As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 9, 2014
S. 2022 would establish the Forensic Science Research Initiative to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in the forensic sciences. Under the initiative, selected agencies would be directed to undertake activities designed to improve the validity and reliability of forensic science (FS) practices. (FS encompasses both basic and applied research and its application to recognize, evaluate, and analyze evidence for use in investigations and legal proceedings.)
CBO estimates that implementing S. 2022 would cost $101 million over the 2015-2019 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues.
S. 2022 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
