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National Bureau of Standards Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1986

Public Law 99-73 · H.R. 1617 · 99th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Jul 29, 1985 · Science, Technology, Communications

Sponsor: Rep. Don Fuqua (D-FL-2)

Cosponsors: None

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
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.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

National Bureau of Standards Authorization Act for FY 1986 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary of Commerce for the following activities performed by the National Bureau of Standards (the Bureau): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) Center for Fire Research; (6) technical competence fund; and (7) central technical support.

Reserves specified minimum amounts from the total amount of such authorized appropriations for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Building Technology; (3) the creation and maintenance of data bases on structural failures; and (4) transfer to the Working Capital Fund.

Authorizes funds to be transferred among the specified line items, but requires that notification and explanation of any such proposed transfer to or from a line item which exceeds ten percent of the amount authorized for that line item first be given to specified congressional officers and to the appropriate authorizing committees of the Congress. Prohibits any such transfer from having the effect of reducing the applicable minimum amounts specified for certain purposes. Prohibits any of such transferred funds from being used for the construction of the Cold Neutron Source Facility.

Directs the Bureau to seek reimbursement of a specified minimum amount from other Federal agencies to expand its efforts in support of basic scientific research on the atmospheric, climatic, and environmental consequences of nuclear explosions and nuclear exchanges.

Authorizes additional appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1986 for the Bureau's: (1) expenses incurred outside the United States (to be paid for in excess foreign currency); and (2) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits.

Requires that sufficient income from the Working Capital Fund remain outside the general fund of the Treasury to ensure the availability of working capital necessary to replace equipment and inventories of the Bureau. Requires that fees for specified services provided by the Bureau be at least sufficient to meet these and specified other capital requirements.

Provides that the Director of the Bureau shall be compensated at the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule.

Authorizes the Bureau, on its own initiative but only after consultation with local authorities, to investigate structural failures in structures used or occupied by the general public. Prohibits any part of any report resulting from such investigation from being admitted as evidence or used in any suit or action for damages arising out of any matter mentioned in such report.

Establishes a goal of 20 positions for the Senior Scientists Program at the Bureau.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary for the activities of the Office of Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary for the National Technical Information Service's patent licensing activities.

Provides that appropriations made under the authority provided in this Act shall remain available for periods specified in the Acts making such appropriations.

Requires the Director of the Bureau, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to: (1) review those recommendations of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control and such other recommendations as may be included in a specified report of the Office of Management and the Budget; and (2) report to specified congressional officers and to the appropriate congressional committees on the implementation status of each such recommendation which affects the Bureau and is within the authority and control of the Director.

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.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.

  1. Jul 29, 1985Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 99-73.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Jul 18, 1985PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Jul 15, 1985Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.
  7. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.
  8. Jun 27, 1985Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference Report 99-187 Filed in House.
  9. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference Report 99-187 Filed in House.
  10. Jun 13, 1985Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Request for Conference and Speaker Appointed Conferees: Fuqua, Walgren, Lundine, Lujan, Boehlert.
  11. Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Disagreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.
  12. May 6, 1985Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate insists on its amendments, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Danforth; Gorton; Goldwater; Hollings; Riegle.
  13. Apr 23, 1985FloorFloor · Passed Senate in lieu of S. 796 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  14. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  15. Apr 18, 1985FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 282 - 103 (Record Vote No: 58).House roll call 58
  16. FloorFloor · House Agreed to Amendments Adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
  17. FloorFloor · Rule Passed House.
  18. Apr 16, 1985FloorFloor · Committee on Rules Granted Open Rule Providing One Hour of General Debate; Waiving all Points of Order Against Consideration of the Bill for Failure to Comply With the Provisions of Clause 2(l)(6), Rule XI; Making in Order Committee Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute; Waivi…
  19. CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  20. Mar 28, 1985CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  21. Mar 20, 1985CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  22. 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.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.