National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1974
Public Law 93-96 · H.R. 8510 · 93rd Congress · began in the House
Signed by Richard Nixon (R) on Aug 16, 1973 · Science, Technology, Communications
Sponsor: Rep. Olin Teague (D-TX-6)
Cosponsors (2): Rep. John Davis, Rep. Charles Mosher
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
National Science Foundation Authorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1974 and specifies allotments for various programs. Provides that any amounts which were authorized and appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1973 or any prior fiscal year, but which remained unobligated as of the close of fiscal year 1973, shall be merged with and added to the amounts authorized by this Act.
Provides that appropriations may be used, but not to exceed $5,000, for official consultation, representation or other extraordinary expenses upon the approval or authority of the Director of the National Science Foundation.
Prohibits the transfer of funds between categories as allocated by this Act, except in enumerated instances, if the total of the funds so transferred would exceed 10 percent.
States that if an institution of higher education determines that an individual has been convicted of any crime which was (1) committed after the date of enactment of this Act; (2) which involved the use of force, and (3) that such crime was of a serious nature then the institution which such individual attends or is employed by shall deny for two years any further payment to such individual under specified programs.
Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to keep the Committee on Science and Astronautics of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare of the Senate fully informed with respect to all the activities of the National Science Foundation.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 16 actions.
- Aug 16, 1973Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 93-96.
- Aug 4, 1973PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Aug 3, 1973Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report.
- Jul 27, 1973Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.
- Jul 26, 1973Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 93-408.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 93-408.
- Jul 13, 1973Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in Senate.
- Jul 11, 1973Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in House.
- Jun 29, 1973FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended in lieu of S. 1977.
- Jun 22, 1973FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #267 (364-6).House roll call 267
- Jun 14, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- Jun 7, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.