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S. 1191

Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1989

American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Fire Research; (3) the technical competence fund; (4) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (5) the Center for Building Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research.

Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met.

Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NIST); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NIST operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees.

Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities which requires congressional approval, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST.

Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers).

Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to technology extension services. Removes provisions terminating, on a specified date certain cooperative agreements between NIST and State technology extension services.

Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify.

Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law.

Prohibits awarding a contract or subcontract made with funds authorized under this Act to any person or enterprise domiciled or operating under the laws of a foreign government if that government unfairly maintains in government procurement a significant and persistent pattern or practice of discrimination against U.S. products or services which results in identifiable harm to U.S. businesses, as identified by the President under the Trade Agreement Act of 1979.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to declare any person who fraudulently affixes a label indicating that a product was made in America ineligible to receive any contract or subcontract from the Department of Commerce for three to five years.

Authorizes the Secretary, in certain circumstances, to award to a domestic firm a contract for the purchase of goods that, under competitive procedures, would be awarded to a foreign firm.

Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to provide assistance as necessary to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields, including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development, so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of a joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director, to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements under the Advanced Technology Program, including as a method for participating in U.S. joint research and development ventures (joint ventures). Limits the amount of any such contract or award (currently, any such contract or cooperative agreement).

Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any recipients of assistance under the Program: (1) delineating, for joint venture participants, their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying, for all recipients, a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment.

Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria.

Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the Program to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application.

Vests title to any intellectual property arising from assistance provided under the Program in a company or companies incorporated in the United States or Canada, allowing the United States to reserve certain licensing rights, and prohibiting the transfer of rights to the property to a non-U.S. or non-Canadian company before the expiration of the first patent obtained in connection with the property.

Allows the Secretary to suspend a company or joint venture from continued assistance under the Program if there is a failure to meet certain requirements or if it is in the national interest to do so.

Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize industry advisory committees as appropriate.

Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for the Program for standards development.

Authorizes appropriations for the Program.

Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Improvement Act of 1987.

Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum.

Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990.

Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network.

Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board.

Amends the STPOP to establish a National Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of a specified report. Authorizes appropriations.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations.

Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NIST.

Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems.

Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for coordination of Commerce Department efforts with other Federal agencies for activities related to high resolution information systems including research and development activities.

Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC](D-SC)Sponsor
7 cosponsors6 D1 R
7cosponsors2committees24actions2amendments2related bills61subjects
  1. Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

  2. FloorH38700

    A similar measure H.R. 4329 was laid on the table without objection.

  3. FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended to that of similar measure H.R. 4329. Agreed to without objection.

  4. FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  5. FloorH37100

    On passage Passed without objection.

  6. Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

  7. FloorH34200

    The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 4329. Agreed to without objection.

  8. FloorH30000

    Considered by unanimous consent.

  9. DischargeH12300

    Committee on Science, Space and Technology discharged.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  10. Committee5500

    Committee on Science, Space and Technology discharged.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  11. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  12. FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  13. Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  14. Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  15. Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  16. Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.

  17. Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

  18. Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 286.

  19. Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-159.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  20. Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-159.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  21. Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  22. Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-534.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  23. IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  24. IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Jul 11, 199036

American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Fire Research; (3) the technical competence fund; (4) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (5) the Center for Building Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research.

Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met.

Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NIST); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NIST operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees.

Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities which requires congressional approval, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST.

Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers).

Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to technology extension services. Removes provisions terminating, on a specified date certain cooperative agreements between NIST and State technology extension services.

Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify.

Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law.

Prohibits awarding a contract or subcontract made with funds authorized under this Act to any person or enterprise domiciled or operating under the laws of a foreign government if that government unfairly maintains in government procurement a significant and persistent pattern or practice of discrimination against U.S. products or services which results in identifiable harm to U.S. businesses, as identified by the President under the Trade Agreement Act of 1979.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to declare any person who fraudulently affixes a label indicating that a product was made in America ineligible to receive any contract or subcontract from the Department of Commerce for three to five years.

Authorizes the Secretary, in certain circumstances, to award to a domestic firm a contract for the purchase of goods that, under competitive procedures, would be awarded to a foreign firm.

Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to provide assistance as necessary to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields, including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development, so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of a joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director, to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements under the Advanced Technology Program, including as a method for participating in U.S. joint research and development ventures (joint ventures). Limits the amount of any such contract or award (currently, any such contract or cooperative agreement).

Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any recipients of assistance under the Program: (1) delineating, for joint venture participants, their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying, for all recipients, a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment.

Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria.

Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the Program to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application.

Vests title to any intellectual property arising from assistance provided under the Program in a company or companies incorporated in the United States or Canada, allowing the United States to reserve certain licensing rights, and prohibiting the transfer of rights to the property to a non-U.S. or non-Canadian company before the expiration of the first patent obtained in connection with the property.

Allows the Secretary to suspend a company or joint venture from continued assistance under the Program if there is a failure to meet certain requirements or if it is in the national interest to do so.

Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize industry advisory committees as appropriate.

Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for the Program for standards development.

Authorizes appropriations for the Program.

Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Improvement Act of 1987.

Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum.

Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990.

Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network.

Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board.

Amends the STPOP to establish a National Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of a specified report. Authorizes appropriations.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations.

Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NIST.

Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems.

Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for coordination of Commerce Department efforts with other Federal agencies for activities related to high resolution information systems including research and development activities.

Oct 26, 198935

Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out executive and analytical activities performed by the Technology Administration including: (1) executive direction; (2) technology policy and commercial affairs; and (3) Japanese technical literature.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary for the internal science and technology research and services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Institute), including: (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; and (5) research support activities.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990, in addition to sums already authorized for specified purposes, to the Secretary to carry out the industrial technology extension activities of the Institute.

Authorizes the transfer of funds among the line items listed in the internal research and services authorization, subject to certain limitations and requirements.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 to pay the Federal share of an international standards pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries requesting such U.S. assistance.

Amends Federal law to establish within the Institute an Office of Industrial Technology Services to supervise: (1) the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology program; (2) the Institute's assistance to State technology programs; and (3) other activities or programs as the Secretary or the Director of the Institute may specify.

Authorizes, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary for: (1) industry-led joint ventures to create and test generic enabling technologies; (2) such ventures in other areas of technology; (3) assistance to certain small businesses which have promising technologies in economically important technical fields; and (4) program management, analyses, and workshops.

Sets forth terms and conditions for aid to joint ventures, including: (1) that the venture be led by at least two North American companies; (2) non-Federal matching funds; (3) a business plan; and (4) a research and development agenda and management team which have high technical merit. Requires the use of competitive or other merit-based procedures in making joint venture awards.

Prohibits participation by a foreign company or its subsidiary in a joint venture receiving financial assistance from the Secretary unless: (1) the foreign company makes material contributions that would be in the best interests of the United States; (2) the foreign company makes a commitment to the United States market, contributions to U.S. employment, and certain agreements with respect to technology arising from the venture; (3) the foreign company's home market affords comparable reciprocal treatment to U.S. companies; and (4) the parent and affiliate organizations of the foreign company have not been involved in certain dumping or countervailing duty proceedings.

Requires and authorizes certain measures related to cooperation and coordination in Federal technology programs, including between the Departments of Commerce and Defense.

Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director of the Institute to: (1) organize industry advisory committees; (2) organize an Advanced Electronics Advisory Board; and (3) commission studies by the National Research Council.

Defines "foreign company" to mean a business entity in which majority ownership or control is held by individuals who are not citizens of the United States or Canada.

Directs the Secretary to report within 90 days after enactment to the President and the Congress concerning the establishment, as a domestically based industry, of a high definition television enterprise or enterprises, together with ancillary products and services. Defines "enterprise" to include U.S. and, in certain circumstances, foreign owned entities.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) employ technical and professional personnel to manage the Advanced Technology Program without regard to provisions of Federal law relating to Government organization and employees; (2) appoint, on a limited or temporary basis, scientists, engineers, and other technical and professional personnel on leave from industrial, academic, research, or State institutions to work for the Program; and (3) pay travel and relocation expenses for the limited or temporary personnel. Provides for payment or reimbursement for certain retirement, life insurance, or health benefit plan contributions in certain circumstances.

Authorizes appropriations, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, for FY 1990 to the Secretary to make adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law.

Amends provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 relating to the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce to direct the Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Technology, to submit an annual report to the Congress on the state of U.S. industrial technology.

Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding options and a strategy for equalizing the real cost of capital, including interest rates, paid by U.S. manufacturing and electronics companies with the real cost of capital in Japan.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the participation of the Director of the National Science Foundation, to submit to the Congress a plan for collaborative programs between the two agencies to: (1) stimulate the transfer of federally supported research to the private sector; and (2) assist academic researchers to pursue high-quality research of economic potential and to transfer that research to the private sector.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding: (1) the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Quality Institute and a privately funded foundation to support that Quality Institute, for stated purposes; and (2) the advantages and disadvantages of small U.S. manufacturing firms participating in new multicompany manufacturing centers.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report to the Congress regarding improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding, focusing particularly on using the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research as a model for similar programs in other Federal departments and agencies.

Jun 15, 198900

Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out executive and analytical activities performed by the Technology Administration including: (1) executive direction; (2) technology policy and commercial affairs; and (3) Japanese technical literature.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary for the internal science and technology research and services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Institute), including: (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; and (5) research support activities.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990, in addition to sums already authorized for specified purposes, to the Secretary to carry out the industrial technology extension activities of the Institute.

Authorizes the transfer of funds among the line items listed in the internal research and services authorization, subject to certain limitations and requirements.

Amends Federal law to establish within the Institute an Office of Industrial Technology Services to supervise: (1) the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology program; (2) the Institute's assistance to State technology programs; and (3) other activities or programs as the Secretary or the Director of the Institute may specify.

Authorizes, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary and loan guarantees for FY 1990 through 1992 by the Secretary to assist one or more industry-led joint ventures in advanced electronics, including advanced television, to create and test the generic enabling technologies necessary to develop a U.S. industry to produce advanced electronic products.

Authorizes appropriations, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, for FY 1990 to the Secretary to carry out, through the Director of the Institute, further activities under existing provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program, including: (1) assistance to industry-led joint ventures; (2) assistance to U.S. small businesses which have held Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I awards from other Federal agencies and which have promising technologies in economically important fields; and (3) program management, analyses, and workshops.

Sets forth terms and conditions for aid to joint ventures, including: (1) that the venture be led by at least one North American company; (2) non-Federal matching funds; (3) a business plan; and (4) a research and development agenda and management team which have high technical merit.

Prohibits participation by a foreign company or its subsidiary in a joint venture receiving financial assistance from the Secretary. Defines "foreign company" to mean a business entity in which majority ownership or control is held by individuals who are not citizens of the United States or Canada. Allows such a joint venture to grant licenses to companies, including foreign companies, that are not members of the joint venture, for use of intellectual property the joint venture developed, provided certain conditions are met.

Requires and authorizes certain measures related to cooperation and coordination in Federal technology programs, including between the Departments of Commerce and Defense.

Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director of the Institute to: (1) organize industry advisory committees; (2) organize an Advanced Electronics Advisory Board to develop a plan for research and development in advanced electronics; and (3) commission studies by the National Research Council.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director, to guarantee up to 90 percent of the interest and unpaid principal of private loans to fund a minority share of Advanced Technology Program joint ventures for up to five years. Sets forth conditions for the loan guarantees, including: (1) reasonable interest rates; and (2) full repayment within 30 years or the useful life of any physical asset financed by the loan, whichever is less. Prohibits revocation of a guarantee and makes it conclusive evidence of the: (1) full compliance of that guarantee with this Act; and (2) approval and legality of the principal amount, interest rate, and all other terms of the securities, obligations, or loans and of the guarantee.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) employ technical and professional personnel to manage the Advanced Technology Program without regard to provisions of Federal law relating to Government organization and employees; (2) appoint, on a limited or temporary basis, scientists, engineers, and other technical and professional personnel on leave from industrial, academic, research, or State institutions to work for the Program; and (3) travel and relocation expenses for the limited or temporary personnel. Provides for payment or reimbursement for certain retirement, life insurance, or health benefit plan contributions in certain circumstances.

Authorizes appropriations, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, for FY 1990 to the Secretary to make adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law.

Amends provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 relating to the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce to direct the Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Technology, to submit an annual report to the Congress on the state of U.S. industrial technology.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding: (1) the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Quality Institute and a privately funded foundation to support that Quality Institute, for stated purposes; and (2) the advantages and disadvantages of small U.S. manufacturing firms participating in new multicompany manufacturing centers.