1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Federal Labs Modernization Act of 2019”.
Federal Labs Modernization Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the America COMPETES Act to strengthen reporting requirements relating to deficiencies in Federal research infrastructure, and for other purposes.
2. Reporting requirements relating to Federal research infrastructure
In general— Section 1007(c)(1) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 6619(c)(1)) is amended by inserting “and funding for research infrastructure” after “research infrastructure”.
GAO report— Not later than 180 days and every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report that includes—
an assessment of the current state of Federal science facilities and related infrastructure, including with respect to climate control systems, the functionality of equipment and the usage of such equipment, the quality of buildings in which such facilities are housed (including the resiliency of such buildings to changes in climate, weather, and natural surroundings), and the safety of the materials used in construction of facilities;
an identification of the facilities in most critical need of repair or renovation;
the estimated costs of completing such repairs or renovations; and
an evaluation of whether facility occupancy is sufficient to meet agency demands.