Examples of some of the issue areas included in the analysis are: 1) the legal and institutional issues resulting from rapid technological change; 2) the technological issues that result from the impact that intellectual property law might have on technology; 3) socio-political issues arising from the public/private aspects of information; 4) the economic issues arising from the enhanced value of information and information services; 5) the international issues resulting from the increased flow and value of information across national boundaries; and 6) the ethical issues arising from the conflict between public laws and private practices. Legislation: H.R. 384, a bill to amend Title 17 of the United States Code to exempt the private noncommercial recording of copyrighted works on video recorders from copyright infringement. H.R. 745, the National Technology Foundation Act of 1985 S. 64, the Uniform Patent Procedures Act of 1985 S. 339, the International Computer Software Protection Act of 1985 S. 658, a bill to establish a commission to study and make S. 65 and H.R. 695, the Federal Laboratory Technology Utilization H.R. 1900, the Design Protection Act of 1985 S. 923 and H.R. 1928, the Department of International Trade and S. 1230, a bill to amend the patent laws implementing the Patent H.R. 1572, the Federal Science and Technology Transfer Act of 1985 H.R. 2752, the Copyright Royalty Tribunal Sunset Act of 1985 S. 1358, a bill to amend Title 35 of the United States Code to Requested by: Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights, House Committee on the Judiciary, and its Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Projected Delivery Date to TAB: December 1985 NEW COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRIVACY AND SECURITY The federal government, the largest single user of information technology equipment, is facing major changes in the nature and uses of communications technology. New generations of products such as local and - each integrated with computers, and satellite and fiber optic transmission bring much greater capability to managers and users for accessing, manipulating, and transmitting information. In addition, the government, like the private sector, is rapidly expanding the number of ways in which it uses information technology to accomplish its business. At the same time, the industries and institutions that develop and sell these products are changing, forcing major adjustments in government management strategy. These new capabilities and uses challenge the integrity of the government's information system. This study is evaluating two sets of these challenges that are essentially opposite sides of the same coin; the implications of increasingly advanced telecommunications systems for the privacy of workers; and the security and vulnerability of these systems to unauthorized use or disruption. The study examines new and prospective capabilities of communications technology, assess their impact on privacy and security, and analyze how the combination of technical, administrative, and legal safeguards can cope with privacy and security implications. Legislation: Counterfeit Access Device and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-473) Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-351, as Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-511, as The Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1985 (H.R. 3378; S. Federal Telecommunications Act of 1985 (H.R. 502) Requested by: House Committee on Government Operations House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Civil and Projected Delivery Date to TAB: September 1986 WASTES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT: THEIR MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL Due to lower disposal costs relative to other alternatives, and increasing public opposition to land-based disposal alternatives, it is likely that pressure to use the ocean for waste disposal will continue or increase. As coastal areas of the United States have become more developed, the amounts of sewage sludge generated from municipal treatment plants and of dredged material from ports and harbors have increased. Disposal of both waste types, especially sewage sludge, at ocean dumpsites has been controversial but also has increased markedly in the last few decades. There also have been proposals to use the oceans for the disposal of different types of nuclear waste and for at-sea incineration of hazardous synthetic organics such as PCB's. The assessment is examining the different technologies used or proposed 132 sewage sludge, dredged material, low- and high-level radioactive waste, and some industrial wastes that are compatible with ocean disposal. The study is addressing policy issues related to the role of the oceans within an overall waste management context, alternative strategies for managing these wastes in coastal areas, the pretreatment of wastes prior to disposal, and research and development priorities. The environmental, economic, international, and institutional implications of different policy options will be evaluated. Requested by: House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and its Subcommittee on Merchant Marine, and its Subcommittee on Oceanography House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, and its Subcommittee on Water Resources Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Projected Delivery Date to TAB: October 1986 TECHNOLOGIES TO CONTROL ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFIC - Control of illegal drugs entering the United States from foreign countries is an important part of federal drug law enforcement efforts. The detection and seizure of drugs at U.S. borders depends on a number of advanced technologies, including radar and other sensing devices and specialized ships and aircraft. The Customs Service and the Coast Guard, the two agencies with primary responsibility for monitoring U.S. borders, are devoting an increasing share of their resources to intercepting illegal drugs. A number of other federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Border Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense assist interdiction programs. Technical and organizational improvements could increase the effectiveness of drug interdiction efforts. There are proposals to purchase additional equipment for Customs Service and Coast Guard programs; to develop and introduce new, more sophisticated technical systems; and to increase military assistance through the loan of military hardware and greater participation of armed forces personnel in drug control activities. This assessment is evaluating current and proposed technologies for drug interdiction, their cost-effectiveness, and their most appropriate use in controlling illegal drug traffic. Legislation: о Posse Comitatus Act (18 USC 1385) National Narcotics Act (Title XIII OF P.L. 98-473) State and Local Narcotics Control Assistant Act of 1984 International Narcotics Control Act of 1985 (S. 766) Related Legislative Activity: O National Defense Authorization Act FY 1986 (S. 1160) Readiness Enhancement of Air Force Reserve Special Operations 133 Authorization and Appropriation Bill for three principal agencies: the Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard the U.S. Customs Service Ensuring public safety during transportation of hazardous materials and wastes has been of increasing concern for some time. Undocumented estimates of the quantity of hazardous commodities shipped annually range to 4 billion tons. Given the estimates of the large quantities shipped, the safety record is good. However, great damage does occasionally occur. A primary government interest is ensuring public and environmental safety while facilitating movement of these commodities vital to the nation's economy. This assessment is directed toward three fundamental issues: 1) the adequacy of containers used in the transportation of hazardous materials; 2) the adequacy of the information systems used to track commodity transport and keep safety records for planning purposes and regulation; and 3) the appropriate levels of training for personnel responsible for the transportation of hazardous materials emergency response. Interim Deliverables: State and Local Activities in Transportation of Hazardous Legislation: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Interior and Insular Transportation Satety Act of 1985 (H.R. 1695). To establish Related Legislative Activity Superfund Improvement Act (S.51, H.R. 2780, H.R. 2817) 134 о Prevent releases of toxic substances and community right to know Amend Price-Anderson Act to remove liability limits for nuclear Requested by: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation House Committee on Government Operations, Subcommittee on Government House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation, and Tourism House Committee on Public Works and Transportation Projected Delivery Date to TAB: March 1986 Special Activities of Note PRIME FARMLANDS IN SURFACE MINE RECLAMATION (Staff Paper) - THE EFFECTS OF SECTION 3 OF THE COAL LEASING AMENDMENTS OF 1976 (Staff Paper) (Requested by: House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, and its Subcommittee on Mining, Forest Management, and Bonneville Power Administration.) House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs: consideration of Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Projected Delivery Date: December 1985 NURSE PRACTITIONERS: COST AND PAYMENT STATUS (Case Study) Projected Delivery Date: January 1986 hearings on MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN (Background Paper) |