[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1004-S1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3314. Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Durbin) 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
[[Page S1005]]
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.
SEC. 4205. MICROLAB TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION.
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