S.Amdt. 3098Senate114th Congress (2015-2017)2nd degree
S.Amdt. 3098
Sponsored by
Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-DE)
Submitted January 28, 2016
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Senate amendment submitted
January 28, 2016
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Senate amendment submitted
January 28, 2016
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Senate amendment submitted
January 28, 2016
Text
Submitted
SA 3098. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2953 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2012, to provide for the modernization of the energy policy of the United States, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 359, strike line 7 and insert the following: SEC. 4204. AGREEMENTS FOR COMMERCIALIZING TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Definition of National Laboratory.--In this section: (1) In general.--The term ``National Laboratory'' means a nonmilitary national laboratory owned by the Department. (2) Inclusions.--The term ``National Laboratory'' includes-- (A) Ames Laboratory; (B) Argonne National Laboratory; (C) Brookhaven National Laboratory; (D) Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; (E) Idaho National Laboratory; (F) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; (G) National Energy Technology Laboratory; (H) National Renewable Energy Laboratory; (I) Oak Ridge National Laboratory; (J) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; (K) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; (L) Savannah River National Laboratory; (M) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center; (N) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility; and (O) any laboratory operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with respect to the civilian energy activities conducted at the laboratory. (b) Agreements for Commercializing Technology Pilot Program.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program of the Department, as announced by the Secretary on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this subsection. (2) Terms.--Each agreement entered into pursuant to the pilot program referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide to the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory, to the maximum extent determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, increased authority to negotiate contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, indemnification, payment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty collaborations. (3) Eligibility.-- (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), any National Laboratory may enter into an agreement pursuant to the pilot program referred to in paragraph (1). (B) Agreements with non-federal entities.--To carry out subparagraph (A) and subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to execute agreements with non-Federal entities, including non-Federal entities already receiving Federal funding that will be used to support activities under agreements executed pursuant to subparagraph (A). (C) Restriction.--The requirements of chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Bayh-Dole Act'') shall apply if-- (i) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that term is defined in section 201 of that title); and (ii) at least 1 of the parties to the funding agreement is eligible to receive rights under that chapter. (4) Submission to secretary.--Each affected director of a National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with respect to each agreement entered into under this subsection-- (A) a summary of information relating to the relevant project; (B) the total estimated costs of the project; (C) estimated commencement and completion dates of the project; and (D) other documentation determined to be appropriate by the Secretary. (5) Certification.--The Secretary shall require the contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this subsection-- (A) is not in direct competition with the private sector; and (B) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agreement under this subsection. (6) Extension.--The pilot program referred to in paragraph (1) shall be extended for a term of 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (7) Reports.-- (A) Initial report.--Not later than 60 days after the date described in paragraph (6), the Secretary, in coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that-- (i) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot program referred to in paragraph (1); (ii) identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the pilot program; (iii) assesses the potential for program activities to interfere with the responsibilities of the National Laboratories to the Department; and (iv) provides a recommendation regarding the future of the pilot program. (B) Annual reports.--Annually, the Secretary, in coordination with the directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that accounts for all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract or award to carry out agreements entered into under this subsection. (c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section abrogates or otherwise affects the primary responsibilities of any National Laboratory to the Department. [[Page S370]] SEC. 4205. MICROLAB TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION. ______