Science Prize Competitions Act

To make technical changes to provisions authorizing prize competitions under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Science Prize Competitions Act 2. Amendments to prize competitions Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3719 (1) in subsection (c)— (A) by inserting competition section, a prize (B) by inserting types following (C) in paragraph (4), by striking prizes prize competitions (2) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking in the Federal Register on a publicly accessible Government website, such as www.challenge.gov, (B) in paragraph (4), by striking prize cash prize purse (3) in subsection (g), by striking prize cash prize purse (4) in subsection (h), by inserting prize competition (5) in subsection (i)— (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting prize competition (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting prize competition (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) Waiver An agency may waive the requirement under paragraph (2). The annual report under subsection (p) shall include a list of such waivers granted during the preceding fiscal year, along with a detailed explanation of the reasons for granting the waivers. ; (6) in subsection (k)— (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting prize competition (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting prize competitions (7) in subsection (l), by striking all after may enter into a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other agreement with a private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity to administer the prize competition, subject to the provisions of this section. (8) in subsection (m)— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) In general Support for a prize competition under this section, including financial support for the design and administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash prize purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and funds provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit entities. The head of an agency may accept funds from other Federal agencies, private sector for-profit entities, and nonprofit entities to support such prize competitions. The head of an agency may not give any special consideration to any private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity in return for a donation. ; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking prize awards cash prize purses (C) in paragraph (3)(A)— (i) by striking No prize No prize competition (ii) by striking the prize the cash prize purse (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking a prize a cash prize purse (E) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting competition prize (F) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking a prize a cash prize purse (G) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking cash prizes cash prize purses (9) in subsection (n), by inserting for both for-profit and nonprofit entities, contract vehicle (10) in subsection (o)(1), by striking or providing a prize a prize competition or providing a cash prize purse (11) in subsection (p)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking cash prizes cash prize purses (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (G) Plan A description of crosscutting topical areas and agency-specific mission needs that may be the strongest opportunities for prize competitions during the upcoming 2 fiscal years. . May 19, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Science Prize Competitions Act Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 regarding prize competitions, allowing an agency to waive liability insurance requirements for participants. Allows an agency to enter into a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other agreement with a private sector for-profit as well as a nonprofit entity (as under current law) to administer a prize competition. Permits the use of funds from private sector for-profit entities to support a prize competition. Prohibits an agency from giving special consideration to any private sector for-profit entity in return for a donation. Limits the use of federal funds to those made available by appropriations Acts.