Summary:
Freight Priorities Act - Declares the policy, objectives, and goals of the United States for improving the efficiency, operation, and security of the national freight network by leveraging investments and promoting partnerships that accomplish specified results.

Requires metropolitan planning organizations to involve public port authorities in metropolitan freight transportation planning.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish: (1) measures to assess the performance of a multimodal freight network in accordance with the national freight strategic plan, and (2) a pilot program for up to five urbanized areas to develop and deploy one or more pilot measures and targets to improve multimodal freight movement in densely populated and congested urban areas.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and support a national cooperative freight transportation research program, and (2) offer to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council of the National Academies to support and carry out administrative and management activities relating to governance of the research program.

Requires the National Academies to select an advisory committee consisting of a representative cross-section of freight stakeholders, which shall recommend a national research agenda for the program.

freight priorities act declares policy objectives goals united_states improving efficiency operation security national freight network leveraging investments promoting partnerships accomplish specified results requires metropolitan planning organizations involve public port authorities metropolitan freight transportation planning authorizes secretary transportation dot establish measures assess performance multimodal freight network accordance national freight strategic plan pilot program urbanized areas develop deploy pilot measures targets improve multimodal freight movement populated urban areas directs secretary establish support national cooperative freight transportation research program offer enter agreement transportation_research_board national_research_council national academies support carry administrative management activities relating governance research program requires national academies select advisory committee consisting representative cross section freight stakeholders shall recommend national research agenda program


Summary:
21st Century Buy American Act - Deems articles, materials, or supplies as made substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States if the cost of the domestic components of such articles, materials, or supplies exceeds 60% of the total cost of all components of such articles, materials, or supplies.

Prohibits the use of the overseas exception to Buy American requirements unless one of the following criteria is met: (1) the articles, materials, or supplies are needed on an urgent basis; (2) the articles, materials, or supplies are to be  purchased using a local supplier; or (3) a cost analysis demonstrates that the articles, materials, or supplies to be acquired would be more than 50% more expensive if made in the United States.

Requires the head of a federal agency, in determining whether to apply the public interest exception to Buy American requirements, to: (1) consider the short-term and long-term effects of applying such exception on employment in the United States, and (2) determine that preserving or increasing employment in the United States is consistent with the public interest.

Requires each federal agency that applies an exception or grants a waiver to Buy American requirements to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a notification of such exception or waiver. Requires the Director to post such notification on the OMB website.

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish and carry out a program to make or guarantee loans to certain business entities, up to $500,000 per entity, under the Defense Production Act. Specifies eligibility requirements for such entities, including requirements that such an entity is a manufacturer in the United States, is certified as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance, and meets criteria relating to the availability of an item.

21st century buy american act deems articles materials supplies substantially articles materials supplies mined produced manufactured united_states cost domestic components articles materials supplies exceeds total cost components articles materials supplies prohibits use overseas exception buy american requirements following criteria met articles materials supplies needed urgent basis articles materials supplies purchased local supplier cost analysis demonstrates articles materials supplies acquired expensive united_states requires head federal agency determining apply public interest exception buy american requirements consider short term long term effects applying exception employment united_states determine preserving increasing employment united_states consistent public interest requires federal agency applies exception grants waiver buy american requirements submit director office_of_management_and_budget omb notification exception waiver requires director post notification omb website authorizes secretary defense dod establish carry program guarantee loans certain business entities entity defense production act specifies eligibility requirements entities including requirements entity manufacturer united_states certified eligible apply trade adjustment assistance meets criteria relating availability item


Summary: Bring Jobs Home Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) grant business taxpayers a tax credit for up to 20% of insourcing expenses incurred for eliminating a business located outside the United States and  relocating it within the United States, and (2) deny a tax deduction for outsourcing expenses incurred in relocating a U.S. business outside the United States. Requires an increase in the taxpayer's employment of full-time employees in the United States in order to claim the tax credit for insourcing expenses.

bring jobs home act amends internal revenue code grant business taxpayers tax credit insourcing expenses incurred eliminating business located outside united_states relocating united_states deny tax deduction outsourcing expenses incurred relocating business outside united_states requires increase taxpayer employment time employees united_states order claim tax credit insourcing expenses


Summary:
Competitiveness and Opportunity by Modernizing and Permanently Extending the Tax Credit for Experimentation Act of 2014 or the COMPETE Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for research expenditures, to: (1) increase the rate of such credit to 25% of so much of the taxpayer's qualified research expenses in a taxable year as exceeds 50% of the average expenses for the three preceding taxable years; (2) allow such credit for the basic research expenditures of educational institutions, scientific research organizations, and certain grant organizations; (3) allow an increased 35% credit for highly innovative research expenses (defined as research expenses for the creation of a qualified new product category or product technology that represents a significant improvement over previously existing product technology); and (4) make such tax credit, as revised by this Act, permanent.

Exempts from the definition of "passive activity," for purposes of the passive loss tax rules, any qualified research activity carried on by a high technology research small business pass-thru entity. Defines "high technology research small business pass-thru entity" as any domestic pass-thru entity if: (1) more than 75% of the entity's expenditures are paid or incurred in connection with qualified research, or (2) more than 50% of the entity's expenditures constitute qualified research expenses. Designates a high technology research entity as a small business if it has 250 or fewer full-time employees and does not have aggregate gross assets in excess of $150 million.

Allows tax-exempt financing of research park facilities (facilities used in connection with research and experimentation that are located on the same site and funded with not more than 25% of the net proceeds of the bond issue).

competitiveness opportunity modernizing permanently extending compete act amends internal revenue code respect tax credit research expenditures increase rate credit taxpayer qualified research expenses taxable year exceeds average expenses preceding taxable years allow credit basic research expenditures educational institutions scientific research organizations certain grant organizations allow increased credit highly innovative research expenses defined research expenses creation qualified new product category product technology represents significant improvement previously existing product technology tax credit revised act permanent exempts definition passive activity purposes passive loss tax rules qualified research activity carried high technology research small business pass entity defines high technology research small business pass entity domestic pass entity entity expenditures paid incurred connection qualified research entity expenditures constitute qualified research expenses designates high technology research entity small business fewer time employees aggregate gross assets excess million allows tax exempt financing research park facilities facilities connection research experimentation located site funded net proceeds bond issue


Summary:
Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014 - Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a program to designate up to 25 institutions of higher education as U.S. manufacturing universities that are to be awarded funds over a four-year period.

Requires an institution applying for such program to submit a plan describing its engineering programs, its relationship to manufacturing industries, and its ability to positively impact local and regional economic development.

Requires NIST to recommend adaptations to certain Small Business Act programs to assist small businesses that collaborate with such universities.

manufacturing universities act authorizes national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist establish program designate institutions higher education manufacturing universities awarded funds year period requires institution applying program submit plan describing engineering programs relationship manufacturing industries ability positively impact local regional economic development requires nist recommend adaptations certain small business act programs assist small businesses collaborate universities


Summary:
Directs the President to establish a primary mechanism to assist the private sector in coordinating U.S. development programs with private sector investment activities.

 Directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to direct their respective policy and country teams to include private sector consultation in all country, sector, and global development strategies.

directs president establish primary mechanism assist private sector coordinating development programs private sector investment activities directs secretary state administrator international_development usaid direct respective policy country teams include private sector consultation country sector global development strategies


Summary:
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the entrepreneurial impact of technology transfer at the National Laboratories. Requires such report to be based on an evaluation of quantitative performance metrics, including:

 the number of licenses granted to small businesses, the numbers of start-up businesses created, the number of cooperative research and development agreements and collaborations involving small businesses and the total number of businesses involved in those agreements and collaborations, the period of time required for the execution of a license, and the number of jobs created.

directs comptroller_general gao report congress entrepreneurial impact technology transfer national_laboratories requires report based evaluation quantitative performance metrics including number licenses granted small businesses numbers start businesses created number cooperative research development agreements collaborations involving small businesses total number businesses involved agreements collaborations period time required execution license number jobs created


Summary: Microlab Technology Commercialization Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the directors of national laboratories, to establish a program meeting specified criteria under which DOE sets up microlabs located in close proximity to national laboratories and accessible to the public in order to: (1) enhance collaboration with regional research groups, such as institutions of higher education and industry groups; and (2) accelerate technology transfer from national laboratories to the marketplace.

authorizes secretary energy doe collaboration directors national laboratories establish program meeting specified criteria doe sets located close proximity national laboratories accessible public order enhance collaboration regional research groups institutions higher education industry groups accelerate technology transfer national laboratories marketplace


Summary:
National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish the National Laboratory technology maturation program to make grants of up to $5 million per fiscal year to National Laboratories to increase the successful transfer of technologies licensed from National Laboratories to small businesses by providing a link between an innovative process or technology and a practical application with potential to be successful in commercial markets.

Requires grant recipients to use the funds to provide vouchers of up to $250,000 each to small businesses that hold a technology license from a National Laboratory to pay the cost of providing assistance from its scientists and engineers to assist in the development of the licensed technology and further develop related products and services until they are market-ready or sufficiently developed to attract private investment.

Requires a National Laboratory that awards a voucher to carry out such a project to: (1) establish a procedure to monitor interim progress of the project toward commercialization milestones, and (2) discontinue providing such funding or assistance if it determines that a project is not making adequate progress toward such milestones under the procedure.

act requires secretary energy doe establish national_laboratory technology program grants million fiscal year national_laboratories increase successful transfer technologies licensed national_laboratories small businesses providing link innovative process technology practical application potential successful commercial markets requires grant recipients use funds provide vouchers small businesses hold technology license national_laboratory pay cost providing assistance scientists engineers assist development licensed technology develop related products services market ready sufficiently developed attract private investment requires national_laboratory awards voucher carry project establish procedure monitor interim progress project commercialization milestones discontinue providing funding assistance determines project making adequate progress milestones procedure


Summary:
American Manufacturing Jobs for Students Act

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education, when awarding grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for school counseling programs, to give special consideration to coordinated efforts to significantly engage students in manufacturing careers.

 Requires such programs to provide students in grades 7-12 with: (1) information on career and educational pathways leading to jobs and career opportunities in the LEA's geographic area, particularly in the manufacturing field; and (2) opportunities to interact with employers in the LEA's geographic area, with preference given to employers in the manufacturing field.

amends elementary secondary education act direct secretary education awarding grants local educational agencies leas school counseling programs special consideration coordinated efforts significantly engage students manufacturing careers requires programs provide students grades information career educational pathways leading jobs career opportunities lea geographic area particularly manufacturing field opportunities interact employers lea geographic area preference given employers manufacturing field


Summary:
American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill revises and makes permanent after 2014 the research tax credit. The rate of such credit is modified to equal the sum of 20% of so much of the qualified research expenses for the taxable year as exceeds 50% of the average qualified research expenses for the three preceding taxable years, 20% of so much of the basic research payments for the taxable year as exceeds 50% of the average basic research payments for the three preceding taxable years, plus 20% of amounts paid by a business taxpayer to an energy research consortium for energy research. If a taxpayer has no qualified research expenses in any of the three preceding taxable years, the rate of the tax credit is reduced to 10% of current research expenses.

The bill also provides that in the case of an eligible small business (i.e., a corporation whose stock is not publicly traded, a partnership, or a sole proprietorship with annual gross receipts not exceeding $50 million in a three-year period), the research credit may offset alternative minimum tax liability.

(Sec. 3) The bill prohibits the entry of the budgetary effects of this Act on either PAYCO scorecard under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

sec bill revises makes permanent research tax credit rate credit modified equal sum qualified research expenses taxable year exceeds average qualified research expenses preceding taxable years basic research payments taxable year exceeds average basic research payments preceding taxable years plus amounts paid business taxpayer energy research consortium energy research taxpayer qualified research expenses preceding taxable years rate tax credit reduced current research expenses bill provides case eligible small business corporation stock publicly traded partnership sole proprietorship annual gross receipts exceeding million year period research credit offset alternative minimum tax liability sec bill prohibits entry budgetary effects act scorecard statutory pay act


Summary:
Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015

 (Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Commerce to issue orders applicable to manufacturers of concrete masonry products.

 An order regarding the generic research, education, and promotion of concrete masonry products may be: proposed by Commerce at any time, or requested (and submitted to Commerce) by an existing national organization of concrete masonry product manufacturers or any person that may be affected by the issuance of such an order. (Sec. 5) Any order issued under this bill shall provide for establishment of a Concrete Masonry Products Board to carry out a program of generic promotion, research, and education regarding concrete masonry products. The order shall specify the powers and duties of the board.

The board may not engage in any action, nor use any funds received under this bill, to:

 influence legislation, elections, or governmental action; engage in any conflict of interest; engage in advertising that is false or misleading; or engage in any promotion, research, or education that would be disparaging to other construction materials, or any promotion or project that would benefit any individual manufacturer. Manufacturers and importers shall maintain, and make available for inspection, specified records.

(Sec. 6) Any order must also require that quarterly assessments be paid by manufacturers for any concrete masonry products manufactured at least 180 days before remittance of the assessment to the board.

The bill establishes an initial assessment rate of $0.01 per concrete masonry unit sold. The board may increase or decrease such rate but any change may not exceed $0.01 per unit, and be made no more than once per year. The maximum rate shall be $0.05 per unit.

At least 50% of the assessments (less administrative expenses) paid by a manufacturer shall be used to support research, education, and promotion programs and projects in support of the manufacturer's geographic region. The bill divides the states into five specified regions, whose composition Commerce may adjust on the board's recommendation.

(Sec. 7) During the 60-day period preceding the proposed effective date of an order, Commerce shall conduct a referendum for order approval, according to specified procedures, among the manufacturers required to pay assessments under it.

(Sec. 8) The bill prescribes requirements for petition and review of an order, including order enforcement through U.S. district courts. Commerce may assess a civil penalty on any person willfully violating such an order or regulation.

(Sec. 10) Commerce may also conduct appropriate investigations to administer this bill (with power of subpoena).

(Sec. 11) Commerce must suspend or terminate any order, or a provision of an order, that obstructs or does not tend to effectuate the purposes of this bill, or that is not favored by a majority of all votes cast in a referendum.

(Sec. 15) Funds appropriated to carry out this bill may not be used for the board's payment of expenses or expenditures in administering the order.

(Sec. 16) In each fiscal year that begins on the enactment of this bill and ends on the last day of the 11th fiscal year that begins on or after such enactment, the board may not obligate an amount greater than the sum of:

 73% of the amount of assessments estimated to be collected in such fiscal year; 73% of the amount of assessments actually collected in the most recent fiscal year for which an audit report has been submitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amount that may be obligated is being determined, less the estimate made for the most recent fiscal year; and unobligated amounts permitted in the preceding fiscal years. This bill prescribes a special rule regarding this prohibition for the amount of assessments estimated to be collected in the 9th and 10th fiscal years that begin on or after such enactment.

(Sec. 17) The Government Accountability Office shall study how the board spends assessments collected, the impact of board activities, and other matters relating to the demand for concrete masonry products.

(Sec. 18) Commerce shall examine the appropriateness and effectiveness of applying the commodity check-off program model to a nonagricultural industry. (A commodity check-off program collects funds through a checkoff mechanism from producers of a particular agricultural commodity and uses them to promote and do research on that particular commodity.)

concrete masonry products research education promotion act sec bill directs department_of_commerce issue orders applicable manufacturers concrete masonry products order generic research education promotion concrete masonry products proposed commerce time requested submitted commerce existing national organization concrete masonry product manufacturers person affected issuance order sec order issued bill shall provide establishment concrete masonry products board carry program generic promotion research education concrete masonry products order shall specify powers duties board board engage action use funds received bill influence legislation elections governmental action engage conflict interest engage advertising false misleading engage promotion research education construction materials promotion project benefit individual manufacturer manufacturers importers shall maintain available inspection specified records sec order require quarterly assessments paid manufacturers concrete masonry products manufactured days remittance assessment board bill establishes initial assessment rate concrete masonry unit sold board increase decrease rate change exceed unit year maximum rate shall unit assessments administrative expenses paid manufacturer shall support research education promotion programs projects support manufacturer geographic region bill divides states specified regions composition commerce adjust board recommendation sec day period preceding proposed effective date order commerce shall conduct referendum order approval according specified procedures manufacturers required pay assessments sec bill prescribes requirements petition review order including order enforcement district courts commerce assess civil penalty person willfully violating order regulation sec commerce conduct appropriate investigations administer bill power subpoena sec commerce suspend terminate order provision order obstructs tend effectuate purposes bill favored majority votes cast referendum sec funds appropriated carry bill board payment expenses expenditures administering order sec fiscal year begins enactment bill ends day 11th fiscal year begins enactment board obligate greater sum assessments estimated collected fiscal year assessments actually collected recent fiscal year audit report submitted beginning fiscal year obligated determined estimate recent fiscal year unobligated amounts permitted preceding fiscal years bill prescribes special rule prohibition assessments estimated collected 9th 10th fiscal years begin enactment sec government_accountability_office shall study board spends assessments collected impact board activities matters relating demand concrete masonry products sec commerce shall examine appropriateness effectiveness applying commodity check program model nonagricultural industry commodity check program collects funds checkoff mechanism producers particular agricultural commodity uses promote research particular commodity


Summary:
Get Reinvesting in Opportunities for Workers (GROW) American Jobs Act

Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2020 for the SelectUSA Initiative (federal assistance aimed at increasing both foreign and domestic investment in U.S. business).

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress during such fiscal years on Initiative activities.

reinvesting opportunities workers grow american jobs_act authorizes appropriations fy2016-fy2020 initiative federal assistance aimed increasing foreign domestic investment business directs secretary commerce report congress fiscal years initiative activities


Summary:
Manufacturing Universities Act of 2015

Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a program to designate up to 25 institutions of higher education as U.S. manufacturing universities that are to be awarded funds over a four-year period.

Requires an institution applying for such program to submit a plan describing its engineering programs, its relationship to manufacturing industries, and its ability to positively impact local and regional economic development.

Requires NIST to recommend adaptations to certain Small Business Act programs to assist small businesses that collaborate with such universities.


Summary:
Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for increasing research activities, to: (1) increase such credit (from the sum of 20% of the excess of qualified research expenses for the taxable year over the base amount, 20% of the basic research payments, and 20% of the amounts paid by the taxpayer in carrying on any trade or business during the taxable year to an energy research consortium for energy research to the sum of 30% of each of those); (2) make such credit permanent; and (3) allow such credit to offset the employment taxes of an eligible small employer, as defined by the Small Business Act.

manufacturing act amends internal revenue code respect tax credit increasing research activities increase credit sum excess qualified research expenses taxable year base basic research payments amounts paid taxpayer carrying trade business taxable year energy research consortium energy research sum credit permanent allow credit offset employment taxes eligible small employer defined small_business_act


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exemption for private activity bond interest if the proceeds from such a bond are to be used for basic research (i.e., any original investigation for the advancement of scientific knowledge not having a specific commercial objective) at a government unit, a tax-exempt charitable organization, or a private organization that has a bona-fide contractual arrangement with a government unit or tax-exempt organization.

amends internal revenue code allow tax exemption private activity bond interest proceeds bond basic research original investigation advancement scientific knowledge having specific commercial objective government unit tax exempt charitable organization private organization bona fide contractual arrangement government unit tax exempt organization


Summary:
21st Century Investment Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) allow an increased 25% tax credit rate for research expenses incurred in the United States; and (3) increase to 15%, through 2024, the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic manufacturing production activities for which substantially all of the research and development occurred in the United States.

21st century investment act amends internal revenue code permanent tax credit increasing research activities allow increased tax credit rate research expenses incurred united_states increase tax deduction income attributable domestic manufacturing production activities substantially research development occurred united_states


Summary:
Bridge to Manufacturing Jobs Act

 Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to: (1) provide that themes for the competitive grant program to add capabilities to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program may be related to projects designed to facilitate the development and implementation of apprenticeship programs, internship programs, or student work-based learning programs to help serve the workforce needs of consortia of manufacturing companies; and (2) include among the selection criteria for grants under such program that a proposal will recruit a diverse manufacturing workforce, including through outreach to women and minorities.

bridge manufacturing jobs act amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act provide competitive grant program add capabilities related projects designed facilitate development implementation apprenticeship programs internship programs student work based learning programs help serve workforce needs consortia manufacturing companies include selection criteria grants program proposal recruit diverse manufacturing workforce including outreach women minorities


Summary:
Promoting New Manufacturing Act

 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish on its website, with respect to FY2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, estimates of:

 the total number of preconstruction permits issued annually under the Clean Air Act's New Source Review Program for the construction or modification of a major stationary source (any stationary facility or source of air pollutants which directly emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any regulated air pollutant); the percentage of permits issued within one year of the application; and the average length of time for the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board to decide appeals of decisions to grant or deny a permit. A new or revised national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) may not apply to the review and disposition of a preconstruction permit application unless the EPA publishes implementation guidance with the NAAQS.

The EPA must submit annually a report on actions to expedite the process for review of preconstruction permits.

bill requires environmental_protection_agency epa publish website respect fy2008 fiscal year estimates total number preconstruction permits issued annually clean air act construction modification major stationary source stationary facility source air pollutants directly emits potential emit tons year regulated air pollutant percentage permits issued year application average length time epa decide appeals decisions grant deny permit new revised national ambient air quality standard naaqs apply review disposition preconstruction permit application epa publishes implementation guidance naaqs epa submit annually report actions expedite process review preconstruction permits


Summary:
Manufacturing Reinvestment Account Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt manufacturing reinvestment accounts (MRAs) for taxpayers engaged in a manufacturing business. Allows such manufacturers to make tax deductible cash payments into an MRA of the lesser of their domestic manufacturing gross receipts for the taxable year or $500,000. Permits expenditures from an MRA for expenses for property to be used in the manufacturing business and expenses for employee job training and workforce development. Imposes a 10% tax on amounts in an MRA that are not distributed within 7 years. Terminates the tax deduction for payments to an MRA 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

manufacturing reinvestment account act amends internal revenue code establish tax exempt manufacturing reinvestment accounts taxpayers engaged manufacturing business allows manufacturers tax deductible cash payments lesser domestic manufacturing gross receipts taxable year permits expenditures expenses property manufacturing business expenses employee job training workforce development imposes tax amounts distributed years terminates tax deduction payments years enactment act


Summary:
Rebuilding American Manufacturing Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers engaged in domestic manufacturing in the United States a tax deduction equal to 50.5% (43% for C corporations) of the lesser of their domestic manufacturing income or their taxable income for the taxable year (thus effectively reducing their income tax rate to approximately 20%). Limits the amount of such deduction to 25% of such taxpayer's qualifying domestic investment (defined as the sum of the taxpayer's W-2 wages and certain allowable tax deductions, excluding any amounts not properly allocable to the taxpayer's domestic manufacturing gross receipts).

rebuilding american manufacturing act amends internal revenue code allow taxpayers engaged domestic manufacturing united_states tax deduction equal corporations lesser domestic manufacturing income taxable income taxable year effectively reducing income tax rate approximately limits deduction taxpayer qualifying domestic investment defined sum taxpayer w-2 wages certain allowable tax deductions excluding amounts properly allocable taxpayer domestic manufacturing gross receipts


Summary:
Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to complete a national plan for smart manufacturing technology development and deployment to improve the productivity and energy efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing sector. Smart manufacturing is a set of advanced sensing, instrumentation, monitoring, controls, and process optimization technologies and practices that merge information and communication technologies with the manufacturing environment for the real-time management of energy, productivity, and costs across factories and companies.

DOE must expand the scope of technologies covered by Industrial Assessment Centers to include smart manufacturing technologies and practices and to equip the centers' directors with the training and tools necessary to provide technical assistance in smart manufacturing technologies and practices.

 DOE must: (1) study how it can increase access to existing high-performance computing resources in the National Laboratories, and (2) facilitate access to the laboratories by small and medium manufacturers so that they can fully use the laboratories' high-performance computing resources to enhance manufacturing competitiveness.

DOE may make grants to states for establishing state programs to be used as models for supporting the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies. States must use those grants to: (1) provide access to shared supercomputing facilities to small and medium manufacturers, (2) fund research and development of transformational manufacturing processes and materials technology that advance smart manufacturing, and (3) provide tools and training to aid the adoption of energy management systems and implement smart manufacturing technologies in the manufacturers' facilities.

smart manufacturing leadership act bill requires department_of_energy doe complete national plan smart manufacturing technology development deployment improve productivity energy efficiency manufacturing sector smart manufacturing set advanced sensing instrumentation monitoring controls process optimization technologies practices merge information communication technologies manufacturing environment real time management energy productivity costs factories companies doe expand scope technologies covered include smart manufacturing technologies practices equip centers directors training tools necessary provide technical assistance smart manufacturing technologies practices doe study increase access existing high performance computing resources national_laboratories facilitate access laboratories small medium manufacturers fully use laboratories high performance computing resources enhance manufacturing competitiveness doe grants states establishing state programs models supporting implementation smart manufacturing technologies states use grants provide access shared facilities small medium manufacturers fund research development transformational manufacturing processes materials technology advance smart manufacturing provide tools training aid adoption energy management systems implement smart manufacturing technologies manufacturers facilities


Summary:
Qualifying Renewable Chemical Production or Investment Tax Credit Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for the production of renewable chemicals. The bill defines "renewable chemical" as any chemical that: (1) is produced in the United States from renewable biomass; (2) is sold or used for the production of chemical products, polymers, plastics, or formulated products or as chemicals, polymers, plastics, or formulated products; (3) has a biobased content of 95% or higher; (4) is the product of, or reliant upon, biological or thermal conversion of renewable biomass; (5) is not sold or used for the production of any food, feed, or fuel; and (6) is not a combination of certain specified renewable chemicals.

The bill also allows a tax credit for investment in renewable chemical production facilities.

The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a program to allocate renewable chemical tax credit amounts to eligible taxpayers and imposes an aggregate limit on the amount of credits that may be allocated to not more than $500 million during the 5-year period after enactment of this Act.

qualifying renewable chemical production investment tax credit act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow business related tax credit production renewable chemicals bill defines renewable chemical chemical produced united_states renewable biomass sold production chemical products polymers plastics formulated products chemicals polymers plastics formulated products biobased content higher product biological thermal conversion renewable biomass sold production food feed fuel combination certain specified renewable chemicals bill allows tax credit investment renewable chemical production facilities bill requires department_of_the_treasury establish program allocate renewable chemical tax credit amounts eligible taxpayers imposes aggregate limit credits allocated million year period enactment act


Summary:
Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a scale-up manufacturing investment company (SUMIC) program under which it shall provide leverage to participating investment funds (PIFs) to support debt and equity investments in qualifying manufacturing projects of specified small and emerging manufacturers.

Within 60 days after SBA approves and issues a license to operate as a PIF under SUMIC, it may provide up to $1 of leverage for every $1 of private capital raised by the PIF.

The maximum amount of outstanding leverage made available in any given fiscal year:

 to any PIF may not exceed $500 million, and to all PIFs in aggregate may not exceed $1 billion. The private capital of a PIF must be at least $250 million.

Any national bank, or any member bank of the Federal Reserve System or nonmember insured bank, to the extent permitted under state law, may invest in any one or more PIFs, or in any entity established to invest solely in PIFs. In no event must the total amount of such investments exceed 5% of the bank's capital and surplus.

The SBA must charge a leverage fee of between 3% and 5.5% of the face amount of the leverage issued.

Each PIF shall have authority to borrow money and issue debentures and preferred securities, subject to SBA limitations and regulations. Of the SBA leverage provided to a PIF: (1) at least 70% must be issued as debentures, and (2) up to 30% may be issued as preferred securities. The Federal Financing Bank may acquire such a debenture.

A PIF must use its SBA leverage to make debt and equity investments in small and emerging manufacturers to carry out qualifying manufacturing projects.

The SBA shall issue policy directives to provide for enhanced outreach efforts to increase investments by PIFs in small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and by women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

The SBA may establish a SUMIC Credit Council.

bill amends small_business_investment_act require small_business_administration sba establish scale manufacturing investment company program shall provide leverage participating investment funds support debt equity investments qualifying manufacturing projects specified small emerging manufacturers days sba approves issues license operate provide leverage private capital raised maximum outstanding leverage available given fiscal year exceed million aggregate exceed billion private capital million national bank member bank federal_reserve_system nonmember insured bank extent permitted state law invest entity established invest solely event total investments exceed bank capital surplus sba charge leverage fee face leverage issued shall authority borrow money issue debentures preferred securities subject sba limitations regulations sba leverage provided issued debentures issued preferred securities acquire debenture use sba leverage debt equity investments small emerging manufacturers carry qualifying manufacturing projects sba shall issue policy directives provide enhanced outreach efforts increase investments small businesses owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals women veterans individuals disabilities sba establish


Summary:
Manufacturing Economic Recovery Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a manufacturing recovery tax credit for investment in manufacturing real and tangible personal property used in the United States, including an increased credit for manufacturing property located in an economically disadvantaged area or an extremely economically disadvantaged area; (2) an additional investment tax credit for manufacturing property; and (3) a permanent work opportunity tax credit for hiring a full-time employee in a manufacturing facility located in the United States (manufacturing recovery employee), including an increased credit for hiring individuals receiving unemployment compensation.

manufacturing economic recovery act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow manufacturing recovery tax credit investment manufacturing real tangible personal property united_states including increased credit manufacturing property located economically disadvantaged area extremely economically disadvantaged area additional investment tax credit manufacturing property permanent work opportunity tax credit hiring time employee manufacturing facility located united_states manufacturing recovery employee including increased credit hiring individuals receiving unemployment compensation


Summary:
Reducing Employer Burdens, Unleashing Innovation, and Labor Development Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that increasing the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers will strengthen the national economy.

Investing in America's Workforce Act

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is amended to require state or local workforce investment systems to use youth activities funds allocated to a local area for programs that provide training.

The Internal Revenue Code is amended to: (1) extend through 2016 the tax credit for increasing research activities, and (2) increase and make permanent the alternative simplified research tax credit.

The Joint Committee on Taxation shall notify Congress of any introduced tax reform bill for: (1) a transition to a more globally competitive corporate tax code, (2) a reduction in the code's complexity, and (3) the elimination of special interest loopholes.

The Department of Homeland Security shall establish within the Office of International Trade of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division (including a National Targeting and Analysis Group) to prevent and counter evasion of antidumping (AD) duty or countervailing duty (CVD) orders with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States.

 The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended to permit access to certain proprietary information to a CBP officer or employee investigating possible negligence or gross negligence with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States.

The Department of the Treasury shall negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with customs authorities of foreign countries to prevent evasion of U.S. and foreign trade remedy laws.

This bill prescribes procedures for the administering authority (the Department of Commerce, or any other U.S. officer responsible for such duties) to initiate an AD or CV duty investigation for merchandise imported into the United States upon

 its own initiation, or the filing of a petition by interested parties or referral by the CBP Commissioner. The weighted average dumping margin or individual CVD rate determined for a new exporter or producer of merchandise in a review by the administering authority as to whether an AD or CVD shall be imposed shall be based solely on the bona fide U.S. sales made by the exporter or producer during the period of review.

It is the sense of Congress that the Export Administration Act of 1979 should be reformed and reauthorized.

Federal Spectrum Incentive Act of 2015

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act is amended to allow federal entities that utilize government station licenses to participate in the incentive auction program under which licensees of electromagnetic spectrum voluntarily relinquish their spectrum rights in order for the spectrum to be auctioned for a repurposed commercial use in exchange for a percentage of the auction proceeds.

A Federal Spectrum Incentive Fund is established in the Treasury.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must, before promulgating a final rule that regulates any aspect of the production, supply, distribution, or use of energy (or that provides for regulation by state or local governments) and that is estimated by EPA or OMB to impose aggregate costs of more than $1 billion, to report: (1) an estimate of the rule's total costs and benefits, (2) an estimate of the increases in energy prices that may result, and (3) a detailed description of the employment effects that may result.

Electricity Security and Affordability Act

The EPA may not issue, implement, or enforce any proposed or final rule under the Clean Air Act that establishes a performance standard for greenhouse gas emissions from any new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit unless the rule meets specified requirements of this Act.

The force and effect of specified proposed rules (or similar successor proposed or final rules) are nullified for Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units issued before enactment of this Act.

LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act

For proposals that must also obtain authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the U.S. Maritime Administration to site, construct, expand, or operate liquified natural gas (LNG) export facilities, the Department of Energy (DOE) shall issue a decision on an application for authorization to export natural gas within 30 days after the later of: (1) the conclusion of the review to site, construct, expand, or operate the LNG facilities required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); or (2) the enactment of this Act.

 The Natural Gas Act is amended to set as a condition for approval of any authorization to export LNG that the DOE require the applicant to disclose publicly its specific destination or destinations.

Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is amended to require state programs for regulation of surface coal mining to incorporate the necessary rule concerning excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on December 12, 2008.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010 are repealed, effective as of their enactment. The provisions amended or repealed by such Acts are restored or revived.

The Public Health Service Act (PHSA), as restored under this Act, is amended to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage from establishing lifetime limits on the dollar value of benefits for any individual.

Each state must mitigate the cost of high risk individuals in the state through: (1) a state reinsurance program, or (2) a state high risk pool.

The PHSA is amended to require the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) to apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this Act.

Conditions are prescribed for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims.

The PHSA is amended to deem a hospital or an emergency department and a physician or physician group to be a Public Health Service employee with federal liability protection for purposes of any civil action arising from emergency and post-stabilization services.

Nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act (which exempts the insurance business generally from federal regulation) shall modify, impair, or supersede the operation of any of the antitrust laws with respect to the business of health insurance.

No class action may be heard in a federal or state court on a claim against a person engaged in the business of health insurance for violation of any of the antitrust laws except for actions commenced by:

 the United States or any state; or a named claimant for an injury only to itself. A health care professional shall not be liable under federal or state law, with certain exceptions, for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as such a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services.

The plaintiff in any civil action or proceeding against a health care professional bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the limitation of liability under the Act does not apply.

Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2015

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) is amended to direct Interior to implement a lease sales program that includes at least 50% of the available unleased acreage within each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area considered to have the largest undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources. Interior shall develop a five-year oil and gas leasing program with a domestic strategic production goal determined according to a specified formula.

Interior shall conduct oil and gas Lease Sale 220 offshore Virginia, subject to a specified condition if the Department of Defense proposes a deferral from a lease offering due to irreconcilable defense-related activities.

Interior shall conduct a lease sale within two years after enactment of this Act for certain areas off the coast of South Carolina with the most geologically promising hydrocarbon resources.

Interior must: (1) offer for sale leases of tracts in the Santa Maria and Santa Barbara/Ventura Basins of the Southern California OCS Planning Area, and (2) prepare for all lease sales required under this Act a NEPA multisale environmental impact statement.

37.5% of the amount of new federal leasing revenues shall be allocated to affected coastal states within 200 miles of the leased tract.

This bill establishes in Interior: (1) an Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals; (2) an Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety; (3) an Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management; (4) a Bureau of Ocean Energy; (5) an Ocean Energy Safety Service; and (6) an Office of Natural Resources Revenue.

Interior shall establish: (1) a National Offshore Energy Safety Academy, and (2) an OCS Energy Safety Advisory Board.

Interior shall also: (1) certify annually that certain of its personnel comply fully with federal employee ethics laws and regulations; and (2) conduct random drug testing of such personnel.

The Minerals Management Service is abolished.

Interior shall collect non-refundable fees from the operators of facilities subject to inspection. An Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund is established in the Treasury for deposit of such fees.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy and the Ocean Energy Safety Service may not implement any limitation on activities under their jurisdictions because of the coastal and marine spatial planning component of the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 13547.

The OCS is redefined to include all submerged lands lying within the U.S. exclusive economic zone and the Continental Shelf adjacent to any U.S. territory.

Interior shall promulgate rules regarding the revenue streams contemplated by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, including the timing and methods of disbursements of certain funds under such Act.

For FY2024-FY2055 the maximum amount of qualified OCS revenues distributed to Gulf producing states shall be increased.

The South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area is defined.

The OCSLA is amended to require the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to enter into partnerships to conduct oil- or gas-related geological and geophysical investigations on the OCS with institutions of higher education nominated by the governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act

Interior shall encourage the use of U.S. workers and equipment manufactured in the U.S. in all construction related to mineral resource development under this Act.

Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act of 2015

The Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) is amended to direct Interior to revise requirements for the processing of drill permit applications. A permit application shall be deemed approved if Interior has not made a decision by 60 days after its receipt.

Interior shall collect specified fees for processing a drill permit application and for documentation to accompany each protest for an application, a lease, or a right of way.

 Interior shall:

 establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Project in every Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office responsible for permitting energy projects on federal land, and provide 50% matching funds for joint projects with states to conduct oil and gas resource assessments on federal lands with significant oil and gas potential. Providing Leasing Certainty for American Energy Act of 2015

Interior, in conducting lease sales under the MLA, must offer for sale at least 25% of the annual nominated acreage not previously made available for lease. This acreage shall be shielded from protest and eligible for categorical exclusions under NEPA.

Interior shall not:

 withdraw any covered energy project without finding a violation of lease terms by the lessee; delay indefinitely issuance of project approvals, drilling and seismic permits, and rights of way for activities under a lease; or cancel or withdraw any lease parcel after a competitive lease sale has occurred and a winning bidder has made the last payment for the parcel. The BLM Instruction Memorandum 2010-117 (which establishes a process to ensure orderly, effective, timely, and environmentally responsible leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands) shall have no force or effect.

Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act or the PIONEERS Act

The final regulations regarding oil shale management published by the BLM on November 18, 2008, as well as a specified resource management plan, are deemed to satisfy all legal and procedural requirements under any law, and Interior shall implement them, including the oil shale leasing program they authorize, without any other administrative action necessary.

Interior shall hold a lease sale that offers an additional ten parcels for lease for research, development, and demonstration of oil shale resources, including at least five separate commercial lease sales, in multiple lease blocs, in certain areas of at least 25,000 acres.

Planning for American Energy Act of 2015

The MLA is amended to direct Interior to publish every four years a Quadrennial Federal Onshore Energy Production Strategy.

National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act

The Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 is amended to require the competitive leasing of oil and gas in the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR) in Alaska to include at least one lease sale annually in those areas most likely to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas each year between 2017-2027.

Interior must ensure permits according to a specified time line for all surface development activities, including pipelines and roads construction, to: (1) develop NPR areas subject to oil and gas leases, and (2) transport oil and gas from and through the NPR to existing infrastructure on the North Slope of Alaska.

Interior must issue: (1) a new proposed integrated activity plan from among the non-adopted alternatives in the NPR Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision dated February 21, 2013. The February 21, 2013, Record of Decision shall have no force or effect.

The U.S. Geological Survey shall conduct and complete a resource assessment in cooperation with Alaska and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

BLM Live Internet Auctions Act

The MLA is amended to authorize Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based live bidding methods.

Native American Energy Act

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 is amended to allow Interior, an affected Indian tribe, or a certified third-party appraiser under contract with the Indian tribe to appraise Indian land or trust assets involved in a transaction requiring Interior approval. Tribes may, however, waive such appraisals.

The Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 is amended to direct Interior to enter into agreements with Indian tribes to carry out demonstration projects involving woody biomass from federal lands to promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities.

The Long-Term Leasing Act is amended to authorize the Navajo Nation to enter into mineral resource leases on their restricted lands without Interior's approval.

No Interior rule regarding hydraulic fracturing may have any effect on land held in trust or restricted status for Indians, except with the express consent of its specific beneficiaries.

Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act

Interior may not enforce any federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or under any land in any state that has regulations, guidance, or permit requirements for that activity. (Hydraulic fracturing is the process by which fracturing fluids, including a fracturing fluid system, are pumped into an underground geologic formation to generate fractures or cracks, thereby increasing rock permeability near the wellbore and improving production of natural gas or oil.)

The GAO shall examine the economic benefits of domestic shale oil and gas production resulting from hydraulic fracturing.

Interior shall not enforce any federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement governing the hydraulic fracturing process, or any of its components, relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on land held either in trust or restricted status for the benefit of Indians except with the express consent of the specific beneficiary.

The President shall establish or designate a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Advisory Panel.

The National Science Foundation shall establish, within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, a STEM Education Coordinating Office.

reducing innovation labor development act bill expresses sense congress increasing competitiveness manufacturers strengthen national economy investing america workforce investment act amended require state local workforce investment systems use youth activities funds allocated local area programs provide training internal revenue code amended extend tax credit increasing research activities increase permanent alternative simplified research tax credit joint_committee taxation shall notify congress introduced tax reform bill transition globally competitive corporate tax code reduction code complexity elimination special interest loopholes department_of_homeland_security shall establish cbp trade remedy law enforcement division including national_targeting_and_analysis_group prevent counter evasion antidumping duty countervailing duty orders respect covered merchandise entered united_states tariff act amended permit access certain proprietary information cbp officer employee investigating possible negligence gross negligence respect covered merchandise entered united_states department treasury shall negotiate enter bilateral agreements customs authorities foreign countries prevent evasion foreign trade remedy laws bill prescribes procedures administering authority department_of_commerce officer responsible duties initiate duty investigation merchandise imported united_states initiation filing petition interested parties referral cbp commissioner weighted average dumping margin individual rate determined new exporter producer merchandise review administering authority shall imposed shall based solely bona fide sales exporter producer period review sense congress export administration act reformed reauthorized federal spectrum incentive act national_telecommunications_and_information_administration_organization_act amended allow federal entities utilize government station licenses participate incentive auction program licensees electromagnetic spectrum voluntarily relinquish spectrum rights order spectrum auctioned repurposed commercial use exchange percentage auction proceeds established treasury environmental_protection_agency epa promulgating final rule regulates aspect production supply distribution use energy provides regulation state local governments estimated epa omb impose aggregate costs billion report estimate rule total costs benefits estimate increases energy prices result detailed description employment effects result electricity security affordability act epa issue implement enforce proposed final rule clean air act establishes performance standard greenhouse gas emissions new source fossil fuel fired electric utility generating unit rule meets specified requirements act force effect specified proposed rules similar successor proposed final rules nullified electric utility generating units issued enactment act lng permitting certainty transparency_act proposals obtain authorization federal_energy_regulatory_commission site construct expand operate liquified natural gas lng export facilities department_of_energy doe shall issue decision application authorization export natural gas days later conclusion review site construct expand operate lng facilities required national_environmental_policy_act nepa enactment act natural gas act amended set condition approval authorization export lng doe require applicant disclose publicly specific destination destinations preventing government waste protecting coal mining jobs america surface mining control reclamation act amended require state programs regulation surface coal mining incorporate necessary rule concerning excess coal waste buffers perennial intermittent streams published office_of_surface_mining_reclamation_and_enforcement december patient_protection affordable care act health care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act repealed effective enactment provisions amended repealed acts restored revived public_health_service_act phsa restored act amended prohibit group health plan health insurance issuer offering group individual health insurance coverage establishing lifetime limits dollar value benefits individual state mitigate cost high risk individuals state state reinsurance program state high risk pool phsa amended require laws state designated health insurance issuer primary state apply individual health insurance coverage offered issuer primary state state secondary state coverage issuer comply conditions act conditions prescribed lawsuits arising health care liability claims phsa amended deem hospital emergency department physician physician group public_health_service employee federal liability protection purposes civil action arising emergency post stabilization services mccarran ferguson act exempts insurance business generally federal regulation shall modify impair supersede operation antitrust laws respect business health insurance class action heard federal state court claim person engaged business health insurance violation antitrust laws actions commenced united_states state named claimant injury health care professional shall liable federal state law certain exceptions harm caused act omission professional serving volunteer response disaster act omission occurs period disaster professional capacity volunteer good faith belief individual treated need health care services plaintiff civil action proceeding health care professional bears burden proving clear convincing evidence limitation liability act apply lowering gasoline prices fuel america works act outer continental shelf lands act ocsla amended direct interior implement lease sales program includes available unleased acreage outer continental_shelf ocs planning area considered largest undiscovered technically recoverable oil gas resources interior shall develop year oil gas leasing program domestic strategic production goal determined according specified formula interior shall conduct oil gas lease_sale offshore virginia subject specified condition department_of_defense proposes deferral lease offering irreconcilable defense related activities interior shall conduct lease sale years enactment act certain areas coast south_carolina geologically promising hydrocarbon resources interior offer sale leases tracts santa_maria santa_barbara ventura basins southern_california ocs planning area prepare lease sales required act nepa multisale environmental impact statement new federal leasing revenues shall allocated affected coastal states miles leased tract bill establishes interior secretary energy lands minerals assistant secretary ocean_energy_and_safety assistant secretary land_and_minerals_management bureau_of_ocean_energy ocean_energy_safety_service office_of_natural_resources_revenue interior shall establish national_offshore_energy_safety_academy ocs energy safety advisory board interior shall certify annually certain personnel comply fully federal employee ethics laws regulations conduct random drug testing personnel minerals_management_service abolished interior shall collect non refundable fees operators facilities subject inspection ocean_energy_enforcement_fund established treasury deposit fees bureau_of_ocean_energy ocean_energy_safety_service implement limitation activities jurisdictions coastal marine spatial planning component developed executive order ocs include submerged lands lying exclusive economic zone continental shelf adjacent territory interior shall promulgate rules revenue streams contemplated gulf_of_mexico_energy_security_act including timing methods disbursements certain funds act fy2024 maximum qualified ocs revenues distributed gulf producing states shall increased south atlantic outer defined ocsla amended require bureau_of_ocean_energy_management enter partnerships conduct oil- gas related geological geophysical investigations ocs institutions higher education nominated governors georgia south_carolina north_carolina virginia federal lands jobs energy security act interior shall encourage use workers equipment manufactured construction related mineral resource development act streamlining permitting american energy act mineral leasing act mla amended direct interior revise requirements processing drill permit applications permit application shall deemed approved interior decision days receipt interior shall collect specified fees processing drill permit application documentation accompany protest application lease right way interior shall establish federal_permit_streamlining_project bureau_of_land_management blm field office responsible permitting energy projects federal land provide matching funds joint projects states conduct oil gas resource assessments federal lands significant oil gas potential providing leasing certainty american energy act interior conducting lease sales mla offer sale annual nominated acreage previously available lease acreage shall shielded protest eligible categorical exclusions nepa interior shall withdraw covered energy project finding violation lease terms lessee delay indefinitely issuance project approvals drilling seismic permits rights way activities lease cancel withdraw lease parcel competitive lease sale occurred winning bidder payment parcel blm instruction memorandum establishes process ensure orderly effective timely environmentally responsible leasing oil gas resources federal lands shall force effect protecting investment oil_shale generation environmental energy resource security act pioneers act final regulations oil shale management published blm november specified resource management plan deemed satisfy legal procedural requirements law interior shall implement including oil shale leasing program authorize administrative action necessary interior shall hold lease sale offers additional parcels lease research development demonstration oil shale resources including separate commercial lease sales multiple lease certain areas acres planning american energy act mla amended direct interior publish years quadrennial_federal_onshore_energy_production_strategy national_petroleum_reserve alaska access act naval_petroleum_reserves_production_act amended require competitive leasing oil gas national_petroleum_reserve npr alaska include lease sale annually areas likely produce commercial quantities oil natural gas year interior ensure permits according specified time line surface development activities including pipelines roads construction develop npr areas subject oil gas leases transport oil gas npr existing infrastructure north_slope alaska interior issue new proposed integrated activity plan non adopted alternatives npr alaska integrated activity plan record decision dated february february record decision shall force effect shall conduct complete resource assessment cooperation alaska blm live internet auctions act mla amended authorize interior conduct onshore oil gas lease sales internet based live bidding methods native american energy act energy policy act amended allow interior affected indian tribe certified party appraiser contract indian tribe appraise indian land trust assets involved transaction requiring interior approval tribes waive appraisals tribal_forest protection act amended direct interior enter agreements indian tribes carry demonstration projects involving woody biomass federal lands promote biomass energy production indian forest land nearby communities long-term_leasing_act amended authorize navajo nation enter mineral resource leases restricted lands interior approval interior rule hydraulic fracturing effect land held trust restricted status indians express consent specific beneficiaries protecting states rights promote american energy security act interior enforce federal regulation guidance permit requirement hydraulic fracturing relating oil gas geothermal production activities land state regulations guidance permit requirements activity hydraulic fracturing process fracturing fluids including fracturing fluid system pumped underground geologic formation generate fractures increasing rock near wellbore improving production natural gas oil gao shall examine economic benefits domestic shale oil gas production resulting hydraulic fracturing interior shall enforce federal regulation guidance permit requirement governing hydraulic fracturing process components relating oil gas geothermal production activities land held trust restricted status benefit indians express consent specific beneficiary president shall establish designate mathematics stem education advisory panel national_science_foundation shall establish


Summary:
Innovate America Act

 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED), in coordination with the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to award grants, on a competitive basis, to state educational agencies to establish or expand the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science (STEM) secondary schools in the United States from approximately 100 to approximately 200.

In coordination with the NSF, ED shall:

 develop a database identifying existing STEM secondary schools, and study how to improve retention rates of students in STEM programs at institutions of higher education. The President must ensure that at least 15% of all federal funds available each fiscal year for undergraduate research opportunities at 2-year and 4-year degree-granting institutions of higher education are used to fund research opportunities for postsecondary students.

The NSF Partnerships for Innovation Program shall administer a Technology Commercialization Awards Pilot Program through which promising technology advances derived from NSF research grants must be eligible for funding.

The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended to extend the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to cover specifically informatics and computer science.

The Department of Commerce must establish a manufacturing assistance program for small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers to promote the manufacturing of goods in the United States and enable them to be competitive in global markets.

The Under Secretary for International Trade of Commerce shall report to Congress on the global competitiveness of 20 U.S. industries that export the most goods or services and the domestic and foreign regulatory and policy barriers to increasing their exports.

This bill also requires:

 the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to devise a strategy to reduce overall government printing costs over a 10-year period, each federal department and agency to issue guidance on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in their programs, and return to the Treasury of any funds intended to be awarded as incentive fees to contractors that are not paid owing to contractor inability to meet established criteria in this Act.

innovate america act bill requires coordination director national_science_foundation nsf award grants competitive basis state educational agencies establish expand number science technology engineering mathematics including computer science stem secondary schools united_states approximately approximately coordination nsf shall develop database identifying existing stem secondary schools study improve retention rates students stem programs institutions higher education president ensure federal funds available fiscal year undergraduate research opportunities year year degree granting institutions higher education fund research opportunities postsecondary students shall administer technology commercialization awards pilot program promising technology advances derived nsf research grants eligible funding national_science_foundation authorization act amended extend robert noyce teacher scholarship program cover specifically informatics computer science department_of_commerce establish manufacturing assistance program small medium sized domestic manufacturers promote manufacturing goods united_states enable competitive global markets secretary shall report congress global competitiveness industries export goods services domestic foreign regulatory policy barriers increasing exports bill requires director office_of_management_and_budget devise strategy reduce overall government printing costs year period federal department agency issue guidance appropriate use award incentive fees programs return treasury funds intended awarded incentive fees contractors paid owing contractor inability meet established criteria act


Summary:
American Manufacturing Workforce Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, through 2021, tax credits for: (1) up to $1,000 of the expenses for tuition, fees, and course materials paid or incurred for the training of a worker to develop or improve skills for a manufacturing position; and (2) up to 20% of the first $1,000 of education or training expenses for manufacturing under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or a curriculum approved by the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor for individuals employed in manufacturing positions.

The bill also: (1) establishes the Presidential Award for Business Leadership in Manufacturing Job Training to recognize companies and other organizations for extraordinary efforts in assisting their employees and members to develop or improve manufacturing skills and training and increase productivity; and (2) directs Labor to periodically collect and disseminate best practices for manufacturing job training.

bill amends internal_revenue_code allow tax credits expenses tuition fees course materials paid incurred training worker develop improve skills manufacturing position education training expenses manufacturing workforce investment act curriculum approved individuals employed manufacturing positions bill establishes presidential_award_for_business_leadership manufacturing job training recognize companies organizations extraordinary efforts assisting employees members develop improve manufacturing skills training increase productivity directs labor periodically collect disseminate best practices manufacturing job training


Summary:
Make It In America Manufacturing Communities Act

This bill establishes a program to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing by designating consortiums as manufacturing communities and authorizing federal agencies to provide them with financial and technical assistance.

The Department of Commerce must designate consortiums as manufacturing communities using a competitive process and specified criteria. An eligible consortium must:

 represent a region that is large enough to contain critical elements of the key technologies or supply chain prioritized by the consortium and small enough to enable close collaboration among the consortium's members; include at least one institution of higher education, a private sector entity, and a government entity; and have a lead applicant that is a district organization, an Indian tribe, a state or political subdivision of a state, an institution of higher education, or a nonprofit organization or association cooperating with a political subdivision of a state. Specified federal agencies may support the manufacturing communities by awarding them financial or technical assistance, providing preferential consideration when members of the consortium apply for assistance, or providing a federal point of contact to help members access assistance.

Recipients of the financial or technical assistance may use the funds to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing with investments that may include infrastructure, access to capital, promotion of exports and foreign direct investment, equipment upgrades, workforce training, energy or process efficiency, and other specified purposes.

america manufacturing communities act bill establishes program improve competitiveness manufacturing designating consortiums manufacturing communities authorizing federal agencies provide financial technical assistance department_of_commerce designate consortiums manufacturing communities competitive process specified criteria eligible consortium represent region large contain critical elements key technologies supply chain prioritized consortium small enable close collaboration consortium members include institution higher education private sector entity government entity lead applicant district organization indian tribe state political subdivision state institution higher education nonprofit organization association cooperating political subdivision state specified federal agencies support manufacturing communities awarding financial technical assistance providing preferential consideration members consortium apply assistance providing federal point contact help members access assistance recipients financial technical assistance use funds improve competitiveness manufacturing investments include infrastructure access capital promotion exports foreign direct investment equipment upgrades workforce training energy process efficiency specified purposes


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE), in awarding grants, to prioritize education and training for energy and manufacturing jobs, including by encouraging state and local education agencies to equip students for those jobs and strengthening DOE programs and labs carrying out workforce development initiatives. DOE must prioritize educating and training workers from underrepresented groups such as minorities, women, and veterans. DOE may encourage, but not incentivize or require, any state or school district to adopt a curriculum to equip students with the skills and training necessary to fill employment opportunities in the energy and manufacturing industries.

In addition, DOE is directed to:

 establish a clearinghouse for information and guidance on job training and other workforce development programs for energy and manufacturing jobs; and work with the energy and manufacturing industries, educational institutions, and other government agencies to identify areas of workforce need and develop guidelines to implement the best practices for effective job training programs. The bill requires DOE to consider increasing outreach to institutions that serve minority populations. The Minorities in Energy Initiative provides for DOE to:

 make existing resources available to minority serving institutions with the objective of increasing the number of minorities and women trained to work in the energy and manufacturing industries; encourage the energy and manufacturing industries to improve the amount of internships and cooperative work study programs available for minority students; and increase underrepresented groups' participation in internships, fellowships, and employment at DOE laboratories. DOE must give special consideration to dislocated energy and manufacturing workers by:

 increasing outreach to employers and job trainers who train unemployed energy and manufacturing workers for re-entry into the job market, making existing resources available to institutions that provide job training to unemployed energy and manufacturing workers, encouraging the energy and manufacturing industries to improve opportunities for energy and manufacturing workers to participate in career pathway programs, and working with the energy and manufacturing industries to identify energy and manufacturing operations scheduled for closure and provide early intervention assistance to affected workers through partnerships with state and local workforce boards. This bill does not authorize the creation of a new workforce development program.

(Sec. 2) DOE is required to submit a report to Congress, within five years, on the national outlook for the energy and manufacturing industries. The report must include a summary of energy and manufacturing jobs that have been created by this bill. In addition, the report must contain the:

 number of workforce training program participants served, percentage of workforce training program participants in competitive employment, median income of workforce training program participants, and percentage of workforce training program participants receiving industry-recognized credentials. (Sec. 3) This bill does not authorize additional funding to carry out its requirements.

sec bill directs department_of_energy doe awarding grants prioritize education training energy manufacturing jobs including encouraging state local education agencies equip students jobs strengthening doe programs labs carrying workforce development initiatives doe prioritize educating training workers underrepresented groups minorities women veterans doe encourage incentivize require state school district adopt curriculum equip students skills training necessary fill employment opportunities energy manufacturing industries addition doe directed establish clearinghouse information guidance job training workforce development programs energy manufacturing jobs work energy manufacturing industries educational institutions government agencies identify areas workforce need develop guidelines implement best practices effective job training programs bill requires doe consider increasing outreach institutions serve minority populations minorities energy initiative provides doe existing resources available minority serving institutions objective increasing number minorities women trained work energy manufacturing industries encourage energy manufacturing industries improve internships cooperative work study programs available minority students increase underrepresented groups participation internships fellowships employment doe laboratories doe special consideration dislocated energy manufacturing workers increasing outreach employers job trainers train unemployed energy manufacturing workers entry job market making existing resources available institutions provide job training unemployed energy manufacturing workers encouraging energy manufacturing industries improve opportunities energy manufacturing workers participate career pathway programs working energy manufacturing industries identify energy manufacturing operations scheduled closure provide early intervention assistance affected workers partnerships state local workforce boards bill authorize creation new workforce development program sec doe required submit report congress years national outlook energy manufacturing industries report include summary energy manufacturing jobs created bill addition report contain number workforce training program participants served percentage workforce training program participants competitive employment median income workforce training program participants percentage workforce training program participants receiving industry recognized credentials sec bill authorize additional funding carry requirements


Summary:
Aeronautics Innovation Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that development of high-risk, precompetitive aerospace technology for use in commercial and military aircraft is a fundamental National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) role.

NASA shall establish the following programs to demonstrate innovative advances in aeronautics and aviation:

 a low-boom supersonic aircraft program, three subsonic flight programs, and an unmannned aircraft (drone) operations program. NASA shall establish a pilot program to allow it to experiment with the crowdsourcing of early stage experimental aerospace vehicle design work to increase the speed, range, safety, and affordability of supersonic or hypersonic aircraft.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that hypersonic technologies and weapons will play an increasingly important role in our national security.

The John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, as amended, is further amended to revise the responsibilities of the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Technology Office on Hypersonics in carrying out the DOD program on hypersonics to include developing a well-defined path for hypersonic technologies to transition to operational capabilities for the warfighter.

The bill revises requirements for the Joint Technology Office roadmap for DOD hypersonics programs.

DOD shall appoint an individual recognized in the field of hypersonics to serve as Director of the Joint Technology Office.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the National Science and Technology Council, shall ensure that federal hypersonics research, development, testing, and evaluation activities are coordinated pursuant to a disciplined investment plan.

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Naval Research, and the appropriate Department of the Army science and technology entities may make grants to research institutions for research and development of hypersonics technology and related education and training.

NASA shall establish a 21st Century Aeronautics Capabilities Initiative to ensure that it possesses the infrastructure capabilities necessary to conduct proposed flight research demonstration projects.

aeronautics innovation act bill expresses sense congress development high risk aerospace technology use commercial military aircraft fundamental national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa role nasa shall establish following programs demonstrate innovative advances aeronautics aviation low boom aircraft program subsonic flight programs aircraft drone operations program nasa shall establish pilot program allow experiment crowdsourcing early stage experimental aerospace vehicle design work increase speed range safety affordability aircraft bill expresses sense congress technologies weapons play important role national security john_warner_national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year amended amended revise responsibilities department_of_defense dod carrying dod program include developing defined path technologies transition operational capabilities bill revises requirements roadmap dod programs dod shall appoint individual recognized field serve director office_of_science_and_technology_policy national_science_and_technology_council shall ensure federal research development testing evaluation activities coordinated pursuant disciplined investment plan appropriate department_of_the_army science technology entities grants research institutions research development technology related education training nasa shall establish 21st century aeronautics capabilities initiative ensure possesses infrastructure capabilities necessary conduct proposed flight research demonstration projects


Summary:
American Parks American Products Act

The bill instructs: (1) the Department of the Interior to ensure that all items offered for sale in any gift shop or visitor's center in a unit of the National Park System are produced in the United States, and (2) the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to similarly ensure that all items offered for sale in any NARA gift shop are produced in the United States.

american parks american products act bill instructs department_of_the_interior ensure items offered sale gift shop visitor center unit national_park_system produced united_states national_archives_and_records_administration nara similarly ensure items offered sale nara gift shop produced united_states


Summary:
Chief Manufacturing Officer Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that a well-designed national manufacturing strategy would benefit the U.S. economy.

The President shall appoint a United States Chief Manufacturing Officer whose primary duty is to develop the national manufacturing strategy using the criteria set forth in this bill.

The bill amends the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 to designate the United States Chief Manufacturing Officer as the chair of the Committee on Technology under the National Science and Technology Council.

chief manufacturing officer act bill expresses sense congress designed national manufacturing strategy benefit economy president shall appoint united_states chief manufacturing officer primary duty develop national manufacturing strategy criteria set forth bill bill amends designate united states chief manufacturing officer chair national_science_and_technology_council