The Science and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development (R&D). Federal agencies that fall under the Committee's jurisdiction (either completely or partially) include: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Fire Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey.

The Science and Technology Committee is responsible for overseeing research and development programs at all of the above agencies. In doing so, the Committee monitors these programs to ensure that Federal tax dollars are being spent wisely and efficiently and that America's Federal science and technology enterprise maintains its world preeminence.

Additionally, the Committee also tackles some of today's toughest issues and proposes ways in which research and development can solve some of our nation's most pressing problems.

The committee holds jurisdiction over the following areas:

(1) Overseeing research and development programs at DOE; alternative sources of energy, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and cutting edge science performed at DOE's national labs

(2) EPA, NOAA, NIST, and technology programs at the Department of Commerce; climate change research, establishing standards for voting machines, marine sciences and ensuring sound science in environmental regulations

(3) Monitoring NSF and matters before the Subcommittee include improving science and math education, enhancing the nation's computer security, improving information technology research and development and research into natural disasters

(4) Space exploration and the International Space Station; oversight of civilian aviation research at FAA and the Department of Commerce

BACKGROUND:

The Science and Technology Committee was established in the wake of the Russian launch of Sputnik in 1957 and in the beginning the Committee was primarily focused on space exploration. In 1959, the Committee became the first new permanent committee established in the House since 1892. Over the years, the Committee's jurisdiction grew from just space issues to include all non-defense federal scientific research and development.

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Subcommittee on Energy

Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards

Subcommittee on Research

Subcommittee on Space

CURRENT LEGISLATION TOPICS:

Energy Policy and the Role of Energy Research and Development:

High energy prices and potential conflict in the Middle East continue to place energy on the front burner of the Nation’s agenda. The Administration and the House and Senate leadership have identified energy legislation as one of their highest priorities for the 108th Congress. A major component of such legislation will be Energy R&D and improving the reliability and efficiency of our energy infrastructure through enhanced R&D. The goal will be to help develop a balanced portfolio of energy research programs within the Department of Energy, including fossil, nuclear, renewable and efficiency programs.

Energy Aspects of Climate Change:

The committee will continue to monitor Federal R&D and Technology programs to address climate change issues. This would include ensuring that existing Federal energy technology programs are adequate and properly focused to meet potential global warming challenges.

World Trade Center:

The committee will conduct oversight of the ongoing investigation by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology into the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The Subcommittee will also examine the implementation of the National Construction Safety Team Act.

Science and Math Education:

The committee intends to continue to oversee National Science Foundation (NSF) programs aimed at improving math and science education at the K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels, in particular the implementation of education provisions.

Biotechnology:

The committee will continue to monitor the progress of plant biotechnology research, particularly the Plant Genome Initiative at NSF, as well as the establishment of Plant Genome and Gene Expression Centers and plant biotechnology partnerships for the developing world authorized as part of Public Law 107-488.

Department of Homeland Security Establishment:

The committee will monitor the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in particular the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology. Also will review how non-security emergency response activities within FEMA will be affected by transition into DHS.

Research and National Security:

The committee will continue to examine the challenges presented by prioritizing research activities during wartime, as well as examine the need to balance the desire for open scientific communication with the need to ensure research activities do not contribute to security vulnerabilities. This review may lead to a broader review of general research ethics.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act The Subcommittee intends to consider the impact of research and publication restrictions on work arising from the anti-circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

MEMBERS:

Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert, New York, Chairman

Lamar S. Smith, Texas

Ralph M. Hall, Texas, Ranking Minority Member

Curt Weldon, Pennsylvania 

Bart Gordon, Tennessee

Dana Rohrabacher, California 

Jerry F. Costello, Illinois

Joe Barton, Texas 

Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas 

Ken Calvert, California 

Lynn C. Woolsey, California 

Nick Smith, Michigan 

Nick Lampson, Texas 

Roscoe G. Bartlett, Maryland 

John B. Larson, Connecticut 

Vernon J. Ehlers, Michigan 

Mark Udall, Colorado 

Gil Gutknecht, Minnesota

David Wu, Oregon 

George R. Nethercutt, Jr., Washington 

Michael M. Honda, California

Frank D. Lucas, Oklahoma 

Chris Bell, Texas

Judy Biggert, Illinois 

Brad Miller, North Carolina

Wayne Gilchrest, Maryland

Lincoln Davis, Tennessee

W. Todd Akin, Missouri 

Sheila Jackson-Lee, Texas

Timothy V. Johnson, Illinois 

Zoe Lofgren, California

Melissa A. Hart, Pennsylvania 

Brad Sherman, California

John Sullivan, Oklahoma 

Brian Baird, Washington

J. Randy Forbes, Virginia 

Dennis Moore, Kansas

Phil Gingrey, Georgia

Anthony Weiner. New York

Rob Bishop, Utah

Jim Matheson, Utah

Michael C. Burgess, Texas

Dennis Cardoza, California

Jo Bonner, Alabama 

Tom Feeney, Florida