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Read. Follow. Verify.1978 Senate Hearings on National Bureau of Standards Funding and Data Standards
Record date · July 14, 2026
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What This Bill Does
This document contains the transcripts from 1978 Senate hearings regarding the of the and a general review of the (now known as NIST). The hearings were held to evaluate the agency's operations and legislative requirements for continued data standardization efforts.
The hearings established the legislative framework and funding for the , which sets the technical measurement standards used across American industry and commerce.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
National Bureau of Standards
The agency's funding and legislative authorization were subject to review and potential modification by Congress.
Scientific and Industrial Research Community
These groups rely on the standardized reference data produced by the Bureau for research and commercial applications.
Key Facts
- The hearings were conducted by the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space during the 95th Congress.
- The primary legislative focus was the authorization of the Standard Reference Data Act.
- The hearings included a comprehensive review of the National Bureau of Standards' operational performance.
- The proceedings took place over two sessions on February 15, 1978, and April 6, 1978.
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- The hearings were held to inform the legislative process for S. 2615.
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Discoveries
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Legislative Oversight of Scientific Standards
The document highlights the formalization of federal oversight regarding the production of standardized scientific data in the late 1970s.
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Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
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