Results for

Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to Achieve Commercialization of Technologies for Energy Act or theIMPACT for Energy Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a nonprofit corporation named the IMPACT for Energy Foundation to channel private sector investment into commercial innovative technologies in energy. The foundation may establish one or more for-profit subsidiaries, including an impact investment fund to (1) stimulate economic development activities, and (2) attract for-profit investment partners for technology translation and commercialization activities.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2019 This bill modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill * requires the Department of Defense to report on the goals and incentives used to increase awards of SBIR and STTR contracts; * prioritizes innovation in manufacturing and cybersecurity; * directs federal agencies to issue Phase III awards to technology developers without requiring further competition; * requires agencies' senior procurement executives to coordinate with SBIR and STTR program officers to assist small businesses; * requires the SBA to conduct outreach efforts at minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions; * makes permanent (as the Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program) the pilot program that a covered agency may establish for awarding SBIR and STTR Phase II and III funds for technology development and progression toward commercialization; * requires all agencies participating in the SBIR program to establish a Commercialization Assistance Pilot Program to make SBIR Phase II awards to commercialize a project undertaken by a small business with SBIR Phase I awards; * authorizes specified agencies to use a percentage of STTR funds for a Proof of Concept Partnership pilot program to accelerate the creation of small businesses and the commercialization of research innovations; and * authorizes all agencies participating in the SBIR program, during FY2020-FY2024, to provide a SBIR Phase II award for a project to a small business concern without regard to whether such concern was provided a Phase I award for such project.

Energy Technology Maturation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE)to establish a funding program to facilitate the commercialization of energy and related technologies that exhibit promising commercial potential and are developed at DOE facilities.

Energy Technology Maturation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE)to establish a funding program to facilitate the commercialization of energy and related technologies that exhibit promising commercial potential and are developed at DOE facilities.

Technology Transitions Act of 2019 This bill addresses technology programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the creation of DOE's Office of Technology Transitions. The office aims to (1) expand the commercialization of DOE's research investments; and (2) focus on commercializing technologies that support DOE's missions, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the bill requires DOE to review and report on all of its applied energy research and development programs that focus on researching and developing technologies that reduce such emissions. Under the review, DOE must identify each program with a mission to research and develop technologies that reduce emissions, determine the type of services provided by each program, and determine whether there are written program goals for each program. DOE must make recommendations on such emission-reduction programs, including recommendations on how to (1) restructure or consolidate overlapping programs, and (2) increase collaboration among federal agencies and stakeholders on emission-reduction technologies.

Innovation Network and Capital Act of 2019 This bill establishes and provides funds through FY2025 for a grant program in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand the commercialization of biomedical products. NIH shall award grants or contracts to entities that have received funding from either the Small Business Innovation Research Program or the Small Business Technology Transfer Program of NIH. Awardees must use the funds to support participation in specified NIH programs and activities related to the commercialization stage of research, later stage research and development, technology transfer, and commercialization technical assistance.

China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (3) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.

China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are necessary to protect the U.S. economy from the drain of scarce materials by demand from China, (3) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (4) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.

Space Technology Advancement Report (STAR) Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Space Council to submit annual reports to Congress on the ability of the United States to effectively compete with foreign space programs and in the emerging commercial space economy. The President shall develop and submit to Congress a strategy to ensure that the United States can effectively compete with other national space programs, maintain dominance in the emerging commercial space economy, and has market, regulatory, and other means available to address unfair competition from China based on the findings in the report.

Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019 or the CIT Act of 2019 This bill provides incentives for the nonpower industrial sector to reduce nonwater greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a research, development, and demonstration program to further the development and commercial application of innovative industrial emissions reduction technologies. Under the program, DOE must award grants and fund demonstration projects to develop and evaluate technologies designed to increase (1) the industrial competitiveness of the United States, and (2) the emission reductions of nonpower industrial sectors. DOE may also enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for these purposes. In addition, DOE must establish an Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee to provide advice to DOE and the Office of Science and Technology Policy about the program. Finally, DOE must establish a technical assistance program to promote the commercial application of such emission reduction technologies.

Information TechnologyModernization Centers of Excellence Program Act This bill requires the General Service Administration (GSA) to establish an Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies. The bill lists program responsibilities, including to * modernize information technology used by an executive agency and how a customer interacts with the agency; * improve cooperation between commercial and executive agency information technology sectors; * encourage the adoption of commercial items; and * assist executive agencies, on a reimbursable basis, with planning and adoption of technology in focus areas designated by the GSA, which may include, among other things, artificial intelligence. The GSA, for each reimbursable agreement entered into, shall make specified information available on a public website within 30 days of the signing of the agreement and updated upon completion. This bill shall sunset seven years after its enactment.

This bill establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Critical Technology and Security, which, among other things, shall * serve as a centralized focal point within the Executive Office of the President for coordinating policy and actions of the federal government to stop the transfer of critical emerging, foundational, and dual-use technologies to countries that pose a national security risk, and to maintain U.S. technological leadership and ensure supply chain integrity and security for such technologies; * lead messaging and outreach efforts by the government on the national security threat posed by the improper acquisition and transfer of such technologies; * lead the development of a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan in coordination with U.S. allies and defense partners to protect and enforce intellectual property rights and to develop a strategy to inform the private sector about critical supply chain risks; and * use measures developed to monitor and track key trends relating to transfer of such technologies, and relating to U.S. government investments in innovation and competitiveness compared to governments of other countries. The bill establishes the Council on Critical Technologies and Security to advise the President on matters relating to challenges posed by foreign powers with respect to technology acquisition and transfer.

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2019 This bill directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to convene an interagency entity under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. Agencies participating in the entity must carry out specified activities in support of sustainable chemistry, including incorporating sustainable chemistry into existing research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and training programs. Sustainable chemistry, also known as green chemistry, is focused on conserving resources and minimizing the generation and use of hazardous substances in chemical processes.

This bill establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Critical Technology and Security, which, among other things, shall * serve as a centralized focal point within the Executive Office of the President for coordinating policy and actions of the federal government to stop the transfer of critical emerging, foundational, and dual-use technologies to countries that pose a national security risk, and to maintain U.S. technological leadership and ensure supply chain integrity and security for such technologies; * lead messaging and outreach efforts by the government on the national security threat posed by the improper acquisition and transfer of such technologies; * lead the development of a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan in coordination with U.S. allies and defense partners to protect and enforce intellectual property rights and to develop a strategy to inform the private sector about critical supply chain risks; and * use measures developed to monitor and track key trends relating to transfer of such technologies, and relating to U.S. government investments in innovation and competitiveness compared to governments of other countries. The bill establishes the Council on Critical Technologies and Security to advise the President on matters relating to challenges posed by foreign powers with respect to technology acquisition and transfer.

VA Research Technology Act This bill addresses clinical research procedures within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to complete policy revisions within the internal directive titledRequirements for the Protection of Human Subjects in Researchto allow sponsored clinical research of the VA to use accredited commercial institutional review boards to review VA research proposal protocols. The VA must identify accredited commercial institutional review boards for use in connection with sponsored clinical research of the VA and establish a process to modify existing approvals if a board loses its accreditation during an ongoing clinical trial. The bill also requires the VA to establish an Office of Research Reviews within the VA's Office of Information and Technology. The office shall (1) perform centralized security reviews and complete security processes for approved research sponsored outside the VA, (2) develop and maintain a list of commercially available software preferred for use in sponsored clinical trials of the VA, (3) ensure such software list is maintained as part of the official approved software products list, and (4) develop benchmarks for time lines for security reviews.

This resolution congratulates the men and women of the Commercial Crew Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) and astronauts Robert L. Behnken and Douglas G. Hurley on the successful completion of the Crew Dragon Demo-2 test flight.

Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019 or the CIT Act of 2019 This bill provides incentives for the nonpower industrial sector to reduce nonwater greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an industrial emissions reduction technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program. Under the program, DOE must award grants and fund demonstration projects to develop and evaluate technologies designed to increase (1) the industrial competitiveness of the United States, and (2) the emission reductions of nonpower industrial sectors. DOE may also enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for these purposes. In addition, DOE must establish an Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee to provide advice to DOE and the Office of Science and Technology Policy about the program. Finally, DOE must establish a technical assistance program to achieve emission reductions in nonpower industrial sectors.

Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or the USE IT Act This bill addresses the capture, utilization, and sequestration of carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) establish a competitive prize program for certain technology projects that capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, (2) research and develop technologies or approaches that transform carbon dioxide generated by industrial processes into a product of commercial value, and (3) support research and infrastructure activities relating to carbon dioxide utilization by providing technical and financial assistance. The bill includes the construction of infrastructure for carbon capture (e.g., carbon dioxide pipelines) among those projects subject to performance schedules designed to reduce permitting and project delivery time. The Government Accountability Office must issue a report that identifies grant programs that research carbon capture and utilization technologies and examines whether the programs overlap. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must publish guidance to (1) facilitate reviews associated with the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects and carbon dioxide pipelines; and (2) support the development of such projects and pipelines. The CEQ must also establish at least two task forces to (1) identify challenges and successes that permitting authorities and project developers and operators face, and (2) improve the performance of the permitting process and regional coordination.

Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to Achieve Commercialization of Technologies for Energy Act or theIMPACT for Energy Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a nonprofit corporation named the IMPACT for Energy Foundation to channel private sector investment into commercial innovative technologies in energy. The foundation may establish one or more for-profit subsidiaries, including an impact investment fund to (1) stimulate economic development activities, and (2) attract for-profit investment partners for technology translation and commercialization activities.

Consumer Safety Technology Act This bill requires various agencies to explore the use of emerging technologies in the context of consumer products and safety. First, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission must consult with relevant stakeholders, such as data scientists and product manufacturers, and use artificial intelligence in a pilot program for a least one of the following processes: (1) tracking trends in injuries involving consumer products, (2) identifying consumer product hazards, (3) monitoring the sale of recalled consumer products, or (4) identifying consumer products that do not meet specified importation requirements related to product safety. Additionally, the Department of Commerce must consult with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other relevant agencies to study potential applications of blockchain technology (i.e., the technology that supports digital currencies such as Bitcoin), including the use of such technology to address fraud and other unfair or deceptive practices. Finally, the FTC must report on its efforts to address unfair or deceptive trade practices related to digital tokens (i.e., transferable units of a digital currency).

Commercial Facial Recognition Privacy Act of 2019 This bill prohibits entities from collecting, processing, storing, or controlling facial recognition data unless such entities (1) provide documentation that explains the capabilities and limitations of facial-recognition technology, and (2) obtain explicit affirmative consent from end users to use such technology after providing notice about the reasonably foreseeable uses of the collected facial-recognition data. Facial-recognition data includes attributes or features of the face that permit facial-recognition technology to uniquely and consistently identify a specific individual. Controllers of facial recognition data also are prohibited from (1) using such data to discriminate against end users, (2) using such data for a purpose that is not reasonably foreseeable to the end user, (3) sharing such data with a third party without the additional affirmative consent of the end user, or (4) conditioning the use of a product on an end user providing affirmative consent.

Accelerating Defense Innovation Act of 2019 This bill establishes a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DOD) to grant money to certain small businesses and modifies provisions related to DOD funding of small businesses through Small Business Administration programs. Specifically, the bill creates the Domestic Investment Pilot Program, which allows DOD and service acquisition executives for each military department to make a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program award to small businesses that are majority-owned by multiple domestic venture investors. However, no more than 15% of DOD SBIR funds may be awarded to such small businesses. In addition, the bill doubles funding for the Defense Research and Development Rapid Innovation Program, which is a competitive, merit-based program designed to accelerate the deployment of technologies developed through SBIR projects. The bill also allows DOD to award Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program funds to accelerate the creation of small businesses and the commercialization of research innovations. Further, the bill authorizes discretionary technical and business assistance through the SBIR and STTR programs for the purpose of aiding small businesses with cybersecurity decision-making, problem-solving, and development and commercialization of new products and processes. Lastly, DOD, in consultation with the military departments, must establish at least three joint reserve detachments at locations of the Defense Innovation Unit to (1) support engagement and collaboration with commercial innovation hubs, and (2) accelerate the transition and adoption of commercial technologies for national security purposes.