House Appropriators Pass NIST Appropriations Bill
On July 20, the House Appropriations Committee passed H.R. 4276, its version of the FY 1999 Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations bill, which funds NIST. (The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version on June 25; it was then approved by the full Senate on July 23.)
House appropriators would provide the full requested amount for NIST construction and for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP.) But the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) would be funded at $79.7 million less than requested, and NIST’s in-house core laboratories, known as Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS), would receive $11.2 million less than the request. This would result in total NIST funding of $90.9 million below President Clinton’s request.
NIST FY98 FY99 Senate House
Program Approp. Request Report Report
(In millions)
STRS $276.9 291.6 290.6 280.5
ATP 192.5 259.9 192.5 180.2
MEP 113.5 106.8 106.8 106.8
Construction 95.0 56.7 56.7 56.7
TOTAL 677.9 715.0* 646.7 624.2
*Does not include $115 million requested as advance appropriation for construction during the period FY 2000 - FY 2002.
The committee report (H. Rpt. 105-636) accompanying the bill provides further insight regarding the Committee’s views on NIST programs. Selected passages are quoted below:
STRS: “The amounts provided in this account reflect the Committee’s continuing commitment to funding basic research programs that benefit the nation’s industries,” the report says. “The Committee notes that, in an era of declining budgets, the core programs of NIST have enjoyed significant support, receiving continued program increases. While the Committee has not provided the full amount in program increases requested in the budget, the Committee points out that the Administration’s budget proposed to pay for the requested increases out of revenues generated by tobacco settlement legislation, which is outside of the control of this Committee. However, given the importance of NIST core research programs, the Committee has worked to identify additional discretionary funds to support the highest priority NIST research programs.” The report provides a breakdown of funding by activity, reflecting the priorities in authorizing legislation (H.R. 1274) passed by the House last year, as follows: Electronics and Electrical Engineering - $38.6 million; Manufacturing Engineering - $19.4 million; Chemical Science & Technology - $32.5 million; Physics - $28.4 million; Materials Sciences & Engineering - $51.3 million; Building and Fire Research - $15.7 million; Computer Science & Applied Math - $43.9 million; Technology Assistance - $16.0 million; Baldrige Quality Award - $5.4 million; and Research Support - $29.2 million.
The Committee would provide increases for semiconductor metrology; disaster research on effects of windstorms; international activities; and expansion of the Baldrige award program. It would not provide requested increases related to implementation of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate and Global Change because it finds those activities duplicative of activities already conducted by other agencies.
ATP: “The recommendation, when combined with $23,800,000 in excess balances from prior years, will provide a total funding level of $204,000,000 for the program.” The Committee would provide $43.0 million in FY 1999 funds for new awards, $40.8 million for administration, and $120.2 million ($96.4 million from FY 1999 funds and $23.8 million from prior year balances) for continuation of awards made in fiscal years 1996-1998. The report adds, “bill language is included designating the amounts available for new ATP awards, pursuant to the agreement reached in fiscal year 1997. The Committee reminds NIST that changes to this funding distribution, including changes resulting from carryover, recoveries and project cancellations, are subject to the reprogramming requirements set forth in section 605 of this Act.”
The report goes on to say, “The Committee has been frustrated by NIST’s continuing inability to accurately project its funding requirements for this program, as evidenced by the $23,800,000 in excess funds NIST has available which are not necessary to meet current requirements.... The Committee appreciates the actions taken by NIST and the Department to provide quarterly reports...[and] requests that such reports be expanded to include quarterly obligation data. In addition, NIST is directed to review the current standard formula used for estimation of mortgages requirements and provide a report to the Committee, not later than February 1, 1999...”
MEP: The Committee would provide the full request for MEP. “Of this amount,” the report says, "$98,300,000 is provided for the Regional Centers program, the full amount necessary for continuation of all existing centers, including those centers which have reached their statutory six-year time limit, as well as to continue the existing SBDC-manufacturing field offices at the fiscal year 1998 level. In addition, $8,500,000 is provided for program administration.... [T]he Committee believes any inflationary adjustments can be absorbed within savings realized through the elimination of the national programs office.... In addition, the Committee recommends bill language, as proposed in the budget, to lift the statutory six-year time limitation for center funding.”
Construction: "[T]he recommendation does not include $115,000,000 requested for advance appropriations for FY 2000 through FY 2002 for this account.” The report continues, “The Committee remains frustrated that NIST and the Administration do not make facilities requirements an integral part of NIST’s overall mission requirements and budget priorities. This is once again evidenced by the fact that the budget proposes significant increases for other NIST programs, while forcing NIST to rely on unacceptable budget gimmicks to address facilities needs. In addition, the Committee is disappointed that the report submitted by NIST...failed to undertake a comprehensive review of NIST facilities requirements in light of fiscal realities and changing requirements.
“Therefore, the Committee has included bill language again this year, making the $40,000,000 provided for construction of the Advanced Metrology Laboratory contingent upon submission of a plan for the expenditure of these funds.”
