PSI Sci
New here? Follow the money and the votes · Not sure of your district? Find your U.S. House member · Find your state legislators

H.R. 3064: Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013

Before you vote › Federal bills

H.R. 3064: Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013

113th Congress · introduced 2013-09-09 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2013-09-09 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013

Plain summary

Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013 - Establishes a national forensic science research program to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to develop a report identifying the most critical forensic science disciplines that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines and making recommendations. Establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate among federal agencies: (1) the development of a unified federal research strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines; (2) the development of a five-year roadmap, updated triennially, for the unified strategy; and (3) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the roadmap. Directs NSF to award forensic science basic research grants to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the United States, consistent with NSF's mission and the recommendations in the unified strategy. Requires NSF to: (1) award grants to support one or more forensic science research centers to conduct research consistent with the unified strategy and with NSF's mission, and (2) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its full portfolio of forensic science research and education grants every four years. Authorizes a federal department, agency, or office to assist in satisfying the research needs and priorities identified in the unified federal research strategy by using specified prizes and challenges under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 or any other federal law. Requires the NIST to: (1) conduct research supporting the development and dissemination of methods, standards, and technical guidance for forensic science measurements, and (2) identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities. Directs NIST to establish a Forensic Science Advisory Committee to provide advice to federal agencies, NIST, and the Department of Justice. Directs the Attorney General to promote the adoption of the standards developed under this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2013

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Marc A. Veasey (D-TX)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong113-hr3064 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113