116 HR 4606 RH: Energizing Technology Transfer Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2022-08-19
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the Energizing Technology Transfer Act
.(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.Title I—NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMSSec. 101. National clean energy incubator program.Sec. 102. Clean energy technology university prize competition.Sec. 103. Clean energy technology transfer coordination.Title II—SUPPORTING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AT THE NATIONAL LABORATORIESSec. 201. Lab partnering service pilot program.Sec. 202. Lab-embedded entrepreneurship program.Sec. 203. Small business voucher program.Sec. 204. Entrepreneurial leave program.Sec. 205. National laboratory employee outside employment authority.Sec. 206. Signature authority.Title III—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MODERNIZATIONSec. 301. Office of technology transitions.Sec. 302. Management of demonstration projects.Sec. 303. Streamlining prize competitions.Sec. 304. Cost-share waiver extension.Sec. 305. Special hiring authority for scientific, engineering, and project management personnel.Sec. 306. Technology transfer reports and evaluation.2.In this Act:(1)The term clean energy technology
means a technology that significantly reduces energy use, increases energy efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduces emissions of other pollutants, or mitigates other negative environmental consequences of energy production, transmission or use.(2)The term Department
means the Department of Energy.(3)The term Director
means the Director of each National Laboratory and the Director of each Department of Energy single-purpose research facility.(4)Economically distressed areaThe term economically distressed area
has the meaning described in section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161(a)).(5)The term grant
means a grant award, cooperative agreement award, or any other financial assistance arrangement that the Secretary of Energy determines to be appropriate.(6)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education
has the meaning given such term in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1001).(7)The term National Laboratory
has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).(8)The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Energy.<enum>I</enum><header>NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMS</header><section id="H7BF9E6BDE6E24BFDB1478EB49A70E651"><enum>101.</enum><header>National clean energy incubator program</header><subsection id="H47DD84B98DB24A4188538C2380CC65DD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Clean energy incubator defined</header><text>In this section, the term <quote>clean energy incubator</quote>—</text><paragraph id="H7A8F1E3E3B734C639A4AD30EC19537D2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>means any entity that is designed to accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies by providing—</text><subparagraph id="H3E30B5427449463D8AD0058AD8A432D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>physical workspace, labs, and prototyping facilities to support clean energy startups or established clean energy companies; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0CD4BB98F4AA413DA150CB5FE98CB255"><enum>(B)</enum><text>companies developing such technologies with support, resources, and services, including—</text><clause id="H22B94CB590F34753B4728C7B0F423D9F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>access to business education and counseling;</text></clause><clause id="H8BB1374819194C14AA7821C1C54B4048"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>mentorship opportunities; and</text></clause><clause id="H2B45AF420B124547AFEE73844C3B9EA2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>other services rendered for the purpose of aiding the development and commercial application of a clean energy technology; and</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5FBDB538DEB44CA7A10346ECEFAA856E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may include a program within or established by a National Laboratory, an institution of higher education or a State, local, or tribal government.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE68909D9AF9E4AFC86DCB5C9519C03B0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Program establishment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief Commercialization Officer established in section 1001(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16391">42 U.S.C. 16391(a)</external-xref>), shall establish a Clean Energy Incubator Program (herein referred to as the <quote>program</quote>) to competitively award grants to clean energy incubators.</text></subsection><subsection id="H565FCB934E40495585ACC40DD92B41BB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clean energy incubator selection</header><text>In awarding grants to clean energy incubators under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize funding clean energy incubators that—</text><paragraph id="H30803257688540EB9243C6378D8CFA6A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>partner with entities that carry out activities relevant to the activities of such incubator and that operate at the local, State, and regional levels;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDC8B2813A3AE4DE4B00ED10D35E98429"><enum>(2)</enum><text>support the commercial application activities of startup companies focused on physical hardware, computational, or integrated hardware and software technologies;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5F5CDF87FEDF4094A6E5BA43B8F3FD59"><enum>(3)</enum><text>are located in geographically diverse regions of the United States;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEA24D5789E00422EB0B4492B2AAFF6D2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>are located in, or partner with entities located in, economically-distressed areas;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1B9DC3AAE2F9409F89A0E8BEA3F2E8E4"><enum>(5)</enum><text>support the development of entities focused on expanding clean energy tools and technologies to rural, Tribal, and low-income communities; </text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6940FCAD5E86433A9954E980CCDEF0FC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>support the commercial application of technologies being developed by clean energy entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBB7D7D9CC5DA487F9581EE158041FD57"><enum>(7)</enum><text>have a plan for sustaining activities of the incubator after grant funds received under this program have been expended.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H06C60264AD824DE7B845B52FB36E7C2E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Award limits</header><text>The Secretary shall not award more than $4,000,000 to one or more incubators in one given State, per fiscal year.</text></subsection><subsection id="H4BF994A354B24683B681764807089EA6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Each grant under subsection (b) shall be for a period of no longer than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations.</text></subsection><subsection id="H0F0B07F0D09D4BCA81F7782A5D8DCD17"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><text>An entity receiving a grant under this section may use grant amounts for operating expenses.</text></subsection><subsection id="HCE913A55F55B48EB8D245B54A615A2C9"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Renewal</header><text>An award made to a clean energy incubator under this section may be renewed for a period of not more than 3 years, subject to merit review.</text></subsection><subsection id="H655A138B31B94220A119DC1A3263482D"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation of the program established under this section that includes analyses of the performance of the clean energy incubators.</text></subsection><subsection id="H652A2706C27B48EE9BBF819291467DCA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</text></subsection></section><section id="HF525A539DDAE44E89C91BFA8672E6925"><enum>102.</enum><header>Clean energy technology university prize competition</header><subsection id="H6AE7A245623043F19C705D5BA79BF43D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H115CEDFB1BC048EAAF6A7C2C6C9772B6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <quote>eligible entity</quote> means a nonprofit entity, an institution of higher education, or an entity working with one or more institutes of higher education.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF1F80C32D3C849CDB997028859324980"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Minority-serving institution</header><text>The term <quote>minority-serving institution</quote> means an institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1067q">20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7BDC7F77C0204B3CAC36334982ACF837"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a program, known as the <quote>Clean Energy Technology University Prize</quote>, to award funding for eligible entities to carry out regional and one national clean energy technology prize competitions, under section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/3719">15 U.S.C. 3719</external-xref>). In carrying out such prize competitions, students shall compete to develop a business model for furthering the commercial application of an innovative clean energy technology.</text></subsection><subsection id="HDC413A1399414BEDAF091AB5EFCC256E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Training funding</header><text>In carrying out this program, the Secretary may provide funding to train participating students in skills needed for the successful commercial application of clean energy technologies, including through virtual training sessions.</text></subsection><subsection id="H5C055D5B17AB4705AAF323D84093A039"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Prioritization</header><text>In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to eligible entities that work with students at minority-serving institutions.</text></subsection><subsection id="H05FD033E2BAB48618B87C92DFADF9084"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>In carrying out this program, the Secretary shall coordinate and partner with other clean energy technology prize competitions. In doing so, the Secretary may develop and disseminate best practices for administering prize competitions under this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="HBA9722C4E3454BDFBDD2A1B172C137CF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall report annually on the progress and implementation of the program established under section (b).</text></subsection><subsection id="H6563A9A9922E41ECB208F17237C2B415"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation on the long-term outcomes of the program established under this section and the progress towards achieving the purposes of the program in subsection (b).</text></subsection><subsection id="H3248CB1844CB4245AD77D280F1A81177"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</text></subsection></section><section id="H82699CCC367247A882E43306477554BA"><enum>103.</enum><header>Clean energy technology transfer coordination</header><subsection id="HEFE649BF17EF4F21AD6D2AB6043E39C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Chief Commercialization Officer established in section 1001 (a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391 (a)), shall support the coordination of relevant technology transfer programs that advance the commercial application of clean energy technologies nationally and across all energy sectors. In particular, the Secretary may support activities to—</text><paragraph id="HF56BD9E03B3E4B9BAC33B3E0704851F6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>facilitate the sharing of information on best practices for successful operation of clean energy technology transfer programs;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB2E29B8BC8F746F89570C738F1DA9470"><enum>(2)</enum><text>coordinate resources and improve cooperation among clean energy technology transfer programs;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H50A1BDF7FF264043BC8DCBB960069835"><enum>(3)</enum><text>facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and start-up companies and the variety of programs related to clean energy technology transfer under the Department; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1E662784F1D54E14AB20413371714440"><enum>(4)</enum><text>facilitate the development of metrics to measure the impact of clean energy technology transfer programs on—</text><subparagraph id="H41EEC8156AB14395B29EC17B00DE3425"><enum>(A)</enum><text>advancing the development, demonstration, and commercial application of clean energy technologies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD446F00F434F4F19B359B3CBA8EF21B3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>increasing the competitiveness of United States in the clean energy sector, including in manufacturing; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H907C9FFED529456DB933518119C622BC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>commercial application of clean energy technologies being developed by entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD629E9DF8CEB4089B2103EEE5C81E7B3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities in this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</text></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>SUPPORTING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AT THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES</header><section id="H60AAE7AE5C724DA8840ABF725E9E4410"><enum>201.</enum><header>Lab partnering service pilot program</header><subsection id="H9E9CD30D028D406683054ED35C4EBBFC"><enum/><text> Section 9002 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="H204E8AB3757B4FF785315A892AC350D8" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><subsection id="HA1F2273525A34F69A34D1AB90F1A9770"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024 to carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c), and $1,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024 for National Laboratory employees to provide services under subsection (d).</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="H9AE90AD2F09545099A9244D69BD1B47B"><enum>202.</enum><header>Lab-embedded entrepreneurship program</header><subsection id="HF01AAE7B7B45459C82ED80D00250FF29"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall competitively award grants to National Laboratories for the purpose of establishing or supporting Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Programs.</text></subsection><subsection id="H27B51E25D44448A5A2BA53F30A713B00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>The purposes of such programs are to provide entrepreneurial fellows with access to National Laboratory research facilities, National Laboratory expertise, and mentorship to perform research and development and gain expertise that may be required or beneficial for the commercial application of research ideas.</text></subsection><subsection id="H635562284B424AE1A31335FECB4A9919"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Entrepreneurial fellows</header><text>An entrepreneurial fellow participating in a program described in subsection (a) shall be provided with—</text><paragraph id="H9AE0409D832B48B49D30AB2A696136A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>opportunities for entrepreneurial training, professional development, and exposure to leaders from academia, industry, government, and finance who may serve as advisors to or partners of the fellow;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF9DB7DC86F514889AE46824C6C86CD65"><enum>(2)</enum><text>financial and technical support for research, development, and commercial application activities;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAEC415A62DC843998261C99E62DB8A49"><enum>(3)</enum><text>fellowship awards to cover costs of living, health insurance, and travel stipends for the duration of the fellowship; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H715153FDDDC54BEC8CAB2DF8B3D7FA49"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other resources determined appropriate by the Secretary.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCBF3DAB3D92342A293B09AECAD5238D3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Program activities</header><text>Each National Laboratory that receives funding under this section shall support entrepreneurial fellows by providing—</text><paragraph id="HF686F85E8C6D4BDFB213D815C4DDF0D6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>access to facilities and expertise within the National Laboratory;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H37F480C45C664F1ABB1060AEE7607550"><enum>(2)</enum><text>engagement with external stakeholders; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEFCC00F4F2284D67A0377A9A921B1B04"><enum>(3)</enum><text>market and customer development opportunities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB5E334866092412CBF652E584770F15A"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Administration</header><text>National Laboratories that receive grants under this section shall prioritize the support and success of the entrepreneurial fellow with regards to professional development and development of a relevant technology.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA7E407C5320E47D7BA2F654895C2712B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>In carrying out a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, a National Laboratory may partner with an external entity, including—</text><paragraph id="H0581EAE20A034618B94AD3D011C2E5C1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a nonprofit organization;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H84BB080A65604FBEBE630704AA3AE57A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an institution of higher education;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDE65A944F53A49B6883896E500045C87"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a federally-owned corporation; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5542EF8CD31A4A3F95D502A803688AAB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a consortium of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (3).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H40F8B92B1F034452B3725443368CE7C7"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Metrics</header><text>The Secretary shall support the development of short-term and long-term metrics to assess the effectiveness of programs receiving a grant under subsection (a) in achieving the purposes of the program in subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection id="H5DCC3822E4D5418EBA3EA8A9524D84C3"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs under subsection (a) based on the metrics developed pursuant to subsection (g).</text></subsection><subsection id="HFC58CB0271A245A4A1BB7C37541614C9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The Secretary shall oversee the planning and coordination of grants under subsection (a) and shall identify and disseminate best practices for achieving the purposes of subsection (a) to National Laboratories that receive grants under this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA808755D255A483BB2EF46D8047E6BA2"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Interagency collaboration</header><text>The Secretary shall collaborate with other executive branch agencies, including the Department of Defense and other agencies with Federal laboratories, regarding opportunities to partner with National Laboratories receiving a grant under subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection id="HCDC2555909634987813ECB22CDBA17B6"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</text></subsection></section><section id="H326439FC656A407AB7DEACDD9E2580A1"><enum>203.</enum><header>Small business voucher program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1003 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16393">42 U.S.C. 16393</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H43D6912704C14F6A9FD4B29B6131B149"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><subparagraph id="H9A8AB9A483884047A2D7F2BB505DB18B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>, and may require the Director of a single-purpose research facility,</quote> and inserting <quote>(as defined in section 2) and the Director of each single-purpose research facility</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5AED2529B3A94A55BA410C8FFAA434B0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text><clause id="H89FE459B857748C3A1BA1AA4A98DC165"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>increase</quote> and inserting <quote>encourage</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H68D3415C502E4579B2C3ED31CBBAA440"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>collaborative research,</quote> and inserting <quote>research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, including product development,</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H28265AA6AA5C4A55889349469E6940BB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>procurement and collaborative research</quote> and inserting <quote>the activities described in paragraph (1)</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDD99D4B56A8D4378AA5014EBF3791689"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text><clause id="H40259036BEA942A99E73796F9C5729CC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>facilities,</quote> before <quote>training</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H8F55955E42E24958BD38CEC570CCB792"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>procurement and collaborative research activities</quote> and inserting <quote>the activities described in paragraph (1)</quote>; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H546B3C0933FD49679935957F11E66D26"><enum>(E)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), by striking <quote>for the program under subsection (b)</quote> and inserting <quote>and metrics for the programs under subsections (b) and (c)</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H04D51695A0C14641A4C1924B1999FDE1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H44B7FCB054774A9485DDC87A2E5F072A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (b) the following:</text><quoted-block id="H8870F5FAA3434E269EE30D932175FF0D" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><subsection id="H4CBCA9D246854EA8B24102EE97A4D226"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Small business voucher program</header><paragraph id="HF64C13DFFB504E8BBBC80B5306710DAF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this subsection:</text><subparagraph id="H80751C2E9EBA4088929A36955920E5D5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The term <quote>Director</quote> means—</text><clause id="HEC22AC2B4B3741ABB04B5F58D4D395B5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Director of each National Laboratory; and</text></clause><clause id="H1719AB9D19234745BD83CB460084BDE5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Director of each single-purpose research facility.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H95785BB5243A4A699E2E333274C9D3F4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>National laboratory</header><text>The term <quote>National Laboratory</quote> has the meaning given the term in section 2.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0B43D85950D649CDAB0344F7FDBA9D34"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Program</header><text>The term <quote>program</quote> means the program established under paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H48C51C85626642E3BC24DF590233412F"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Small business concern</header><text>The term <quote>small business concern</quote> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/632">15 U.S.C. 632</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA490B0C1D468460E8C35CFE203D64DE6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Chief Commercialization Officer appointed under section 1001(a), and in consultation with the Directors, shall establish a program to provide small business concerns with vouchers under paragraph (3)—</text><subparagraph id="H056377C0DFC24479AE2B539B77313A9C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to achieve the goal described in subsection (a)(1); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF53C42C06D1435FB45CCF496F9F363E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to improve the products, services, and capabilities of small business concerns in the mission space of the Department.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H02CFDC2A47C248BAA6F923C922463220"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Vouchers</header><text>Under the program, the Directors are authorized to provide to small business concerns vouchers to be used at National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities for—</text><subparagraph id="HE84A874C62E4498A9F1FB9FEA3052289"><enum>(A)</enum><text>research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, or commercial application activities; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4CA20416FA7648E888E386A9008BF453"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any other activities that the applicable Director determines appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H698C23000A0F454FBCAE2AA9E380DE45"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Expedited approval</header><text>The Secretary, working with the Directors, shall establish a stream-lined approval process for financial assistance agreements signed between—</text><subparagraph id="H9A49956154314C028B20510E494DAD73"><enum>(A)</enum><text>small business concerns selected to receive a voucher under the program; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H96C982D1778A4BDCA533083383156B55"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H48CF31926776443E9BD78B43E2E422C4"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Cost-sharing requirement</header><text>In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall require cost-sharing in accordance with section 988.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB4EC5C1D73B54683872FD924614447E8"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Report</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall report annually on the progress and implementation of the small business voucher program established under this section, including the number and locations of small businesses that received grants under this program.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="H13665B8708924862BF0D10A543A06249"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking <quote>for activities under this section</quote> and inserting <quote>for activities under subsection (b)</quote> and inserting before the period at the end <quote>and for activities under subsection (c) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026</quote>.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H702F1AE06A7C4115B80F65E874604A49"><enum>204.</enum><header>Entrepreneurial leave program</header><subsection id="H21F1CFB32A1D419A9C3D901B75B11D84"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall delegate to Directors the authority to carry out an entrepreneurial leave program (referred to in this section as the <quote>program</quote>) to allow National Laboratory employees to take a full leave of absence from their position, with the option to return to that or a comparable position up to 3 years later, or a partial leave of absence, to advance the commercial application of energy and related technologies relevant to the mission of the Department.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA9DED72628F04E02A26AB9D2E35DD22E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination authority</header><text>Directors shall retain the authority to terminate National Laboratory employees that participate in the program if such employees are found to violate terms prescribed by the National Laboratory at which such employee is employed.</text></subsection><subsection id="H319A7B84D95A4E46BA05028453E717E7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Licensing</header><text>To reduce barriers to participation in the program, the Secretary shall delegate to the Directors the requirement to establish streamlined mechanisms for facilitating the licensing of technology that is the focus of National Laboratory employees who participate in the program.</text></subsection><subsection id="HBD324389368B4C6CBBEB4FCA767DBD56"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall report annually on the utilization of this authority at National Laboratories, including the number of employees who participate in this program at each National Laboratory and the number of employees who take a permanent leave from their positions at National Laboratories as a result of participating in this program.</text></subsection><subsection id="H129D65BEA31747E99281B5C8A7D152B5"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Federal ethics</header><text>Nothing in this section shall affect existing Federal ethics rules applicable to Federal personnel.</text></subsection></section><section id="HA10B8E2EC78A41FA9B9A15B2E3FCA4DC"><enum>205.</enum><header>National laboratory employee outside employment authority</header><subsection id="HC458E1EB36174647815B6CCFE2CA559E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall delegate to Directors of National Laboratories the authority to allow their employees—</text><paragraph id="H75DBA66D27D4479CA268DCEDD64A61A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to engage in outside employment, including start-up companies based on licensing technologies developed at National Laboratories and consulting in their areas of expertise, and receive compensation from such entities; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA81C0BBFEE11455699330FA420A76BEA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to engage in outside activities related to their areas of expertise at the National Laboratory and may allow employees, in their employment capacity at such outside employment, to access the National Laboratories under the same contracting mechanisms as non-Laboratory employees and entities, in accordance with appropriate conflict of interest protocols.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H17505B37EB9247EA8E0D51ABE3DC97CA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>If a Director elects to use the authority granted by subsection (a) of this section, the Director, or their designee, shall—</text><paragraph id="H06BCA8B5253D49DB955C6831A1072C3F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>require employees to disclose to and obtain approval from the Director or their designee prior to engaging in any outside employment;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H289C58AE1BDB413F9600B9F621A6BBD9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop and require appropriate conflict of interest protocols for employees that engage in outside employment; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H968A988263134B79AAC25BF4AB1E2F59"><enum>(3)</enum><text>maintain the authority to terminate employees engaging in outside employment if they are found to violate terms, including conflict of interest protocols, mandated by the Director.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCB836D9BA4BC4FC3B49CB67D6378190F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional restrictions</header><text>Employees engaging in outside employment may not—</text><paragraph id="H302F6A3E8D064DD081C70069E461970D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>allow such activities to interfere with or impede their duties at the National Laboratory;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H43098410BD7D42AFB891A9B3477F9159"><enum>(2)</enum><text>engage in activities related to outside employment using National Laboratory government equipment, property, or resources, unless such activities are performed under National Laboratory contracting mechanisms, such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements or Strategic Partnership Projects, whereby all conflicts of interest requirements apply; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB42489DF537D4F94BDE0D024F1F6644B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>use their position at a National Laboratory to provide an unfair competitive advantage to an outside employer or start-up activity.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H59A8D05D83CA410CBDB7F10D96BEA628"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Federal ethics</header><text>Nothing in this section shall affect existing Federal ethics rules applicable to Federal personnel.</text></subsection></section><section id="HF16EC81A0B364319AB682DBDFCA6147A"><enum>206.</enum><header>Signature authority</header><subsection id="H0B20DEFF8396431E94FCFAE77C0085E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall delegate to Directors of the National Laboratories signature authority with respect to any agreement described in subsection (b) the total cost of which, including the National Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share, is less than $1,000,000, if such an agreement falls within the scope of—</text><paragraph id="HCE9E109CD0104697B5AD5E315F43752B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the strategic plan for the National Laboratory or a master scope of work that has been approved by the Department; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H93838A5419AD4B01A776D48AD99284E6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the most recent budget approved by Congress for Department activities to be carried out by the National Laboratory.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD76E3B77ED44498DB45B05AEE0ED8FDB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Agreements</header><text>Subsection (a) applies to—</text><paragraph id="H19B55E33024D4A86B4E8F525691836BD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a cooperative research and development agreement;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD44AE52C45D9486C845D2758446A9E5F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a strategic partnership project;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H489289BF6D1043BBB15EE6D9FDF64C7C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>prize competitions;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF77FC158A2A54568948848E508864FD5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>an agreement for commercializing technology; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEBE61BB252D5417CB884FC3B3280C233"><enum>(5)</enum><text>any other agreement determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, in collaboration with the Directors of the National Laboratories.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8970B8C78E844EF1B147F776B94D832B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administration</header><paragraph id="HA7298CEFF7C149C094CEDEAC374621DC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Accountability</header><text>The Director of the affected National Laboratory and the affected contractor shall carry out an agreement under this section in accordance with applicable policies of the Department, including by ensuring that the agreement does not compromise any national security, economic, or environmental interest of the United States.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3F2A85AFCBA34FDAB5955BF58C4416F3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>The Director of the affected National Laboratory and the affected contractor shall certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this section 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 section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6614836C4CDC4B14870E1B08524AB178"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Availability of records</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date on which a Director of a National Laboratory enters an agreement under this section, such Director shall submit to the Secretary for monitoring and review all records of the National Laboratory relating to the agreement.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD5854CC94E7D4CEBBFE56312BE50F08A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Approval</header><text>Upon granting the signature authority under in subsection (a), the Secretary may not require any additional reviews or approvals of draft agreements, statements of work, or other documents for agreements that meet the criteria under subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection id="H7D17D474C7624E97BAFE8198812BD74D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>This section does not apply to any agreement with a foreign-controlled entity or entity under the majority control of any foreign entity.</text></subsection><subsection id="H6ED766A566E841F59D01B6EAC4E4371E"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall submit annually information on the number and types of agreements signed using the authorities granted under this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="HE966806CA4CA4549961A981BD36414C9"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the enactment of this Act the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Committee of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation of the efficacy of reducing administrative burden for agreements signed using the authorities granted under this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="H8A45F4FF6F6147D292D1B39BFB77E66E"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/3710a">15 U.S.C. 3710a</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H1C9CF3D28CBF4DB19BFCFEA2AD41FF94"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><subparagraph id="HF998D03D7D104EC3A0DFCD9DA49181CF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting the subparagraphs appropriately;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7D2573F1B0314F699488A731C4A8CA5F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Each Federal agency</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="H1B54DCBDF1234511B6842405EF00A2F4" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><paragraph id="HDB0BAF8FA0904CA68C263AE802E52CF7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each Federal agency</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H697BA85F1F114390A1A5F362D73E2743"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="HBABFD940FD9748D0B55E25C53C449E9E" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><paragraph id="H9E1180ACBDB5430DB5BE6463B85B9588"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in accordance with section 206 of the Energizing Technology Transfer Act, approval by the Secretary of Energy shall not be required for any agreement proposed to be entered into by a National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, the total cost of which, including the National Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share, is less than $1,000,000.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8D8208F9395B441BAB406859A982DCA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>subsection (a)(1)</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>subsection (a)(1)(A)</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MODERNIZATION</header><section id="H57D08B62F4E5415C9E7010E06470EB67"><enum>301.</enum><header>Office of technology transitions</header><subsection id="HB6C3AAB328814911B40EC940EC653237"><enum/><text>Section 1001(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16391">42 U.S.C. 16391</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="H71E93BDAD5A541188DD4B67944934E20" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><paragraph id="HDD20F53E878C4D3B8A73902827F3E001"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Hiring and management</header><text>To carry out the program authorized in this section, the Under Secretary for Science may appoint personnel using the authorities in section 305 of the Energizing Technology Transfer Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFB5B61759C29455E9515F91E8ED98FD8"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="HBD8FAAF25A6F43B6AD81AFDF629F4360"><enum>302.</enum><header>Management of demonstration projects</header><subsection id="HFFD135AF92334F40844392D1C7FA6510"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Management of Department of Energy demonstration projects</header><text>The Secretary, shall establish a program to conduct project management and oversight of demonstration projects that receive or are eligible to receive funding from the Department, in coordination with relevant staff from Department program offices, including the Office of Technology Transitions, the Loan Program Office, and all applied program offices. The purposes of this program are to—</text><paragraph id="H88FDCFDCC4A84CAB8319B3F196A41259"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct evaluation of demonstration project proposals prior to selection of a project for funding;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H95C4692E194D44B2AFCD9450C57FAE43"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conduct independent oversight of the execution of a demonstration project once funding has been awarded for such project; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAB3D1086951949D59D7A2708112A9FC4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensure a balanced portfolio of investments in clean energy technology demonstration projects.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2C7B7DC8802E415FA792A94998687590"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Demonstration project management employees</header><paragraph id="HCC160942389C41F0A68A697109ABFFEF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Science shall appoint at least 4 full time employees to achieve the purposes of the program outlined in subsection (a) in coordination with relevant staff at Department program offices.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1A05BF7689E1481B99A71D3867830381"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Hiring authority</header><text>To carry out the program authorized in this section, the Under Secretary for Science may hire personnel using the authorities in section 305 of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA8C3D84756564983854ECC4E72FE5CB7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>In carrying out the program in subsection (a), employees under this section shall work with relevant staff from Department program offices to—</text><paragraph id="H9D33E9F5188C40F9857A9C0B1F815E46"><enum>(1)</enum><text>evaluate demonstration project proposals, including the scope, technical specifications, maturity of design, funding profile, estimated costs, proposed schedule, proposed technical and financial milestones, and potential for commercial success based on economic and policy projections;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H93202E7C7CC3447BBFA9DDC1433B1626"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop independent cost estimates of demonstration project proposals, when appropriate;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H94B67485237841009C056360D5D2AB86"><enum>(3)</enum><text>recommend to the director of a program office whether to fund a demonstration project proposal;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H40309F70A82447958DAE15C2BE30FA1C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>oversee the execution of the demonstration projects that receive funding from the Department under this section and conduct reviews of ongoing projects, which may include reconciling estimated costs as compared to actual costs and evaluating progress of the project based on the proposed schedule and technical and financial milestones, and provide such reviews to the Secretary; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3010F4A2F8A24DDBBEEDFFB728F93F6C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>assess lessons learned and implement improvements to evaluate and oversee demonstration projects carried out under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H708C31ADA5264A71ABEAD0C78D285D89"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional authority</header><text>The Secretary may carry out and manage demonstration projects directly through the program established in subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection id="HA8AFE03BD80648169345C0D8C2292CCC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Project termination</header><text>Should an ongoing demonstration project receive an unfavorable review under subsection (c)(4), the director of a Department program office or their designee may cease funding the demonstration project and reallocate the remaining funds to new or existing demonstration projects carried out by that program office.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA7F975A4444140DB90257BA9683289BF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>In establishing and carrying out the program, the Secretary shall coordinate with project management and acquisition management entities within the Department, including the Office of Project Management, and relevant professional organizations in project management, construction, cost estimation, and other relevant fields.</text></subsection><subsection id="HD87188EAB4EF49079C12E6B08EBF07CC"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall report annually on the utilization of the authority granted under this section, including—</text><paragraph id="H36C2FC43902A41B79CE94CB223320B6A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a summary of any demonstration projects currently being carried out under this section; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6540800B8AE54E7594F1308518BD3686"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the reviews under subsection (c)(4) of any ongoing demonstration projects carried out under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H13A18075DB1E409AB89C71D11AC38093"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Evaluation by comptroller general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation on the operation of the program established under this section, including—</text><paragraph id="H39BCEC5E698B4DB0A8AA22B1050476D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the processes and procedures used to evaluate demonstration project proposals and oversee demonstration projects that receive funding under this section;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4D8010D5434D4004938966B59B2206AF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any recommended changes to the program, including the structure and the processes and procedures used to evaluate and oversee demonstration projects that receive funding under this section; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0943EF05D95C4D54B3E432BDD5620C34"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any recommended changes to the structure of this program to improve the success in meeting the program purposes under subsection (a).</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HE404697ABAA5490BB7B22997D42777F4"><enum>303.</enum><header>Streamlining prize competitions</header><subsection id="H11668F845AB1480BAD4B1632180167F4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>Section 1008 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16396">42 U.S.C. 16396</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="HEE9EE93D81EB4243B6C8282536D4A2BA" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><subsection id="H7C5C5FAD8B7F4686AA5CC744CB5CCDC8"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Report</header><text>In accordance with section 9007 of Division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>), the Secretary shall report annually on a description of any prize competitions carried out using the authority under this section, the total amount of prizes awarded along with any private sector contributions, the methods used for solicitation and evaluation, and a description of how each prize competition advanced the mission of the Department.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="H1C6D3D2B705A43B1B6A8EBB024B7D039"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical Amendment</header><text>Section 1008 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16396">42 U.S.C. 16396</external-xref>) is amended by redesignating the second subsection (e) (relating to authorization of appropriations) as subsection (f).</text></subsection></section><section id="HB14F00D39C824548816BE23827A702FB"><enum>304.</enum><header>Cost-share waiver extension</header><subsection id="HDE0A813473144019AABE7F7499791395"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16351">42 U.S.C. 16351</external-xref>) is amended in subsection (b)(4)(B) by striking <quote>this paragraph</quote> and inserting <quote>the Energizing Technology Transfer Act</quote>. </text></subsection><subsection id="HBE467B840E7F425C8B9D1DD1E2991838"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Section 108(b) of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act is amended in subsection (b) by striking <quote>this Act</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>the Energizing Technology Transfer Act</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="HD68688C1D07F431C8FF62AC6C4B74906"><enum>305.</enum><header>Special hiring authority for scientific, engineering, and project management personnel</header><subsection id="HADDC62E749BD40259A08381462B331DC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Under Secretary for Science shall have the authority to—</text><paragraph id="HA5475CFE882A4A9D896A3A9A04964CD9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make appointments of not more than 60 scientific, engineering, and professional personnel, without regard to civil service laws, to assist the Department in meeting specific project or research needs;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H70E331F49C314681B5A21761F6C726F7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>fix the basic pay of any employee appointed under this section at a rate to be determined by the Under Secretary at rates not in excess of Level II of the Executive Schedule (EX–II) under section 5311 of title 5, United States Code without regard to the civil service laws; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H58DB83FCBBCF446BB346A81EB1E6811F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>pay any employee appointed under this section payments in addition to basic pay, except that the total amount of additional payments paid to an employee under this subsection for any 12-month period shall not exceed the lesser of the following amounts:</text><subparagraph id="H81F980BC5E2746A5B1C118DA1D7134E8"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$25,000.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5370C91080ED47849C70A4BE09F68F5E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The amount equal to 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of that employee.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEA8A62E09E78429C8A40F45643E023C7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The amount of the limitation that is applicable for a calendar year under section 5307(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEFEE6139B7A44993BA14C81BFE0D672D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Term</header><paragraph id="HE3E85CC041B84AF7978502D0DF69DE32"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term of any employee appointed under this section shall not exceed 3 years unless otherwise authorized in law.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H94A14916AC2A4F028BB5EE93B9D15E3D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The Under Secretary for Science shall have the authority to terminate any employee appointed under this section at any time based on performance or changing project or research needs of the Department.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H2D351FB5D1F1457E93BDF6EBD8A3EE17"><enum>306.</enum><header>Technology transfer reports and evaluation</header><subsection id="H324438A495E74A6FAA14CFB3287F5956"><enum/><text>Section 9007 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>) is amended as follows:</text><quoted-block id="HE302F9D5C5B34640B5E397157CA99E86" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HSY00"><subsection id="H2C62569B8AF5439EB0C000ACE1E4EBD1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>As part of the updated technology transfer execution plan required each year under section 1001(h)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/16391">42 U.S.C. 16391(g)(2)</external-xref>), the Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the <quote>Secretary</quote>) shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the progress and implementation of programs established under sections 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, and 9005 of this Act and under sections 102, 203, 204, 205, 206, and 302 of the Energizing Technology Transfer Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="HE73DEF924D064F719E6827A9693918D7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the enactment of this Act and every 3 years thereafter the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation on the extent to which programs established under sections 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, and 9005 of this Act and sections 101, 102, 103, and 202 of the Energizing Technology Transfer Act are achieving success based on relevant short-term and long-term metrics.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>August 19, 2022Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed