H-Prize Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-632
Sponsor: Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]
Introduced: 2007-01-23 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advertising
Awards, medals, prizes
Black colleges
Commemorations
Commerce
Commercialization
Congress
Education
Energy development
Energy research
Energy storage
Environmental Protection
Fuel cells
Fund raising
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Higher education
Hydrogen
Intellectual property
Minorities
Minority business enterprises
Motor vehicle pollution control
Natural gas vehicles
Nonprofit organizations
Patents
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Small business
Social Welfare
Sunset legislation
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Trade secrets
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2007-01-23
text: 
H-Prize Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies.
 
Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen components or systems; (2) prototypes of hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products that meet or exceed certain performance criteria; and (3) transformational changes in technologies for hydrogen distribution or production that meet or exceed far-reaching criteria, including minimal carbon emissions, and which may include cost criteria designed to facilitate the eventual market success of a winning technology.

action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
H-Prize Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies; and (2) enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competitions.

Authorizes the Secretary to use appropriated funds for the cash prize program, including certain funds from other federal agencies.

(Sec. 4) Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen technologies, components, or systems related to hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization; (2) prototypes of hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products that meet or exceed certain performance criteria; and (3) transformational changes in technologies for hydrogen distribution or production that meet or exceed far-reaching criteria, including minimal carbon emissions, and which may include cost criteria designed to facilitate the eventual market success of a winning technology.

Requires the Secretary to consult with designated agencies when establishing criteria for such awards.

(Sec. 6) Declares that the federal government shall not, by virtue of offering or awarding a prize under this Act, be entitled to any intellectual property rights derived as a consequence of, or direct relation to, the participation by a registered participant in a competition authorized by this Act. States that this Act shall not be construed to prevent the federal government from negotiating a license for the use of intellectual property developed for a prize competition under this Act.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to require registered participants in the awards program to waive claims against the federal government and the administering entity (except claims for willful misconduct) for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits arising from the participants' participation in a competition under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary, however, from requiring a registered participant to waive claims against the administering entity arising out of any unauthorized use or disclosure by the entity of the registered participant's trade secrets or confidential business information.

Sets forth liability insurance or alternative financial responsibility requirements for registered participants with regard to third party or federal government claims against them.

(Sec. 8) Instructs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding: (1) identification of the award recipient; (2) description of the technologies developed by each award recipient; and (3) specific actions being taken toward commercial application of all technologies with respect to which a prize has been awarded under this Act.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2017.

action_date: 2007-06-06
text: 
H-Prize Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies; and (2) enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competitions.

Authorizes the Secretary to use appropriated funds for the cash prize program, including certain funds from other federal agencies.

(Sec. 4) Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen technologies, components, or systems related to hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization; (2) prototypes of hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products that meet or exceed certain performance criteria; and (3) transformational changes in technologies for hydrogen distribution or production that meet or exceed far-reaching criteria, including minimal carbon emissions, and which may include cost criteria designed to facilitate the eventual market success of a winning technology.

Requires the Secretary to consult with designated agencies when establishing criteria for such awards.

(Sec. 6) Declares that the federal government shall not, by virtue of offering or awarding a prize under this Act, be entitled to any intellectual property rights derived as a consequence of, or direct relation to, the participation by a registered participant in a competition authorized by this Act. States that this Act shall not be construed to prevent the federal government from negotiating a license for the use of intellectual property developed for a prize competition under this Act.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to require registered participants in the awards program to waive claims against the federal government and the administering entity (except claims for willful misconduct) for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits arising from the participants' participation in a competition under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary, however, from requiring a registered participant to waive claims against the administering entity arising out of any unauthorized use or disclosure by the entity of the registered participant's trade secrets or confidential business information.

Sets forth liability insurance or alternative financial responsibility requirements for registered participants with regard to third party or federal government claims against them.

(Sec. 8) Instructs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding: (1) identification of the award recipient; (2) description of the technologies developed by each award recipient; and (3) specific actions being taken toward commercial application of all technologies with respect to which a prize has been awarded under this Act.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-17
text: Star Print ordered on the bill.
action_date: 2007-06-07
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 8 (Roll no. 433). (text: CR H6027-6029)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 8 (Roll no. 433).(text: CR H6027-6029)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6047)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 632.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6027-6031)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Mr. Lipinski moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 103.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-171.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-171.
action_date: 2007-05-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-05-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-05-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-01-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2007-01-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-01-23
text: Introduced in House