[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H764-H766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE RULES
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 119TH
CONGRESS
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Washington, DC, February 24, 2025.
Hon. Mike Johnson,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2(a)(2) of
the Rules of the United States House of Representatives, I
submit the rules of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology for the 119th Congress for publication in the
Congressional Record. The rules were adopted by the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology by voice vote with a quorum
present on February 5, 2025.
Sincerely,
Brian Babin, D.D.S.,
Chairman.
Rule I. General
(a) Application of Rules.
(1) The Rules of the House of Representatives (``House
Rules'') are the rules of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology and its Subcommittees with the specific
additions thereto contained in these rules.
(2) Except where the term ``Subcommittee'' is specifically
referred to, the following rules shall apply to the Committee
and its Subcommittees as well as to the respective Chairs and
Ranking Minority Members.
(b) Other Procedures. The Chair of the Committee, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee, may establish such other procedures and take such
actions as may be necessary to carry out these rules or to
facilitate the effective operation of the Committee.
(c) Use of Hearing Rooms. In consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, the Chair of the Committee shall establish
guidelines for the use of Committee hearing rooms.
Rule II. Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings. The regular meeting day of the
Committee for the conduct of its business shall be on the
first Wednesday of each month, if the House is in session. If
the House is not in session on that day, then the Committee
shall meet on the next Wednesday of such month on which the
House is in session, or at another practicable time as
determined by the Chair.
(1) A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed
with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for
the meeting.
(2) The Chair may call and convene, when the Chair
considers it necessary and in accordance with the notice
requirements contained in these rules, additional meetings of
the Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution
pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other
Committee business.
(b) Bills and Subjects to be Considered.
(1) The Chair shall announce the date, place, and subject
matter of any Committee meeting, which may not commence
earlier than the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in
session on such a day) on which Members have notice thereof,
unless the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, or the Committee by majority vote with a
quorum present for the transaction of business, determines
there is good cause to begin the meeting sooner, in which
case the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest
possible date.
(2) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays except when the House is in
session on such a day), the Chair shall cause the text of
such legislation to be made publicly available in electronic
form.
(3) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a
measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or
electronically to the designee of both the Chair and Ranking
Minority Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration
of the measure or matter, and the Chair may oppose any
amendment not so submitted.
(c) Open Meetings.
Meetings for the transaction of business and hearings of
the Committee shall be open to the public or closed in
accordance with the House Rules.
(d) Quorums.
(1) Majority Quorum. A majority of the Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for:
(A). The reporting of a bill, resolution or other measure
(See clause 2(h)(1) of House Rule XI);
(B). The closing of a meeting or hearing to the public
pursuant to clause 2(g), 2(k)(5), and 2(k)(7) of House Rule
XI; and
(C). As where required by a Rule of the House.
(2) Quorum for Taking Testimony. Two Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
(3) Working Quorum. One-third of the Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for
taking any action, other than as noted in paragraphs (1) and
(2) of this subsection.
(e) Absence of the Chair. If the Chair is not present at
any meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee, the Vice Chair
on the Committee who is present shall preside at the meeting,
unless another Member of the Committee is designated by the
Chair.
(f) Postponement of Proceedings.
(1) Pursuant to clause 2(h)(4) of House Rule XI, the Chair
may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is
ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or
on adopting an amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on
a postponed vote at any time after reasonable notice.
(2) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
(g) Time for Statements and Debate.
(1) Insofar as is practicable, the Chair, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall limit
the total time of opening statements by Members at a
Committee meeting to no more than ten minutes, the time to be
divided equally between the Chair and Ranking Minority
Member, except in the case of joint Subcommittee hearings, in
which case the total time of opening statements by Members at
such joint hearing shall be no more than twenty minutes, the
time to be divided equally between the Chairs and Ranking
Minority Members. When requested, ex officio Members of any
Subcommittee shall also be recognized at a Subcommittee
hearing for five minutes each to present an opening
statement.
(2) The time any one Member may address the Committee on
any bill, amendment, motion, or other matter under
consideration by the Committee will be limited to five
minutes, and then only when the Member has been recognized by
the Chair. This time limit may be waived by the Chair
pursuant to unanimous consent.
(h) Requests for Recorded Vote. A record vote of the
Committee shall be provided on any question before the
Committee upon the request of three or more Members or, in
the apparent absence of a quorum, by any one Member.
(i) Electronic Voting. The chair may conduct any record
vote by electronic device in accordance with clause 2(n) of
House Rule XI.
(j) Transcripts. Transcripts of markups shall be recorded
and may be published in the same manner as hearings before
the Committee and shall be included as part of the
legislative report, unless waived by the Chair of the
Committee.
(k) Motion to Go to Conference. Without further action of
the Committee, the Chair is authorized to offer a motion
under clause 1 of House Rule XXII whenever the Chair
considers it appropriate.
Rule III. Hearings
(a) Notice of Hearings.
(1) The Chair shall publicly announce the date, place, and
subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the
Committee on any measure or matter at least one week before
the commencement of that hearing. If the Chair, with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there
is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the
Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being
present for the transaction of business, the Chair shall make
the announcement at the earliest possible date.
(2) The Chair shall publicly announce a list of witnesses
to testify at a hearing as soon as a complete list of
witnesses, including those to be called by the minority, is
compiled. When practicable, the Chair and the Ranking
Minority Member will seek to have a complete list of
witnesses compiled at or as soon as practicable after the
time that the hearing is publicly announced.
(b) Witnesses.
(1) Insofar as is practicable, no later than 48 hours in
advance of his or her appearance, each witness who is to
appear before the Committee shall file, in printed copy and
in electronic form, a written statement of his or her
proposed testimony and a curriculum vitae.
(2) Each witness shall limit his or her presentation to a
five minute summary, however additional time may be granted
by the Chair when appropriate.
(3) The Chair, or any Member of the Committee designated by
the Chair, may administer oaths to witnesses before the
Committee.
(4) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the Committee on
any measure or matter, the Minority Members of the Committee
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of
them and before the completion of the hearing, to call
witnesses selected by the Minority to testify with respect to
the measure or matter during at least one day of hearing
thereon.
(5) In the case of a witness appearing in a nongovernmental
capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony shall
include:
(A). A curriculum vitae;
(B). A disclosure of any Federal grants or contracts, or
contracts, grants, or payments originating with a foreign
government, received during the past 36 months by the witness
or by an entity represented by the witness and related to the
subject matter of the hearing; and
(C). A disclosure of whether the witness is a fiduciary
(including, but not limited to, a director, officer, advisor,
or resident agent) of any organization or entity that has an
interest in the subject matter of the hearing.
Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect the
privacy or security
[[Page H765]]
of the witness, shall be made publicly available in
electronic form 24 hours before the witness appears to the
extent practicable, but not later than one day after the
witness appears.
(c) Questioning of Witnesses.
(1) The right to interrogate a witness before the Committee
shall alternate between Majority and Minority Members of the
Committee. Each Member shall be limited to five minutes in
the interrogation of witnesses. No Member may be recognized
for a second period of interrogation until each Member
present, who wishes to be recognized, has been recognized at
least once.
(2) Notwithstanding clause 1, upon a motion the Chair, in
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may:
(A). Designate a specified number of Members of the
Committee from each party to question a witness for a period
of time equally divided between the majority party and the
minority party, not to exceed one hour in the aggregate; or
(B). Designate staff from each party to question a witness
for a period of time equally divided between the majority
party and the minority party, not to exceed one hour in the
aggregate.
(3) Members of the Committee have 10 calendar days from the
date of a hearing to submit additional questions in writing
for the record to be answered by witnesses who have appeared
before the Committee. The letters of transmittal and any
responses thereto shall be included in the hearing record.
(d) Claims of Privilege. Claims of common-law privileges
made by witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or
deponents in investigations or inquiries, are applicable only
at the discretion of the Chair, subject to appeal to the
Committee.
(e) Publication of Transcripts. The transcripts of those
hearings conducted by the Committee, when it is decided they
will be printed, shall be published in substantially verbatim
form, with the material requested for the record inserted at
that place requested, or at the end of the record, as
appropriate. Individuals, including Members, whose comments
are to be published as part of a Committee document shall be
given the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the
transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by
those Members, staff, or witnesses to correct any errors
other than errors in the transcript, or disputed errors in
transcription, shall be appended to the record, and the
appropriate place where the change is requested will be
footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chair of hearings
conducted jointly with another Congressional Committee, a
memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which
incorporates an agreement for the publication of the
transcript.
(f) Items for the Record. Committee Members have 10
calendar days from the date of a hearing to submit brief and
pertinent statements or materials in writing for inclusion in
the record. The Committee is the sole judge of the pertinence
of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing.
Rule IV. Reports
(a) Bills and resolutions approved by the Committee shall
be reported by the Chair pursuant to clauses 2-4 of House
Rule XIII.
(b) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be
considered as read if it has been available to the Members of
the Committee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in
session on such days).
(c) Every investigative or oversight report shall be
approved by a majority vote of the Committee at a meeting at
which a quorum is present. If at the time of approval of such
a report a Member of the Committee gives notice of intent to
file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
that Member shall be entitled to file such views.
(d) Only those investigative or oversight reports approved
by a majority vote of the Committee may be ordered printed,
unless otherwise required by House Rules.
Rule V. Broadcasting
(a) Whenever a meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation or a hearing is open to
the public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to coverage
by television, radio, and still photography in accordance
with clause 4 of House Rule XI.
(b) To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall
provide audio and visual coverage of each hearing or meeting
for the transaction of business in a manner that allows the
public to easily listen to and view the proceedings and
maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is
easily accessible to the public. Operation and use of any
Committee internet broadcast system shall be fair and
nonpartisan, and in accordance with clauses 4 (b) and (f) of
House Rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee
and the House.
Rule VI. Subcommittees
(a) Committee Jurisdiction. The Full Committee shall retain
jurisdiction over such matters as determined by the Chair.
(b) Subcommittees and Jurisdiction. There shall be five
standing Subcommittees of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology, with jurisdictions as follows:
(1) Subcommittee on Energy. Shall have jurisdiction over
the following subject matters: all matters relating to energy
research, development, and demonstration projects therefor;
commercial application of energy technology; Department of
Energy research, development, and demonstration programs;
Department of Energy laboratories; Department of Energy
science activities; Department of Energy cybersecurity
activities; Department of Energy international research,
development, and demonstration projects; energy supply
activities; nuclear, solar, and renewable energy, and other
advanced energy technologies; uranium supply and enrichment,
and Department of Energy waste management; Department of
Energy environmental management research, development, and
demonstration; fossil energy research and development; clean
coal technology; energy conservation research and
development, including building performance, alternate fuels,
distributed power systems, and industrial process
improvements; pipeline research, development, and
demonstration projects; energy standards; other appropriate
matters as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
(2) Subcommittee on Environment. Shall have jurisdiction
over the following subject matters: all matters relating to
environmental research; Environmental Protection Agency
research and development; environmental standards; climate
change research and development; the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, including all activities related
to weather, weather services, climate, the atmosphere, marine
fisheries, and oceanic research; risk assessment activities;
scientific issues related to environmental policy, including
climate change; other appropriate matters as referred by the
Chair; and relevant oversight.
(3) Subcommittee on Research and Technology. Shall have
jurisdiction over the following subject matters: all matters
relating to science policy and science education; the Office
of Science and Technology Policy; all scientific research,
and scientific and engineering resources (including human
resources); all matters relating to science, technology,
engineering and mathematics education; intergovernmental
mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and
cross-cutting programs; international scientific cooperation;
National Science Foundation; university research policy,
including infrastructure and overhead; university research
partnerships, including those with industry; science
scholarships; computing, communications, networking, and
information technology; research and development relating to
health, biomedical, and nutritional programs; research,
development, and demonstration relating to nanoscience,
nanoengineering, and nanotechnology; research, development,
and demonstration relating to semiconductors, semiconductor
manufacturing, and microelectronics; quantum information
science; agricultural, geological, biological and life
sciences research; materials research, development,
demonstration, and policy; all matters relating to
competitiveness, technology, standards, and innovation;
standardization of weights and measures, including technical
standards, standardization, and conformity assessment;
measurement, including the metric system of measurement;
cybersecurity standards; the Technology Administration of the
Department of Commerce; the National Institute of Standards
and Technology; the National Technical Information Service;
competitiveness, including small business competitiveness;
tax, antitrust, regulatory and other legal and governmental
policies related to technological development and
commercialization; technology transfer, including civilian
use of defense technologies; patent and intellectual property
policy; international technology trade; research,
development, and demonstration activities of the Department
of Transportation; surface and water transportation research,
development, and demonstration programs; earthquake programs
and fire research programs, including those related to
wildfire proliferation research and prevention; biotechnology
policy; research, development, demonstration, and standards-
related activities of the Department of Homeland Security;
Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer;
voting technologies and standards; other appropriate matters
as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
(4) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Shall have
jurisdiction over the following subject matters: all matters
relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and
development; national space policy, including access to
space; sub-orbital access and applications; National
Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor and
government-operated labs; space commercialization, including
commercial space activities relating to the Department of
Transportation and the Department of Commerce; exploration
and use of outer space; international space cooperation; the
National Space Council; space applications, space
communications and related matters; Earth remote sensing
policy; civil aviation including unmanned aerial systems,
research, development, and demonstration; research,
development, and demonstration programs of the Federal
Aviation Administration; space law; other appropriate matters
as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
(5) Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Shall
have general and special investigative authority on all
matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee.
(c) Composition of Subcommittees.
(1) The Chair shall assign Members to the Subcommittees.
Minority party assignments shall be made only with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member. The Chair
[[Page H766]]
shall determine the ratio of Majority Members to Minority
Members of each Subcommittee; provided that the ratio of
Majority Members to Minority Members on each Subcommittee
(excluding any ex officio Member) shall be no less favorable
to the Majority party than the ratio for the Committee.
(2) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee
shall be ex officio Members of each Subcommittee and shall
have the right to vote and be counted as part of the quorum
and ratios on all matters before the Subcommittee.
(d) Referral to Subcommittees. The Chair shall
expeditiously refer all legislation and other matters
referred to the Committee to the Subcommittee or
Subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction, unless the Chair
deems consideration is to be by the Committee. Subcommittee
Chairs may make requests for referral of specific matters to
their Subcommittee if they believe Subcommittee jurisdictions
so warrants.
(e) Subcommittee Procedures and Reports.
(1) Subcommittee Chairs shall set meeting dates with the
concurrence of the Chair and after consultation with the
other Subcommittee Chairs with a view toward avoiding
simultaneous scheduling of Subcommittee meetings or hearings
wherever possible. No Subcommittee may meet or hold a hearing
at the same time as a meeting or hearing of the Committee
without authorization from the Chair.
(2) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive testimony or evidence, mark up legislation, and
report to the Committee on all matters referred to it. For
matters within its jurisdiction, each Subcommittee is
authorized to conduct legislative, investigative,
forecasting, and general oversight hearings; to conduct
inquiries into the future; and to undertake budget impact
studies.
(3) Each Subcommittee shall provide the Committee with
copies of such records of votes taken in the Subcommittee and
such other records with respect to the Subcommittee as the
Chair of the Committee deems necessary to ensure compliance
with the House Rules.
(4) After ordering a measure or matter reported, a
Subcommittee shall issue a report in such form as the Chair
shall specify. To the maximum extent practicable, reports and
recommendations of a Subcommittee shall not be considered by
the Committee until after the intervention of 48 hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except when
the House is in session on such a day) from the time the
report is submitted and made available to the Committee.
Printed hearings thereon shall be made available, if
feasible, to the Committee, except that this Rule may be
waived at the discretion of the Chair after consultation with
the Ranking Minority Member.
(5) Any Member of the Committee may have the privilege of
sitting with any Subcommittee during its hearings or
deliberations and may participate in such hearings or
deliberations, but no Member who is not a Member of the
Subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such
Subcommittee, except as provided in Rule VI(c)(2).
Rule VII. Vice Chairs
(a) The Chair of the Committee shall designate a Member of
the majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee
and shall designate a Majority Member of each Subcommittee to
serve as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee. Vice Chairs of the
Committee and each Subcommittee serve at the pleasure of the
Chair, who may at any time terminate his designation of a
Member as Vice Chair and designate a different Member of the
majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee or
relevant Subcommittee.
(b) The Chair may assign duties, privileges, and
responsibilities to the Vice Chairs of the Committee or the
various Subcommittees.
Rule VIII. Oversight and Investigations
(a) The Committee shall review and study, on a continuing
basis, the application, administration, execution, and
effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject
matter of which is within its jurisdiction, including all
laws, programs, and Government activities relating to
nonmilitary research and development in accordance with House
Rule X.
(b) Not later than March 1st of the first session of the
119th Congress, the Chair, after consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, shall adopt and submit the
Committees oversight and authorization plan to the Committee
on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on House
Administration in accordance with the provisions of clause
2(d) of House Rule X.
(c) Any investigation undertaken in the name of the
Committee shall be approved by the Chair. Nothing in this
subsection shall be interpreted to infringe on a
Subcommittees authority to conduct general oversight of
matters within its jurisdiction, short of undertaking an
investigation.
Rule IX. Subpoenas
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to
the Chair as provided for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of House
Rule XI. The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member
prior to issuing any subpoena under such authority. To the
extent practicable, the Chair shall consult with the Ranking
Minority Member at least 24 hours in advance of a subpoena
being issued under such authority.
Rule X. Deposition Authority
The Chair, after consultation with the Ranking Member, may
authorize a member or counsel of the Committee to conduct
depositions pursuant to subsection 3(t) of House Resolution
5, 119th Congress, and subject to any regulations issued
pursuant thereto.
Rule XI. Committee Records
(a) The records of the Committee at the National Archives
and Records Administration shall be made available for public
use in accordance with House Rule VII.
(b) The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee of any decision, pursuant to clauses 3(b)(3) or
4(b) of House Rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise
available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination on the written request of any Member of
the Committee.
Rule XII. Official Committee Website
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for
the purpose of furthering the Committees legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating
information about the Committee's activities to Committee
Members and other Members of the House. The Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee may maintain a similar website for
the same purpose, including communicating information about
the activities of the minority to Committee Members and other
Members of the House.
Rule XIII. Committee Budget
From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary
expense resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in
the 119th Congress, the Chair shall designate one-third of
the budget, after adjustment for the salaries of the shared
administrative functions for the Clerk, Printer and Financial
Administrator, under the direction of the Ranking Minority
Member for the purposes of minority staff, travel expenses of
minority staff and Members, and all other minority office
expenses.
Rule XIV. Amendments to Committee Rules
The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or
repealed, in the same manner and method as prescribed for the
adoption of committee rules in clause 2 of House Rule XI, but
only if written notice of the proposed change has been
provided to each such Member at least 3 days before the time
of the meeting at which the vote on the change occurs. Any
such change in the rules of the Committee shall be published
in the Congressional Record within 30 calendar days after
their approval.
____________________