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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10377 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10377
To encourage the Secretary of the Interior to enter into memoranda of
understanding with agencies in other countries with respect to
scientific and technical cooperation in the earth sciences.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 11, 2024
Mr. Wittman (for himself, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr.
Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Gimenez, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Torres of New York, and
Mr. Cline) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To encourage the Secretary of the Interior to enter into memoranda of
understanding with agencies in other countries with respect to
scientific and technical cooperation in the earth sciences.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Earth Sciences and Cooperation
Enhancement Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT TO SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN EARTH SCIENCES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of
understanding with the head of an agency of a foreign country with
respect to scientific and technical cooperation in the earth sciences.
(b) Prioritization.--The Secretary shall prioritize entering into
memoranda of understanding under subsection (a) with the heads of
agencies of partner foreign countries.
(c) Prioritization of Certain Activities.--A memorandum of
understanding entered into under subsection (a) shall prioritize
carrying out activities in a cooperative manner, including the
following:
(1) Acquisition, compilation, analysis, and interpretation
of geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and spectroscopic remote
sensing data.
(2) Prospectivity mapping and mineral resource assessment.
(3) Analysis of geoscience data, including developing
derivative map products that can help more effectively evaluate
the mineral resources of the other country.
(4) Scientific collaboration to enhance the understanding
and management of the natural resources of the other country
and thereby contribute to the sustainable development of the
mineral resources sector of the other country.
(5) Training and capacity building in each area described
in paragraphs (1) through (4).
(6) Facilitation of higher education with respect to and
specialized training in geoscience and mineral resource
management at institutions of higher education located within
the United States.
(7) Training in environmental and workplace standards, led
by the Secretary, for an agency of a foreign country that is a
party to such a memorandum of understanding.
(d) Encouragement of Direct Contacts and Cooperation.--A memorandum
of understanding entered into under subsection (a) may encourage and
facilitate the development of direct contacts and cooperation among and
between entities of the United States and each country that is a party
to the memorandum of understanding, including government agencies,
universities, research centers, and private companies.
(e) Participation of Third Parties.--To the extent permitted by the
laws and policies of the government of each country that is a party to
a memorandum of understanding entered into under subsection (a), the
memorandum of understanding shall encourage government entities or
agencies of the United States and each such country and other entities
that are not parties to the memorandum of understanding, including
scientists, technical experts, institutions of other foreign countries,
and international organizations, to participate in activities carried
out pursuant to the memorandum of understanding.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this Act $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, to
remain available until expended.
(b) Required Use of Amounts.--The Secretary shall use at least 70
percent of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection
(a) to support the implementation of memoranda of understanding entered
into under section 2(a), including paying salaries and expenses
necessary to carry out the activities described in section 2(c).
(c) Allowed Use of Amounts.--The Secretary may use amounts
authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) that are not used in
accordance with subsection (b)--
(1) to support the planning and coordinating of critical
mineral data collection;
(2) to adopt shared data management approaches with partner
foreign countries; and
(3) to coordinate data management approaches with partner
foreign countries.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Critical mineral.--The term ``critical mineral'' means
any mineral, element, substance, or material--
(A) included on the list of critical minerals
published by the United States Geological Survey
pursuant to section 7002(c) of the Energy Act of 2020
(30 U.S.C. 1606(c));
(B) included on the list of critical materials
published by the Department of Energy pursuant to
section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C.
1606(a)); and
(C) designated as a material of interest by the
Defense Logistics Agency.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(3) Partner foreign country.--The term ``partner foreign
country'' means a country that is a source of a critical
mineral and--
(A) with which the United States has entered into a
mutual defense treaty or other mutual defense
agreement;
(B) that is recognized by the Secretary of State
and the Secretary of Defense as a strategic partner due
to an established bilateral agreement that emphasizes
mutual interests in security, defense, and critical
mineral supply chains, including countries designated
under United States strategic frameworks and
agreements;
(C) with which the United States has entered into a
comprehensive economic and trade agreement that
includes provisions for the collaboration on critical
mineral resources and to safeguard supply chains
critical to national security and economic stability;
(D) with which the Secretary has entered into a
memorandum of understanding concerning scientific and
technical cooperation in earth sciences under section
2(a); or
(E) with which the Secretary of State is working
under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment to advance a critical mineral project.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United
States Geologic Survey.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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