Volume 155, No. 22 covering the 1st Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PUBLICATION OF THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 111TH CONGRESS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1001-H1005 on Feb. 4, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PUBLICATION OF THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
111TH CONGRESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Rule XI(2)(a)(2) I hereby submit to the House the Rules of the Committee on Science and Technology for the 111th Congress as adopted by the Committee on January 28, 2009:
Rules for the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of
Representatives, 111th Congress
Rule 1.--GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) IN GENERAL.--The Rules of the House of Representatives, as applicable, shall govern the Committee and its Subcommittees, except that a motion to recess from day to day and a motion to dispense with the first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies are available, are privileged motions in the Committee and its Subcommittees and shall be decided without debate. [House Rule XI 1(a)]
(b) SUBCOMMITTEES.--The rules of the Committee, as applicable, shall be the rules of its Subcommittees. [House Rule XI 1(a)]
(c) VICE CHAIR.--A Member of the majority party on the Committee or Subcommittee shall be designated by the Chair of the Committee as the Vice Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee, as the case may be, and shall preside during the absence of the Chair from any meeting. If the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee are not present at any meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee, the Ranking Majority Member who is present shall preside at that meeting.
[House Rule XI 2(d)]
(d) ORDER OF BUSINESS.--The order of business and procedure of the Committee and the subjects of inquiries or investigations will be decided by the Chair, subject always to an appeal to the Committee.
(e) USE OF HEARING ROOMS.--In consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, the Chair of the Committee shall establish guidelines for the use of Committee hearing rooms.
(f) NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION.--All national security information bearing a classification of secret or higher which has been received by the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be deemed to have been received in Executive Session and shall be given appropriate safekeeping. The Chair of the Committee may establish such regulations and procedures as in the Chair's judgment are necessary to safeguard classified information under the control of the Committee. Such procedures shall, however, ensure access to this information by any Member of the Committee or any other Member of the House of Representatives who has requested the opportunity to review such material.
(g) AVAILABILITY OF PUBLICATIONS.--To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its publications available in electronic form, including on the Committee website.
[House Rule XI 2(e)(4)]
(h) COMMITTEE WEBSITE.--The Chair of the Committee shall maintain an official Committee website for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities, including communicating information about the Committee's activities to Committee Members and other Members of the House. The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee may maintain a similar website for the same purpose, including communicating information about the activities of the minority to Committee Members and other Members of the House.
(i) MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE.--The Chair is directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the Chair considers it appropriate. [House Rule XI 2(a)(3)]
(j) CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.--Recommendations of conferees to the Speaker shall provide a ratio of majority party Members to minority party Members which shall be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio of the Committee.
(k) OTHER PROCEDURES.--The Chair of the Committee, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out these rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the Committee.
Rule 2.--REGULAR, ADDITIONAL, AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
(a) REGULAR MEETINGS.--Unless dispensed with by the Chair of the Committee, the meetings of the Committee shall be held on the second
(2nd) and fourth (4th) Wednesdays of each month the House is in session at 10:00 a.m. [House Rule XI 2(b)]
(b) ADDITIONAL MEETINGS.--The Chair of the Committee may call and convene, as the Chair considers necessary, additional meetings of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business. The Committee shall meet for such purpose under that call of the Chair. [House Rule XI 2(c)(1)]
(c) SPECIAL MEETINGS.--Rule XI 2(c) of the Rules of the House of Representatives is hereby incorporated by reference.
[House Rule XI 2(c)(2)]
Rule 3.--MEETINGS AND HEARINGS GENERALLY
(a) OPENING STATEMENTS.--Insofar as is practicable, the Chair, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall limit the total time of opening statements by Members to no more than 10 minutes, the time to be divided equally between the Chair and Ranking Minority Member.
(b) ADDRESSING THE COMMITTEE.--The time any one (1) Member may address the Committee on any bill, motion, or other matter under consideration by the Committee or the time allowed for the questioning of a witness at hearings before the Committee will be limited to five (5) minutes, and then only when the Member has been recognized by the Chair, except that this time limit may be waived by the Chair. [House Rule XI 2(j)(2)]
(c) REQUESTS FOR WRITTEN MOTIONS.--Any motion made at a meeting of the Committee and which is entertained by the Chair of the Committee or the Subcommittee shall be presented in writing upon the demand of any Member present and a copy made available to each Member present.
(d) OPEN MEETINGS AND HEARINGS.--Each meeting for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, and each hearing of the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be open to the public, including to radio, television, and still photography, unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. [House Rule XI 2(g)]
(e) AUDIO AND VISUAL COVERAGE.--
(1) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, these proceedings shall be open to coverage by audio and visual means, except as provided in Rule XI 4(f)(2) of the House of Representatives. The Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee may not limit the number of television, or still cameras to fewer than two (2) representatives from each medium (except for legitimate space or safety considerations, in which case pool coverage shall be authorized).
(2) Radio and television tapes, television films, and Internet recordings of any Committee hearings or meetings that are open to the public may not be used, or made available for use, as partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the candidacy of any person for elective public office.
(3) It is, further, the intent of this rule that the general conduct of each meeting or hearing covered under authority of this rule by audio or visual means, and the personal behavior of the Committee Members and staff, other government officials and personnel, witnesses, television, radio, and press media personnel, and the general public at the meeting or hearing, shall be in strict conformity with and observance of the acceptable standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum traditionally observed by the House in its operations, and may not be such as to:
(A) distort the objects and purposes of the meeting or hearing or the activities of Committee Members in connection with that meeting or hearing or in connection with the general work of the Committee or of the House; or
(B) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the Committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner or bring the House, the Committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner into disrepute.
(4) The coverage of Committee meetings and hearings by audio and visual means shall be permitted and conducted only in strict conformity with the purposes, provisions, and requirements of this rule.
(5) The following shall apply to coverage of Committee meetings or hearings by audio or visual means:
(A) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or meeting is to be presented to the public as live coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and presented without commercial sponsorship.
(B) The allocation among the television media of the positions or the number of television cameras permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chair in a hearing or meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(C) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving evidence or testimony and any member of the Committee or the visibility of that witness and that member to each other.
(D) Television cameras shall operate from fixed positions but may not be placed in positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or meeting by the other media.
(E) Equipment necessary for coverage by the television and radio media may not be installed in, or removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the Committee is in session.
(F) (i) Except as provided in subdivision (ii), floodlights, spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns may not be used in providing any method of coverage of the hearing or meeting.
(ii) The television media may install additional lighting in a hearing or meeting room, without cost to the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting level in a hearing or meeting room to the lowest level necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of television coverage.
(G) In the allocation of the number of still photographers permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chair in a hearing or meeting room, preference shall be given to photographers from Associated Press Photos and United Press International Newspictures. If requests are made by more of the media than will be permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chair for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
(H) Photographers may not position themselves between the witness table and the members of the Committee at any time during the course of a hearing or meeting.
(I) Photographers may not place themselves in positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by the other media.
(J) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(K) Personnel providing coverage by still photography shall be currently accredited to the Press Photographers' Gallery.
(L) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media and by still photography shall conduct themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive manner. [House Rule XI (4)]
Rule 4.--CONSIDERATION OF MEASURE OR MATTER
(a) IN GENERAL.--Bills and other substantive matters may be taken up for consideration only when called by the Chair of the Committee or by a majority vote of a quorum of the Committee, except those matters which are the subject of special call meetings outlined in Rule 2(c).
(b) NOTICE.--
(1) It shall not be in order for the Committee to consider any new or original measure or matter unless written notice of the date, place and subject matter of consideration and, to the maximum extent practicable, a written copy of the measure or matter to be considered and, to the maximum extent practicable, the original text of the measure to be considered for purposes of markup have been available to each Member of the Committee for at least 48 hours in advance of consideration, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), consideration of any legislative measure or matter by the Committee shall be in order by vote of two-thirds of the Members present, provided that a majority of the Committee is present.
(c) SUBMISSION OF AMENDMENTS.--To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a measure or matter shall be submitted in writing to the Clerk of the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the measure or matter.
(d) SUSPENDED PROCEEDINGS.--During the consideration of any measure or matter, the Chair of the Committee, or of any Subcommittee, may recess the Committee or Subcommittee, as the case may be, at any point. Additionally, during the consideration of any measure or matter, the Chair of the Committee, or of any Subcommittee, shall suspend further proceedings after a question has been put to the Committee or Subcommittee at any time when there is a vote by electronic device occurring in the House of Representatives. Suspension of proceedings after a record vote is ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or on adopting an amendment shall be conducted in compliance with the provisions of Rule 6(d).
(e) INVESTIGATIVE OR OVERSIGHT REPORTS.--A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be considered as read in Committee if it has been available to the Members for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in session on such a day).
[House Rule XI 1(b)(2)]
(f) GERMANENESS.--The rules of germaneness shall be enforced by the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee, as the case may be.
Rule 5.--POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER
(a) IN GENERAL.--
(1) Nothwithstanding paragraph (2), a subpoena may be authorized and issued in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities to require the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents as deemed necessary, only when authorized by majority vote of the Committee or Subcommittee (as the case may be), a majority of the Committee or Subcommittee being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed only by the Chair of the Committee, or by any Member designated by the Chair. [House Rule XI 2(m)(3)(A)]
(2) The Chair of the Committee, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, or, if the Ranking Member cannot be reached, the Ranking Minority Member of the relevant Subcommittee, may authorize and issue such subpoenas as described in paragraph (1) during any period in which the House has adjourned for a period longer than seven (7) days. [House Rule XI 2(m)(3)(A)]
(3) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return other than at a meeting or a hearing of the Committee. [House Rule XI 2(m)(3)(B)]
(b) SENSITIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.--Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or Subcommittee, certain information received by the Committee or Subcommittee pursuant to a subpoena not made part of the record at an open hearing shall be deemed to have been received in Executive Session when the Chair of the Committee, in the Chair's judgment and after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, deems that in view of all of the circumstances, such as the sensitivity of the information or the confidential nature of the information, such action is appropriate.
Rule 6.--QUORUMS AND VOTING
(a) QUORUMS.--
(1) One-third (1/3) of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for all purposes except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Rule. [House Rule XI 2(h)(3)]
(2) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum in order to: (A) report any legislation, measure, or matter; (B) close Committee meetings or hearings pursuant to Rule 3(d); and (C) authorize the issuance of subpoenas pursuant to Rule 5(a). [House Rule XI 2(h)(1); House Rule XI 2(g); House Rule XI 2(m)(3)(A)]
(3) Two (2) Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving evidence, which, unless waived by the Chair of the Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, shall include at least one (1) Member from each of the majority and minority parties. [House Rule XI 2(h)(2)]
(b) VOTING BY PROXY.--No Member may authorize a vote by proxy with respect to any measure or matter before the Committee. [House Rule XI 2(f)]
(c) REQUESTS FOR RECORD VOTE AT COMMITTEE.--A record vote of the Members may be had at the request of three (3) or more Members or, in the apparent absence of a quorum, by any one
(1) Member.
(d) POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS.--The Chair of the Committee, or of any Subcommittee, is authorized to postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or on adopting an amendment, and to resume proceedings on a postponed question at any time after reasonable notice. Upon resuming proceedings on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed. [House Rule XI 2(h)(4)]
Rule 7.--HEARING PROCEDURES
(a) ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARING.--The Chair shall make a public announcement of the date, time, place, and subject matter of a hearing, and to the extent practicable, a list of witnesses at least one (1) week before the commencement of the hearing. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of business, the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any announcement made under this Rule shall be promptly published in the Daily Digest, and promptly made available in electronic form, including on the Committee website. [House Rule XI 2(g)(3)]
(b) WITNESS STATEMENT; TESTIMONY.--
(1) Insofar as is practicable, no later than 48 hours in advance of his or her appearance, each witness who is to appear before the Committee shall file in printed copy and in electronic form a written statement of his or her proposed testimony and a curriculum vitae. [House Rule XI 2(g)(4)]
(2) To the greatest extent practicable, each witness appearing before the Committee shall include with the written statement of proposed testimony a disclosure of any financial interests which are relevant to the subject of his or her testimony. These include, but are not limited to, public and private research grants, stock or stock options held in publicly traded and privately owned companies, government contracts with the witness or the witness' employer, and any form of payment of compensation from any relevant entity. The source and amount of the financial interest should be included in this disclosure. [House Rule XI 2(g)(4)]
(3) Each witness shall limit his or her presentation to a five (5) minute summary, provided that additional time may be granted by the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee when appropriate.
(c) MINORITY WITNESSES.--Whenever any hearing is conducted by the Committee on any measure or matter, the minority Members of the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of them before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to the measure or matter during at least one (1) day of hearing thereon. [House Rule XI 2(j)(1)]
(d) EXTENDED QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES BY MEMBERS.--Notwithstanding Rule 3(b), upon a motion, the Chair, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may designate an equal number of Members from each party to question a witness for a period of time equally divided between the majority party and the minority party, not to exceed one (1) hour in the aggregate or, upon a motion, may designate staff from each party to question a witness for equal specific periods that do not exceed one (1) hour in the aggregate.
[House Rule X12(j)(2)]
(e) ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE RECORD.--Members of the Committee have two (2) weeks from the date of a hearing to submit additional questions for the record to be answered by witnesses who have appeared in person. The letters of transmittal and any responses thereto shall be printed in the hearing record.
(f) ADDITIONAL HEARING PROCEDURES.--Rule XI 2(k) of the Rules of the House of Representatives is hereby incorporated by reference. [House Rule XI 2(k)]
Rule 8.--PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING MEASURES OR MATTERS
(a) FILING OF REPORTS.--
(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair of the Committee to report or cause to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by the Committee and to take or cause to be taken the necessary steps to bring the matter to a vote. To the maximum extent practicable, the written report of the Committee on such measures shall be made available to the Committee membership for review at least 24 hours in advance of filing. [House Rule XIII 2(b)(1)]
(2) The report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed within seven (7) calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in session) after the day on which there has been filed with the Clerk of the Committee a written request, signed by the majority of the Members of the Committee, for the reporting of that measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the Clerk of the Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chair of the Committee notice of the filing of that request.
[House Rule XIII 2(b)(2)]
(b) SUPPLEMENTAL, MINORITY, OR ADDITIONAL VIEWS.--If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by the Committee, any Member of the Committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views, that Member shall have two (2) subsequent calendar days after the day of such notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) in which to file such views, in writing and signed by that Member, with the Clerk of the Committee. No supplemental, minority, or additional views shall be accepted for inclusion in the report if submitted after two (2) subsequent calendar days have elapsed unless the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee, as appropriate, decides to extend the time for submission of views, in which case the Chair shall communicate such fact, including the revised day and hour for submissions to be received, to the Members of the Committee without delay. All such views so filed by one (1) or more Members of the Committee shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the report filed by the Committee with respect to that measure or matter. [House Rule XI 2(I)]
(c) CONTENTS OF REPORT.--
(1) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter shall be printed in a single volume that shall--
(A) include all supplemental, minority, or additional views that have been submitted by the time of the filing of the report on that measure or matter; and
(B) bear on its cover a recital that any such supplemental, minority, or additional views (and any material submitted under rule 8(c)(3)(A)) are included as part of the report.
(2) The report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee shall include the following, to be provided by the Committee:
(A) the oversight findings and recommendations required pursuant to Rule X 2(b)(1) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, separately set out and identified; [House Rule XIII 3(c)(1)]
(B) the statement required by section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, separately set out and identified, if the measure provides new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures as specified in Rule XIII 3(c)(2); [House Rule XIII 3(c)(2)]
(C) with respect to reports on a bill or joint resolution of a public character, a ``Constitutional Authority Statement'' citing the specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution pursuant to which the bill or joint resolution is proposed to be enacted; [House Rule XIII 3(d)(1)]
(D) with respect to each recorded vote on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public character, and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes cast for and against, and the names of those Members voting for and against, shall be included in the Committee report on the measure or matter;
(E) the estimate and comparison prepared by the Committee under Rule XIII, clause 3(d)(2) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, unless the estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office prepared under subparagraph 3 of this Rule has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the report and included in the report; [House Rule XIII 3(d)(2)]
(F) in the case of a bill or joint resolution which repeals or amends any statute or part thereof, the text of the statute or part thereof which is proposed to be repealed, and 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; [House Rule XIII 3(e)]
(G) a transcript of the markup of the measure or matter unless waived under Rule 12(a); and
(H) a statement of general performance goals and objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives, for which the measure authorizes funding. [House Rule XIII 3(e)(4)]
(4) The report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee shall further include the following, to be provided by sources other than the Committee:
(A) the estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office required under section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, separately set out and identified, whenever the Director (if timely, and submitted prior to the filing of the report) has submitted such estimate and comparison of the Committee; [House Rule XIII 3(c)(3)]
(B) if the Committee has not received prior to the filing of the report the material required under subparagraph (A) of this Rule, then it shall include a statement to that effect in the report on the measure.
(d) IMMEDIATE PRINTING; SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS.--This Rule does not preclude--
(1) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee report unless a timely request for the opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as provided by this Rule; or
(2) the filing by the Committee of any supplemental report upon any measure or matter which may be required for the correction of any technical error in a previous report made by that Committee upon that measure or matter.
(e) PRIVATE BILLS.--No private bill will be reported by the Committee if there are two (2) or more dissenting votes. Private bills so rejected by the Committee will not be reconsidered during the same Congress unless new evidence sufficient to justify a new hearing has been presented to the Committee.
(f) REPORT LANGUAGE ON USE OF FEDERAL RESOURCES.--No legislative report filed by the Committee on any measure or matter reported by the Committee shall contain language which has the effect of specifying the use of federal resources more explicitly (inclusively or exclusively) than that specified in the measure or matter as ordered reported, unless such language has been approved by the Committee during a meeting or otherwise in writing by a majority of the Members.
Rule 9.--OTHER COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS
(a) HOUSE REPORTS.--Any document published by the Committee as a House Report, other than a report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee, shall be approved by the Committee at a meeting, and Members shall have the same opportunity to submit views as provided for in Rule 8(b).
(b) OTHER DOCUMENTS.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and (3), the Chair of the Committee may approve the publication of any document as a Committee print which in the Chair's discretion the Chair determines to be useful for the information of the Committee.
(2) Any document to be published as a Committee print which purports to express the views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations of the Committee or any of its Subcommittees, other than a report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee, must be approved by the Committee or its Subcommittees, as applicable, in a meeting or otherwise in writing by a majority of the Members, and such Members shall have the right to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views for inclusion in the print within at least 48 hours after such approval.
(3) Any document to be published as a Committee print, other than a document described in subsection (2) of this Rule, shall--
(A) include on its cover the following statement: ``This document has been printed for informational purposes only and does not represent either findings or recommendations adopted by this Committee;'' and
(B) not be published following the sine die adjournment of a Congress, unless approved by the Chair of the Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(c) JOINT INVESTIGATION OR STUDY.--A report of an investigation or study conducted jointly by the Committee and one (1) or more other Committee(s) may be filed jointly, provided that each of the Committees complies independently with all requirements for approval and filing of the report.
[House Rule XI 1(b)(2)]
(d) POST ADJOURNMENT FILING OF COMMITTEE REPORTS.--
(1) After an adjournment of the last regular session of a Congress sine die, an investigative or oversight report approved by the Committee may be filed with the Clerk at any time, provided that if a Member gives notice at the time of approval of intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views, that Member shall be entitled to not less than seven (7) calendar days in which to submit such views for inclusion with the report. [House Rule XI 1(b)(4)]
(2) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular session of a Congress, the Chair of the Committee may file the Committee's Activity Report for that Congress under clause 1(d)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House with the Clerk of the House at anytime and without the approval of the Committee, provided that a copy of the report has been available to each Member of the Committee for at least seven
(7) calendar days and that the report includes any supplemental, minority, or additional views submitted by a Member of the Committee. [House Rule XI 1(d)(1)]
rule 10.--general oversight and investigative responsibilities
(a) OVERSIGHT.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--The Committee shall review and study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to nonmilitary research and development. [House Rule X 3(k)]
(2) OVERSIGHT PLAN.--Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the Committee shall meet in open session, with a quorum present, to adopt its oversight plans for that Congress for submission to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration, in accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of Rule X of the House of Representatives. [House Rule X 2(d)]
(b) INVESTIGATIONS.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--The Chair of the Committee may undertake any formal investigation in the name of the Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(2) SUBCOMMITTEE INVESTIGATIONS.--The Chair of any Subcommittee shall not undertake any formal investigation in the name of the Committee or Subcommittee without formal approval by the Chair of the Committee, in consultation with other appropriate Subcommittee Chairs, and after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. The Chair of any Subcommittee shall also consult with the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee before undertaking any investigation in the name of the Committee.
rule 11.--subcommittees
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES.--The Committee shall have the following standing Subcommittees with the jurisdiction indicated.
(1) SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT.--Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy research, development, and demonstration and projects therefor, commercial application of energy technology, and environmental research, including:
(A) Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration programs;
(B) Department of Energy laboratories;
(C) Department of Energy science activities;
(D) energy supply activities;
(E) nuclear, solar and renewable energy, and other advanced energy technologies;
(F) uranium supply and enrichment, and Department of Energy waste management and environment, safety, and health activities, as appropriate;
(G) fossil energy research and development;
(H) clean coal technology;
(I) energy conservation research and development;
(J) energy aspects of climate change;
(K) pipeline research, development, and demonstration projects;
(L) energy and environmental standards;
(M) energy conservation, including building performance, alternate fuels for and improved efficiency of vehicles, distributed power systems, and industrial process improvements;
(N) Environmental Protection Agency research and development programs;
(O) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including all activities related to weather, weather services, climate, the atmosphere, marine fisheries, and oceanic research;
(P) risk assessment activities; and
(Q) scientific issues related to environmental policy, including climate change.
(2) SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.--Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to competitiveness, technology, standards, and innovation, including:
(A) standardization of weights and measures, including technical standards, standardization, and conformity assessment;
(B) measurement, including the metric system of measurement;
(C) the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce;
(D) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(E) the National Technical Information Service;
(F) competitiveness, including small business competitiveness;
(G) tax, antitrust, regulatory and other legal and governmental policies as they relate to technological development and commercialization;
(H) technology transfer, including civilian use of defense technologies;
(I) patent and intellectual property policy;
(J) international technology trade;
(K) research, development, and demonstration activities of the Department of Transportation;
(L) surface and water transportation research, development, and demonstration programs;
(M) earthquake programs (except for NSF) and fire research programs, including those related to wildfire proliferation research and prevention;
(N) biotechnology policy;
(O) research, development, demonstration, and standards-related activities of the Department of Homeland Security;
(P) Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer; and
(Q) voting technologies and standards.
(3) SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.--Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy and science education, including:
(A) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
(B) all scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education;
(C) intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs;
(D) international scientific cooperation;
(E) National Science Foundation, including earthquake programs;
(F) university research policy, including infrastructure and overhead;
(G) university research partnerships, including those with industry;
(H) science scholarships;
(I) computing, communications, and information technology;
(J) research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs;
(K) to the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and
(L) materials research, development, and demonstration and policy.
(4) SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS.--Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development, including:
(A) national space policy, including access to space;
(B) sub-orbital access and applications;
(C) National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor and government-operated labs;
(D) space commercialization, including commercial space activities relating to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce;
(E) exploration and use of outer space;
(F) international space cooperation;
(G) the National Space Council;
(H) space applications, space communications and related matters;
(I) earth remote sensing policy;
(J) civil aviation research, development, and demonstration;
(K) research, development, and demonstration programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; and
(L) space law.
(5) SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT.--General and special investigative authority on all matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Technology.
(b) RATIOS.--A majority of the majority Members of the Committee shall determine an appropriate ratio of majority to minority Members of each Subcommittee and shall authorize the Chair of the Committee to negotiate that ratio with the minority party; Provided, however, that the ratio of majority Members to minority Members on each Subcommittee (including any ex-officio Members) shall be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the Committee.
(c) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.--The Chair of the Committee and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall serve as ex-officio Members of all Subcommittees and shall have the right to vote and be counted as part of the quorum and ratios on all matters before the Subcommittee.
(d) REFERRAL OF LEGISLATION.--The Chair of the Committee shall refer all legislation and other matters referred to the Committee to the Subcommittee or Subcommittees of appropriate primary and secondary jurisdiction within two (2) weeks of the matters being referred to the Committee, unless the Chair of the Committee deems consideration is to be by the Committee. Subcommittee Chairs may make requests for referral of specific matters to their Subcommittee within the two (2) week period if they believe Subcommittee jurisdictions so warrant.
(e) PROCEDURES.--
(1) No Subcommittee shall meet to consider for markup or approval any measure or matter when the Committee or any other Subcommittee of the Committee is meeting to consider any measure or matter for markup or approval.
(2) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive testimony or evidence, mark up legislation, and report to the Committee on all matters referred to it. For matters within its jurisdiction, each Subcommittee is authorized to conduct legislative, investigative, forecasting, and general oversight hearings; to conduct inquiries into the future; and to undertake budget impact studies.
(3) Subcommittee Chairs shall set meeting dates after consultation with the Chair of the Committee and other Subcommittee Chairs with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Committee and Subcommittee meetings or hearings wherever possible.
(4) Any Member of the Committee may have the privilege of sitting with any Subcommittee during its hearings or deliberations and may participate in such hearings or deliberations, but no Member who is not a Member of the Subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such Subcommittee, except as provided in subsection (c) of this Rule.
(5) During consideration of any measure or matter for markup or approval in a Subcommittee proceeding, a record vote may be had at the request of one (1) or more Members of that Subcommittee.
(f) CONSIDERATION OF SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS.--After ordering a measure or matter reported, a Subcommittee shall issue a Subcommittee report in such form as the Chair of the Committee shall specify. Reports and recommendations of a Subcommittee shall not be considered by the Committee until after the intervention of 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, from the time the report is submitted and made available to the Members of the Committee and printed hearings thereon shall be made available, if feasible, to the Members of the Committee, except that this Rule may be waived at the discretion of the Chair of the Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
RULE 12.--COMMITTEE RECORDS
(a) TRANSCRIPTS.--The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the Committee and Subcommittees shall be published as a substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made during the proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the person making the remarks involved. Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and published in the same manner as hearings before the Committee and shall be included as part of the legislative report unless waived by the Chair of the Committee. [House Rule XI 2(e)(1)(A)]
(b) KEEPING OF RECORDS.--The Committee shall keep a complete record of all Committee action, which shall include a record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is demanded. The result of each record vote shall be made available by the Committee for inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of the Committee. Information so available for public inspection shall include a description of the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition and the name of each Member voting for and each Member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of those Members present but not voting. [House Rule XI 2(e)(1)]
(c) AVAILABILITY OF ARCHIVED RECORDS.--The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules of the House of Representatives. The Chair of the Committee shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee of any decision, pursuant to Rule VII 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a determination on the written request of any Member of the Committee. [House Rule XI 2(e)(3)]
(d) PROPERTY OF HOUSE.--
(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), all Committee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the Member serving as its Chair. Such records shall be the property of the House, and each Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner, shall have access thereto.
(2) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other than Members of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, may not have access to the records of the Committee respecting the conduct of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House without the specific prior permission of the Committee. [House Rule XI 2(e)(2)]
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