Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987

Summary

Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Title I: National Institutes of Technology and Advanced Technology Board - Renames the National Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce as the National Institutes of Technology (the Institutes). Directs the President to afford the Advanced Technology Board (established by this Act) an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to the appointment of the Director. Provides that the Director shall serve for a term of six years unless sooner removed by the President. Establishes within the Institutes the National Engineering Institute, the National Measurement Institute, the Computer Sciences and Technology Institute, and the Materials Science and Engineering Institute. Authorizes the Institutes to carry out specified functions and activities of the Secretary of Commerce. Establishes in the Institutes an Advanced Technology Foundation. Sets forth Foundation functions, including sponsoring programs of applied research and related activities to lay the groundwork for the development and use by U.S. industry of advanced and innovative manufacturing and process technologies. Requires the Director to: (1) assure that the advice of the Advanced Technology Board is considered routinely in carrying out the responsibilities of the Institutes; (2) assure that Institutes programs are focused on improving the U.S. competitive position; and (3) avoid providing undue advantage to specific companies. Requires the Director to submit to specified congressional committees an initial organization plan for the Institutes. Sets forth requirements for such plan and its revision. Establishes within the Institutes an Advanced Technology Board to review and make recommendations regarding general policy for the Institutes, their organization, their budgets, and their programs. Requires the Board to report annually to the President and the Congress. (Repeals authority for a visiting committee.) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, as part of the FY 1989 budget submission for the Institutes, to submit to specified congressional committees a plan to supplement existing activities with an evaluation of the technological and economic feasibility of inventions which are not energy-related. Requires the Director to consult with various agencies and organizations on how they might cooperate with the expanded inventions evaluation program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 for this title other than for functions and activities of the Institutes. Title II: Office of Extension Services - Federal Industrial Extension Act of 1987 - Establishes within the Institutes an Office of Extension Services for Industrial Competitiveness to support, advise, and assist State Industrial Extension Services by: (1) giving information about Federal research and development; (2) helping increase technology transfer by applying lessons learned in other programs; (3) acting as a single point of contact; and (4) making its technical expertise available. Establishes within the Institutes a three-year Extension Service for Industrial Competitiveness Grant Program (the Program) to demonstrate methods by which the Federal Government can best help States establish, support, improve, and expand State Industrial Extension Services. Limits Program participants to not more than 15 States (or regional consortia of States). Makes annual grants available for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires that such funds be used to expand the number of businesses served or the amount and quality of services provided by the State's Industrial Extension Service. Requires that participating States provide at least 20 percent of the costs of the Program. Authorizes States to provide Program services directly or through institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations. Permits the charging of fees. Requires such States to report annually to the Director. Requires the Director to report to the Congress at the close of FY 1990 on the operation of the Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this title. Title III: Reports on Superconductors - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into contracts with the National Academies of Engineering and Sciences for a thorough review of all major policy issues regarding U.S. applications of recent research advances in superconductors. Directs the review panel, within 18 months after the eactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on methods of enhancing the research, development, and implementation of improved superconductor technologies in all major applications. Sets forth the scope of such review. Title IV: Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation - Competitiveness Enhancement Act of 1987 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish in the Office of Productivity, Technology, and Innovation a clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation to serve as a central repository of information on: (1) initiatives by State and local governments to enhance the competitiveness of American business and industry through the stimulation of productivity, technology, and innovation; and (2) Federal efforts to assist State and local governments to enhance competitiveness. Sets forth Clearinghouse responsibilities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually on such State and local initiatives, including recommendations on the appropriate Federal role. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out this title. Title V: Semiconductor Research and Development - National Advisory Committee on Semiconductor Research and Development Act of 1987 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent advisory body to be known as the National Advisory Committee on Semiconductors. Sets forth Committee functions, including monitoring the competitiveness of U.S. semiconductor technology, developing strategies, and making recommendations to enhance such competitiveness. Requires the Committee to report annually to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Title VI: Miscellaneous and Conforming Provisions - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to revise the extent to which a Federal agency may retain royalties or other income as a result of invention management services performed for another Federal agency or laboratory. Revises the formula for determining that portion of each Federal agency's laboratory budget which is to be transferred to the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

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2 official files

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 4 August 1987

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 13 July 1987

  Open at official source

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