HR 4091 Amended and Adopted in Committee – ARPA-E Reauthorization

Yesterday the House Science, Space and Technology Committee marked up HR 4091, the ARPA–E Reauthorization Act of 2019. Two amendments were offered, one was adopted, and the bill was adopted by a voice vote.

Amendments

Rep Foster (D,IL) proposed an amendment creating the position of Chief Evaluation Officer. The amendment was withdrawn.

Rep. Johnson (D,TX) proposed a manager’s amendment that made three relatively minor changes to the bill:

• Added a provision to the annual report requirement;

• Amended the ‘Coordination and Non-Duplication; requirements of 42 USC 16538(i)(1); and

• Decreased the authorized ARPA-E spending for 20210 thru 2024.

Moving Forward

Once the Committee Report for the bill is published, this bill will almost certainly move to the floor of the House under the suspension of the rules process. There would be limited floor debate, no amendments from the floor and a super-majority would be required for passage. The bill will receive sufficient bipartisan support to pass in the House.