zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Nanotechnology Advancement and New Opportunities Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, if $100 million is made available from the private sector for the establishing a Nanomanufacturing Investment Partnership, to establish such a Partnership to provide funding for precommercial nanomanufacturing research and development projects. Allows the Partnership to provide funding through direct investments in specified mechanisms designed to advance nanomanufacturing. Requires return on investment of amounts resulting from the commercialization of developed technologies to the Partnership. Requires establishment of an advisory board to assist the Secretary in carrying out the Partnership. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) to allow a tax credit for the purchase of qualified nanotechnology developer stock. Authorizes establishment within the Technology Administration of a grant program to support the establishment and development of incubators (entities affiliated with or housed in degree-granting institutions that provide space and coordinated and specialized services to certain entrepreneurial businesses). Establishes a Nanotechnology Startup Advisory Council. Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for the development of computer aided design tools for nanotechnology applications. Requires the establishment of nanotechnology research grant programs by the: (1) Secretary of Energy to address the need for clean, cheap, renewable energy; (2) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address technologies for remediation of pollution and other environmental protection technologies; (3) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the need for sensors and other materials related to homeland security needs; and (4) Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address health related applications of nanotechnology. Requires the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to transmit a nanotechnology research strategy that establishes priorities for the federal government and industry. Amends the IRC to: (1) allow a tax credit for nanotechnology education and training program expenses; and (2) revise, for purposes of Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, the definition of "eligible educational institution" to include commercial nanotechnology training providers. Directs the NSF to establish: (1) a grant program for the development of curriculum materials for interdisciplinary nanotechnology courses at institutions of higher education; and (2) establish a program to encourage manufacturing companies to enter into partnerships with occupational training centers for the development of training to support nanotechnology manufacturing. Directs the Secretary of Energy to transmit a strategy for increasing interaction on nanotechnology issues between scientists and engineers at the Department of Energy's national laboratories and in the informal science education community.

Date: 2007-07-31
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a policy for the management by federal agencies of biospecimen collections. (Defines "biospecimen" as biologically-derived materials from humans, animals, or plants, including any such materials obtained from non-biological media.)Requires such policy to: (1) require that a federal agency, before destroying a biospecimen collection, conduct a review of the research value of the collection and consult with researchers who have used the collection and any other interested parties concerning the collection's value and possible additional uses for the collection; and (2) include procedures for federal agencies to offer biospecimen collections they no longer need to researchers at institutions qualified to possess the collections.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Technology (R&D)
EPSCoR Research and Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Requires the Director of the NSF: (1) in the administration of the NSF's research infrastructure improvement grant program, to authorize states participating in the grant program to include partnership with out-of-state research institutions if the amount of funding transferred to another state does not exceed 5% of the amount of the grant in any fiscal year; and (2) from the amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act, to make available specified amounts for FY2008-FY2012 to such grant program. Requires the Director to obligate and spend not less than 20% of the amount available for EPSCoR on co-funding projects that are ranked by a peer-review process in the top 20% of all proposals submitted in response to an announced competition. Requires the submission of annual reports providing information concerning: (1) co-funded projects on a state-by-state basis; and (2) the amount and use of co-funding by each of the NSF's directorates. Requires the Director: (1) through the Office of Cyber Infrastructure, to develop and publish a plan enabling states participating in EPSCoR to develop partnerships and participate fully in the NSF's Cyber Infrastructure Initiative; and (2) through the Office of Major Research Instrumentation, to develop and publish a plan enabling states participating in EPSCoR to develop partnerships and participate fully in the NSF's major research instrumentation program.

Date: 2007-03-02
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Nanotechnology in the Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding grants to public or charter secondary schools offering advanced science courses and to institutions of higher education, for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers.

Date: 2007-04-24
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Education
Reward Innovation in America Act - Establishes a National Innovation Prizes Board in the Department of Commerce, which shall develop and administer a program of competitions to award innovation prizes to eligible individuals and entities to advance the research, development, and commercial application of innovative technologies. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan for implementing such program. Requires that there be two categories of prizes: (1) 21st Century Innovation Prizes, which shall be awarded in multiple competitions in different research areas; and (2) Innovate America Grand Challenge Prizes, which shall be awarded in large, highly complex, and expensive competitions that are held every two to four years and address research objectives well beyond the current state of the art and that are intended to become integral to major changes in complex socio-technological systems. Requires the Board to determine the amount of each prize for each competition. Instructs the Board to: (1) advertise competitions widely to encourage broad participation; and (2) publish notices of competitions in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Board to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit organization to administer competitions. Specifies that prizes awarded under the program shall consist of: (1) funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this Act; and (2) any funds raised by the administering entity to pay for administrative costs of competitions and to contribute to cash prizes. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports describing the activities of the program.

Date: 2007-05-11
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Nanotechnology Infrastructure Enhancement Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a geographically diverse, interdisciplinary Center for Nanotechnology Research and Engineering (the Center) to focus on: (1) the science and engineering of manufacturing at the nanoscale in multiple dimensions; or (2) nanotechnology for sustainable energy, water, agriculture, and the environment. Allows the Center to be a Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center or a National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network node. Requires that the Center shall consist of: (1) a lead academic institution located in an EPSCoR (the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) state; and (2) at least one additional academic institution located in a second EPSCoR state. Permits the Center to include other institutions within or outside of the United States. Requires the Center to: (1) conduct state-of-the-art research on nanomanufacturing; (2) collaborate with other NSF grantees, and with grantees from other federal agencies, working on nanomanufacturing; (3) share resources with the programs of such grantees for the purpose of mutual advantage; and (4) work toward a nanomanufacturing network that encourages extensive industrial collaboration.

Date: 2007-05-11
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Building a Stronger America Act - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or expansion of existing science parks. Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for loans exceeding $10 million for projects for the construction of such infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) under which NAS shall evaluate, every three years, such development.

Date: 2007-05-11
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Research Credit Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for increasing research activities by: (1) phasing-in increases in the alternative simplified tax credit rate through 2009; (2) establishing a 20% alternative simplified tax credit rate in 2010 in lieu of the standard research tax credit rate; (3) increasing the amount of basic and contract research expenses eligible for such tax credit; and (4) making such tax credit permanent.

Date: 2007-10-19
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2008 - Directs the President to establish a Green Chemistry Research and Development Program to promote and coordinate federal research, development, education, and technology transfer activities related to green chemistry. Defines "green chemistry" as chemistry and chemical engineering to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances while producing high quality products through safe and efficient manufacturing processes. Requires the President to establish an Interagency Working Group to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to provide for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through the enabling of supply chain manufacturers to continuously make improvements with the aim of reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out a program to award grants to institutions of higher education to support their efforts to revise their undergraduate curriculum in chemistry and chemical engineering to incorporate green chemistry concepts and strategies. Requires such Director to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to conduct a study of, and report on, the factors that constitute barriers to the successful commercial application of promising results from green chemistry research and development. Directs the agencies participating in the Program to carry out a joint, coordinated program to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies in the chemical industry to retrain chemists and chemical engineers in the use of green chemistry concepts and strategies.

Date: 2008-02-26
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Research and Development Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for increasing research activities by: (1) phasing in increases in the alternative simplified tax credit rate through 2009; (2) establishing a 20% alternative simplified tax credit rate in 2010 in lieu of the standard research tax credit rate; (3) increasing the amount of basic and contract research expenses eligible for such tax credit; and (4) extending such credit through 2012.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the tax credit for increasing research activities and increase and make permanent the alternative simplified research tax credit.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Research and Development Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the tax credit for increasing research expenses to establish a standard 20% credit rate for research expenses exceeding 50% of average expenses over the preceding three year period; (2) establish a uniform 80% reimbursement rate for all contract research expenses (100% for basic research payments); (3) make such tax credit permanent; (4) allow a tax credit for equity investments in small business innovation companies; and (5) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for research park facilities used in connection with research and experimentation.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) study and report to Congress on taxpayer compliance with the substantiation requirements for claiming the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (2) issue regulations on the application of private activity bond rules to the funding of federal research agreements.

Date: 2009-01-27
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax credit for increasing research activities permanent.

Date: 2009-01-28
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Nanotechnology Advancement and New Opportunities Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, if $100 million is made available from the private sector for establishing a Nanomanufacturing Investment Partnership, to establish such a Partnership to provide funding for precommercial nanomanufacturing research and development projects. Allows the Partnership to provide funding through direct investments in specified mechanisms designed to advance nanomanufacturing. Requires return on investment of amounts resulting from the commercialization of developed technologies to the Partnership.Requires establishment of an advisory board to assist the Secretary in carrying out the Partnership.Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a tax credit for the purchase of qualified nanotechnology developer stock. Authorizes establishment within the Technology Administration of a grant program to support the establishment and development of incubators (entities affiliated with or housed in degree-granting institutions that provide space and coordinated and specialized services to certain entrepreneurial businesses). Establishes a Nanotechnology Startup Advisory Council.Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for the development of computer aided design tools for nanotechnology applications. Requires the establishment of nanotechnology research grant programs by the: (1) Secretary of Energy to address the need for clean, cheap, renewable energy; (2) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address technologies for remediation of pollution and other environmental protection technologies; (3) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the need for sensors and other materials related to homeland security needs; and (4) Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address health related applications of nanotechnology. Requires the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to transmit a nanotechnology research strategy that establishes priorities for the federal government and industry. Amends the IRC to: (1) allow a tax credit for nanotechnology education and training program expenses; and (2) revise, for purposes of Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, the definition of "eligible educational institution" to include commercial nanotechnology training providers.Directs the NSF to establish: (1) a grant program for the development of curriculum materials for interdisciplinary nanotechnology courses at institutions of higher education; and (2) establish a program to encourage manufacturing companies to enter into partnerships with occupational training centers for the development of training to support nanotechnology manufacturing. Directs the Secretary of Energy to transmit a strategy for increasing interaction on nanotechnology issues between scientists and engineers at the Department of Energy's national laboratories and in the informal science education community.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants. Requires the support of at least one workshop every two years among the federal science agencies in the major science and engineering disciplines.Authorizes federal science agencies to carry out such program by making grants to eligible organizations as described in this Act. Requires the Director to transmit a report evaluating such program's impact in reducing gender bias towards women engaged in research funded by the federal government. Requires the Director to develop a policy to extend research grant support and provide interim technical support for federally funded researchers who are caregivers. Requires transmission of a copy of such policy to specified congressional committees. Requires federal science agencies to collect specified standardized annual data for all applications for research and development grants to institutions of higher education and to submit the data collected to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Makes the NSF responsible for storing and publishing all such grant data. Requires annual publication of a list of the institutions of higher education science and engineering departments represented by individuals who attend the workshops described above.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Science Parks Research and Innovative New Technologies Act - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or the expansion, including renovation and modernization, of existing science parks. Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for projects for the construction or the expansion, including renovation and modernization, of such infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) under which the Board shall: (1) conduct an evaluation of such development under this Act; and (2) review and recommend best practices for the development of U.S. science parks, including metrics for their success.

Date: 2010-01-12
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Nanotechnology Education Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding matching grants to certain eligible institutions for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) public, private, parochial, and charter secondary schools that offer advanced or international baccalaureate science courses; (2) community colleges; (3) four-year institutions of higher education; and (4) informal learning science and technology centers.

Date: 2010-01-26
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Education
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. Limits National Science Board reports to the President and Congress related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering to matters within NSF authority (or otherwise as requested by the Congress or the President). Repeals the requirement that the Inspector General of NSF conduct an audit every three years on the Board's compliance with open meetings subject to the Government in the Sunshine Act. Directs NSF to implement a policy for a specified broader impacts review criterion, including goals to achieve increased U.S. economic competitiveness, development of a globally competitive STEM workforce, and increased national security. Requires NSF to: (1) use at least 5% of its research budget to fund basic, high-risk, high-reward (transformative) research proposals; (2) make awards of not exceeding $5 million over a period of up to five years to interdisciplinary research collaborations likely to assist in addressing critical challenges to national security, competitiveness, and societal well-being; and (3) carry out a program to support research leading to advances in manufacturing, including nanomanufacturing. Directs the National Science Board to evaluate mid-scale research instrumentation needs at NSF. Sets forth provisions concerning funding for related education and workforce training, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.

Date: 2010-04-13
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out a program to award merit-reviewed, competitive grants to institutions of higher education for the establishment and expansion of partnerships that promote innovation and increase the economic and social impact of research by developing the tools and resources to connect new scientific discoveries to practical uses. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for the construction or renovation of buildings and structures.

Date: 2010-04-13
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out a pilot program for awarding innovation inducement cash prizes in any area of research supported by NSF. Instructs the Director, in identifying topics for prize competitions to be held under such program, to: (1) consult widely within and outside of the federal government; (2) give priority to high-risk, high-reward research challenges and to problems whose solution could improve the economic competitiveness of the United States; and (3) give consideration to the extent to which the topics have the potential to raise public awareness about federally sponsored research. Sets forth provisions with regard to the types of contests, advertising and announcements, funding, and eligibility for prizes competitions under this Act. Authorizes the Director to: (1) announce up to five prize competitions through FY2013; (2) set the amount of each prize award based on the prize topic; and (3) convene an expert panel to select the winners of prize competitions. Allows the Director to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer a prize competition.

Date: 2010-04-21
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Next Generation Public Safety Device Act of 2010 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a competition to award grants to eligible entities for the development of nonstationary radio over Internet protocol (RoIP) devices that support mission-critical broadband voice and data communications of public safety personnel. Establishes a working group to provide the Assistant Secretary with advice and technical assistance in conducting the competition. Requires the Assistant Secretary to establish: (1) requirements for the RoIP devices developed, in whole or in part, using a grant awarded under this Act; and (2) a three-stage process under which to award such grants to eligible entities. Allows the award of a grant in a stage only to an eligible entity that: (1) submits a bid meeting the specifications developed for that stage; and (2) provides an assurance that the grant funds will be used to develop an RoIP device in accordance with the specifications included in that bid. Sets forth additional factors for the Assistant Secretary to consider when making a grant. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an audit of such competition. Directs the FCC to establish a voluntary labeling program for the identification of nonstationary RoIP devices that meet such criteria as considered appropriate to support mission-critical broadband voice and data communications of public safety personnel.

Date: 2010-07-28
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
National Fab Lab Network Act of 2010 - Establishes the National Fab Lab Network (NFLN), as a non-profit entity, to facilitate the construction of a network of connected labs. Defines "Fab Lab" or "Fabrication Laboratory" to mean a facility containing a variety of manufacturing and other fabrication tools operable by digital input as well as the software and computers required to design and operate those tools. States that these labs serve a broad range of purposes, but each allow for how members of the local community, businesses, and academic or educational purposes can be pursued with the lab's resources. Authorizes and empowers the NFLN to receive real or personal property and to hold it absolutely or in trust, and to invest, reinvest, and manage it, and to apply such property and the income arising therefrom to the objects of its creation and according to the instructions of its donors. Sets forth the functions of the NFLN. Requires the NFLN to: (1) facilitate the construction of a new type of information and digital fabrication infrastructure; and (2) promote the goals of greater science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, workforce development in manufacturing and product design, increased innovation in the private sector, as well as scientific and academic discovery through the use of distributed digital fabrication tools. Permits acceptance by the NFLN of donations from private individuals, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Commerce
Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Cold Cases Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General to adopt policies and procedures to ensure that: (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may conduct familial searches for DNA samples collected from crime scenes; (2) state law enforcement agencies may request that the FBI conduct such searches in state investigations; and (3) the privacy interests of persons identified in familial searches are protected. Defines "familial search" as a search of the offender index in the National DNA Index System in which a DNA sample from an unknown source collected from a crime scene is compared to such index to determine if a familial match exists between the DNA profile contained in such index and the DNA sample collected from the crime scene. Allows FBI familial searches to be conducted only if: (1) no identical match for a DNA sample collected from a crime scene can be identified in the offender index; and (2) the investigation for which DNA samples are collected involves murder, manslaughter, a sex offense against a minor, sexual assault, or an offense that involves a sexual act or sexual contact with another and that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
21st Century Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research expenses; (2) increase such credit for amounts paid or incurred for research substantially all of which occurs in the United States; and (3) increase the domestic production activities tax deduction for income attributable to the manufacture or production of property with respect to which substantially all of the research and development occurred in the United States.

Date: 2010-09-23
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Building a Stronger America Act - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or expansion (including renovation and modernization) of existing science parks. Defines a "science park" to mean a centralized or regionally distributed group of interrelated companies and institutions that foster knowledge flow and contribute to regional economic growth, cooperate and compete with each other through physical connectivity or networked virtual parks, and are located in a specific area or region that promotes real estate development or knowledge-based enterprises, technology transfer, and partnerships. Limits the amount of a grant to $750,000. Requires: (1) grants to be advertised in the Commerce Business Daily; (2) grants to be awarded pursuant to a full and open competition; and (3) competition criteria to include requirements relating to the use of energy efficient building technology, the consideration of the transformation of military bases affected by the base realignment and closure process (BRAC) or the redevelopment of existing structures or brownfield sites that are abandoned, and the ability to collaborate with other science parks throughout the world. Encourages dividing grants among low-, medium-, and high-population density states. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015. Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for projects for the construction or expansion (including renovation and modernization) of science park infrastructure. Limits the maximum amount of loan principal guaranteed to: (1) $50 million for any single project; and (2) $500 million for all projects. Requires the Secretary to select loan guarantee recipients based upon their ability to collateralize the loan. Bars entities that receive a grant under this Act from being eligible for a loan guarantee during the period of their grant. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) loan guarantee terms and conditions; and (2) a borrower's default. Requires the Comptroller General to review the subsidy estimates for the loan guarantees and to report to Congress. Prohibits guaranteeing a loan after September 30, 2015. Authorizes appropriations for guaranteeing loans and for administrative expenses. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) under which the Board shall evaluate activities under this Act, recommend best practices for the development of science parks, and report on such evaluation and recommendations. Requires the Secretary to submit specified tri-annual reports to Congress.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Nanotechnology Innovation and Prize Competition Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to establish a program to award prizes to eligible persons for achievement in one or more applications of nanotechnology for: (1) improvement of the environment, consistent with Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (2) development of alternative energy that has the potential to lessen the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels; (3) improvement of human health, consistent with regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and (4) development of consumer products. Describes an eligible person as an individual who is: (1) a citizen or legal resident of the United States; (2) a member of a group that includes U.S. citizens or legal residents; or (3) an entity that is incorporated and maintains its primary place of business in the United States. Requires establishment of a board to administer the program. Allows the board to make awards under the program by: (1) holding a financial award competition and making an award to the first competitor to meet such criteria as the board shall establish; and (2) recognizing (without financial remuneration) an eligible person for superlative achievement in one or more of the nanotechnology applications described above and recommending to the Secretary that the President award the National Technology and Innovation Medal to each such eligible person recognized for such an achievement. Authorizes the board to contract with a private organization to administer such a financial award competition. Prohibits the federal government from acquiring an intellectual property right in any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such product or idea in any such competition. Requires the board to submit annual reports to Congress on the nanotechnology award program established by this Act.

Date: 2009-03-16
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Directs the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to complete a study of the technical policy decisionmaking and technical personnel at the FCC.

Date: 2010-02-25
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Promote Nanotechnology in Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding matching grants to certain eligible institutions to: (1) purchase nanotechnology equipment and software; (2) service and upgrade such equipment; and (3) provide nanotechnology education to students and teachers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) public, private, parochial, and charter secondary schools that offer advanced or international baccalaureate science courses; (2) community colleges; (3) institutions of higher education; and (4) informal learning science and technology centers.

Date: 2010-03-15
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Education
Reward Innovation in America Act of 2010 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize each head of a federal agency (other than a legislative agency) to carry out a program to award prizes competitively to stimulate innovation that has the potential to advance the agency's mission, including: (1) point solution prizes that reward and spur the development of solutions for a particular, well-defined problem; (2) exposition prizes that help identify and promote a broad range of ideas and practices that may not otherwise attract attention, facilitating further development of the idea or practice by third parties; and (3) participation prizes that create value by encouraging contestants to change their behavior or develop new skills that may have beneficial effects during and after the competition. Requires the agency head to: (1) widely advertise each competition to encourage broad participation; and (2) publish notices of competitions in the Federal Register. Prohibits the government from gaining an interest in intellectual property developed by a participant in a competition without the written consent of the participant, but authorizes the government to negotiate a license for the use of intellectual property developed by a participant. Authorizes: (1) an agency head to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer competitions; and (2) support for a competition to consist of federal appropriated funds and funds provided by the private sector for cash prizes. Prohibits a prize from being announced until all funds needed to pay out the announced amount of the prize have been appropriated or committed in writing by a private source. Limits prize amounts. Requires: (1) the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide government-wide services to share best practices and assist agencies in developing guidelines for issuing competitions; and (2) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to submit annual reports on program activities.

Date: 2010-06-24
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Freedom for Consumer Choice Act - States U.S. government policy with regard to: (1) the promotion of the widespread availability of communications services; (2) the promotion of the integrity of communications facilities through investment and innovation in advanced communications networks; and (3) the economic regulation of communications markets. Makes it unlawful for providers of electronic communication services to engage or participate in: (1) unfair methods of competition in or affecting electronic communications networks and services; or (2) unfair or deceptive practices in or affecting such networks and services. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), by rule, to define the acts or practices that shall constitute such unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Bars the FCC from having any authority to issue rules that declare unlawful an act or practice on the grounds that it is an unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice, except that the FCC may declare an act or practice unlawful if: (1) marketplace competition is insufficient to adequately protect consumer welfare; and (2) such act or practice causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers, is unavoidable by consumers themselves, and is outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition. Terminates any rule promulgated under this Act five years after its effective date unless the FCC makes an affirmative determination that such rule continues to be necessary. Grants the FCC the authority to hear complaints from any party injured by a violation of the prohibitions under this Act and to award damages to such party if such a violation has occurred. Sets forth specified additional authorities of the FCC.

Date: 2010-07-21
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
American Innovation Act of 2010 - Requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive one or more financial assistance grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research to report to the NSF on: (1) the IHE's strategy for commercializing the results of the research; (2) the implementation of such strategy; and (3) the results of its efforts to realize the commercial potential of the research. Authorizes the Director of the NSF to use funds appropriated to carry out grants to IHEs for the provision of financial support for post-graduate research in fields of study with potential commercial applications to match any private sector grant of financial assistance to any post-doctoral program in such a field. Authorizes the award of grants to IHEs or their consortia for the establishment or expansion of partnerships (including industry or professional association partnerships) with local or regional private sector entities to provide undergraduate students with private sector internship experiences (including manufacturing sector internships) that connect with their STEM coursework. Requires National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to initiate a study to evaluate, develop, or improve impact-on-society metrics, including the potential for commercial applications of research studies funded by grants from the NSF or other federal agencies. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the research tax credit for basic research payments made to certain educational and scientific organizations to be made whether or not such research has a specific commercial objective. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to provide loan guarantees for obligations to borrowers who are small- or medium-sized businesses to assist them in making commercial use of products, processes, or ideas generated by NSF-funded research grants.

Date: 2010-07-22
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Commerce
Undergraduate Scholarship Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics Act or US-STEM Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award merit scholarships covering students' final two years of undergraduate studies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at four-year institutions of higher education. Restricts scholarship eligibility to students: (1) from families whose taxable income for 2010 did not exceed $75,000, adjusted annually thereafter for inflation; and (2) who maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average, on a scale of 4.0. Allows the Director to award up to 2,500 scholarships each year. Requires the Director to establish an advisory board for the scholarship program.

Date: 2010-09-23
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Education
Federal Acceleration of State Technologies Deployment Act of 2009 or the FAST Deployment Act of 2010 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to establish a Federal Acceleration of State Technologies (FAST) Deployment Program to distribute matching federal funds to qualifying states. Requires each qualified state to use FAST grant funds exclusively for making assistance grants to small manufacturing enterprises for approved technology development projects. Establishes a national manufacturing technology database to disseminate to U.S. manufacturers information related to new U.S. manufacturing technologies. Requires an annual assessment of small manufacturing technology needs and information from such assessment to be incorporated into the database.

Date: 2010-12-17
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
21st Century Investment Act of 2011- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research expenses, (2) increase such credit for amounts paid or incurred for research substantially all of which occurs in the United States, and (3) increase through December 31, 2020, the domestic production activities tax deduction for income attributable to the manufacture or production of property with respect to which substantially all of the research and development occurred in the United States.

Date: 2011-02-14
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Research and Development Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities, and (2) increase the rate of the alternative simplified research tax credit.

Date: 2011-05-03
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Healthy Media for Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to nonprofit organizations to provide for the establishment, operation, coordination, and evaluation of programs to: (1) increase the media literacy of girls and boys; and (2) support the empowerment of girls or boys, including through extracurricular activities and programs. Permits grants to nonprofit organizations only if the organization agrees to make nonfederal contributions available toward the costs of the program (at least $1 for every $5 of awarded federal funds). Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in coordination with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to review, synthesize, and conduct or support research on the role and impact of depictions of girls and women in the media on the psychological, sexual, physical, and interpersonal development of youth. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to convene a task force, to be known as the National Task Force on Girls and Women in the Media, to develop voluntary steps and goals for promoting healthy and positive depictions of girls and women in the media for the benefit of all youth.

Date: 2011-07-13
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Advanced Composites Development Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretaries of Transportation (DOT), Energy (DOE), Defense (DOD), and Homeland Security (DHS), to carry out a program to improve the nation's transportation infrastructure, advance the technologies used to produce alternative energy, enhance our military security, and develop new disaster mitigation systems by making grants to consortia for the establishment and operation of Advanced Composites Development Centers. Instructs the Secretaries to work with stakeholders to identify problems that can be solved over a period of five years through the development of an advanced composite material. Requires such Centers, by working with the private sector, to strive to produce new composite materials that are lighter, stronger, and more durable than existing materials and that have an immediate practical application.

Date: 2011-08-12
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Abolishes the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Rescinds any unobligated funds that were appropriated for the activities of the Office. Requires such funds to be returned to the Treasury and used toward reducing the federal deficit.

Date: 2011-11-04
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Public Safety Broadband Network Enabling Act - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) document operational requirements for a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network; (2) if necessary and practical, help accelerate the development of national voluntary consensus standards for such network; (3) conduct research and assist with the development of technologies and applications to advance wireless public safety communications; and (4) continue to develop and maintain a demonstration testbed for use by manufacturers, providers of commercial mobile services, and public safety agencies to evaluate advanced broadband communications equipment and software for use by the public safety community. Directs the Director to: (1) coordinate with federal agencies, the private sector, and public safety organizations; and (2) convene any appropriate working groups of government and commercial stakeholders. Requires that a specified amount be made available to the Director from any trust fund established in the Treasury after October 1, 2011, consisting of proceeds from the auction of electromagnetic spectrum.

Date: 2011-12-13
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications