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S. 338: Scientific Integrity Act

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S. 338: Scientific Integrity Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-02-07 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-02-07 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 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

Scientific Integrity Act

Plain summary

Scientific Integrity Act This bill requires, subject to the exemptions for disclosures of information under the Freedom of Information Act, each federal agency that funds or conducts scientific research to: (1) promote and maximize the communication and open exchange of data and findings to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed or contracted by such an agency; and (2) prevent the intentional or unintentional suppression or distortion of such data and findings. The bill amends the America COMPETES Act to revise provisions relating to the release of data and results of research conducted by scientists employed at all federal civilian agencies that fund or conduct scientific research. Each federal agency that funds or conducts scientific research shall: (1) develop and enforce a specified scientific integrity policy, including procedures, regarding the release of data and findings to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed or contracted by that agency; and (2) submit it to Congress and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Such a policy shall apply to employees and contractors who conduct, handle, communicate, or supervise federally funded scientific research for a federal agency or for a federally funded research and development center sponsored by that agency. A federal agency that funds or conducts scientific research shall: (1) disseminate its policy to new employees and contractors, and (2) develop and require training on its policy for employees and contractors regarding scientific research for that agency. The OSTP shall enter into an agrement with the National Academy of Public Administration to study the effectiveness of the scientific integrity policies developed pursuant to this bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), 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

Scientific Integrity Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL] · 30 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

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.

Words on this page, explained (3)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Sponsor and cosponsor
The sponsor is the member who introduces a bill and leads it. Cosponsors are other members who sign on to show support.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-s338 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115