DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE see also National Institute of Standards and Technology

Amendments

Patents: eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (H.R. 3309), H7526, H7532, H7535, H7538, H7539, H7541, H7543, H7545, H7546 [5DE]

——— eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (H.R. 3309), consideration (H. Res. 429), H7468 [4DE]

Articles and editorials

7 Not-So-Essential Things Still Operating During the Slimdown, H6533 [11OC]

Bills and resolutions

America Star Program: create to establish standardized labeling for manufactured products allowing consumers to identify the extent to which the products are manufactured in the U.S. (see H.R. 2664), H4482 [11JY]

Aquaculture: prohibit authorization of commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the exclusive economic zone except in accordance with a law authorizing such action (see H.R. 753), H594 [15FE]

Bureau of the Census: make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions (see S. 530), S1710 [12MR] (see H.R. 1078), H1356 [12MR]

——— repeal authority to conduct certain censuses (see H.R. 1638), H2158 [18AP]

Business and industry: accelerate research, development, and innovation in advanced manufacturing to improve competitiveness (see H.R. 1421), H1856 [9AP]

——— enable concrete masonry products manufacturers and importers to carry out coordinated program of research, education, and promotion to improve, maintain, and develop markets (see S. 429), S1012 [28FE] (see H.R. 1563), H2025 [15AP]

California: provide congressional direction for Endangered Species Act implementation relative to operation of Central Valley Project and California State Water Project, and water relief (see H.R. 1927), H2568 [9MY]

Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund: establish (see H.R. 400), H280 [23JA]

Coast Guard: improve quality of life for members and families through expanded child care availability, increased educational opportunities, and eased transition to post-service life (see S. 1760), S8457 [21NO]

Coastal zones: establish a coastal climate change adaptation planning and response program (see H.R. 764), H594 [15FE]

Computers: improve cybersecurity by collaborating with industry, enhancing information sharing, strengthening criminal statutes for cyber crimes, and updating Federal security standards (see H.R. 1468), H1909 [10AP]

——— provide for a public-private partnership to improve cybersecurity, strengthen cybersecurity research and development, workforce development, education, public awareness, and preparedness (see S. 1353), S5907 [24JY]

Courts: modify the prohibition on recognition of certain rights relative to certain marks, trade names, or commercial names (see S. 647), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 778), H595 [15FE]

Dept. of Commerce and the Workforce: establish (see S. 1836), S8913 [17DE]

Dept. of HHS: provide grants to support job creation initiatives under the Social Services Block Grants Program (see H.R. 2109), H2911 [22MY]

Dept. of Labor: address the skills gap by providing recommendations to increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities and employer participation in education and workforce training (see S. 1619), S7674 [30OC]

Depts. of Labor and Commerce: create a job training program and an economic stability program to stabilize the workforce and promote economic growth in the Johnson Space Center region (see H.R. 230), H84 [14JA]

——— establish Made in America Incentive Grant Program (see S. 63), S43 [22JA]

——— establish Make It in America Incentive Grant Program (see H.R. 375), H279 [23JA]

Depts. of the Interior and Commerce: act through NOAA to initiate immediate action to create jobs (see H.R. 70), H29 [3JA]

Economic Development Administration: terminate (see H.R. 887), H814 [28FE]

Economy: jump-start economic recovery through formation and growth of new businesses (see S. 310), S707 [13FE] (see H.R. 714), H546 [14FE]

Education: establish partnerships to create or enhance educational and skills development pathways to 21st century careers (see S. 1370), S5968 [25JY]

Endangered species: permit Governors of States to regulate intrastate endangered species and threatened species (see S. 1731), S8186 [19NO] (see H.R. 3533), H7252 [19NO]

E3—Economy, Energy, and Environment—A Sustainable Growth Strategy (Government initiative): evaluate and authorize continuation of activities (see H.R. 2873), H5259 [31JY]

Fish and fishing: issue a fishing capacity reduction loan to refinance existing loan funding the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Fishing Capacity Reduction Program (see S. 1275), S5620 [10JY] (see H.R. 2646), H4369 [10JY]

——— support fisheries and communities that rely upon them, clear regulatory burdens, and streamline Federal fisheries management (see H.R. 799), H596 [15FE]

Food: strengthen Federal consumer product safety programs and activities relative to commercially-marketed seafood (see S. 520), S1592 [11MR] (see H.R. 1012), H1319 [6MR]

Foreign investments: produce, with other relevant agencies, a report on enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. in attracting foreign direct investments (see S. 1023), S3761 [22MY] (see H.R. 2052), H2802 [20MY]

Foreign trade: create U.S. jobs by increasing exports to Africa (see S. 718), S2589 [11AP] (see H.R. 1777), H2391 [26AP]

——— enhance promotion of exports of U.S. goods and services (see H.R. 1409), H1856 [9AP] (see H.R. 1926), H2568 [9MY]

——— improve trade promotion policies and programs (see H.R. 1909), H2567 [9MY]

Gambling: establish a program for licensing of Internet poker by States and federally recognized Indian tribes (see H.R. 2666), H4482 [11JY]

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund: ensure that amounts credited are used for harbor maintenance (see S. 218), S469 [4FE] (see H.R. 335), H221 [22JA]

——— ensure that receipts are fully spent on U.S. ports and harbors (see H. Res. 236), H2955 [23MY]

International Trade Administration: authorize appropriations to establish public-private partnerships under the Market Development Cooperator Program (see S. 1748), S8361 [20NO] (see H.R. 1420), H1856 [9AP]

National Endowment for the Oceans: establish (see S. 646), S2146 [21MR]

Network for Manufacturing Innovation: establish (see S. 1468), S6208 [1AU] (see H.R. 2996), H5396 [2AU]

NIST: reauthorize the competitive grant program within the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology program (see H.R. 1418), H1856 [9AP]

NOAA: develop a plan to conduct stock assessments for all stocks of fish for which a fishery management plan is in effect (see H.R. 3063), H5399 [2AU]

——— establish constituent-driven program to collect priority coastal geospatial data and support information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data to manage the coastal region (see H.R. 1382), H1824 [21MR]

NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Act: reauthorize and amend (see S. 1068), S3844 [23MY]

OPM: establish a pilot program to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation by partnering world-class entrepreneurs with Federal agencies (see H.R. 3559), H7310 [20NO]

Patent and Trademark Office: allow acceleration certificates awarded under the Patents for Humanity Program to be transferable (see S. 712), S2589 [11AP]

——— end application of budget sequestration (see H.R. 2582), H4174 [28JN]

——— improve transitional program covered business method patents (see S. 866), S3091 [6MY] (see H.R. 2766), H4856 [22JY]

——— modify the definition of micro entity (see H.R. 2236), H3094 [4JN]

——— provide for permanent funding (see H.R. 3349), H6827 [28OC]

——— require disclosure of ownership and transfers of ownership of patents (see H.R. 2024), H2717 [16MY] (see H.R. 3540), H7252 [19NO]

Patents: deter abusive patent litigation by awarding the prevailing party reasonable fees and expenses and allowing the defendant to request the alleging party post a bond to cover certain costs (see S. 1612), S7673 [30OC]

——— eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (see H.R. 3309), H6767 [23OC]

——— eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (H.R. 3309), consideration (see H. Res. 429), H7445 [3DE]

——— promote transparency in ownership and improve the patent system (see S. 1720), S8100 [18NO]

Public Lands Corps Act: provide service-learning opportunities on public lands, restore natural, cultural, historic, archeological, recreational, and scenic resources, and train new land managers (see S. 360), S773 [14FE] (see H.R. 1351), H1823 [21MR]

Public Works and Economic Development Act: amend relative to grants for economic adjustment (see H.R. 3518), H7152 [15NO]

Science: ensure development and responsible stewardship of nanotechnology (see H.R. 394), H280 [23JA]

——— support innovation (see S. 1777), S8457 [21NO]

Science, Depts. of Justice and Commerce, and related agencies: making appropriations (see S. 1329), S5800 [18JY] (see H.R. 2787), H4978 [23JY]

SelectUSA Initiative: authorize appropriations (see S. 1608), S7615 [29OC] (see H.R. 1413), H1856 [9AP]

Small business: enhance services to disadvantaged small businesses (see H.R. 2550), H4142 [27JN]

——— ensure certain Federal contracts are set aside for small businesses and enhance services to disadvantaged small businesses (see H.R. 2551), H4142 [27JN]

——— improve coordination of export promotion programs and facilitate export opportunities (see S. 1179), S4585 [18JN]

Unemployment: provide grants to cities with high unemployment rates to provide job training, public works, and economic development programs (see H.R. 3016), H5397 [2AU]

Virgin Islands: provide energy crisis relief (see H.R. 92), H30 [3JA]

Letters

Global Investment in American Jobs Act: Nancy L. McLernon, Organization for International Investment, H5413 [9SE]

——— Patrick McLean, Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC., H5414 [9SE]

Innovation Act: R. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, H7465 [4DE]

——— Sally S. Neely, National Bankruptcy Conference, H7533 [5DE]

——— several business organizations, H7466 [4DE]

——— several law professors, H7517 [5DE]

——— several startup investors, H7516 [5DE]

——— Steve Brown, National Association of Realtors, H7466 [4DE]

Patent reform: several inventors, technologists, and entrepreneurs, H7521–H7524 [5DE]

Lists

Concerns with H.R. 3309, Innovation Act, H7551 [5DE]

Organization for International Investment members, H5413 [9SE]

Organizations opposed to H.R. 3309, Innovation Act, H7444 [3DE], H7551 [5DE]

Press releases

Patent Holders Urge Comprehensive Patent Reform: Electronic Frontier Foundation, H7520 [5DE]

Remarks in House

America Star Program: create to establish standardized labeling for manufactured products allowing consumers to identify the extent to which the products are manufactured in the U.S. (H.R. 2664), H6213 [3OC]

Bankruptcy: determine rights of intellectual property licensees relative to transnational bankruptcy, H7533 [5DE]

Bureau of the Census: authority to require participation in the Economic Survey, H2302 [25AP]

——— make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions (H.R. 1078), H1334 [12MR]

——— reform and modernize census, H5648–H5650 [18SE]

Business and industry: accelerate research, development, and innovation in advanced manufacturing to improve competitiveness (H.R. 1421), E1647 [13NO]

Coastal zones: establish a coastal climate change adaptation planning and response program (H.R. 764), H569 [15FE], H1401 [14MR]

Corps of Engineers: port dredging and maintenance funding, H6719 [23OC], E1048 [11JY]

Depts. of Labor and Commerce: establish Make It in America Incentive Grant Program (H.R. 375), H1870 [10AP], H4048 [26JN], H6214 [3OC], H6847 [29OC], H7557 [5DE]

Depts. of the Interior and Commerce: act through NOAA to initiate immediate action to create jobs (H.R. 70), E1003 [28JN]

Fish and fishing: support fisheries and communities that rely upon them, clear regulatory burdens, and streamline Federal fisheries management (H.R. 799), H3893 [19JN]

Foreign investments: produce, with other relevant agencies, a report on enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. in attracting foreign direct investments (H.R. 2052), H5411–H5414 [9SE]

Foreign trade: create U.S. jobs by increasing exports to Africa (H.R. 1777), E616 [8MY], E704 [20MY]

Gilman Brothers Co.: Dept. of Commerce President’s ‘‘E’’ Award recipient, E692 [17MY]

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund: ensure that amounts credited are used for harbor maintenance, H6716 [23OC]

——— ensure that receipts are fully spent on U.S. ports and harbors, H4239 [9JY]

——— ensure that receipts are fully spent on U.S. ports and harbors (H. Res. 236), E748 [23MY]

——— small ports dredging and maintenance funding, H3745 [18JN], H4254 [9JY]

Irving, TX: NIST Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award recipient, H1840 [9AP]

National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute: tribute to partnerships between the Depts. of Commerce, Energy, Defense, private concerns, and certain universities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, H571 [15FE]

Network for Manufacturing Innovation: establish (H.R. 2996), H6212 [3OC]

NIST: reauthorize the competitive grant program within the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology program (H.R. 1418), E896 [17JN]

Patent and Trademark Office: require disclosure of ownership and transfers of ownership of patents, H7466 [4DE]

——— require disclosure of ownership and transfers of ownership of patents (H.R. 3540), H7538 [5DE]

——— study impact of patent reform legislation on ability of individuals and small businesses owned by women, veterans, and minorities to protect exclusive rights to inventions and discoveries, H7525, H7543–H7545 [5DE], E1793 [5DE]

Patents: allow a judge to consider dilatory or other abusive tactics by the prevailing party in determining whether to reduce or deny court fee awards, H7535–H7538 [5DE]

——— allow independent inventor the right of judicial review if his case is mishandled by the patent system, H7465 [4DE]

——— eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (H.R. 3309), H6823–H6826 [28OC], H7103–H7108 [14NO], H7182–H7185 [18NO], H7390–H7393 [2DE], H7441–H7445 [3DE], H7511–H7556 [5DE], E1793 [5DE], E1831, E1836 [11DE], E1845, E1866 [12DE], E1889 [16DE]

——— eliminate abusive patent litigation, increase transparency, modernize fee shifting, and provide for small business education and outreach (H.R. 3309), consideration (H. Res. 429), H7461–H7470 [4DE]

——— expand definition of covered customer to include small businesses with annual revenue under a certain amount relative to stays of action in patent infringement suits, H7525, H7541–H7543 [5DE]

——— preserve independent judicial review of patent applications, H7545, H7546 [5DE]

——— prohibit inclusion in patent code of certain provisions allowing stays of action in patent infringement suits against certain covered customers, H7539, H7540 [5DE]

——— require claimants to provide additional disclosure information in any pre-suit notification to establish a willful infringement claim in patent litigation transparency, H7538, H7539 [5DE]

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.: Patent and Trademark Office Patents for Humanity Food and Nutrition category award recipient, E610 [7MY]

Science: ensure development and responsible stewardship of nanotechnology (H.R. 394), E51 [23JA]

Science, Depts. of Justice and Commerce, and related agencies: making appropriations, H5778 [20SE]

SSA: restrict access to personal information of deceased individuals in the Death Master File, H7699, H8066, H8083 [12DE]

WinTech, Inc.: NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership ‘‘Make It in America’’ Manufacturer of the Week designee, E1102 [19JY]

Remarks in Senate

Colorado: tribute to President’s ‘‘E’’ Award recipients, S3951 [4JN]

Computers: provide for a public-private partnership to improve cybersecurity, strengthen cybersecurity research and development, workforce development, education, public awareness, and preparedness (S. 1353), S5909 [24JY], S8930 [18DE]

Dept. of Labor: address the skills gap by providing recommendations to increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities and employer participation in education and workforce training (S. 1619), S7967 [13NO]

Economy: jump-start economic recovery through formation and growth of new businesses, S204 [23JA]

——— jump-start economic recovery through formation and growth of new businesses (S. 310), S3748 [22MY], S5602 [10JY], S5991–S5993 [29JY]

Federal agencies and departments: curb waste, fraud, and abuse, S7382 [10OC]

Fish and fishing: disaster assistance for fishing communities funding through reductions in Dept. of Commerce funding, S1849 [14MR]

Foreign trade: create U.S. jobs by increasing exports to Africa, S835 [26FE], S1258 [7MR]

——— create U.S. jobs by increasing exports to Africa (S. 718), S2593–S2598 [11AP], S5485 [27JN], S5602 [10JY]

National Endowment for the Oceans: establish, S3143 [7MY], S3223, S3227, S3246 [8MY], S3564 [16MY]

Network for Manufacturing Innovation: establish (S. 1468), S7654–S7657 [30OC], S7992 [13NO]

Patent and Trademark Office: allow acceleration certificates awarded under the Patents for Humanity Program to be transferable (S. 712), S2592 [11AP], S3020 [25AP]

——— expert post-grant review of covered business method patents, S3021 [25AP]

Patents: promote transparency in ownership and improve the patent system (S. 1720), S8182 [19NO], S9045 [19DE]

——— reform, S3021 [25AP]

Presidential appointments: nominations considered and confirmed en bloc, S6254, S6256, S6257 [1AU]

Pritzker, Penny S.: nomination to be Sec. of Commerce, S5116, S5119, S5120, S5122–S5124 [25JN]

——— nomination to be Sec. of Commerce, unanimous-consent agreement, S4985 [21JN], S5117 [25JN]

SSA: restrict access to personal information of deceased individuals in the Death Master File, S8890, S8891 [17DE], S8945–S8947 [18DE]

Reports filed

Consideration of H.R. 3309, Innovation Act and H.R. 1105, Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 429) (H. Rept. 113–283), H7445 [3DE]

Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act: Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate) (S. 718) (S. Rept. 113–103), S6327 [10SE]

Innovation Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 3309) (H. Rept. 113–279), H7393 [2DE]

Nomination of Kathryn D. Sullivan To Be Under Sec. of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate), S7951 [12NO]

Nomination of Mark E. Schaefer To Be Assistant Sec. of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate), S6069 [30JY]

Nomination of Penny S. Pritzker To Be Sec. of Commerce: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate), S4058 [10JN]

Public Lands Service Corps Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 360) (S. Rept. 113–101), S6327 [10SE]

Science, Depts. of Justice and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations: Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 2787) (H. Rept. 113–171), H4978 [23JY]

——— Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 1329) (S. Rept. 113–78), S5799 [18JY]

Texts of

H. Res. 429, consideration of H.R. 3309, Innovation Act and H.R. 1105, Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act, H7461 [4DE]

H.R. 2052, Global Investment in American Jobs Act, H5411 [9SE]

H.R. 3309, Innovation Act, H7526–H7532 [5DE]

S. 712, Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act, S2592 [11AP]

S. 718, Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act, S2595–S2597 [11AP]

S. 1353, Cybersecurity Act, S5909–S5912 [24JY]

S. 1608, Dept. of Commerce appropriations for the SelectUSA Initiative, S7633 [29OC]

S. 1612, Patent Litigation Integrity Act, S7675 [30OC]