Scientific Integrity Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 14, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to institutionalize and standardize protections for scientific independence and transparency across federal agencies, ensuring that public policy is informed by unbiased scientific research.
What it actually does
This bill, titled the "Scientific Integrity Act," amends the America COMPETES Act to mandate that all federal agencies funding, conducting, or overseeing scientific research establish and enforce comprehensive scientific integrity policies. These policies must prohibit scientific misconduct and political interference, protect federal scientists' ability to communicate their findings, and establish administrative processes for dispute resolution and training. The bill also requires the appointment of a Scientific Integrity Officer within each agency and mandates annual public reporting on scientific integrity complaints and incidents.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill is essential for safeguarding the integrity of federal science, fostering public trust in government-funded research, and ensuring that public policy decisions are based on sound scientific evidence rather than political considerations. They contend it protects federal scientists from undue influence and retaliation, allowing for the free and timely communication of critical scientific findings.
Opponents contend
While direct opposition to the concept of scientific integrity is rare, potential critics might raise concerns that the bill could impose significant administrative burdens and costs on federal agencies, potentially diverting resources from core research activities. Some might also argue that existing agency policies are sufficient or that the detailed mandates could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies or unintended restrictions on rapid communication.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, allowing an informed reader to grasp its core provisions within a short timeframe.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsection (a)
Establishment and Approval of Scientific Integrity Policies
This provision mandates that the head of each federal agency that funds, conducts, or oversees scientific research (a "covered agency") must adopt and enforce a scientific integrity policy within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This policy must be submitted to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for approval and subsequently made publicly available on the agency's website and submitted to relevant Congressional committees.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this provision ensures a consistent, high standard for scientific integrity across federal agencies, promoting public trust and accountability in government science.
Critics contend
Opponents might contend that this mandate could impose significant administrative burdens on agencies, particularly those with limited resources, potentially delaying other critical work.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for robust, standardized oversight with agency autonomy and the potential for increased administrative overhead.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsection (b)(1) & (2)
Prohibitions on Misconduct and Protections for Scientific Communication
This section outlines specific behaviors prohibited and permitted under the scientific integrity policies. It forbids federal employees or contractors involved in scientific activities from engaging in misconduct, suppressing or altering findings, intimidating scientists, or creating institutional barriers to scientific cooperation. Conversely, it explicitly grants covered individuals the right to disseminate scientific findings, participate in conferences, publish in journals, sit on advisory boards, and engage with the broader scientific community, subject to existing law.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsection (b)(4)
Core Principles for Scientific Integrity Policies
This part of the bill mandates that agency scientific integrity policies must include several core principles. These include ensuring scientific conclusions are not based on political considerations, that personnel actions for science and technology positions are based on expertise (not politics or ideology), that high ethical standards are maintained, that scientific information in policy decisions is peer-reviewed, and that whistleblower protections are in place. Furthermore, it requires that enforcement of these policies includes administrative hearing and appeal processes.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsection (d)
Appointment of a Scientific Integrity Officer
Each covered agency is required to appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This officer must be a career employee with technical knowledge and expertise in scientific research. Their role is to direct activities related to administrative processes, training, and reporting, and to collaborate with the agency's inspector general as appropriate.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsections (e) & (f)
Administrative Process, Training, and Annual Reporting
Within 180 days, each covered agency must establish an administrative process and appeal process for dispute resolution related to scientific integrity, along with a training program for employees and contractors. This training will cover scientific integrity, ethics, and individuals' rights and responsibilities. Annually, each Scientific Integrity Officer must post a public report detailing misconduct complaints, their anonymized summaries, and policy changes. An incident report must also be submitted to OSTP and Congress if an officer's decision is overruled by an individual acting outside established channels.
Section 3, amending 42 U.S.C. 6620, new subsections (g), (h), & (i)
Centralized Oversight and Independent Review
The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is tasked with collecting, organizing, and publicly sharing all agency reports on scientific integrity, and convening Scientific Integrity Officers annually to discuss best practices. Agencies must periodically review and update their policies, with substantial changes and quinquennial reviews requiring OSTP approval. Additionally, the Comptroller General of the United States is mandated to conduct an independent review of the implementation of these scientific integrity policies by each covered agency within two years of the act's enactment.