Coalition urges doubling of  NSF's budget by 2006

ASME's Council on Education recently joined the Coalition for National Science Funding in a letter to members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committee and to the administration, urging them to invest in the National Science Foundation (NSF) by providing, at a minimum, $5.1 billion for fiscal year 2002, and to work to double NSF's budget by 2006.

The NSF is the only federal agency whose mission consists of comprehensive support for the sciences and engineering. Through its support of research and education programs, the agency plays a vital role in training the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

The Coalition for National Science Funding is comprised of a group of 80 scientific, engineering and professional societies, universities and corporations.

The letter (position statement 01-01) is available for review online at www.asme.org/gric/ps01.html.

Senate passes pipeline safety improvement legislation

The Senate recently passed the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (S.235). The bill, introduced by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is the same as a measure (S.2438) he sponsored in the previous Congress. The Senate approved S.2438 in 2000, but the measure failed to pass the House.

McCain's bill would raise the level of maximum civil penalties for a violation from $25,000 to $500,000 and would increase the civil penalty for a series of safety violations from $500,000 to $1 million.

Five amendments were added to the bill, including an amendment requiring pipeline operators to test the adequacy of pipelines at least every five years, unless they lack sufficient testing capability or the testing would create an undue interruption of needed energy supplies.

Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., also recently introduced H.R.459, the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Act. A companion bill (S.299) was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Their legislation stipulates that pipeline safety programs be adopted and enacted by pipeline operators at least every five years and that the Department of Transportation (DOT) review the plans, which would include specific types of testing and minimum standards prescribed by DOT. The proposal also calls for state review and local input on pipeline integrity management programs.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., has H.R.144, requiring pipelines to be inspected every five years. The legislation also subjects pipeline operators to civil penalties for hazardous liquid spills.

The bills are available for review online at http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/ d107query.html.

Legislation introduced to improve SMET education

Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., a member of the House Science Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee, has introduced three bills (H.R.100, H.R.101 and H.R.102) to improve science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET) education at the K-12 level.

The bills are:

H.R.100: The National Science Education Act enhances and creates new programs within the National Science Foundation, including a master SMET teacher program to provide mentors for K-8 teachers and train them in hands-on, inquiry-oriented instruction.

H.R.101: The National Science Education Enhancement Act enhances and creates new programs within the Department of Education, including rigorous summer institutes for meaningful teacher professional development.

H.R.102: The National Science Education Incentives Act creates tax credits for potential math and science teachers who pursue strong SMET content in their preparation, and tax incentives for businesses that provide goods and training services to elementary and secondary school teachers.

ASME President John R. Parker recently sent a letter (position statement 01-02) to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging co-sponsorship of the legislation. The letter is available for review online at www.asme.org/gric/01-02.html.

ASME President urges action on pension reform, IRA legislation

ASME President John R. Parker recently sent letters to members of the House Ways and Means Committee, urging them to co-sponsor the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act, bipartisan legislation being proffered by Reps. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

Of particular interest to ASME members are provisions that:

• Increase pension benefit and contri bution limits for 401(k), 403(b), SEP, SIMPLE and IRA retirement saving vehicles;

• expand pension coverage by simplifying complex rules;

• reduce vesting requirements for employer matching contributions;

• facilitate pension portability by facilitating transfers more readily; and

• allow for catch-up contributions to 401(k)-like plans and IRAs for older workers.

The letter (position statement 01-03) is available to review online at www.asme.org/ gric/ps01.html.

— Kathryn Holmes
ASME Government Relations

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