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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2802 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 524
109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2802

                          [Report No. 109-285]

   To improve American innovation and competitiveness in the global 
                                economy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 15, 2006

 Mr. Ensign (for himself, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inouye, Mr. 
 Smith, Mr. Allen, Mr. Burns, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Nelson of 
 Florida, and Mr. Pryor) introduced the following bill; which was read 
     twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                             Transportation

                             July 19, 2006

                Reported by Mr. Stevens, with amendments
  [Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To improve American innovation and competitiveness in the global 
                                economy.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2006''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
   TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE 
                                SCIENCE

Sec. 101. National science and technology summit.
Sec. 102. Study on barriers to innovation.
Sec. 103. National innovation medal.
Sec. 104. Release of scientific research results.
Sec. 105. Semiannual math and science days.
Sec. 106. Study of service science.
Sec. 107. Review and report by director of the Office of Science and 
                            Technology Policy.
Sec. 108. Report by director of the Office of Science and Technology 
                            Policy.
                     TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTION

Sec. 201. President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.
Sec. 202. Innovation acceleration grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. Regional economic development.
            </DELETED>TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Innovation-based experiential learning.
</DELETED>Sec. <DELETED>303. </DELETED>302. Graduate fellowships and 
                            graduate traineeships.
Sec. <DELETED>304. </DELETED>303. Professional science masters degree 
                            programs.
Sec. <DELETED>305. </DELETED>304. Increased support for science 
                            education through the National Science 
                            Foundation.
<DELETED>Sec. 306. Study of service science.
</DELETED>Sec. <DELETED>307. </DELETED>305. Meeting critical national 
                            science needs.
Sec. <DELETED>308. </DELETED>306. Experimental program to stimulate 
                            competitive research.
Sec. 307. Encouraging participation.
Sec. 308. Cyberinfrastructure.
Sec. 309. Reaffirmation of the merit-review process of the National 
                            Science Foundation.
        TITLE IV--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 401. NASA's contribution to innovation.
Sec. 402. Aeronautics Institute for Research.
Sec. 403. Basic research enhancement.
Sec. 404. Aging workforce issues program.
Sec. 405. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 406. Direct NASA participation in American competitiveness 
                            initiative.
        TITLE V--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 502. Amendments to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
                            of 1980.
Sec. 503. Innovation acceleration.
<DELETED>Sec. 504. Development of advanced manufacturing systems.
<DELETED>Sec. 505. Collaborative manufacturing research pilot grants.
</DELETED>Sec. <DELETED>506. </DELETED>504. Manufacturing extension.
Sec. <DELETED>507. </DELETED>505. Experimental program to stimulate 
                            competitive technology.
Sec. <DELETED>508. </DELETED>506. Technical amendments to the National 
                            Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
                            and other technical amendments.

                TITLE VI--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS

Sec. 601. Ocean and atmospheric research and development program.
Sec. 602. NOAA ocean and atmospheric science education programs.

   TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE 
                                SCIENCE

SEC. 101. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT.

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this act, the President shall convene a National Science 
and Technology Summit. The Summit shall include representatives of 
industry, small business, academia, State government, and Federal 
research and development agencies. The summit shall examine the health 
and direction of the United States' science and technology 
enterprise.</DELETED>
    (a) In General.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the President shall convene a National Science and Technology 
Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' 
science and technology enterprises. The Summit shall include 
representatives of industry, small business, academia, State 
government, Federal research and development agencies, non-profit 
environmental and energy policy groups concerned with science and 
technology issues, and other nongovernmental organizations.
    (b) Report.--Within 90 days after the end of the Summit, the 
President shall issue a report on the results of the Summit. The report 
shall identify key research and technology challenges and 
recommendations for areas of investment for Federal research and 
technology programs over the next 5 years beginning after the report is 
issued.
    (c) Annual Evaluation.--Beginning with the first year ending after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall publish an annual report containing 
recommendations for areas of investment for Federal research and 
technology programs, together with a justification for each area 
identified in the report. For the first 5 years after the Summit, the 
report shall take into account recommendations of the Summit.

SEC. 102. STUDY ON BARRIERS TO INNOVATION.

    (a) In General.--The National Academy of Sciences shall conduct and 
complete a study to identify, and to review methods to mitigate, new 
forms of risk for businesses beyond conventional operational and 
financial risk that affect the ability to innovate, including studying 
and reviewing--
            (1) incentive and compensation structures that could 
        effectively encourage long-term value creation and innovation;
            (2) methods of voluntary and supplemental disclosure by 
        industry of intellectual capital, innovation performance, and 
        indicators of future valuation;
            (3) means by which government could work with industry to 
        enhance the legal and regulatory framework to encourage the 
        disclosures described in paragraph (2);
            (4) practices that may be significant deterrents to United 
        States businesses engaging in innovation risk-taking compared 
        to foreign competitors, including tort litigation, the nature 
        and extent of any resulting defensive management practices, and 
        recommendations on practices to restore innovation risk-taking 
        and to overcome defensive practices;
            (5) costs faced by United States businesses engaging in 
        innovation compared to foreign competitors, including the 
        burden placed on businesses by high and rising health care 
        costs;
            <DELETED>(5) </DELETED>(6) means by which industry, trade 
        associations, and universities could collaborate to support 
        research on management practices and methodologies for 
        assessing the value and risks of longer term innovation 
        strategies; <DELETED>and
        </DELETED>    (6) </DELETED>(7) means to encourage new, open, 
        and collaborative dialogue between industry associations, 
        regulatory authorities, management, shareholders, and other 
        concerned interests to encourage appropriate approaches to 
        innovation <DELETED>risk-taking. </DELETED>risk-taking; and
            (8) incentives to encourage participation among 
        institutions of higher education, especially those in rural and 
        underserved areas, to engage in innovation.
    (b) Report Required.--The National Academy of Sciences shall, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and every 4 
years thereafter, submit to Congress a report on the study conducted 
under subsection (a).
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Academy of Sciences $1,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2007 for the purpose of carrying out the study required under this 
section.

SEC. 103. NATIONAL INNOVATION MEDAL.

    Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting ``SEC. 
        16. NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY <DELETED>MEDAL; NATIONAL INNOVATION 
        </DELETED>AND INNOVATION MEDAL.''; and
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``is'' in subsection (a) and 
        inserting ``are'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by striking ``Medal,'' in subsection (a) and 
        inserting ``Medal and a National Innovation Medal'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by striking ``medal,'' in subsection (b) and 
        inserting ``medals,'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by striking ``States.'' in subsection (b) and 
        inserting ``States or by reason of their unique scientific and 
        engineering innovations in the National interest at the time 
        such innovation occurs.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) by striking ``presentation of the award'' in 
        subsection (c) and inserting ``presentations of the 
        awards''.</DELETED>
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Technology Medal'' and 
        inserting ``Technology and Innovation Medal''.

SEC. 104. RELEASE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RESULTS.

    (a) Principles.--Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in 
consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 
shall develop and issue an overarching set of principles for the 
communication of scientific information by government scientists, 
policy makers, and managers to the public. The principles shall 
encourage the open exchange of data and results of research by Federal 
agency scientists.
    (b) Implementation.--The Director shall ensure that all civilian 
Federal agencies that conduct scientific research develop specific 
policies and procedures regarding the public release of scientific 
information consistent with the principles established under subsection 
(a) within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. These 
agency-specific policies shall be uniformly applied across the agency, 
widely communicated, and readily accessible to all employees and the 
public. They shall specifically address what is and what is not 
permitted or recommended.

SEC. 105. SEMIANNUAL MATH AND SCIENCE DAYS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy should--
            (1) encourage all elementary and middle schools to observe 
        a Math and Science Day twice in every school year for the 
        purpose of bringing in math and science mentors to provide 
        hands-on lessons to excite and inspire students to pursue the 
        math and science fields (continuing education and career 
        paths);
            (2) initiate a program, in consultation with Federal 
        agencies and departments, to provide support systems, tools 
        (from existing outreach offices), and mechanisms to allow and 
        encourage Federal employees with scientific, technological, 
        engineering, or mathematical responsibilities to reach out to 
        local classrooms on such Math and Science Days to instruct and 
        inspire school children, focusing on real life math and 
        science-related applicable experiences along with hands-on 
        demonstrations in order to demonstrate the advantages and 
        direct applications of studying the math and science fields; 
        and
            (3) promote Math and Science Days involvement by private 
        sector and institutions of higher learning employees in a 
        manner similar to the Federal employee involvement described in 
        paragraph (2).

SEC. 106. STUDY OF SERVICE SCIENCE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, in order 
to strengthen the competitiveness of United States enterprises and 
institutions and to prepare the people of the United States for high-
wage, high-skill employment, the Federal Government should better 
understand and respond strategically to the emerging vocation and 
learning discipline known as service science.
    (b) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, through the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study 
and report to Congress regarding how the Federal Government should 
support, through research, education, and training, the new discipline 
of service science.
    (c) Outside Resources.--In conducting the study under subsection 
(b), the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with leaders from 
2- and 4-year institutions of higher education, as defined in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), leaders from 
corporations, and other relevant parties.
    (d) Service Science Defined.--In this section:
            (1) In general.--The term ``service science'' means 
        curricula, research programs, and training regimens, including 
        service sciences, management, and engineering programs, to 
        teach individuals to apply technology, organizational process 
        management, and industry-specific knowledge to solve complex 
        problems.
            (2) Service sciences, management, and engineering 
        programs.--The term ``service sciences, management, and 
        engineering programs'' means the discipline known as service 
        sciences, management, and engineering that--
                    (A) applies scientific, engineering, and management 
                disciplines to tasks that one organization performs 
                beneficial for others, generally as part of the 
                services sector of the economy; and
                    (B) integrates computer science, operations 
                research, industrial engineering, business strategy, 
                management sciences, and social and legal sciences, in 
                order to encourage innovation in how organizations 
                create value for customers and shareholders that could 
                not be achieved through such disciplines working in 
                isolation.

SEC. 107. REVIEW AND REPORT BY DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND 
              TECHNOLOGY POLICY.

    Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall review 
all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including tax 
provisions, compliance costs, and reporting requirements, and submit a 
report to the Congress and the President on any provisions thereof that 
discourage or encourage innovation.

SEC. 108. REPORT BY DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
              POLICY.

    Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall conduct a 
comprehensive review of all Federal regulations and submit a report to 
the Congress and the President on any regulations that discourage or 
encourage innovation.

                     TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTION

SEC. 201. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS.

    (a) In General.--The President shall establish a President's 
Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.
    (b) Duties.--The Council's duties shall include--
            (1) monitoring implementation of public laws and 
        initiatives for promoting innovation, including policies 
        related to research funding, taxation, immigration, trade, and 
        education that are proposed in this and other Acts;
            (2) in consultation with the Director of the Office of 
        Management and Budget, developing a process for using metrics 
        to assess the impact of existing and proposed policies and 
        rules that affect innovation capabilities in the United States;
            (3) identifying opportunities and making recommendations 
        for the heads of executive agencies to improve innovation, 
        monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of such 
        recommendations;
            (4) developing metrics for measuring the progress of the 
        Federal Government with respect to improving conditions for 
        innovation, including through talent development, investment, 
        and infrastructure improvements; and
            (5) submitting an annual report to the President and 
        Congress on such progress.
    (c) Membership and Coordination.--
            (1) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of the 
        Secretary or head of each of the following:
                    (A) The Department of Commerce.
                    (B) The Department of Defense.
                    (C) The Department of Education.
                    (D) The Department of Energy.
                    (E) The Department of Health and Human Services.
                    (F) The Department of Homeland Security.
                    (G) The Department of Labor.
                    (H) The Department of the Treasury.
                    (I) The National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration.
                    (J) The Securities and Exchange Commission.
                    (K) The National Science Foundation.
                    (L) The Office of the United States Trade 
                Representative.
                    (M) The Office of Management and Budget.
                    (N) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
                    (O) The Environmental Protection Agency.
                    <DELETED>(O) </DELETED>(P) Any other department or 
                agency designated by the President.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Commerce shall serve as 
        chairperson of the Council.
            (3) Coordination.--The chairperson of the Council shall 
        ensure appropriate coordination between the Council and the 
        National Economic Council, the National Security Council, and 
        the National Science and Technology Council.
    (d) Development of Innovation Agenda.--
            (1) In general.--The Council shall develop a comprehensive 
        agenda for strengthening the innovation and competitiveness 
        capabilities of the Federal Government and State governments, 
        academia, and the private sector in the United States.
            (2) Consultation.--The comprehensive agenda required by 
        paragraph (1) shall be developed in consultation with 
        appropriate representatives of the private sector, scientific 
        organizations, <DELETED>and academic organizations. 
        </DELETED>academic organizations, and other nongovernmental 
        organizations working in the area of science or technology.
    (e) Technical Amendment.--Section 101(b) of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(b)) is amended by striking ``an'' 
in the first sentence and inserting ``a distinct''.
    (f) Optional Assignment.--Notwithstanding subsection (a) and 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c), the President may designate 
an existing council or advisory panel to perform the duties and 
functions of this section.

SEC. 202. INNOVATION ACCELERATION GRANTS.

    (a) Grant Program.--The President, through the head of each Federal 
research agency, shall establish a grant program, to be known as the 
``Innovation Acceleration Grants Program'', to support and promote 
innovation in the United States. Priority in the awarding of grants 
shall be given to projects that--
            (1) meet fundamental technology challenges;
            (2) involve multidisciplinary work and a high degree of 
        novelty;
            (3) have the potential for yielding results with far-
        ranging or wide-ranging implications but are considered too 
        novel or span too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well 
        in the traditional peer review process.
    (b) Awarding of Grants Through Departments and Agencies.--
            (1) Funding goals.--The President shall ensure that it is 
        the goal of each Executive agency (as defined in section 105 of 
        title 5, United States Code) that finances research in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology to allocate 
        approximately 8 percent of the agency's total annual research 
        and development budget to funding grants under the Innovation 
        Acceleration Grants Program.
            (2) Administration.--
                    (A) In general.--Each head of an Executive agency 
                awarding grants under paragraph (1) shall submit a plan 
                for implementing the grant program within such 
                Executive agency to the Director of the Office of 
                Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the 
                Office of Management and Budget. The implementation 
                plan shall be submitted not later than 90 days after 
                the date of enactment of this Act. The implementation 
                plan may incorporate existing initiatives of the 
                Executive agencies that promote research in innovation 
                as described in subsection (a).
                    (B) Required metrics.--The head of each Executive 
                agency submitting an implementation plan pursuant to 
                this section shall include metrics upon which grant 
                funding decisions will be made and metrics for 
                assessing the success of the grants awarded.
                    (C) Grant duration and renewals.--
                            (i) In general.--Any grants issued by an 
                        Executive agency under this section shall be 
                        for a period not to exceed 3 years.
                            (ii) Evaluation.--Not later than 90 days 
                        prior to the expiration of a grant issued under 
                        this section, the Executive agency that 
                        approved the grant shall complete an evaluation 
                        of the effectiveness of the grant based on the 
                        metrics established pursuant to subparagraph 
                        (B). In its evaluation, the Executive agency 
                        shall consider the extent to which the program 
                        funded by the grant met the goals of quality 
                        improvement and job creation.
                            (iii) Publication of review.--The Executive 
                        agency shall publish and make available to the 
                        public the review of each grant approved 
                        pursuant to this section.
                            (iv) Failure to meet metrics.--Any grant 
                        that the Executive agency awarding the grant 
                        determines has failed to satisfy any of the 
                        metrics developed pursuant to subparagraph (B), 
                        shall not be eligible for a renewal.
                            (v) Waiver.--The head of the Executive 
                        agency may authorize a waiver of the metric-
                        meeting requirement of clauses (iv) and (vi) if 
                        he or she determines that the grant failed to 
                        meet a small number of metrics and the failure 
                        was not significant for the overall performance 
                        of the grant.
                            <DELETED>(v) </DELETED>(vi) Renewal.--A 
                        grant issued under this section that satisfies 
                        all of the metrics developed pursuant to 
                        subparagraph (B), may be renewed once for a 
                        period not to exceed 3 years. Additional 
                        renewals may be considered only if the head of 
                        the Executive agency makes a specific finding 
                        that the program being funded involves a 
                        significant technology advance that requires a 
                        longer timeframe to complete critical research, 
                        and the research satisfies all the metrics 
                        developed pursuant to subparagraph (B).
    (c) Definitions.--
            (1) Federal research agency defined.--In this section, the 
        term ``Federal research agency'' means a major organizational 
        component of a department or agency of the Federal Government, 
        or other establishment of the Federal Government operating with 
        appropriated funds, that has as its primary purpose the 
        performance of scientific research.
            (2) Major organizational component.--The term ``major 
        organizational component'', with respect to a department, 
        agency, or other establishment of the Federal Government, means 
        a component of the department, agency, or other establishment 
        that is administered by an individual whose rate of basic pay 
        is not less than the rate of basic pay payable under level V of 
        the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United 
        States Code.

<DELETED>SEC. 203. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Development of Funding Strategy.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary for 
        Economic Development of the Department of Commerce shall review 
        Federal programs that support local economic development and 
        prepare and implement a strategy to focus greater funding on 
        initiatives that improve the ability of communities to 
        participate successfully in the modern economy through 
        innovation. In preparing the strategy, priority should be given 
        to projects that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) emphasize private sector cooperation 
                with State and local governments and nonprofit 
                organizations focused on regional economic development 
                as the means of achieving specific objectives related 
                to the support and promotion of innovation; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) are the most successful in meeting the 
                metrics established under subsection (b).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination.--The Assistant Secretary shall 
        coordinate the development and implementation of the strategy 
        with the activities carried out by the Secretary of Commerce 
        under subsection (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Evaluation of Programs.--The Assistant Secretary for 
Economic Development of the Department of Commerce shall develop 
metrics to measure the success of Federal programs in supporting and 
promoting innovation at the local community level while minimizing 
bureaucracy and overhead expenses.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Promotion of Economic Development Opportunities.--The 
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development of the Department of 
Commerce should work with organizations focused on economic development 
to highlight opportunities for such organizations to serve local 
communities through grants focused on economic development and 
investment in companies pursuing innovation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Regional Innovation Hot Spots.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Promotion of regional innovation hot spots.--
        The Secretary of Commerce shall coordinate activities focused 
        on promoting innovation through the development of regional 
        innovation hot spots.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Guide to developing successful regional 
        innovation hot spots.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
                of Commerce, in consultation with representatives of 
                regional innovation hot spots, shall publish a report, 
                to be titled the ``Guide to Developing Successful 
                Regional Innovation Hot Spots'', that examines 
                successful regional innovation hot spots and includes 
                recommendations for establishing and fostering regional 
                innovation hot spots.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Content.--The report required under 
                subparagraph (A) shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) include information on the 
                        evaluation of human capital;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) include information on the 
                        role of sponsoring institutions, such as 
                        universities, nonprofit organizations, and 
                        laboratories, in establishing and fostering 
                        regional innovation hot spots;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) include information on the 
                        role of State and local government leaders, 
                        leaders in the research and business 
                        communities, and community organizations in 
                        establishing and fostering regional innovation 
                        hot spots;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) discuss the importance of 
                        collaboration by public and private sector 
                        leaders;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) identify sources of funding 
                        for these activities within Federal, State, and 
                        local governments and the private sector; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) include recommendations for 
                        developing strategic plans to stimulate 
                        innovation, including recommendations relating 
                        to knowledge transfer and commercialization, 
                        the support of regional entrepreneurship and 
                        increased innovation within existing regional 
                        firms, and the linking of primary institutions 
                        engaged in the innovation process.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Regional innovation hot spot metrics.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Development of metrics.--In 
                conjunction with publishing the report required under 
                paragraph (2), the Secretary of Commerce shall develop 
                the following sets of metrics:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Metrics to be considered for 
                        identifying potential regional innovation hot 
                        spots (in this subsection referred to as 
                        ``identifying metrics'').</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Metrics to be considered for 
                        evaluating the impact and effectiveness of 
                        established regional innovation hot spots (in 
                        this subsection referred to as ``evaluation 
                        metrics'').</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Use of metrics.--The Secretary of 
                Commerce shall use the identifying metrics to conduct 
                biannual assessments of potential regional clusters and 
                shall use the evaluation metrics to assess the impact 
                and effectiveness of established regional innovation 
                hot spots in improving the regional economy and 
                regional job market. The Secretary shall also assess 
                the cost effectiveness of operating within each 
                regional hot spot. The Secretary shall report the 
                biannual assessments to Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Regional Innovation Hot Spots.--In this section, the 
term ``regional innovation hot spots'' means regions that are defined 
by a high degree of innovation and the availability of talent, 
investment, and infrastructure necessary to create and sustain such 
innovation.</DELETED>

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Science Foundation--
            (1) $6,440,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            (2) $7,433,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (3) $8,577,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (4) $9,898,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            (5) $11,422,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
    (b) Plan for Increased Research.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall submit a comprehensive, multiyear plan that 
        describes how the funds authorized in subsection (a) would be 
        used, if appropriated, to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation, the Senate Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House of Representatives 
        Committee on Science.
            (2) Plan requirements.--The Director shall--
                    (A) develop the plan with a focus on strengthening 
                the Nation's lead in physical science and technology, 
                increasing overall workforce skills in physical 
                science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at 
                all levels, and strengthening innovation by expanding 
                the focus of competitiveness and innovation policy at 
                the regional and local level; and
                    (B) emphasize spending increased research funds 
                appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in areas of 
                investment for Federal research and technology programs 
                identified under section 101(c) of this Act.

<DELETED>SEC. 302. INNOVATION-BASED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall establish a grant program under which grants are 
provided to local educational agencies to enable the local educational 
agencies to implement innovation-based experiential learning in a total 
of up to 500 secondary schools and up to 500 elementary or middle 
schools in the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Applications.--A local educational agency desiring a 
grant under this section shall submit an application at such time, in 
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director of the 
National Science Foundation may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Experiential Learning Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``experiential learning'' means a teaching model that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) begins with a relevant, real-world 
        problem;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) requires a student to research and plan a 
        solution to the problem, and experiment with that solution; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) follows the experiment with analysis, 
        reflection, discussion, and a redesign of the 
        solution.</DELETED>

SEC. <DELETED>303. </DELETED>302. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND GRADUATE 
              TRAINEESHIPS.

    (a) Graduate Research Fellowship Program.--
            (1) In general.--During the 5-year period beginning on the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
        Science Foundation shall expand the Graduate Research 
        Fellowship Program of the Foundation so that an additional 
        1,250 fellowships are awarded to United States citizens under 
        the Program during that period.
            (2) Extension of fellowship period.--The Director is 
        authorized to award fellowships under the Graduate Research 
        Fellowship Program for a period of up to 5 years.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--Within the amounts 
        authorized to be appropriated by section 301, there are 
        authorized to be appropriated $34,000,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to provide an additional 250 
        fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program 
        during each such fiscal year.
    (b) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship 
Program.--
            (1) In general.--During the 5-year period beginning on the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall expand 
        the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship 
        program of the Foundation so that an additional 1,250 United 
        States citizens are awarded grants under the program during 
        that period.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Within the amounts 
        authorized to be appropriated by section 301, there are 
        authorized to be appropriated $57,000,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to provide grants to an 
        additional 250 individuals under the Integrative Graduate 
        Education and Research Traineeship program during each such 
        fiscal year.

SEC. <DELETED>304. </DELETED>303.  PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTERS DEGREE 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Clearinghouse.--
            (1) Development.--The Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration 
        with 4-year institutions of higher education, including 
        applicable graduate schools and academic departments, 
        industries, and Federal agencies that employ science-trained 
        personnel, to share program elements used in successful 
        professional science masters degree programs and other advanced 
        degree programs related to science, mathematics, technology, 
        and engineering.
            (2) Availability.--The Director shall make the 
        clearinghouse of program elements developed under paragraph (1) 
        available to institutions of higher education that are 
        developing professional science masters degree programs.
    (b) Pilot Programs.--
            (1) Program authorized.--The Director shall award grants 
        for pilot programs to 4-year institutions of higher education 
        to facilitate the institutions' creation or improvement of 
        professional science <DELETED>master's </DELETED>masters degree 
        programs.
            (2) Application.--A 4-year institution of higher education 
        desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application 
        at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
        information as the Director may require. The application shall 
        include--
                    (A) a description of the professional science 
                masters degree program that the institution of higher 
                education will implement;
                    (B) the amount of funding from non-Federal sources, 
                including from private industries, that the institution 
                of higher education shall use to support the 
                professional masters degree program; and
                    (C) an assurance that the institution of higher 
                education shall encourage students in the professional 
                science <DELETED>master's </DELETED>masters degree 
                program to apply for all forms of Federal assistance 
                available to such students, including applicable 
                graduate fellowships and student financial assistance 
                under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
            (3) Preference for alternative funding sources.--The 
        Director shall give preference in making awards to 4-year 
        institutions of higher education seeking Federal funding to 
        support pilot professional science <DELETED>master's 
        </DELETED>masters degree programs, to those applicants that 
        secure more than \2/3\ of the funding for such professional 
        science masters degree programs from sources other than the 
        Federal Government.
            (4) Number of grants; time period of grants.--
                    (A) Number of grants.--Subject to the availability 
                of appropriated funds, the Director shall award grants 
                under paragraph (1) to a maximum of 200 4-year 
                institutions of higher education.
                    (B) Time period of grants.--Grants awarded under 
                this section shall be for one 3-year term. Grants may 
                be renewed only once for a maximum of 2 additional 
                years.
            (5) Evaluation and reports.--
                    (A) Development of performance benchmarks.--Prior 
                to the start of the grant program, the National Science 
                Foundation, in collaboration with 4-year institutions 
                of higher education, shall develop performance 
                benchmarks to evaluate the pilot programs assisted by 
                grants under this section.
                    (B) Evaluation.--For each year of the grant period, 
                the Director, in consultation with 4-year institutions 
                of higher education, and Federal agencies that employ 
                science-trained personnel, shall complete an evaluation 
                of each pilot program assisted by grants under this 
                section. Any pilot program that fails to satisfy the 
                performance benchmarks developed under subparagraph (A) 
                shall not be eligible for further funding.
                    (C) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                completion of an evaluation described in subparagraph 
                (A), the Director, in consultation with industries and 
                Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, 
                shall submit a report to Congress that includes--
                            (i) the results of the evaluation described 
                        in subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) recommendations for administrative and 
                        legislative action that could optimize the 
                        effectiveness of the pilot programs, as the 
                        Director determines to be appropriate.
    (c) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Within the amounts authorized 
to be appropriated by section 301, there are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 
and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. <DELETED>305. </DELETED>304. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE 
              EDUCATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.

    (a) In General.--Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
by section 301, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
the physical science, mathematics, engineering, and technology talent 
expansion program under section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042)--
            (1) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            (2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (3) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
            (4) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
    (b) Outreach Programs.--Section 8(7)(C) of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 
3042) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in clause (v);
            (2) by striking ``students.'' in clause (vi) and inserting 
        ``students; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) outreach programs that provide 
                        middle and secondary school students and their 
                        science and math teachers opportunities to 
                        increase their exposure to engineering and 
                        technology.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 306. STUDY OF SERVICE SCIENCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
that, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of United States 
enterprises and institutions and to prepare the people of the United 
States for high-wage, high-skill employment, the Federal Government 
should better understand and respond strategically to the emerging 
vocation and learning discipline known as service science.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation, 
through the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study and 
report to Congress regarding how the Federal Government should support, 
through research, education, and training, the new discipline of 
service science.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Outside Resources.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (b), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
consult with leaders from 2- and 4-year institutions of higher 
education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), leaders from corporations, and other relevant 
parties.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Service Science Defined.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The term ``service science'' 
        means curricula, research programs, and training regimens, 
        including service sciences, management, and engineering 
        programs, to teach individuals to apply technology, 
        organizational process management, and industry-specific 
        knowledge to solve complex problems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Service sciences, management, and engineering 
        programs.--The term ``service sciences, management, and 
        engineering programs'' means the discipline known as service 
        sciences, management, and engineering that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) applies scientific, engineering, and 
                management disciplines to tasks that one organization 
                performs beneficially for others, generally as part of 
                the services sector of the economy; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) integrates computer science, 
                operations research, industrial engineering, business 
                strategy, management sciences, and social and legal 
                sciences, in order to encourage innovation in how 
                organizations create value for customers and 
                shareholders that could not be achieved through such 
                disciplines working in isolation.</DELETED>

SEC. <DELETED>307. </DELETED>305. MEETING CRITICAL NATIONAL SCIENCE 
              NEEDS.

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--In addition to assessing the degree to 
which research award and grant proposals submitted to the Foundation, 
and research activities initiated by the Foundation, sustain and 
strengthen the nation's traditional commitment to long-term basic 
research that have the potential to be transformational to maintain the 
flow of new ideas that fuel the economy, provide security, and enhance 
the quality of life, to developing and sustaining a world class 
scientific workforce. and to fostering the scientific literacy of its 
citizens, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall include 
consideration of the degree to which such awards and such research 
activities may assist in meeting critical national needs in the 
physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Priority Treatment.--Proposed research activities, and 
grants funded under the Foundation's Research and Related Activities 
Account, which can be expected to make contributions in physical and 
natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and other 
research that underpins these areas, shall be given priority in the 
selection of awards and in the allocation of Foundation 
resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Application of Priority Treatment to Other Programs.--
This requirement shall be applied to other fellowship, grant or award 
programs authorized in this title.</DELETED>
    (a) In General.--In addition to any other criteria, the Director of 
the National Science Foundation shall include consideration of the 
degree to which awards and research activities may assist in meeting 
critical national needs in innovation, competitiveness, the physical 
and natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
    (b) Priority Treatment.--The Director shall give priority in the 
selection of awards and the allocation of Foundation resources to 
proposed research activities, and grants funded under the Foundation's 
Research and Related Activities Account, that can be expected to make 
contributions in physical or natural science, technology, engineering, 
or mathematics, or that enhance competitiveness or innovation in the 
United States.
    (c) Application of Priority Treatment to Other Programs.--The 
priority treatment described in subsection (b) shall be applied to 
other fellowship, grant, or award programs authorized by this title.
    (d) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
restrict or bias the grant selection process against funding other 
areas of research deemed by the Foundation to be consistent with its 
mandate nor to change the core mission of the Foundation.

SEC. <DELETED>308. </DELETED>306. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE 
              COMPETITIVE RESEARCH.

    Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 301, 
there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research authorized under section 113 of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g)--
            (1) $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
            (2) for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, an amount 
        equal to $125,000,000 increased for each such year by an amount 
        equal to the percentage increase of the National Science 
        Foundation's budget request above the total amount appropriated 
        to the Foundation for fiscal year 2007.

SEC. 307. ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION.

    (a) Mentoring Program.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall establish a program to provide mentors for women who 
are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics by pairing such women who are in science, technology, 
engineering, or mathematics programs of study in high school, community 
college, undergraduate or graduate school with mentors who are working 
in industry.
    (b) Apprenticeship Program.--The Director shall also establish a 
program to provide grants to community colleges to provide 
apprenticeships and other appropriate training to allow women to enter 
higher-paying technical jobs in fields related to science, technology, 
engineering, or mathematics.
    (c) Applications.--An institution of higher education, including a 
community college, desiring a grant under this section shall submit an 
application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
information as the Director may require.
    (d) Program Evaluation.--The Director shall establish metrics to 
evaluate the success of the programs established under subsections (a) 
and (b) annually and report the findings and conclusions of the 
evaluations annually to the Congress.

SEC. 308. CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE

    In order to continue and expand efforts to ensure that research 
institutions throughout the nation can fully participate in research 
programs of the National Science Foundation and collaborate with 
colleagues throughout the nation, the Director, within 180 days after 
enactment of this Act, shall develop and publish a plan that describes 
the current status of broadband access for scientific research purposes 
in States located in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and outlines actions 
which can be taken to ensure that such connections are available to 
enable participation in those National Science Foundation programs 
which rely heavily on high-speed networking and collaborations across 
institutions and regions.

SEC. 309. REAFFIRMATION OF THE MERIT-REVIEW PROCESS OF THE NATIONAL 
              SCIENCE FOUNDATION.

    Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be 
interpreted to require or recommend that the National Science 
Foundation--
            (1) alter or modify its merit-review system or peer-review 
        process; or
            (2) exclude the awarding of any proposal by means of the 
        merit-review or peer-review process.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 401. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.

    (a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) since its establishment the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration has played an important role in 
        stimulating excellence in the advancement of physical science 
        and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and 
        incentives for the pursuit of academinc studies in science, 
        technology, engineering, and mathematics;
            (2) a balanced science program as authorized by section 
        101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act 
        2005 (Public Law 109-155) contributes significantly to 
        innovation in and the economic competitiveness of the United 
        States; and
            (3) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
        funded at the levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of 
        that Act would offer a fair balance among science, aeronautics, 
        exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which can 
        attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians 
        across a broad range of fields in science, technology, 
        mathematics, and engineering.
    (b) Participation in Innovation and Competitiveness Programs.--The 
Administrator shall fully participate in any interagency efforts to 
promote innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific 
research and development.

SEC. 402. AERONAUTICS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration shall establish within the Administration an 
Aeronautics Institute for Research to manage the Aeronautics research 
of the Administration. The Institute shall be headed by a director with 
appropriate experience in aeronautics research and development.
    (b) Duties.--The Institute shall implement the programs authorized 
under Title IV of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155).
    (c) Cooperation with Other Agencies.--The Institute shall operate 
in conjunction with relevant programs in the Department of 
Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, 
and the Department of Homeland Security, including the activities of 
the Joint Planning and Development Office established under the VISION 
100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176). The 
Director of the Institute may accept assistance, staff, and funding 
from those Departments and other Federal agencies. Such funding shall 
be in addition to funds authorized for aeronautics under the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public 
Law 109-155). The Director of the Institute may utilize the Next 
Generation Air Transportation Senior Policy Committee established under 
section 710 of under the VISION 100--Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176) to coordinate its programs 
with other Departments and agencies.
    (d) Partnerships.--In developing and carrying out its plans, the 
Institute shall consult with the public and ensure the participation of 
experts from the private sector including representatives of commercial 
aviation, general aviation, aviation labor groups, aviation research 
and development entities, aircraft and air traffic control suppliers, 
and the space industry.

SEC. 403. BASIC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, 
the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of 
Commerce shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate basic and 
fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, 
technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (b) Establishment of Basic Research Executive Council.--In order to 
ensure effective application of resources to basic science activity and 
to facilitate cooperative basic and fundamental research activities 
with other governmental organizations, the Administrator of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish within 
the Administration a Basic Research Executive Council to oversee the 
distribution and management of programs and resources engaged in 
support of basic research activity.
    (c) Membership.--The membership of the Basic Research Executive 
Council shall consist of the most senior agency official representing 
each of the following areas of research:
            (1) Space Science.
            (2) Earth Science.
            (3) Life and Microgravity Sciences.
            (4) Aeronautical Research.
    (d) Leadership.--The Council shall be chaired by an individual 
appointed for that purpose who shall have, as a minimum, a appropriate 
graduate degree in a recognizable discipline in the physical sciences, 
and appropriate experience in the conduct and management of basic 
research activity. The Chairman of the Council shall report directly to 
the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
    (e) Supporting Resources and Personnel.--The Chairman of the 
Council shall be provided with adequate administrative staff support to 
conduct the activity and functions of the Council.
    (f) Duties.--The Basic Research Executive Council shall have, at 
minimum, the following duties:
            (1) To establish criteria for the identification of 
        research activity as basic in nature.
            (2) To establish, in consultation with the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, 
        the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes of 
        Health, and other appropriate external organizations, a 
        prioritization of fundamental research activity to be conducted 
        by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be 
        reviewed and updated on an annual basis, taking into 
        consideration evolving national research priorities.
            (3) To monitor, review, and evaluate all basic research 
        activity of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        for compliance with basic research priorities established under 
        paragraph (2).
            (4) To make recommendations to the Administrator regarding 
        adjustments in the basic research activities of the 
        Administration to ensure consistency with the research 
        priorities established under this section.
            (5) To provide an annual report to the Senate Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of 
        Representatives Committee on Science outlining the activities 
        of the Council during the preceding year and the status of 
        basic research activity within the Administration. The initial 
        such report, to serve as a baseline document, shall be provided 
        within 90 days after the establishment and initial operations 
        of the Council.

SEC. 404. AGING WORKFORCE ISSUES PROGRAM.

    It is the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration should implement a 
program to address aging work force issues in aerospace that--
            (1) documents technical and management experiences before 
        senior people leave the Administration, including--
                    (A) documenting lessons learned;
                    (B) briefing organizations;
                    (C) providing opportunities for archiving lessons 
                in a database; and
                    (D) providing opportunities for near-term retirees 
                to transition out early from their primary assignment 
                in order to document their career lessons learned and 
                brief new employees prior to their separation from the 
                Administration;
            (2) provides incentives for retirees to return and teach 
        new employees about their career lessons and experiences; and
            (3) provides for the development of an award to recognize 
        and reward outstanding senior employees for their contributions 
        to knowledge sharing.

SEC. 405. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    Section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph 
        (2)(B);
            (2) by striking ``Act.'' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting 
        ``Act; and'';
            (3) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following:
                    ``(D) the number and content of science activities 
                which are undertaken in support of science missions 
                described in subparagraph (A), and the number and 
                content of science activities which may be considered 
                as fundamental, or basic research, whether incorporated 
                within specific missions or conducted independently of 
                any specific mission.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end of paragraph (3) the following:
                    ``(H) How NASA science activities can best be 
                structured to ensure that basic and fundamental 
                research can be effectively maintained and coordinated 
                in response to national goals in competitiveness and 
                innovation, and in contributing to national scientific, 
                technology, engineering and mathematics leadership.''.

SEC. 406. DIRECT NASA PARTICIPATION IN AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS 
              INITIATIVE.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall increase 
funding for basic science and research, including for the Explorer 
Program, for fiscal year 2007 by $160,000,000 by transferring such 
amount for such purpose from accounts of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration. The transfer shall be contingent upon the 
availability of unobligated balances to the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration.

        TITLE V--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce for the use of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology--
            (1) for fiscal year 2007, $639,646,000, of which 
        <DELETED>$106,000,000 </DELETED>$110,000,000 shall be used for 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
            (2) for fiscal year 2008, $703,611,000, of which 
        <DELETED>$106,000,000 </DELETED>$115,000,000 shall be used for 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
            (3) for fiscal year 2009, $773,972,000, of which 
        <DELETED>$106,000,000 </DELETED>$120,000,000 shall be used for 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
            (4) for fiscal year 2010, $851,369,000, of which 
        <DELETED>$106,000,000 </DELETED>$125,000,000 shall be used for 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; and
            (5) for fiscal year 2011, $936,506,000, of which 
        <DELETED>$106,000,000 </DELETED>$130,000,000 shall be used for 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

SEC. 502. AMENDMENTS TO THE STEVENSON-WYDLER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ACT 
              OF 1980.

    (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended 
        by striking ``Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology''.
            (2) Section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
        Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703) is amended--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (3); and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (13) as 
                paragraphs (1) through (11), respectively.
            (3) Section 21(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
        Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3713(a)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking out ``sections 5, 11(g), and 16'' 
                in paragraph (1) and inserting ``sections 11(g) and 
                16'';
                    (B) by striking ``$500,000 is authorized only for 
                the purpose of carrying out the requirements of the 
                Japanese technical literature program established under 
                section 5(d) of this Act;''.
            (4) Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
        1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528 is amended by striking subsection (c) and 
        redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
            (5) Section 6(b)(4)(B)(v) of the Assistive Technology Act 
        of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3005(b)(4)(B)(v)) is amended by striking 
        ``the Technology Administration of the Department of 
        Commerce,'' and inserting ``the National Institute of Standards 
        and Technology,''.

SEC. 503. INNOVATION ACCELERATION.

    (a) Grant Program.--In order to implement section 202 of this Act, 
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
shall--
            (1) establish a program linked to the measurement 
        laboratories, to be known as the ``Standards and Technology 
        Acceleration Research Program'', to support and promote 
        innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward 
        research; and
            (2) set aside not less than 8 percent of the funds 
        available to the Institute each fiscal year for the program.
    (b) External Funding.--The Director shall ensure that at least 80 
percent of the funds available for the program shall be used to award 
competitive, merit-reviewed grants, cooperative agreements or contracts 
to public or private entities, including businesses and universities. 
In selecting these projects, the Director shall ensure that all 
projects have scientific and technical merit and that any resulting 
intellectual property shall vest in a company or companies incorporated 
in the United States. Each external project shall involve at least one 
small or medium-sized business and the Director shall give priority to 
joint ventures between small or medium-sized businesses and educational 
institutions. Any grant shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years.
    (c) Competitions.--The Director shall solicit proposals annually to 
address areas of national need for high-risk, high-reward research, as 
identified by the Director.
    (d) Annual Report.--Each year the Director shall issue an annual 
report describing the program's activities, including include a 
description of the metrics upon which grant funding decisions were made 
in the previous fiscal year, any proposed changes to those metrics, 
metrics for evaluating the success of ongoing and completed grants, and 
an evaluation of ongoing and completed grants. The first annual report 
shall include best practices for management of programs to stimulate 
high-risk, high-reward research.
    (e) Administrative Expenses.--No more than 5 percent of the finding 
available to the program may be used for administrative expenses.
    (f) High-Risk, High-Reward Research Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``high-risk, high-reward research'' means research that--
            (1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging 
        or wide-ranging implications; and
            (2) addresses critical national needs related to 
        measurement standards and technology; but
            (3) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of 
        disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review 
        process.

<DELETED>SEC. 504. DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 
              SYSTEMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Research and Development.--The Director of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology shall support research 
and development in collaboration with entities and organizations from 
the industrial sector to supplement and support work in the private 
sector on advanced manufacturing systems designed to increase 
productivity and efficiency and to create competitive advantages for 
United States businesses. These research and development activities 
should focus on the following activities:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Supporting industry efforts to develop 
        innovative, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, advanced 
        technologies through interoperable standards, and related 
        concepts, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) advanced distributed and desktop 
                manufacturing linked to and made compatible with the 
                extended production enterprise system described in 
                paragraph (2);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) non-contact quality inspection 
                processes linked to and made compatible with the 
                extended production enterprise system;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) small lot manufacturing processes that 
                are--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) as cost-effective as mass 
                        production processes; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) linked to and compatible with 
                        the extended production enterprise system; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the use of state-of-the-art materials 
                and processes at the nanotechnological level.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Supporting industry efforts to develop an 
        extended production enterprise system that integrates key 
        entities, including entities engaged in product design and 
        development, manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, and user 
        entities, including through the development of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) interoperable software and standards 
                designed to maximize the compatibility of the design, 
                modeling, and manufacturing stages of the manufacturing 
                process; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) supply chain software.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Coordination of Activities.--The Director shall 
coordinate activities under subsection (a) with activities under--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Small Business Innovation Research Program 
        (as defined in section 2500(11) of title 10, United States 
        Code);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the Small Business Technology Transfer Program 
        (as defined in section 2500(12) of title 10, United States 
        Code); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the Manufacturing Technology Program 
        established under section 2521 of title 10, United States 
        Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Testing.--The Director shall support the work of 
entities and organizations from the industrial sector in developing 
prototypes and testing areas for testing and refining, in actual 
production conditions, the processes, technologies, and extended 
production enterprise system described in subsection (a)(2) in order to 
maximize productivity gains and cost efficiencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Development of Standards.--The Director, in 
coordination with entities and organizations from the industrial sector 
and the Manufacturing Technology Program, shall support standards to be 
used as manufacturing performance criteria to accelerate the adoption 
of improvements and innovative processes and protocols developed under 
subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Pilot Test Beds of Excellence.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Establishment.--The Director shall, in 
        collaboration with entities and organizations from the 
        industrial sector, support not more than 3 pilot testbeds of 
        excellence in manufacturing fields important to advanced 
        technologies developed under subsection (a), such as 
        nanotechnology or fuel cell technology, to be used by the 
        public and private sector. The testbeds of excellence shall 
        focus on production development, particularly the invention, 
        prototyping, and engineering development stages of the 
        manufacturing process.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Competition.--The Director shall conduct a 
        competition to select the pilot testbeds of excellence based on 
        criteria and metrics established by the Secretary prior to the 
        competition.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Funding.--The Director may provide the pilot 
        testbeds of excellence selected pursuant to the competition set 
        forth in paragraph (2) with an appropriate level of funding if 
        and only if the following conditions are satisfied:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) No more than </DELETED>\<DELETED>1/
                3</DELETED>\ <DELETED>of the funding of each testbed of 
                excellence is provided by the Federal 
                Government.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) At least </DELETED>\<DELETED>1/
                3</DELETED>\ <DELETED>of the cost of each testbed of 
                excellence is provided by participants from the private 
                sector.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) At least </DELETED>\<DELETED>1/
                3</DELETED>\ <DELETED>of the cost of each testbed of 
                excellence is provided by State or local 
                governments.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Review of funded testbeds.--Within 3 years of 
        the start of Federal funding for any testbed of excellence 
        pursuant to this section, the Director shall use the metrics 
        established pursuant to paragraph (2) and any additional review 
        metrics that the Director determines appropriate to assess the 
        performance of the federally funded testbeds of excellence. Any 
        testbed of excellence that fails to satisfy any of the 
        performance metrics will be ineligible for additional Federal 
        funding.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Sunset provision.--Federal funding of any 
        testbed of excellence shall cease 5 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Focus on 
Innovation.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology shall ensure that the Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership program develops a focus on innovation, including through 
technology diffusion, supply and distribution chain integration, and 
the dissemination of the processes, technologies, and extended 
production enterprise systems developed under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Extended Production Enterprise.--In this section the 
term ``extended production enterprise'' means a system in which key 
entities in the manufacturing chain, including entities engaged in 
product design and development, manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, 
and user entities, are linked together through information technology 
and other means to promote efficiency and productivity.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 505. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT 
              GRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating the first section 32 (15 
        U.S.C. 271 note) as section 34 and moving it to the end of the 
        Act; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before the section moved by 
        paragraph (1) the following new section:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 33. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT 
              GRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Authority.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish 
        a pilot program of awards to partnerships among participants 
        described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in 
        paragraph (3). Awards shall be made on a peer-reviewed, 
        competitive basis.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Participants.--Such partnerships shall 
        include at least--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) 1 nonindustry partner.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under 
        this section is to foster cost-shared collaborations among 
        firms, educational institutions, research institutions, State 
        agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the 
        development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing 
        technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this section 
        shall conduct applied research to develop new manufacturing 
        processes, techniques, or materials that would contribute to 
        improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of 
        United States manufacturing, and build lasting alliances among 
        collaborators.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Program Contribution.--Awards under this section 
shall provide for not more than one-third of the costs of a 
partnership.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
section shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing 
such information as the Director shall require. Such applications shall 
describe at a minimum--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) how each partner will participate in 
        developing and carrying out the research agenda of the 
        partnership;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the research that the grant would fund; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) how the research to be funded with the award 
        would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and 
        competitiveness of the United States manufacturing 
        industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applications for 
awards under this section, the Director shall consider at a minimum--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the degree to which projects will have a 
        broad impact on manufacturing;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the novelty and scientific and technical 
        merit of the proposed projects; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the 
        applicants to successfully carry out the proposed 
        research.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Distribution.--In selecting applications under this 
section the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, a 
distribution of overall awards among a variety of manufacturing 
industry sectors and a range of firm sizes.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Duration.--In carrying out this section, the 
Director shall run a single pilot competition to solicit and make 
awards. Each award shall be for a 3-year period.''.</DELETED>

SEC. <DELETED>506. </DELETED>504. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION.

    (a) Manufacturing Center Evaluation.--Section 25(c)(5) of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
278k(c)(5)) is amended by inserting ``A Center that has not received a 
positive evaluation by the evaluation panel shall be notified by the 
panel of the deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on 
probation for one year, after which time the panel shall reevaluate the 
Center. If the Center has not addressed the deficiencies identified by 
the panel, or shown a significant improvement in its performance, the 
Director shall conduct a new competition to select an operator for the 
Center or may close the Center.'' after ``at declining levels.''.
    (b) Federal Share.--Strike section 25(d) of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(d)) and insert the 
following:
    ``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be 
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Centers 
program, the Secretary and Director also may accept funds from other 
Federal departments and agencies and under section 2(c)(7) from the 
private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States 
manufacturing. Such funds from the private sector, if allocated to a 
Center or Centers, shall not be considered in the calculation of the 
Federal share of capital and annual operating and maintenance costs 
under subsection (c).''.
<DELETED>    (c) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive 
Grant Program.--Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsections:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Competitive Grant Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall 
        establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership program under this section and section 26 of this 
        Act, a program of competitive awards among participants 
        described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in 
        paragraph (3).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards 
        under this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of 
        such Centers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under 
        this subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging 
        manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in 
        consultation with the Director of the Hollings Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership program, the Hollings Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership National Advisory Board, and small and 
        medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for the 
        competition may be identified, which may vary from year to 
        year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the success 
        of previous competitions. These themes shall be related to 
        projects associated with manufacturing extension activities, 
        including supply chain integration and quality management, or 
        extend beyond these traditional areas.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under 
        this subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such 
        time, and containing such information as the Director shall 
        require, in consultation with the Hollings Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership National Advisory Board.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection 
        shall be peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director 
        shall select proposals to receive awards--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) that utilize innovative or 
                collaborative approaches to solving the problem 
                described in the competition;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) that will improve the 
                competitiveness of industries in the region in which 
                the Center or Centers are located; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) that will contribute to the long-
                term economic stability of that region.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards 
        under this subsection may be required to provide a matching 
        contribution.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Audits.--A center that receives assistance under 
this section shall submit annual audits to the Secretary in accordance 
with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133 and shall make such 
audits available to the public on request.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Programmatic and Operational Plan.--Not later than 120 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 3-year 
programmatic and operational plan for the Hollings Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l). 
The plan shall include comments on the plan from the Hollings 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership State partners and the Hollings 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board.</DELETED>

SEC. <DELETED>507. </DELETED>505. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE 
              COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of 
Standards and Technology shall re-establish the Experimental Program to 
Stimulate Competitive Technology. The purpose of the program shall be 
to strengthen the technological competitiveness of those States that 
have historically received less Federal research and development funds 
than a majority of the States have received.
    (b) Arrangements.--In carrying out the program, the Director shall 
cooperate with State, regional, or local science and technology-based 
economic development organization and with representatives of small 
business firms and other appropriate technology-based businesses.
    (c) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out the 
program, the Director may make grants or enter into cooperative 
agreements to provide for--
            (1) technology research and development;
            (2) technology transfer from university research;
            (3) technology deployment and diffusion; and
            (4) the strengthening of technological and innovation 
        capabilities through consortia comprised of--
                    (A) technology-based small business firms;
                    (B) industries and emerging companies;
                    (C) institutions of higher education including 
                community colleges; and
                    (D) State and local development agencies and 
                entities.
    (d) Requirements for Making Awards.--
            (1) In general.--In making awards under this section, the 
        Director shall ensure that the awards are awarded on a 
        competitive basis that includes a review of the merits of the 
        activities that are the subject of the award, giving special 
        emphasis to those projects which will increase the 
        participation of <DELETED>women </DELETED>women, Native 
        Americans (including Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives), and 
        underrepresented groups in science and technology.
            (2) Matching requirement.--The non-Federal share of the 
        activities (other than planning activities) carried out under 
        an award under this subsection shall be not less than 50 
        percent of the cost of those activities.
    (e) Criteria for States.--The Director shall establish criteria for 
achievement by each State that participates in the program. Upon the 
achievement of all such criteria, a State shall cease to be eligible to 
participate in the program.
    (f) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, in carrying out this 
subsection, the Director shall coordinate the program with other 
programs of the Department of Commerce.
    (g) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the enactment 
        of this act, the Director shall prepare and submit a report 
        that meets the requirements of this paragraph to the Senate 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        House of Representatives Committee on Science.
            (2) Requirements for report.--The report prepared under 
        this paragraph shall contain--
                    (A) a description of the structure and procedures 
                of the program;
                    (B) a management plan for the program;
                    (C) a description of the merit-based review process 
                to be used in the program;
                    (D) milestones for the evaluation of activities to 
                be assisted under the program in fiscal year 2008;
                    (E) an assessment of the eligibility of each State 
                that participates in the Experimental Program to 
                Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science 
                Foundation to participate in the program under this 
                subsection; and
                    (F) the evaluation criteria with respect to which 
                the overall management and effectiveness of the program 
                will be evaluated.

SEC. <DELETED>508. </DELETED>506. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL 
              INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ACT AND OTHER 
              TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Research Fellowships.--Section 18 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended by striking 
``up to 1 per centum of the'' in the first sentence.
    (b) Financial Agreements.--
            (1) Clarification.--Section 2(b)(4) of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4)) 
        is amended by inserting ``and grants and cooperative 
        agreements,'' after ``arrangements,''.
            (2) Memberships.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in 
                paragraph (21);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph 
                (23); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (21) the 
                following:
            ``(22) notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) of this section, 
        the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act (31 U.S.C. 6301-
        6308), the Competition in Contracting Act (31 U.S.C. 3551-
        3556), and the Federal Acquisition Regulations set forth in 
        title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, to expend appropriated 
        funds for National Institute of Standards and Technology 
        memberships in scientific organizations, registration fees for 
        attendance at conferences, and sponsorship of conferences in 
        furtherance of technology transfer; and''.
    (c) Working Capital Fund.--Section 12 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 278b) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(g) Amount and Source of Transfers.--Not to exceed one-quarter 
per centum of the amounts appropriated to the Institute for any fiscal 
year may be transferred to the fund, in addition to any other transfer 
authority. In addition, funds provided to the Institute from other 
Federal agencies for the purpose of production of Standard Reference 
Materials may be transferred to the fund.''.
    (d) Outdated Specifications.--
            (1) Redefinition of metric system.--<DELETED>The Metric 
        System Act of 1866 (15 U.S.C. 205; 14 Stat. 339, 340) is 
        amended by striking the text of section 2 and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED> Section 2 of the Act of July 28, 1866, 
        entitled ``An Act to authorize the Use of the Metric System of 
        Weights and Measures'' (15 U.S.C. 205; 14 Stat. 339, 340) is 
        amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2. METRIC SYSTEM DEFINED.

    ``The metric system of measurement shall be defined as the 
International System of Units as established in 1960, and subsequently 
maintained, by the General Conference of Weights and Measures, and as 
interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of 
Commerce.''.
            (2) Repeal of redundant and obsolete authority.--The Act of 
        July 21, 1950, entitled, ``An Act To redefine the units and 
        establish the standards of electrical and photometric 
        measurements of 1950'' (15 U.S.C. 223, 224) is hereby repealed.
            (3) Standard time.--The first section of the Act of March 
        19, 1918, (15 U.S.C 261; commonly known as the Calder Act) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``For 
                the purpose'';
                    (B) by striking the second sentence and the extra 
                period after it and inserting ``Except as provided in 
                section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, the 
                standard time of the first zone shall be Coordinated 
                Universal Time retarded by 4 hours; that of the second 
                zone retarded by 5 hours; that of the third zone 
                retarded by 6 hours; that of the fourth zone retarded 
                by 7 hours; that of the fifth zone retarded 8 hours; 
                that of the sixth zone retarded by 9 hours; that of the 
                seventh zone retarded by 10 hours; that of the eighth 
                zone retarded by 11 hours; and that of the ninth zone 
                shall be Coordinated Universal Time advanced by 10 
                hours.''; and
                    (C) adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Coordinated Universal Time Defined.--In this section, the 
term `Coordinated Universal Time' means the time scale maintained 
through the General Conference of Weights and Measures and interpreted 
or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce.'.
    (e) Retention of Depreciation Surcharge.--Section 14 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278d) is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Within''; 
        and
            (2) adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Retention of Fees.--The Director is authorized to retain all 
building use and depreciation surcharge fees collected pursuant to OMB 
Circular A-25. Such fees shall be collected and credited to the 
Construction of Research Facilities Appropriation Account for use in 
maintenance and repair of National Institute of Standards and 
Technology's existing facilities.''.
    (f) Non-Energy Inventions Program.--Section 28 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act, as redesignated by section 
202 of this Act (formerly 15 U.S.C. 278m), is repealed.

               TITLE VI--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS.

SEC. 601. OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, in consultation with the Director of the National 
Science Foundation and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, shall establish a coordinated program of 
ocean and atmospheric research and development, in collaboration with 
academic institutions and other nongovernmental entities, that shall 
focus on the development of advanced technologies and analytical 
methods that will promote United States leadership in ocean and 
atmospheric science and competitiveness in the applied uses of such 
knowledge.

SEC. 602. NOAA OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall conduct, develop, support, promote, 
and coordinate formal and informal educational activities at all levels 
to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, and 
atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other 
coastal stakeholders, including underrepresented groups in ocean and 
atmospheric science and policy careers. In conducting those activities, 
the Administrator shall build upon the educational programs and 
activities of the agency.
    (b) NOAA Science Education Plan.--The Administrator, appropriate 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs, ocean 
atmospheric science and education experts, and interested members of 
the public shall develop a science education plan setting forth 
education goals and strategies for the Administration, as well as 
programmatic actions to carry out such goals and priorities over the 
next 20 years, and evaluate and update such plan every 5 years.D23/
                                                       Calendar No. 524

109th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2802

                          [Report No. 109-285]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

   To improve American innovation and competitiveness in the global 
                                economy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             July 19, 2006

                        Reported with amendments
```