HR 1273105th CongressSigned into LawHouse

National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998

Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications

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Origin Chamber

House

Last Updated

Apr 21, 2025

Latest Action Date

Jul 29, 1998

Primary Sponsor

Sponsor

Bill Sponsor

Rep. Schiff, Steven [R-NM-1]

RNM

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Sponsor Committees

Related committee information is not available for this bill yet.

Legislative Timeline

Signed into Law

1997-04-10Referred to Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Science.

1997-04-10IntroReferral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E623)

1997-04-10Introduced

Introduced in House

1997-04-16Reported

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

1997-04-16Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

1997-04-21Calendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 46.

1997-04-21Reported

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 105-63.

1997-04-23Reported

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 126 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1273 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.

1997-04-24Referred to Committee

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

1997-04-24Floor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1997-04-24Floor

On passage Passed by voice vote.

1997-04-24Passed House

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.

1997-04-24Floor

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

1997-04-24Floor

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1997-04-24Floor

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1273.

1997-04-24Floor

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.

1997-04-24Floor

The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.

1997-04-24Floor

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 126 and Rule XXIII.

1997-04-24Floor

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1273 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.

1997-04-24Floor

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 126. (consideration: CR H1808-1819)

1997-04-24Passed House

Rule H. Res. 126 passed House.

1998-05-12Passed Senate

Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1046 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 127.

1998-05-12Passed Senate

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1046 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 127.

1998-05-12Floor

Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 1046 amended.

1998-05-12Discharge

Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4664)

1998-05-12Committee

Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4664)

1998-05-13Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

1998-07-14ResolvingDifferences

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1998-07-14ResolvingDifferences

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H5417-5424)

1998-07-14NotUsed

Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H5417-5424)

1998-07-14Floor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

1998-07-14ResolvingDifferences

Mr. Sensenbrenner moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

1998-07-17Sent to President

Presented to President.

1998-07-29Signed into Law

Became Public Law No: 105-207.

1998-07-29Signed by President

Signed by President.

Related Votes

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Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 105-207.

Official Summary

Official summary has not been imported yet.

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™

Executive Summary

The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (H.R. 1273) is a legislative act passed by the 105th Congress and signed into law on July 29, 1998. It authorizes funding and sets policy directions for the National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in science and engineering. The act aims to ensure continued support for scientific research and technological advancement in the United States.

Bottom Line

This law authorizes funding and policy guidance for the National Science Foundation to support scientific research and education, reinforcing the federal commitment to science and technology development.

Policy Risk Level

🟢 Low

Neutral Risk Assessment

Key Points

Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for fiscal years following 1998.
Supports fundamental research and education in science and engineering disciplines.
Establishes policy frameworks to guide NSF activities and priorities.

Who Benefits?

['National Science Foundation (NSF)', 'Researchers and academic institutions in science and engineering fields', 'Science and technology industries reliant on federally funded research', 'Students and educators in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines']

Potential Concerns

['The full bill text is not available, limiting detailed analysis of funding levels and specific provisions.', 'Implementation depends on appropriations and administrative execution by NSF and oversight bodies.', 'Potential tradeoffs between funding allocation priorities within NSF programs are not detailed.']

Political Context

The bill was introduced and passed by the House during the 105th Congress and was signed into law in 1998. It reflects ongoing congressional efforts to authorize and oversee federal support for scientific research through the NSF, a key agency in advancing U.S. science and technology policy.

Hidden Impact Review

No hidden impact flags detected

GovScope reviewed 0 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

Clear Review

GovScope did not receive a hidden-impact review for this bill.

Indirect Effects

['Continued NSF funding may enhance U.S. competitiveness in science and technology sectors.', 'Support for STEM education could contribute to workforce development in related industries.', 'Federal investment in research may stimulate innovation with broader economic and societal benefits.']

GovScope Watchdog Notes

The absence of the full bill text limits detailed transparency analysis, including specific funding amounts, programmatic changes, or oversight mechanisms. Monitoring appropriations following authorization and NSF's implementation of the law is essential for accountability.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 85%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

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