National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3274
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Commerce
Commercialization
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer protection
Data banks
Distance education
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electronics
Elementary and secondary education
Employee training
Engineering
Engineers
Environmental Protection
Executive Office of the President
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Grants-in-aid
Health
Higher education
Industrial research
Infrastructure
Internet
Labor and Employment
Manufacturing industries
Minorities
Minority education
Nanotechnology
Occupational health and safety
Product safety
Public-private partnerships
Research and development
Scientific education
Secondary education
Small business
Standards
Strategic planning
Technology transfer

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the 21st Century Nanotechology Research and Development Act to expand the scope of the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program), including directing the Program to utilize the perspectives of the industrial community to promote the rapid commercial development of nanoscale-enabled devices, systems, and technologies. 

Requires issuing guidance to agencies that describes a strategy for transitioning research into commercial products and technologies. 

Revises requirements regarding the Program's triennial strategic plans. 

Requires participating agencies to support the activities of the committees of standards setting bodies involved in the development of standards for nanotechnology. 

 Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to be supported by funds from each participating agency. 

Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to establish a subpanel to enable it in assessing whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. 

Rewrites provisions for triennial external review of the Program. 

 Designates a Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology, who shall convene a panel to develop a research plan. 

Establishes an Education Working Group to coordinate, prioritize, and plan the educational activities supported under the Program. 

Provides for one or more grants to establish Nanotechnology Education Partnerships to recruit and help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level courses in nanotechnology. 

 Requires agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to provide access to companies that are developing prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes. 

Sets forth provisions concerning nanotechnology related projects under existing nanotechnology transfer programs. Makes it an objective of the Program to establish industry liaison groups. 

Requires coordination and leveraging of federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives. 

Requires the Program to include support for nanotechnology research and development in areas of national importance. 

Requires the Program to support nanomanufacturing research, including in green nanomanufacturing, energy production, water purification, agriculture, and health care. 

Requires specified reviews by the Advisory Panel of certain program component areas and nanotechnology research facilities. 

Sets forth provisions regarding nanoscale characterization and metrology. 

Requires: (1) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of nanotechnology related codes, standards, and regulations; and (2) public outreach. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in Senate