REPORT ON HIGH TECHNOLOGY LABOR MARKET NEEDS; REPORTS ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INCREASE IN H–1B NONIMMIGRANTS.

SEC. 418. REPORT ON HIGH TECHNOLOGY LABOR MARKET NEEDS; REPORTS ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INCREASE IN H–1B NONIMMIGRANTS. (a) National Science Foundation Study and Report.— (1) In general.—The Director of the National Science Foundation shall conduct a study to assess labor market needs for workers with high technology skills during the next 10 years. The study shall investigate and analyze the following: (A) Future training and education needs of companies in the high technology and information technology sectors and future training and education needs of United States students to ensure that students’ skills at various levels are matched to the needs in such sectors. (B) An analysis of progress made by educators, employers, and government entities to improve the teaching and educational level of American students in the fields of math, science, computer science, and engineering since 1998. (C) An analysis of the number of United States workers currently or projected to work overseas in professional, technical, and managerial capacities. (D) The relative achievement rates of United States and foreign students in secondary schools in a variety of subjects, including math, science, computer science, English, and history. (E) The relative performance, by subject area, of United States and foreign students in postsecondary and graduate schools as compared to secondary schools. (F) The needs of the high technology sector for foreign workers with specific skills and the potential benefits and costs to United States employers, workers, consumers, 112 STAT. 2681–657postsecondary educational institutions, and the United States economy, from the entry of skilled foreign professionals in the fields of science and engineering. (G) The needs of the high technology sector to adapt products and services for export to particular local markets in foreign countries. (H) An examination of the amount and trend of moving the production or performance of products and services now occurring in the United States abroad. (2) Report.—Not later than October 1, 2000, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the results of the study described in paragraph (1). (3) Involvement.—The study under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the participation of individuals representing a variety of points of view. (b) Reporting on Studies Showing Economic Impact of H–1B Nonimmigrant Increase.—The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and any other member of the Cabinet, shall promptly report to the Congress the results of any reliable study that suggests, based on legitimate economic analysis, that the increase effected by section 411(a) of this title in the number of aliens who may be issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act has had an impact on any national economic indicator, such as the level of inflation or unemployment, that warrants action by the Congress.