Do Federal Regulations On Researchers Need To Be Streamlined? (H.R. 1119)

What is H.R. 1119?

(Updated November 13, 2017)

This bill would mandate the creation of a working group under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), responsible for reviewing federal regulations that affect research and research universities. The working group would assess and offer recommendations on how to:

• Harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative federal regulations and reporting requirements.

• Minimize the regulatory burden on U.S. institutions of higher education that conduct federally funded research, while maintaining accountability for federal tax dollars.

In carrying out its responsibilities, the working group would consider input from non-federal stakeholders to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in scientific research. These private "stakeholders" would include researchers, institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies and associations, nonprofits, and industry players — including small businesses.

Within one year of this legislation’s enactment, and every year thereafter for three years, a report will be created for the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The report would detail steps taken to implement the working group’s recommendations.

Argument in favor

Complying with redundant federal regulations wastes time and money that should be spent on the actual research. Creating a working group to reduce that burden on researchers will ensure that their focus is fieldwork — not bureaucracy.

Argument opposed

The regulations this bill seeks to “streamline” are in place for a reason — making sure tax dollars are used appropriately. If regulations are so burdensome, those receiving funds should find more efficient ways to oversee their federal funds.

Impact

Researchers, institutions of higher education that run on federal funding, stakeholders interacting with the working group, the newly established working group, OMB, NSTC, relevant congressional committees, and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Cost of H.R. 1119

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth:

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the administrative burdens related to federally-funded research have eroded the ability to actually carry out research. Facility costs and administrative costs at research universities can exceed half of the value of federal research grants. The bill also contends that nearly 30 percent of grant awards are consumed by paperwork and other regulatory requirements. Congress believes that it is of critical importance that these burdens be streamlined, so that tax dollars can be spent directly on research activities.

Of Note:

A nearly-identical version of this bill was introduced in Congress during July 2014 and passed the House of Representative by voice vote, but never progressed beyond the committee stage in the Senate.

Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) Press Release

Association of American Universities (In Favor)

Association of American Universities Press Release (In Favor - Previous Version)

(Photo Credit: Flickr user x-ray delta one)