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United States · Bill · S

S. 550 (101st)

Department of Energy National Laboratory Cooperative Research and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

9 March 1989

Last action

26 April 1990 · Floor

Status

Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Sponsors

Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM], Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM], Sen. McClure, James A. [R-ID], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Garn, E. J. (Jake) [R-UT]

Subjects

Energy

Source updated

24 March 2026

Energy

Summary

Department of Energy National Laboratory Cooperative Research and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 - Defines terms and lists laboratories subject to this Act. Declares it a mission of the National Laboratories to foster, consistent with the national security and a fair return on taxpayers' investment, the commercialization of technology developed through laboratory activities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to take actions to further this mission. Title I: National Laboratory Centers for Technology Management - Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to ensure that the director of any National Laboratory has the authority to negotiate and enter into cooperative research and development agreements with various private and public entities and to negotiate intellectual property licensing agreements for National Laboratory property. Authorizes National Laboratory directors to include specified types of provisions in cooperative agreements. Enumerates mandatory determinations the director must make when deciding whether to enter an agreement, including a determination that National Laboratory facilities are available and that the proposed work is consistent with applicable guidelines and would neither interfere with Department of Energy programs nor create a financial burden on the laboratory. Sets forth criteria the director of a National Laboratory must consider when deciding which agreements to enter into, including a preference for businesses that agree to manufacture the relevant property substantially in the United States. Limits the cumulative total of nonappropriated funds received in any year under agreements under this title to ten percent of the annual budget of the laboratory, unless the Secretary gives advance approval. Prescribes criteria to be met in the interest of avoiding cooperative research and development agreements or intellectual property licenses that reflect any conflict of interest with respect to National Laboratory personnel. Requires each National Laboratory to keep records of all agreements and to submit them annually to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) review existing regulations, policy, conflict of interest standards, and incentives for non-governmental parties in connection with cooperative research agreements; (2) formulate and implement comprehensive policy to advance this Act's objectives; and (3) report review findings and recommendations to the Congress and to the President. Title II: Centers for Research on High-Temperature Superconducting Technologies - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) initiate and implement a cooperative program of research on enabling high-temperature superconductor technology and its practical applications; (2) form the Council for Research on Enabling Technologies, comprising representatives of appropriate government, university, and industry personnel, to advise the Secretary concerning goals and strategies; and (3) establish cooperative research centers in enabling technologies for high-temperature superconducting materials and applications at at least one National Laboratory. Prescribes criteria for selecting Laboratories. Directs the Secretary to ensure that National Laboratories may participate in the cooperative program and to enter into agreements and contracts to provide for their active participation. Requires the program to include provisions for at least one National Laboratory to conduct research, experimental, and development activities relating to high-temperature superconductivity. Permits personnel exchanges among firms or universities and National Laboratories participating in the program. Requires user fees in connection with Department of Energy (DOE) facility use authorized by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to include high-temperature superconductivity activities in DOE research and development budget requests for FY 1990 through 1995. Describes cost-sharing features to apply to National Laboratories participating in the program. Prohibits a laboratory from receiving from any person more than $10,000,000 of nonappropriated funds under any cooperative research and development agreement under this title, unless the Secretary approves in advance. Title III: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations with respect to cooperative agreements, patent ownership, and intellectual property, subjecting them to preissuance review by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. Lists provisions to govern disposition of title to property developed by National Laboratories. Permits waivers of Government license rights in connection with categories of inventions determined to be directly related to research and development on the design, manufacture, or use of any nuclear weapon or component. Enumerates intellectual property rights and royalty provisions that must be included in DOE funding agreements to operate a National Laboratory. Vests in arbitration boards the responsibility of determining the amount to be paid to the United States by National Laboratory managers or directors for intellectual property rights retained by the laboratory. Authorizes the Secretary to require the licensing to third parties of all intellectual property subject to this title's provisions. Directs the Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Energy, along with the Comptroller General, to conduct periodic audits of National Laboratory activities. Denies Government liability in connection with claims alleging injury resulting from products derived from intellectual property acquired under this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 9 March 1989

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 9 March 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 10 March 1989

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development.

    Source: Committee

  4. 17 March 1989

    Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from the Departments of Defense and Energy, National Science Foundation, Office of Science Technology Policy and Office of Management and Budget.

    Source: Committee

  5. 28 June 1989

    Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources received executive comment from the Department of Justice.

    Source: Committee

  6. 19 July 1989

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  7. 4 August 1989

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 208.

    Source: Calendars

  8. 4 August 1989

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-108.

    Source: Committee

  9. 4 August 1989

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-108.

    Source: Committee

  10. 26 April 1990

    Floor

    Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

4 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 4 August 1989

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 9 March 1989

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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