Technology Assessment in Congress: History and Legislative Options

Abstract

Congress created the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) in 1972, P.L. 92-484, and terminated its funding in 1995.The pros and cons of reviving OTA or recreating a similar body have been examined.Since 2002, at congressional direction, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted several pilot technology assessments.Legislation was proposed during the 108 th Congress to restore OTA's funding; to create an entity to conduct assessments for Congress; to conduct technology assessments in GAO; and to create a technology assessment capability in GAO or under its direction.In 2006, the House Science Committee held hearings on the issue of providing science and technology advice to Congress.Policy issues under discussion include the need for assessments, funding, the utility of GAO's technology assessment work, and options for design of an advisory body.This report will be updated as needed.Office of Technology Assessment.Congress established OTA in 1972 with passage of P.L. 92-484.It was mandated to assess the consequences of applying technology by preparing comprehensive reports that discussed the pros and cons of policy options about an issue.The law effectively augmented existing congressional resources by creating a support agency dedicated to providing Congress with objective and authoritative analysis of complex scientific and technical issues to aid in policymaking.It was intended to facilitate congressional access to expertise and permit legislators to consider objectively information presented by the executive branch, interest groups, and other stakeholders to controversial policy questions.From 1973 until 1995, OTA conducted technology assessments, requested by committee chairmen for themselves, ranking minority members, or a majority of the committee, by the Technology Assessment Board (a body which was composed of equal numbers of House and Senate members and of members from both parties), or by the OTA Director in consultation with the Board.OTA had authority to hire staff and to contract for personnel and studies.Peak funding in the early 1990s totaled over $20 million annually, with about 140 hired staff plus additional contractors.OTA was effectively eliminated when Congress did not appropriate funds for FY1996 for its continued operation and appropriated funds to close CRS-2

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