roundtable: Information Technology Applications Act of 1994

roundtable: Information Technology Applications Act of 1994

Information Technology Applications Act of 1994

Vigdor Schreibman - FINS (fins@access.digex.net)
Mon, 28 Mar 1994 14:16:20 -0500 (EST) 

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 1994 14:16:20 -0500 (EST)
From: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
Subject: Information Technology Applications Act of 1994
To: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.89.9403281412.A1009-0100000@access2.digex.net>

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FINS SPECIAL REPORT                                            MARCH 28, 1994
=============================================================================

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS ACT OF 1994
Fins Information Age Addition

Washington, DC The Fins Information Age Lib has release Fins-II-16, Mar
28. The document contains pertinent provisions of the National
Competitiveness Act of 1994, title, VI, Information Technology
Applications Act of 1994, which was introduced by Sen. Ernest F. Hollings
(D-SC) Mar 7, 1994 as a substitute amendment to S.4 (140 CONG. REC.
S.2380, 2392-95 (daily ed. Mar 7, 1994).  The measure passed the U.S.
Senate as H.R. 820, on Mar 16, 1994, by a vote of 59 to 40.  (Sen. Wendell
H. Ford (D-KY) announced that Sen. David L. Boren (D-OK), was necessarily
absent from the vote, but if present and voting "would vote 'aye,'" thus
making a supermajority of members who voted in favor of the measure) (140
CONG. REC. S.3006 (daily ed. Mar 16, 1994).  Included in Fins-II-16, is
the full text of provisions of the High-performance Computing Act of 1991,
Pub. L. No. 102-194, 105 Stat. 1594 (1991) (15 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.), as
amended by S.4, H.R.820, title VI. 

	Marking a significant shift of focus away from pure technological
innovation, the central purpose of the "Information Technology Applications
Act of 1994" is to: "provide large economic and social benefits to a broad
segment of the Nation's populace."  It is intended to support projects,
designed to address major National Challenges, impacting upon education,
libraries, manufacturing, energy, health care, and access to networks.  The
legislation directs the President to implement a National High-Performance
Computing Program.  As a part of that program the National Science
Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the
Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the Department of Education (among others) are directed to support the
establishment of the National Research and Education Network Program.  The
Network Program consists of the following components: 
		(1) Research and development of software and hardware for high- 
     performance computing and high-speed networks. 
		(2) Support of experimental test bed networks for-- 
			(A) developing and demonstrating advanced networking 
          technologies resulting from the activities described in paragraph
          (1); and 
			(B) providing connections and associated network services for 
          purposes consistent with this Act. 
		(3) Provision of support for researchers, educators, students, 
     libraries, and other appropriate institutions in order to ensure their
     access and use of networks. 
		(4) Federal networks for linking Federal agency facilities and 
     personnel to each other and to non-Federal networks. 
 
	Of particular significance, the legislation requires the National
Science Foundation, and other agencies to: "(1) foster the creation of
networks . . . which will connect institutions of higher education,
elementary and secondary schools, libraries and depository libraries, and
Federal, State, and local governments to each other, and (2) provide for the
connection of such networks to other networks."   The legislation also
continues the pivotal role of the National Science Foundation, with "primary
responsibility for assisting colleges, universities, and libraries to connect
to the Network," and with the responsibility to "upgrade the National Science
Foundation funded network, assist regional networks to upgrade their
capabilities, and provide other Federal departments and agencies the
opportunity to connect to the National Science Foundation funded network."

	Authorized appropriations for education and libraries applications
include:
 	* to the National Science Foundation: $339,000,000 for fiscal year 1994;
$404,000,000 for fiscal year 1995; and $413,000,000 for fiscal year 1996. 
	* to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: $154,000,000
for fiscal year 1994; $181,000,000 for fiscal year 1995; and $145,000,000 for
fiscal year 1996. 
	* to the Department of Education: $11,900,000 for fiscal year 1994;
$22,100,000 for fiscal year 1995; and $2,300,000 for fiscal year 1996.  

	Authorized appropriations for manufacturing and information applications
include:
	* to the Secretary of Commerce: $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.

	Authorized appropriations for energy applications include:
	*  to the Secretary of Energy: $50,000,000 for fiscal 1994; $100,000,000
for fiscal year 1995; and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1996. 

	Authorized appropriations for health care and access to networks
applications include:
	* to the Department of Health and Human Services: $30,000,000 for fiscal
year 1994, and $50,000,000.
	*  to the National Science Foundation: $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994
and $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1995.
	*  to the Department of Education: $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and
$12,500,000 for fiscal year 1995.  

	Authorized appropriations for computer education programs include:
	*  to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: $8,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 1994 and 1995.
	*  to the Department of Education: $8,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 1994 and 1995.

	Authorized appropriations for state-based digital libraries include:
	*  to the Director of the National Science Foundation $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 1994 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.

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