Overview
Title
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities focused on the joint advancement of Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation mission requirements and priorities, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 8613 is a plan for two groups, the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation, to work together like teammates on projects that make farming better and use science to help solve problems like food shortages. They will share their results with Congress to show what they've done and learned.
Summary AI
H.R. 8613 aims to foster collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation. The bill directs these agencies to conduct joint research focused on agriculture and science priorities, like food security and advanced technologies. It encourages partnerships among federal agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits to enhance research and development in areas like precision agriculture and workforce education. The bill also outlines the need for periodic reports to Congress detailing the progress and achievements of these efforts.
Published
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act," aims to foster a collaborative environment between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The objective is to align the two organizations on joint research and development initiatives that advance their respective mission requirements and priorities. Significant areas of focus include agriculture, technological innovation, education, and workforce development. To achieve these goals, memoranda of understanding or other interagency agreements will facilitate resource-sharing and collaborative activities between governmental bodies, educational institutions, and other entities.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the key challenges of the bill is the lack of specific criteria for identifying 'appropriate entities' in Section 2(b), which governs which parties might be included in interagency agreements. This vagueness could lead to favoritism or the exclusion of potentially beneficial yet smaller organizations that lack visibility.
Additionally, the bill grants substantial discretionary power to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Director of the NSF, without outlining mechanisms for detailed accountability or oversight. This might raise concerns about the transparency and proper execution of the proposed collaborative activities.
Furthermore, another significant omission is the lack of detailed conditions for reimbursable agreements, which could result in unforeseen budgetary challenges. Ambiguous definitions, particularly concerning 'translational technologies,' may cause misalignment in research objectives due to varied interpretations. Lastly, the requirement for an interagency report does not include specific corrective measures in case issues are identified, potentially leading to unresolved inadequacies.
Impact on the Public
The bill's impact on the general public might be twofold. On one hand, successful implementation could result in beneficial advancements in agriculture, technology, and education, promoting broader economic and social gains. On the other hand, without clear oversight and accountability measures, there could be issues regarding the effectiveness of fund utilization, potentially decreasing public confidence in these institutions.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Entities: While the bill encourages interagency collaboration, government agencies might face challenges in appropriately allocating resources and managing collaborative activities without clear operational guidelines.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges stand to benefit significantly through partnerships and funding opportunities, which could enhance educational and technological capabilities. However, unclear criteria for participation could limit access to these benefits for smaller institutions.
Non-profit Organizations: Similar to educational institutions, non-profits might find opportunities for research funding and collaboration. Yet, they might also face exclusion due to the ambiguous definition of ‘appropriate entities.’
Private Sector: Companies involved in technology and agriculture may benefit through the development of new "translational technologies" that arise from joint government research. Nonetheless, unclear project definitions could potentially deter some private sector investment due to worries about project alignment.
The Public: Overall, improved agricultural and technological advancements could lead to enhanced national resilience and economic growth, benefiting the public. However, if not managed effectively, there is a risk of inefficiencies and misallocation of resources that could potentially be detrimental to public financial interests.
In conclusion, while the "NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act" has the potential to greatly enhance collaborative research and innovation in key fields, it warrants careful consideration of its structural and operational frameworks to ensure that it serves both its purpose and the public interest effectively.
Issues
Unclear criteria for 'appropriate entities' in Section 2(b) regarding which components might be included in the memoranda or agreements could lead to potential favoritism or exclusion of smaller or less well-known organizations.
The discretionary power granted to the Secretary and the Director without detailed accountability or oversight mechanisms in various subsections of Section 2, particularly subsection (b) and subsection (c), may lead to concerns about proper execution, transparency, and potential misuse of funds.
The lack of specified conditions or limits for reimbursable agreements in Section 2(d)(1) could lead to budgetary issues, impacting financial management and potentially burdening taxpayers.
The absence of clear metrics for success and key performance indicators in subsection 2(c) could lead to ambiguous evaluation processes, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness and progress of the specified activities, affecting both public confidence and fiscal accountability.
The term 'translational technologies' in Section 2(c)(4) is vague and undefined, which may lead to varied interpretations and misalignment in research objectives, potentially causing inefficiencies in resource allocation.
The report requirement in Section 2(e) lacks specified corrective actions or accountability measures if potential issues or inadequacies are found in the interagency coordination, resulting in a possible lack of remedial actions to address identified shortcomings.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes the short title of the legislation as the "NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act."
2. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation research and development coordination Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a plan for the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation to work together on research and development in areas such as agriculture, technology, and education. They will create agreements to support collaboration, fund research, promote education, and share resources, with the goal of improving both organizations' capabilities and achievements.