[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 209 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

                  In the Senate of the United States,

                       October 5 (legislative day, September 22), 2000.
    Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 
209) entitled ``An Act to improve the ability of Federal agencies to 
license federally owned inventions.'', do pass with the following

                               AMENDMENT:

    Page 21, after line 2, insert:

SEC. 11. TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS OMBUDSMAN.

    (a) Appointment of Ombudsman.--The Secretary of Energy shall direct 
the director of each national laboratory of the Department of Energy, 
and may direct the director of each facility under the jurisdiction of 
the Department of Energy, to appoint a technology partnership ombudsman 
to hear and help resolve complaints from outside organizations 
regarding the policies and actions of each such laboratory or facility 
with respect to technology partnerships (including cooperative research 
and development agreements), patents, and technology licensing.
    (b) Qualifications.--An ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) 
shall be a senior official of the national laboratory or facility who 
is not involved in day-to-day technology partnerships, patents, or 
technology licensing, or, if appointed from outside the laboratory or 
facility, function as such a senior official.
    (c) Duties.--Each ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) serve as the focal point for assisting the public and 
        industry in resolving complaints and disputes with the national 
        laboratory or facility regarding technology partnerships, 
        patents, and technology licensing;
            (2) promote the use of collaborative alternative dispute 
        resolution techniques such as mediation to facilitate the 
        speedy and low-cost resolution of complaints and disputes, when 
        appropriate; and
            (3) report quarterly on the number and nature of complaints 
        and disputes raised, along with the ombudsman's assessment of 
        their resolution, consistent with the protection of 
        confidential and sensitive information, to--
                    (A) the Secretary;
                    (B) the Administrator for Nuclear Security;
                    (C) the Director of the Office of Dispute 
                Resolution of the Department of Energy; and
                    (D) the employees of the Department responsible for 
                the administration of the contract for the operation of 
                each national laboratory or facility that is a subject 
                of the report, for consideration in the administration 
                and review of that contract.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
106th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 209

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                               AMENDMENT