohibits the use of funds to establish or
maintain a computer network that does not block pornography,
except for law enforcement purposes.
Section 534 requires the Department of Commerce, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National
Science Foundation to submit spending plans to the House and
Senate Appropriations Committees within 45 days of enactment of
this act.
Section 535 prohibits funds made available by this act from
being used for contract, memorandum of understanding,
cooperative agreement, grant, or loan activities if the
proposed recipient has been convicted of a felony criminal
violation.
Section 536 prohibits funds made available by this act from
being used for contract, memorandum of understanding,
cooperative agreement, grant, or loan activities if the
proposed recipient has unpaid Federal tax liabilities.
Section 537 specifies reporting requirements regarding
vehicle fleets for all agencies and departments funded by this
act.
Section 538 prohibits funds in this act to be used for
portraits.
Section 539 requires agencies to report conference spending
to the Inspectors General.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Rule XVI, paragraph 7 requires that every report on a
general appropriation bill filed by the Committee must identify
items of appropriation not made to carry out the provisions of
an existing law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution
previously passed by the Senate during that session.
The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the
spirit of full disclosure.
The Committee recommends funding for the following programs
or activities that currently lack an authorization for fiscal
year 2015, either in whole or in part, and therefore fall under
this rule:
APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW--FISCAL YEAR 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last year of
Agency/program authorization
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Commerce:
International Trade Administration:
Export Promotion................................ 1996
Bureau of Industry and Security:
Export Administration........................... 2001
Economic Development Administration:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2008
Economic Development Assistance Programs:
Public Works and Economic Development....... 2008
Trade Adjustment Assistance................. 2013
Investing in Manufacturing Communities Fund. 2013
Regional Export Challenge Programs.......... 2013
Regional Innovation Research and Information 2013
Bureau of the Census:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2014
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 1993
National Institute of Standards and Technology:
Scientific and Technical Research and Services.. 2013
Industrial Technology Services.................. 2013
Construction of Research Facilities............. 2013
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Operations, Research, and Facilities:
National Ocean Service:
Coral Reef Conservation................. 2004
Hydrographic Services................... 2007
Coastal Zone Management................. 1999
Marine Protection, Research, 2005
Preservation & Sanctuaries.............
Estuary Restoration..................... 2012
National Marine Fisheries Service:
Endangered Species Act Amendment........ 1992
Marine Mammal Protection................ 1999
NOAA Marine Fisheries Program........... 2000
Interjurisdictional Fisheries........... 2012
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 2013
and Management.........................
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research:
National Sea College Program............ 2008
Procurement, Acquisition and Construction:
National Ocean Service:
Marine Protection, Research, 2005
Preservation & Sanctuaries.............
Department of Justice:
General Administration:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
Justice Information Sharing Technology.......... 2009
Administrative Review & Appeals:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
Office of Inspector General:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
U.S. Parole Commission:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
Legal Activities:
General Legal Activities:
Salaries and Expenses....................... 2009
Antitrust Division:
Salaries and Expenses....................... 2009
U.S. Attorneys:
Salaries and Expenses....................... 2009
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission:
Salaries and Expenses....................... 2009
Fees and Expenses of Witnesses.................. 2009
Community Relations Service:
Salaries and Expenses....................... 2009
Assets Forfeiture Fund Current Budget Authority. 2009
U.S. Marshals Service............................... 2009
Salaries and Expenses........................... N/A
Federal Prison Detention........................ N/A
Construction.................................... N/A
National Security Division:
Salaries and Expenses........................... N/A
Interagency Law Enforcement:
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement.......... 2009
Federal Bureau of Investigation..................... 2009
Salaries and Expenses........................... N/A
Construction.................................... N/A
Drug Enforcement Administration:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2009
Federal Prison System............................... 2009
Salaries and Expenses........................... N/A
Buildings and Facilities........................ N/A
Office on Violence Against Women Programs:
STOP Grants..................................... 2018
Transitional Housing Assistance................. 2018
National Institute of Justice Research and N/A
Evaluation on Violence Against Women...........
Consolidated Youth Oriented Program............. N/A
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies............. 2018
Homicide Reduction Initiative............... N/A
Sexual Assault Victims Services................. 2018
Rural Domestic Violence Assistance Grants....... 2018
Violence on College Campuses.................... 2018
Civil Legal Assistance.......................... 2018
Elder Abuse Grant Program....................... 2018
Family Civil Justice............................ 2018
Education and Training for Disabled Female 2018
Victims........................................
National Center on Workplace Responses.......... 2018
Research--Violence Against Indian Women......... 2015
Sex Assault in Indian Country Clearinghouse..... N/A
Office of Justice Programs:
Research, Evaluation, and Statistics:
National Institute of Justice............... 1995
Bureau of Justice Statistics................ 1995
Regional Information Sharing Activities..... 2003
Evaluation Clearinghouse.................... 2013
Forensic Sciences........................... N/A
Forensic Science Advisory Committee..... N/A
State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance:
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants........ 2012
SLATT Intelligence State and Local Training. N/A
State and Local Help-Desk & Diagnostic 2013
Center.....................................
VALOR Initiative............................ 2013
Smart Policing.............................. N/A
Smart Prosecution........................... N/A
John R. Justice Grant Program................... 2014
Byrne Competitive Grants........................ N/A
Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program....... N/A
Adam Walsh Act.................................. 2009
Children Exposed to Violence Initiative......... 2013
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program......... 2011
Victims of Trafficking Grants................... 2011
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment........... 2000
Mentally Ill Offender Act....................... 2014
Drug Courts..................................... 2008
Capital Litigation (and Wrongful Prosecution 2009
review)........................................
Economic, High Tech and Cybercrime Prevention... N/A
Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry.............. 2010
Smart Probation............................. 2013
Children of Incarcerated Parents Demo Grants N/A
Pay for Success (Discretionary)............. N/A
Pay for Success (Permanent Supportive N/A
Housing Model).............................
Coverdell Forensic Science Grants............... 2009
Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction............ 2013
Bulletproof Vests............................... 2012
NIST/OLES Transfer.......................... N/A
National Sex Offender Website................... N/A
Court-Appointed Special Advocates............... 2013
National Instant Criminal Background Check 2013
System (NICS)..................................
Criminal Records Upgrade (NCHIP)................ 2007
DNA Initiative:
Debbie Smith DNA Backlog.................... N/A; 2014
Post-Conviction DNA Testing................. 2009
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.............. N/A; 2009
Veterans Treatment Courts Program............... 2013
National Center for Campus Public Safety........ 2013
Justice Reinvestment Initiative................. N/A
Project HOPE Opportunity Probation with N/A
Enforcement....................................
Vision 21....................................... N/A
Comprehensive School Safety Initiative.......... N/A
Juvenile Justice Programs:
Part B--State Formula........................... 2007
Emergency Planning in Juvenile Justice 2013
Research Facilities........................
Part G--Youth Mentoring......................... N/A; 2007
Title V--Local Delinquency Prevention Incentive 2008
Grants.........................................
Tribal Youth................................ N/A
Gang/Youth Violence Education and Prevention N/A
Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws............ N/A; 2007
Juvenile Justice & Education Collaboration N/A
Assistance (JJECA).........................
Juvenile Justice Realignment Incentive N/A
Grants.....................................
Victims of Child Abuse Act...................... 2005
Community-Based Violence Prevention Initiatives. N/A
Training for Judicial Personnel................. N/A
Missing and Exploited Children Programs......... 2018
National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention..... N/A
Competitive Grants for Girls in the Justice N/A
System.........................................
Children of Incarcerated Parents Web Portal..... N/A
COPS Programs:
COPS Hiring Program............................. 2009
Transfer to DEA for Methamphetamine Clean-Up.... 2013
Comprehensive School Safety Program............. N/A
Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces................ N/A
National Aeronautics and Space Administration:
Science............................................. 2013
Aeronautics......................................... 2013
Exploration......................................... 2013
Space Operations.................................... 2013
Education........................................... 2013
Cross-Agency Support Programs....................... 2013
Construction and Environmental Compliance and 2013
Restoration........................................
Office of the Inspector General..................... 2013
National Science Foundation............................. 2013
Related Agencies:
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2000
Commission on Civil Rights:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 1995
International Trade Commission:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2004
Payment to the Legal Services Corporation:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 1980
Marine Mammal Commission:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 1999
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2004
State Justice Institute:
Salaries and Expenses........................... 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\NOAA authorizations are spread across over 60 separate statutory
authorities. In many cases, the authorizations do not match exactly to
specific programs.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on June 5, 2014,
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes, provided,
that the bill be subject to amendment and that the bill be
consistent with the subcommittee allocation, by a recorded vote
of 30-0, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chairwoman Mikulski
Mr. Leahy
Mr. Harkin
Mrs. Murray
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Johnson
Ms. Landrieu
Mr. Reed
Mr. Pryor
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Begich
Mr. Coons
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Cochran
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Kirk
Mr. Coats
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Johanns
Mr. Boozman
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 12 of the rule XXVI requires that Committee
reports on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any
statute or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the
statute or part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and
(b) a comparative print of that part of the bill or joint
resolution making the amendment and of the statute or part
thereof proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through
type and italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate
typographical devices the omissions and insertions which would
be made by the bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form
recommended by the Committee.''
In compliance with this rule, the following changes in
existing law proposed to be made by this bill are shown as
follows: existing law to be omitted is enclosed in black
brackets; new matter is printed in italic; and existing law in
which no change is proposed is shown in roman.
OMNIBUS CONSOLIDATED RESCISSIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1996, PUBLIC
LAW 104-134
DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATION ACT
TITLE V--RELATED AGENCIES
Legal Services Corporation
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Sec. 504. (a) None of the funds appropriated in this Act to
the Legal Services Corporation may be used to provide financial
assistance to any person or entity (which may be referred to in
this section as a ``recipient'') that uses Federal funds (or
funds from any source with regard to paragraphs (7), (14) and
(15)) in a manner--
(1) that makes available any funds, personnel, or
equipment for use in advocating or opposing any plan or
proposal, or represents any party or participates in
any other way in litigation, that is intended to or has
the effect of altering, revising, or reapportioning a
legislative, judicial, or elective district at any
level of government, including influencing the timing
or manner of the taking of a census;
* * * * * * *
[(d)(1) The Legal Services Corporation shall not accept any
non-Federal funds, and no recipient shall accept funds from any
source other than the Corporation, unless the Corporation or
the recipient, as the case may be, notifies in writing the
source of the funds that the funds may not be expended for any
purpose prohibited by the Legal Services Corporation Act or
this title.
[(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prevent a recipient from--
[(A) receiving Indian tribal funds (including funds
from private nonprofit organizations for the benefit of
Indians or Indian tribes) and expending the tribal
funds in accordance with the specific purposes for
which the tribal funds are provided; or
[(B) using funds received from a source other than
the Legal Services Corporation to provide legal
assistance to a covered individual if such funds are
used for the specific purposes for which such funds
were received, except that such funds may not be
expended by recipients for any purpose prohibited by
this Act or by the Legal Services Corporation Act.]
* * * * * * *
[(e)] (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
prohibit a recipient from using funds derived from a source
other than the Legal Services Corporation to comment on public
rulemaking or to respond to a written request for information
or testimony from a Federal, State or local agency, legislative
body or committee, or a member of such an agency, body, or
committee, so long as the response is made only to the parties
that make the request and the recipient does not arrange for
the request to be made.
[(f)] (e) As used in this section:
(1) The term ``controlled substance'' has the
meaning given the term in section 102 of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
(2) The term ``covered individual'' means any
person who--
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B),
meets the requirements of this Act and the
Legal Services Corporation Act relating to
eligibility for legal assistance; and
(B) may or may not be financially unable to
afford legal assistance.
(3) The term ``public housing project'' has the
meaning as used within, and the term ``public housing
agency'' has the meaning given the term, in section 3
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437a).
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
-------------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount in Committee Amount in
allocation bill allocation bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
allocation for 2015: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies:
Mandatory........................................... 317 317 308 \1\308
Discretionary....................................... 51,202 51,202 63,795 \1\61,664
Security........................................ 5,031 5,031 NA NA
Nonsecurity..................................... 46,171 46,171 NA NA
Projections of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2015................................................ ............ ............ ............ \2\39,217
2016................................................ ............ ............ ............ 13,495
2017................................................ ............ ............ ............ 3,061
2018................................................ ............ ............ ............ 1,466
2019 and future years............................... ............ ............ ............ 4,798
Financial assistance to State and local governments for NA -7,677 NA 47
2015...................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NA: Not applicable.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2015
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2014 Budget estimate Committee ---------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2014
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Operations and administration...................................... 470,000 506,731 480,000 +10,000 -26,731
Offsetting fee collections......................................... -9,439 -9,439 -10,000 -561 -561
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct appropriation......................................... 460,561 497,292 470,000 +9,439 -27,292
Bureau of Industry and Security
Operations and administration...................................... 69,450 74,549 69,549 +99 -5,000
Defense function............................................... 32,000 36,000 36,000 +4,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Bureau of Industry and Security....................... 101,450 110,549 105,549 +4,099 -5,000
====================================================================================
Economic Development Administration
Economic development assistance programs........................... 209,500 210,000 195,000 -14,500 -15,000
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 37,000 38,182 37,000 ............... -1,182
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Economic Development Administration................... 246,500 248,182 232,000 -14,500 -16,182
====================================================================================
Minority Business Development Agency
Minority business development...................................... 28,000 28,286 28,286 +286 ...............
Economic and Statistical Analysis
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 99,000 111,033 106,000 +7,000 -5,033
Bureau of the Census
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 252,000 248,000 252,200 +200 +4,200
Periodic censuses and programs..................................... 693,000 963,428 896,744 +203,744 -66,684
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Bureau of the Census.................................. 945,000 1,211,428 1,148,944 +203,944 -62,484
====================================================================================
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 46,000 51,000 48,500 +2,500 -2,500
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Salaries and expenses, current year fee funding.................... 3,024,000 3,458,000 3,458,000 +434,000 ...............
Offsetting fee collections......................................... -3,024,000 -3,458,000 -3,458,000 -434,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, United States Patent and Trademark Office............. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
====================================================================================
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Scientific and technical research and services..................... 651,000 680,000 685,000 +34,000 +5,000
Industrial technology services..................................... 143,000 161,000 156,000 +13,000 -5,000
Manufacturing extension partnerships........................... (128,000) (141,000) (141,000) (+13,000) ...............
Advanced manufacturing technology consortia.................... (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ............... ...............
Manufacturing innovation institutes coordination............... ............... (5,000) ............... ............... (-5,000)
Construction of research facilities................................ 56,000 59,000 59,000 +3,000 ...............
Working Capital Fund (by transfer)................................. (2,000) (9,000) (9,000) (+7,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Institute of Standards and Technology........ 850,000 900,000 900,000 +50,000 ...............
====================================================================================
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Operations, research, and facilities............................... 3,157,392 3,237,993 3,228,964 +71,572 -9,029
(by transfer).................................................. (115,000) (123,164) (116,000) (+1,000) (-7,164)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................................................... 3,157,392 3,237,993 3,228,964 +71,572 -9,029
Procurement, acquisition and construction.......................... 2,022,864 2,206,392 2,131,686 +108,822 -74,706
Pacific coastal salmon recovery.................................... 65,000 50,000 65,000 ............... +15,000
Fishermen's Contingency Fund....................................... 350 350 350 ............... ...............
Fisheries disaster assistance...................................... 75,000 ............... ............... -75,000 ...............
Fisheries finance program account.................................. -6,000 -6,000 -6,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration....... 5,314,606 5,488,735 5,420,000 +105,394 -68,735
====================================================================================
Departmental Management
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 55,500 57,637 56,000 +500 -1,637
Renovation and modernization....................................... 4,000 11,733 10,000 +6,000 -1,733
Office of Inspector General........................................ 30,000 30,596 30,596 +596 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Departmental Management............................... 89,500 99,966 96,596 +7,096 -3,370
====================================================================================
Total, title I, Department of Commerce....................... 8,180,617 8,746,471 8,555,875 +375,258 -190,596
(By transfer)................................................ 117,000 132,164 125,000 +8,000 -7,164
====================================================================================
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 110,000 128,851 115,000 +5,000 -13,851
Justice information sharing technology............................. 25,842 25,842 25,842 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, General Administration................................ 135,842 154,693 140,842 +5,000 -13,851
====================================================================================
Administrative review and appeals.................................. 315,000 351,072 351,072 +36,072 ...............
Transfer from immigration examinations fee account............. -4,000 -4,000 -4,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct appropriation....................................... 311,000 347,072 347,072 +36,072 ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................ 86,400 88,577 88,577 +2,177 ...............
United States Parole Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 12,600 13,308 13,308 +708 ...............
Legal Activities
Salaries and expenses, general legal activities.................... 867,000 935,854 915,000 +48,000 -20,854
Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund............................. 7,833 7,833 7,833 ............... ...............
Salaries and expenses, Antitrust Division.......................... 160,400 162,246 162,246 +1,846 ...............
Offsetting fee collections--current year....................... -103,000 -100,000 -100,000 +3,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct appropriation....................................... 57,400 62,246 62,246 +4,846 ...............
Salaries and expenses, United States Attorneys..................... 1,944,000 1,955,327 1,950,000 +6,000 -5,327
United States Trustee System Fund.................................. 224,400 225,908 225,908 +1,508 ...............
Offsetting fee collections..................................... -224,400 -225,908 -225,908 -1,508 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct appropriation....................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Salaries and expenses, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission........ 2,100 2,326 2,326 +226 ...............
Fees and expenses of witnesses..................................... 270,000 270,000 270,000 ............... ...............
Salaries and expenses, Community Relations Service................. 12,000 12,972 12,972 +972 ...............
Assets Forfeiture Fund............................................. 20,500 20,514 20,514 +14 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Legal Activities...................................... 3,180,833 3,267,072 3,240,891 +60,058 -26,181
====================================================================================
United States Marshals Service
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 1,185,000 1,185,000 1,185,000 ............... ...............
Construction....................................................... 9,800 9,800 9,800 ............... ...............
Federal prisoner detention......................................... 1,533,000 1,595,307 1,595,307 +62,307 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, United States Marshals Service........................ 2,727,800 2,790,107 2,790,107 +62,307 ...............
====================================================================================
National Security Division
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 91,800 91,800 91,800 ............... ...............
Interagency Law Enforcement
Interagency crime and drug enforcement............................. 514,000 505,000 505,000 -9,000 ...............
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 3,345,322 3,358,219 3,363,753 +18,431 +5,534
Counterintelligence and national security...................... 4,900,480 4,920,000 4,927,480 +27,000 +7,480
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................................................... 8,245,802 8,278,219 8,291,233 +45,431 +13,014
Construction....................................................... 97,482 68,982 93,982 -3,500 +25,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Federal Bureau of Investigation....................... 8,343,284 8,347,201 8,385,215 +41,931 +38,014
====================================================================================
Drug Enforcement Administration
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 2,378,917 2,384,680 2,384,680 +5,763 ...............
Diversion control fund......................................... -360,917 -366,680 -366,680 -5,763 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Drug Enforcement Administration....................... 2,018,000 2,018,000 2,018,000 ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 1,179,000 1,201,004 1,201,004 +22,004 ...............
Federal Prison System
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 6,769,000 6,804,000 6,804,000 +35,000 ...............
Buildings and facilities........................................... 90,000 90,000 105,000 +15,000 +15,000
Limitation on administrative expenses, Federal Prison Industries, 2,700 2,700 2,700 ............... ...............
Incorporated......................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Federal Prison System................................. 6,861,700 6,896,700 6,911,700 +50,000 +15,000
====================================================================================
State and Local Law Enforcement Activities
Office on Violence Against Women:
Prevention and prosecution programs............................ 417,000 422,500 430,000 +13,000 +7,500
Office of Justice Programs:
Research, evaluation and statistics............................ 120,000 136,900 115,000 -5,000 -21,900
State and local law enforcement assistance..................... 1,171,500 1,032,900 1,149,500 -22,000 +116,600
Juvenile justice programs...................................... 254,500 299,400 257,500 +3,000 -41,900
Public safety officer benefits:
Death benefits............................................. 81,000 71,000 71,000 -10,000 ...............
Disability and education benefits.......................... 16,300 16,300 16,300 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 97,300 87,300 87,300 -10,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Office of Justice Programs........................ 1,643,300 1,556,500 1,609,300 -34,000 +52,800
====================================================================================
Community oriented policing services:
COPS programs.................................................. 214,000 274,000 224,000 +10,000 -50,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, State and Local Law Enforcement Activities............ 2,274,300 2,253,000 2,263,300 -11,000 +10,300
====================================================================================
Total, title II, Department of Justice....................... 27,736,559 27,973,534 27,996,816 +260,257 +23,282
====================================================================================
TITLE III--SCIENCE
Office of Science and Technology Policy............................ 5,555 5,555 5,555 ............... ...............
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Science............................................................ 5,151,200 4,972,000 5,200,000 +48,800 +228,000
Aeronautics........................................................ 566,000 551,100 551,100 -14,900 ...............
Space technology................................................... 576,000 705,500 580,200 +4,200 -125,300
Exploration........................................................ 4,113,200 3,976,000 4,367,700 +254,500 +391,700
Space operations................................................... 3,778,000 3,905,400 3,830,800 +52,800 -74,600
Education.......................................................... 116,600 88,900 108,000 -8,600 +19,100
Cross agency support............................................... 2,793,000 2,778,600 2,778,600 -14,400 ...............
Construction and environmental compliance and restoration.......... 515,000 446,100 446,100 -68,900 ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................ 37,500 37,000 37,500 ............... +500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Aeronautics and Space Administration......... 17,646,500 17,460,600 17,900,000 +253,500 +439,400
====================================================================================
National Science Foundation
Research and related activities.................................... 5,741,398 5,739,460 5,771,170 +29,772 +31,710
Defense function............................................... 67,520 68,000 67,520 ............... -480
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................................................... 5,808,918 5,807,460 5,838,690 +29,772 +31,230
Major research equipment and facilities construction............... 200,000 200,760 200,760 +760 ...............
Education and human resources...................................... 846,500 889,750 889,750 +43,250 ...............
Agency operations and award management............................. 298,000 338,230 307,000 +9,000 -31,230
Office of the National Science Board............................... 4,300 4,370 4,370 +70 ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................ 14,200 14,430 14,430 +230 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Science Foundation........................... 7,171,918 7,255,000 7,255,000 +83,082 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title III, Science.................................... 24,823,973 24,721,155 25,160,555 +336,582 +439,400
====================================================================================
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
Commission on Civil Rights
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 9,000 9,400 9,400 +400 ...............
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 364,000 365,531 365,000 +1,000 -531
International Trade Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 83,000 86,459 85,000 +2,000 -1,459
Legal Services Corporation
Payment to the Legal Services Corporation.......................... 365,000 430,000 400,000 +35,000 -30,000
Marine Mammal Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 3,250 3,431 3,431 +181 ...............
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 52,601 56,170 55,000 +2,399 -1,170
State Justice Institute
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 4,900 5,121 5,121 +221 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title IV, Related Agencies............................ 881,751 956,112 922,952 +41,201 -33,160
====================================================================================
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
NTIA, public telecommunications facilities, planning and -8,500 ............... ............... +8,500 ...............
construction (rescission).........................................
Commerce, Departmental Management, Franchise Fund (rescission)..... ............... -2,906 -2,906 -2,906 ...............
DOJ, Working Capital Fund (rescission)............................. -30,000 -54,000 -54,000 -24,000 ...............
DOJ, Assets Forfeiture Fund (rescission)........................... -83,600 -193,000 -193,000 -109,400 ...............
Federal prisoner detention (rescission)............................ ............... -122,000 -122,000 -122,000 ...............
Violence against women prevention and prosecution programs -12,200 -12,200 -12,200 ............... ...............
(rescission)......................................................
Office of Justice programs (rescission)............................ -59,000 -59,000 -59,000 ............... ...............
COPS (rescission).................................................. -26,000 -26,000 -26,000 ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title V, Rescissions.................................. -219,300 -469,106 -469,106 -249,806 ...............
Grand total.................................................. 61,403,600 61,928,166 62,167,092 +763,492 +238,926
Appropriations........................................... (61,622,900) (62,397,272) (62,636,198) (+1,013,298) (+238,926)
Rescissions.............................................. (-219,300) (-469,106) (-469,106) (-249,806) ...............
(By transfer)................................................ 117,000 132,164 125,000 +8,000 -7,164
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------