To provide that small businesses are eligible to participate in the Next Generation Lighting Initiative.

SA 903. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 6, to ensure jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Beginning on page, 469, strike line 10 and all that follows through page 470, line 20, and insert the following:

(d) Industry Alliance.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall competitively select an Industry Alliance to represent participants who are private, for-profit firms representing large and small businesses that, as a group, are broadly representative of United States solid state lighting research, development, infrastructure, and manufacturing expertise as a whole.

(e) Research.--

(1) Grants.--The Secretary shall carry out the research activities of the Initiative through competitively awarded grants to--

(A) researchers, including Industry Alliance participants;

(B) small businesses;

(C) National Laboratories; and

(D) institutions of higher education.

(2) Industry alliance.--The Secretary shall annually solicit from the Industry Alliance--

(A) comments to identify solid-state lighting technology needs;

(B) an assessment of the progress of the research activities of the Initiative; and

(C) assistance in annually updating solid-state lighting technology roadmaps.

(3) Availability to public.--The information and roadmaps under paragraph (2) shall be available to the public.

(f) Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a development, demonstration, and commercial application program for the Initiative through competitively selected awards.

(2) Preference.--In making the awards, the Secretary may give preference to participants in the Industry Alliance, including making at least 1 award to a small business entity.