Sec. 3. Revision of functions and duties of Office
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Section 3(c) of the Technology Assessment Act of 1972 ( 2 U.S.C. 472(c) ) is amended— in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following: This information should be provided as expeditiously, effectively, and efficiently as possible while maintaining a forward-looking, holistic, and rigorous approach to the assessment of the impacts of technology. ; in paragraph (6), by striking completed analyses and inserting completed analyses, as well as preliminary findings of ongoing analyses, ; by striking and at the end of paragraph (7); by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(8)and inserting a semicolon; and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: provide information to Members and committees of Congress in the form of briefings, informal conversations, documents, and similar formats which may be provided expeditiously on the basis of existing research and staff expertise without the need for review by the Board; provide technical assistance to Members of Congress on legislation related to science and technology which may be provided expeditiously on the basis of existing research and staff expertise without the need for review by the Board; and when requested, provide objective policy options to Members on how Members may achieve goals with respect to science and technology policy. . Section 3(d) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 472(d) ) is amended to read as follows: Assessment activities undertaken by the Office may be initiated upon the request of— subject to paragraph (2), any Member of Congress (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress), any standing, special, or select committee of either House of Congress, or any joint committee of Congress; the Board; or the Director, in consultation with the Board. A Member of Congress or committee requesting that the Office undertake an assessment activity under paragraph (1)(A) shall submit the request to the Board, which shall review the request. The Office shall determine whether or not to undertake an assessment activity in response to such a request in accordance with such policies and procedures as the Office shall establish, under which— the Office may give priority to those requests which, in the Board’s determination, relate to technology issues of the greatest relevance and importance; to the greatest extent practicable, the Office shall ensure that the number of assessment activities undertaken during a year in response to requests which are submitted by members of one political party is equal to the number of assessment activities undertaken in response to requests which are submitted by members of another political party; and to the greatest extent practicable, the Office shall provide the Member or committee submitting the request with information regarding how the Office reached its determination in response to the request. . Section 3(e) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 472(e) ) is amended by inserting after may be made available to the public the following: (and, in the case of findings of completed analyses, shall be made available to the public) . Section 6(f) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 475(f) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: The Director may, under the authority provided by this subsection and in accordance with such policies as the Board chooses to prescribe, appoint for a limited term, or on a temporary basis, scientists, engineers, and other technical and professional personnel on leave of absence from academic, industrial, or research institutions to work for the Office. . Section 8 of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 477 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: The Office and the Congressional Research Service shall coordinate technology assessment activities to avoid unnecessary duplication or overlapping of research activities. . Section 9 of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 478 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: The Office and the Government Accountability Office shall coordinate technology assessment activities to avoid unnecessary duplication or overlapping of research activities. .
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