S. 3434 — Reported in Senate

II Calendar No. 627 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3434 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 17, 2021Mr. Peters (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation December 12, 2022Reported by Ms. Cantwell, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To commission a study relating to the manufacturing programs of the Department of Commerce, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act. 2. Study on the manufacturing programs of the Department of Commerce (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Academy The term Academy means the National Academy of Public Administration. (2) Commerce manufacturing programs The term commerce manufacturing programs mean the manufacturing programs of the Department of Commerce. (b) Study The Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contract with the Academy to conduct a study— (1) on the commerce manufacturing programs, the statutory foundations of the commerce manufacturing programs, and the merits and limitations of the commerce manufacturing programs; (2) that considers and evaluates options to optimize the management of the commerce manufacturing programs, including options to consolidate the administration of the commerce manufacturing programs by creating an agency responsible for that administration; and (3) suggests a structure for legislation that would implement the options described in paragraph (2). (c) Contents The study conducted under subsection (b) shall include— (1) a comprehensive collection of the statutory authorities for the commerce manufacturing programs; (2) an assessment of available Federal proposals to consolidate the commerce manufacturing programs; and (3) a consideration of the administrative and organizational relationships— (A) between the heads of the commerce manufacturing programs; (B) within the Department of Commerce; and (C) between the Department of Commerce and States. (d) Report to Congress Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Academy enters into a contract to conduct a study under subsection (b), the Academy shall submit a summary of the findings and recommendations of the study to— (1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act. 2. Study on the manufacturing programs of the Department of Commerce (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Academy The term Academy means the National Academy of Public Administration. (2) Commerce manufacturing programs The term commerce manufacturing programs mean the programs of the Department of Commerce— (A) that provide services or support to manufacturers in the United States, such as— (i) the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program established under section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k); and (ii) the Manufacturing USA Program established under section 34 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s); and (B) that— (i) conduct activities relating to the support of manufacturers and manufacturing in the United States; and (ii) the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Academy, considers appropriate and relevant to the purposes of the study conducted under subsection (b). (b) Study The Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contract with the Academy to conduct a study— (1) on the commerce manufacturing programs, the statutory foundations of the commerce manufacturing programs, and the merits and limitations of the commerce manufacturing programs; (2) that considers and evaluates options to optimize the management and increase the impact of the commerce manufacturing programs, including options to consolidate the administration of the commerce manufacturing programs by creating an agency responsible for that administration; and (3) that suggests a structure for legislation that would implement the options described in paragraph (2). (c) Contents The study conducted under subsection (b) shall include— (1) a comprehensive collection of the statutory authorities for the commerce manufacturing programs; (2) an assessment of available Federal proposals to consolidate the commerce manufacturing programs; and (3) a consideration of the administrative and organizational relationships— (A) between the heads of the commerce manufacturing programs; (B) within the Department of Commerce; and (C) between the Department of Commerce and States. (d) Report to Congress Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Academy enters into a contract to conduct a study under subsection (b), the Academy shall submit a summary of the findings and recommendations of the study to— (1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. December 12, 2022Reported with an amendment