Summary:
American Innovation and Competitiveness Act

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to maintain the intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria as the basis for evaluating grant proposals in the merit review process.

The NSF shall issue and periodically update policy guidance for both NSF staff and other NSF merit review process participants on the importance of transparency and accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review process.

The bill renames the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research as the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and revises program requirements.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall research information systems for future cybersecurity needs.

The bill renames the National High Performance Computing Program as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program and revises program requirements.

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) shall continue to coordinate federal research in high-energy physics, radiation biology, and fusion energy sciences.

NIST shall implement a comprehensive strategic plan for laboratory programs expanding interactions with academia, international researchers, and industry, and commercial and industrial applications.

The NSF shall:

 evaluate the existing and future needs, across all NSF-supported disciplines, for mid-scale projects; strengthen oversight and accountability over the full life-cycle of major multi-user research facility projects; and continue to review its efforts to sustain scientific efforts in the face of logistical challenges for the U.S. Antarctic Program. The Department of Commerce Office of Security shall directly manage NIST's law enforcement and site security programs through an assigned Director of Security for NIST.

The Office of Management and Budget shall establish an interagency working group to reduce administrative burdens of federally funded researchers while protecting the public's interest in the transparency of, and accountability for, federally funded activities.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall establish a body under the NSTC to identify and coordinate international science and technology cooperation in order to strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

The NSF, the Department of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall establish the STEM Education Advisory Panel to advise the NSTC Committee on STEM Education on matters related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The NSF shall award grants to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is amended to revise requirements for the NIST post-doctoral fellowship program, and the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Federal science agencies may use crowdsourcing and voluntary, collaborative citizen science to advance their missions.

The OSTP shall establish an interagency working group to: (1) summarize available research and best practices on how to promote diversity and inclusions in STEM fields, and (2) examine whether barriers exist to promoting diversity and inclusion within federal agencies employing scientists and engineers.

Each federal agency shall recommend to the President how it could expand research opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of higher education.

The NSF shall award grants for:

 research on computer science education and computational thinking; and Innovation Corps entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, and mentoring. The OSTP shall arrange with the National Research Council to study technologies employed at institutions of higher education to provide notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel during emergencies.

bill requires national_science_foundation nsf maintain intellectual merit broader impacts criteria basis evaluating grant proposals merit review process nsf shall issue periodically update policy guidance nsf staff nsf merit review process participants importance transparency accountability outcomes merit review process bill renames experimental_program stimulate competitive research stimulate competitive research epscor revises program requirements national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist shall research information systems future cybersecurity needs bill renames national high performance computing program networking_and_information_technology_research_and_development_program revises program requirements national_science_and_technology_council nstc shall continue coordinate federal research high energy physics radiation biology fusion energy sciences nist shall implement comprehensive strategic plan laboratory programs expanding interactions academia international researchers industry commercial industrial applications nsf shall evaluate existing future needs nsf supported disciplines mid scale projects strengthen oversight accountability life cycle major multi user research facility projects continue review efforts sustain scientific efforts face logistical challenges shall directly manage nist law enforcement site security programs assigned director security nist office_of_management_and_budget shall establish interagency working group reduce administrative burdens federally funded researchers protecting public interest transparency accountability federally funded activities office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp shall establish body nstc identify coordinate international science technology cooperation order strengthen science technology enterprise improve economic national security support foreign policy goals nsf department_of_education national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa shall establish advise stem education matters related science technology engineering mathematics stem nsf shall award grants increase participation underrepresented populations stem fields national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act amended revise requirements nist post doctoral fellowship program federal science agencies use crowdsourcing voluntary collaborative citizen science advance missions ostp shall establish interagency working group summarize available research best practices promote diversity stem fields examine barriers exist promoting diversity inclusion federal agencies employing scientists engineers federal agency shall recommend president expand research opportunities undergraduate students attending institutions higher education nsf shall award grants research computer science education thinking entrepreneurship commercialization education training mentoring ostp shall arrange national_research_council study technologies employed institutions higher education provide notifications students faculty personnel emergencies


Summary:
MadeInAmerica.gov Act

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to create and maintain a MadeInAmerica.gov website within two years.

The website shall: (1) publish a list of all products made in America and all companies that only make products made in America, (2) publish contact information, and (3) be searchable by product and company.

Commerce shall: (1) only publish such products, companies, contact information, and order page information requested by a company; (2) create a form interested companies may complete in order to satisfy such requirement; and (3) make the form publicly available in a conspicuous location on the homepage of MadeInAmerica.gov.

The bill imposes penalties against any company found to have submitted false information in order to secure product or company inclusion on the website.

act bill requires department_of_commerce create maintain website years website shall publish list products america companies products america publish contact information searchable product company commerce shall publish products companies contact information order page information requested company create form interested companies complete order satisfy requirement form publicly available conspicuous location homepage bill imposes penalties company found submitted false information order secure product company inclusion website


Summary:
Startup Act

 Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust to conditional permanent resident status up to 50,000 aliens who have earned a master's or doctorate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field (STEM field) and permit such an alien to remain in the United States: (1) for up to one year after the expiration of the alien's student visa, if the alien is searching for STEM field employment; and (2) indefinitely if the alien remains actively engaged in a STEM field.

Removes a STEM alien's conditional status after five years of maintaining eligibility during the entire five-year period.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue conditional immigrant visas to up to 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs. Removes such conditional basis after four years of maintaining qualified entrepreneur status.

Eliminates the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based visas.

Increases the per country numerical limitation for family based immigrants from 7% to 15% of the total number of family-sponsored visas.

Amends the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 to eliminate the provision requiring the reduction of annual People's Republic of China immigrant visas to offset status adjustments under such Act.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a permanent full tax exclusion on gain from the sale or exchange of qualified small business stock held for more than five years, (2) repeal the minimum tax preference and the 28% capital gains rate on such stock, and (3) provide a limited tax credit for certain startup small businesses.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to use certain federal agency extramural budget funds to award grants to institutions of higher education for initiatives to improve commercialization and transfer of technology.

 Requires the head of any federal or independent regulatory agency, before issuing a notice of rule making in connection with the issuance of a proposed major rule, to complete a review that, among other things, analyzes the problem that the rule intends to address, and identifies and analyzes the rule's expected impact on state, local, and tribal governments, as well as on the ability of new businesses to form and expand. Requires a cost-benefit analysis before rule issuance.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to regularly compile: (1) information from each of the states and the District of Columbia on laws that affect the formation and growth of new businesses, and (2) quantitative and qualitative information on U.S. businesses that are not more than one year old.

startup act amends immigration nationality act authorize secretary homeland_security dhs adjust conditional permanent resident status aliens earned master doctorate degree science technology engineering mathematics field stem field permit alien remain united_states year expiration alien student visa alien searching stem field employment indefinitely alien remains actively engaged stem field removes stem alien conditional status years maintaining eligibility entire year period authorizes secretary issue conditional immigrant visas qualified alien entrepreneurs removes conditional basis years maintaining qualified entrepreneur status eliminates country numerical limitation employment based visas increases country numerical limitation family based immigrants total number family sponsored visas amends chinese student protection act eliminate provision requiring reduction annual immigrant visas offset status adjustments act amends internal revenue code provide permanent tax exclusion gain sale exchange qualified small business stock held years repeal minimum tax preference capital gains rate stock provide limited tax credit certain startup small businesses directs secretary commerce use certain federal agency extramural budget funds award grants institutions higher education initiatives improve commercialization transfer technology requires head federal independent regulatory agency issuing notice rule making connection issuance proposed major rule complete review things analyzes problem rule intends address identifies analyzes rule expected impact state local tribal governments ability new businesses form expand requires cost benefit analysis rule issuance directs secretary commerce regularly compile information states district_of_columbia laws affect formation growth new businesses quantitative qualitative information businesses year old


Summary:
Innovators Job Creation Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified small business to elect to use a portion of its tax credit for increasing research expenditures as an offset against its payroll tax liability under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

Defines "qualified small business" as a corporation, a partnership, or a person other than a tax-exempt organization that had gross receipts of less than $5 million for the taxable year and that did not have gross receipts for any period preceding the five-taxable-year period ending with such taxable year.

Limits: (1) the number of years a taxpayer may elect to offset payroll taxes under this Act to five, and (2) the annual amount of such offset to $250,000.

Allows an offset of research tax credit amounts against alternative minimum tax liability.

innovators job creation act amends internal revenue code allow qualified small business elect use portion tax credit increasing research expenditures offset payroll tax liability federal_insurance_contributions_act defines qualified small business corporation partnership person tax exempt organization gross receipts million taxable year gross receipts period preceding taxable year period ending taxable year limits number years taxpayer elect offset payroll taxes act annual offset allows offset research tax credit amounts alternative minimum tax liability


Summary:
Competitiveness and Opportunity by Modernizing and Permanently Extending the Tax Credit for Experimentation Act of 2015 or the COMPETE Act of 2015

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; and (3) 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 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 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.

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:
Microlab Technology Commercialization Act of 2015

 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; (2) accelerate technology transfer from national laboratories to the marketplace; and (3) promote regional workforce development through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction and training.

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 promote regional workforce development science technology engineering mathematics stem instruction training


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:
Highlights:

This bill amends federal patent law to add pleading and disclosure requirements for patent infringement actions. The bill sets standards for a court's consideration of a motion to stay an action against retailers or end users that agree to be bound as to issues determined in an action to which the manufacturer is a party.

The bill provides for a stay of discovery during the pendency of a motion to dismiss, transfer venue, or sever accused infringers. The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop rules regarding whether a party seeking additional discovery beyond core documentary evidence should bear the costs for the additional discovery.

Prevailing parties may seek an award of attorney's fees. Parties defending against infringement may require a party alleging infringement whose primary business is the assertion of patents to identify other parties with a financial interest in the proceedings that may be held accountable for an award of attorney's fees if the party alleging infringement cannot satisfy the full amount of such an award.

The Federal Trade Commission is authorized to enforce against demand letters that falsely represent that the recipients bear liability or owe compensation for infringing a patent.

The bill also requires a pre-suit notification to meet certain standards before it may be used as evidence of willful infringement, revises procedures for post-issuance proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), sets forth standards for intellectual property license elections in foreign bankruptcy proceedings and the treatment of trademarks under the bankruptcy code, allows transfers of entitlements to accelerate USPTO proceedings for humanitarian purposes, and makes institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations eligible for reduced patent fees.

The USPTO's authority to set or adjust its own fees under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act is extended an additional seven years.

Full Summary: Protecting American Talent and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 or the PATENT Act

(Sec. 3) Amends federal patent law to add requirements for court pleadings in patent infringement actions. Requires the Supreme Court to eliminate the current model patent infringement complaint form from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Directs parties alleging infringement to include in their court pleadings specified details concerning:

 each claim of each patent allegedly infringed; each process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter ("accused instrumentalities") alleged to infringe the claim; for each identified claim, a description of the elements alleged to be infringed by the accused instrumentality and how the accused instrumentality is alleged to infringe those elements; and for each claim of indirect infringement, the acts of the alleged infringer that contribute to or induce direct infringement. Requires courts, upon a motion, to dismiss claims that do not meet such pleading requirements unless a party with a plausible claim provides a general description of information that was inaccessible after a reasonable inquiry.

Requires parties alleging infringement to disclose to the court, adverse parties, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): (1) assignees of the patent and their ultimate parent entities, (2) entities and ultimate parent entities with a right to sublicense to unaffiliated entities or to enforce the patent; and (3) entities known to have a financial interest in the patent, the patentee, or any ultimate parent entity. Directs alleging parties to further disclose to the court and adverse parties: (1) claims by the patentee, an affiliate, or other claimants during the previous three years; (2) certain assurances made to a standards development organization to license others under such patent; and (3) whether the federal government has imposed specific licensing requirements.

(Sec. 4) Requires courts to grant a motion to stay an action against a retailer or end user accused of infringing a patent based on a product or process under specified conditions, if: (1) the manufacturer is a party to the action or a separate action in a federal court involving the same patent; and (2) the retailer or end user agrees to be bound as to issues determined in the action to which the manufacturer is a party, without a full and fair opportunity to separately litigate any such issue, but only as to those issues for which all other elements of the common law doctrine of issue preclusion are met. (Sec. 5) Directs courts to stay discovery in patent actions during the pendency of certain preliminary motions (motions to dismiss, transfer venue, or sever accused infringers), but allows a court to permit further discovery to resolve a motion or preserve evidence. Permits parties to voluntarily exclude themselves from such discovery limits.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to develop discovery rules for patent actions that address the extent to which: (1) parties should be responsible for the costs of producing core documentary evidence, and (2) a party may seek additional noncore document discovery and bear the additional costs.

Requires the rules to address discovery of electronic communications and computer code.

Directs the Judicial Conference to develop case management procedures to be implemented by federal district courts and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for patent actions, including initial disclosure and early case management conference practices that: (1) identify any potential dispositive issues, and (2) focus on early summary judgment motions when resolution of issues may lead to expedited disposition of the case.

(Sec. 7) Requires a court, upon a motion, to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party if the position or conduct of the nonprevailing party was not objectively reasonable. Provides an exception if special circumstances would make an award unjust.

Allows parties defending against a claim of infringement, if they hold a good faith belief that the primary business of the party alleging infringement is the assertion and enforcement of patents or the resulting licensing, to require the party alleging infringement to: (1) certify that it will have sufficient funds to satisfy an award of attorney's fees; (2) demonstrate that its primary business is not the assertion and enforcement of patents or related licensing activities; (3) identify any other parties with a substantial financial interest related to the proceeds from any settlement, license, or damages award resulting from the enforcement of the patent; or (4) state that there are no such interested parties. Makes identified interested parties accountable for an award of attorney's fees (unless they renounce their interest in the claim) if the party alleging infringement cannot satisfy the full amount.

Allows institutions of higher education, or nonprofit technology transfer organizations whose primary purpose is to facilitate the commercialization of technologies of such institutions, to exempt themselves from being considered interested parties accountable for attorney's fees.

Excludes from being identified as accountable interested parties: (1) attorneys or law firms whose sole financial interest is compensation reasonably related to the provision of legal representation, (2) persons who receive only passive income from a patent that they assigned to an institution of higher education, (3) persons whose financial interest is based solely on an equity or security interest established when the party alleging infringement's primary business was not the assertion and enforcement of patents or the resulting licensing, and (4) depository institutions whose sole basis for the financial interest arises from a loan or other debt obligation.

Exempts from the process of identifying parties accountable for attorney's fees, and from certain other requirements of this Act, patent actions that include claims relating to abbreviated new drug applications for generic drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act, including animal drugs, veterinary products, and other biological products. Authorizes a court in such cases to award reasonable attorney's fees only in exceptional circumstances.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits a claimant seeking to establish willful infringement from relying on evidence of a pre-suit notification sent to the alleged infringer, unless the notice included details regarding the patent and specific infringement, the possible right of a retailer or end user to stay the action, and the identity of any person who can enforce the patent. Bars an initial written notice from containing: (1) a request for, demand for, or offer to accept a specific monetary amount in exchange for a license, settlement, or agreement to resolve allegations of patent infringement; or (2) a specific monetary amount demanded based on the cost of legal defense in a lawsuit concerning any asserted claim. Allows defendants an additional 30 days to respond to a complaint if the initial notice did not contain such details or contained such a monetary request or demand.

(Sec. 9) Subjects to penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act an unfair or deceptive act or practice in connection with the widespread sending of demand letters representing falsely, without a reasonable basis, or in a misleading manner that the intended recipients or their affiliates may bear liability or owe compensation for infringement. Provides the Federal Trade Commission with authority to enforce against such violations.

(Sec. 10) Requires patent holders to disclose to the USPTO any assignment resulting in a change to the ultimate parent entity. Prohibits a party that fails to comply with such disclosure requirements from recovering increased damages or attorney's fees for any period of noncompliance, unless the denial of such damages or fees would be manifestly unjust.

(Sec. 11) Allows patent owners filing a preliminary response to a petition for inter partes or post-grant review to include affidavits or declarations of supporting evidence and opinions. Permits petitioners to reply to new issues raised in a preliminary response.

Permits the USPTO to choose not to institute a review that would not serve the interests of justice. Requires the USPTO to consider whether: (1) the grounds of unpatentability on prior art or arguments in the petition are substantially the same as those considered and decided in a prior judicial or USPTO proceeding involving the same claims, and (2) there is another proceeding involving the same patent pending before the USPTO. Prohibits an inter partes review from being instituted on the basis that the evidentiary standard before the USPTO differs from that used in a U.S. court. Allows a petitioner to petition to add additional patent claims in an instituted inter partes review if such petition is made within one year after that petitioner, or the real party in interest or privy of that petitioner, is served with an amended complaint for the first time alleging that any of them infringed the patent claims to be added. Binds inter partes and post-grant review parties in subsequent USPTO or court proceedings (or their real parties in interest or privy) to any representations they made regarding claim construction with respect to the prosecution history of the patent that were finally adopted by the USPTO in deciding the review. Directs the USPTO to prescribe regulations providing USPTO panels with the authority to determine whether to hear live testimony offered by a party to an inter partes or post-grant review if it would facilitate resolution of the case because genuine issues of material fact, conflicting expert opinions, or issues of witness credibility exist. Requires each claim of a patent to be construed as such claim would be in a civil action to invalidate a patent, including by construing each claim in accordance with the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and the prosecution history pertaining to the patent. Directs the USPTO to consider previous claim constructions or determinations of U.S. courts in proceedings in which the patent owner was a party. Requires USPTO regulations to ensure that the panel adjudicating such review proceeding consists of not more than one individual who participated in the decision to institute such a proceeding. Allows such regulations to prescribe that the decision to institute a proceeding be made by designees of the USPTO Director other than members of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. (Sec. 12) Requires courts in cross-border bankruptcy cases involving the recognition of a foreign proceeding to apply U.S. bankruptcy laws relating to the retention or termination of licensed intellectual property rights after a trustee has rejected an executory contract. Allows a licensee to elect to retain its right to intellectual property if a foreign representative rejects or repudiates a contract under which the debtor is the licensor. Expands the definition of "intellectual property" as it applies to the federal bankruptcy code to include trademarks, service marks, or trade names, thereby providing for trademark licenses to be retained instead of voided in bankruptcy.

(Sec. 13) Requires the USPTO to: (1) develop educational resources for small businesses to address concerns arising from patent infringement, and (2) provide education and awareness regarding resources available for those persons responding to allegations of patent infringement.

Directs the USPTO to notify the public on its website when a patent case is brought in federal court.

(Sec. 14) Requires the USPTO to report to Congress regarding: (1) legislative recommendations for transparency and accountability in patent transactions occurring on the secondary market, (2) the economic impact that the secondary market has on the United States, and (3) licensing and oversight requirements to ensure that the market is a level playing field and that brokers adhere to ethical business practices.

Directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to submit recommendations to Congress regarding the development of a pilot program for patent small claims procedures in certain judicial districts.

Requires the Government Accountability Office to submit recommendations regarding the volume and nature of litigation involving business method patents, including the quality of business method patents asserted in suits alleging patent infringement.

(Sec. 15) Amends the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) to:

 limit the grounds for invalidity of a patent claim that a post-grant review petitioner is prohibited, by estoppel, from asserting in subsequent civil actions or certain U.S. International Trade Commission proceedings to only those grounds that the petitioner actually raised during post-grant review; and revise the transitional covered business method patent review program to expand the scope of prior art that may serve as the basis of a challenge and permit the USPTO to waive filing fees. Allows the USPTO to provide information concerning an application for a patent to a foreign country or international intergovernmental organization if a corresponding application is filed in such foreign country or with such organization.

Requires the USPTO Director to nominate, for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce, such officers as the Director considers necessary to carry out the functions of the USPTO and who may exercise any authority delegated by the Director or a Commissioner.

Allows the USPTO to prescribe filing date rules for papers or fees submitted using an electronic filing system.

Authorizes the USPTO Deputy Director to serve as Acting Director in the event of the absence or incapacity of the Director or a vacancy in the office of the Director.

Extends by an additional seven years the USPTO's authority under the AIA to set or adjust its own fees.

Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act

Allows the holder or successor of an acceleration certificate issued pursuant to the Patents for Humanity Program (a pilot awards program that entitles awardees to accelerate certain USPTO proceedings for patented technologies addressing humanitarian needs among an impoverished population or for further research on humanitarian technologies) to transfer, including by sale, the entitlement to such certificate to another person.

(Sec. 16) Provides micro entity status (which makes certain small entities eligible for reduced patent fees) to certifying: (1) institutions of higher education or comparable organizations outside the United States; (2) tax exempt, nonprofit organizations, or comparable organizations outside the United States, that hold title to patents and patent applications on behalf of such an institution of higher education for the purpose of facilitating commercialization of the technologies; or (3) tax exempt, nonprofit organizations that perform research or development activities for the federal government or that assign, grant, or convey a license or ownership interest to such an organization that performs such activities for the federal government.

bill amends federal patent law add pleading disclosure requirements patent infringement actions bill sets standards court consideration motion stay action retailers end users agree bound issues determined action manufacturer party bill provides stay discovery pendency motion dismiss transfer venue sever accused judicial_conference_of_the_united_states develop rules party seeking additional discovery core documentary evidence bear costs additional discovery prevailing parties seek award attorney fees parties defending infringement require party alleging infringement primary business assertion patents identify parties financial interest proceedings held accountable award attorney fees party alleging infringement satisfy award federal_trade_commission authorized enforce demand letters falsely represent recipients bear liability owe compensation infringing patent bill requires pre suit notification meet certain standards evidence willful infringement revises procedures post issuance proceedings uspto sets forth standards intellectual property license elections foreign bankruptcy proceedings treatment trademarks bankruptcy code allows transfers entitlements accelerate uspto proceedings humanitarian purposes makes institutions higher education nonprofit organizations eligible reduced patent fees uspto authority set adjust fees smith america act extended additional seven years summary patent act sec amends federal patent law add requirements court pleadings patent infringement actions requires supreme_court eliminate current model patent infringement complaint form federal_rules_of_civil_procedure directs parties alleging infringement include court pleadings specified details concerning claim patent allegedly infringed process machine manufacture composition matter accused instrumentalities alleged infringe claim identified claim description elements alleged infringed accused instrumentality accused instrumentality alleged infringe elements claim indirect infringement acts alleged contribute induce direct infringement requires courts motion dismiss claims meet pleading requirements party claim provides general description information inaccessible reasonable inquiry requires parties alleging infringement disclose court adverse parties uspto assignees patent ultimate parent entities entities ultimate parent entities right unaffiliated entities enforce patent entities known financial interest patent ultimate parent entity directs alleging parties disclose court adverse parties claims affiliate claimants previous years certain assurances standards development organization license patent federal government imposed specific licensing requirements sec requires courts grant motion stay action retailer end user accused infringing patent based product process specified conditions manufacturer party action separate action federal court involving patent retailer end user agrees bound issues determined action manufacturer party fair opportunity separately litigate issue issues elements common law doctrine issue met sec directs courts stay discovery patent actions pendency certain preliminary motions motions dismiss transfer venue sever accused allows court permit discovery resolve motion preserve evidence permits parties voluntarily exclude discovery limits sec requires judicial conference united_states develop discovery rules patent actions address extent parties responsible costs producing core documentary evidence party seek additional document discovery bear additional costs requires rules address discovery electronic communications computer code directs judicial conference develop case management procedures implemented federal district courts patent actions including initial disclosure early case management conference practices identify potential issues focus early summary judgment motions resolution issues lead expedited disposition case sec requires court motion award attorney fees prevailing party position conduct party objectively reasonable provides exception special circumstances award unjust allows parties defending claim infringement hold good faith belief primary business party alleging infringement assertion enforcement patents resulting licensing require party alleging infringement certify sufficient funds satisfy award attorney fees demonstrate primary business assertion enforcement patents related licensing activities identify parties substantial financial interest related proceeds settlement license damages award resulting enforcement patent state interested parties makes identified interested parties accountable award attorney fees interest claim party alleging infringement satisfy allows institutions higher education nonprofit technology transfer organizations primary purpose facilitate commercialization technologies institutions exempt considered interested parties accountable attorney fees excludes identified accountable interested parties attorneys law firms sole financial interest compensation reasonably related provision legal representation persons receive passive income patent assigned institution higher education persons financial interest based solely equity security interest established party alleging infringement primary business assertion enforcement patents resulting licensing depository institutions sole basis financial interest arises loan debt obligation exempts process identifying parties accountable attorney fees certain requirements act patent actions include claims relating abbreviated new drug applications generic drugs cosmetic act public_health_service_act including animal drugs veterinary products biological products authorizes court cases award reasonable attorney fees exceptional circumstances sec prohibits claimant seeking establish willful infringement relying evidence pre suit notification sent alleged notice included details patent specific infringement possible right retailer end user stay action identity person enforce patent bars initial written notice containing request demand offer accept specific monetary exchange license settlement agreement resolve allegations patent infringement specific monetary demanded based cost legal defense lawsuit concerning asserted claim allows defendants additional days respond complaint initial notice contain details contained monetary request demand sec subjects penalties federal_trade_commission act unfair deceptive act practice connection widespread sending demand letters representing falsely reasonable basis misleading manner intended recipients affiliates bear liability owe compensation infringement provides federal_trade_commission authority enforce violations sec requires patent holders disclose uspto assignment resulting change ultimate parent entity prohibits party fails comply disclosure requirements recovering increased damages attorney fees period noncompliance denial damages fees unjust sec allows patent owners filing preliminary response petition inter post grant review include affidavits declarations supporting evidence opinions permits petitioners reply new issues raised preliminary response permits uspto choose institute review serve interests justice requires uspto consider grounds prior art arguments petition substantially considered decided prior judicial uspto proceeding involving claims proceeding involving patent pending uspto prohibits inter review instituted basis evidentiary standard uspto differs court allows petitioner petition add additional patent claims instituted inter review petition year petitioner real party interest petitioner served amended complaint time alleging infringed patent claims added inter post grant review parties subsequent uspto court proceedings real parties interest representations claim construction respect prosecution history patent finally adopted uspto deciding review directs uspto prescribe regulations providing uspto panels authority determine hear live testimony offered party inter post grant review facilitate resolution case genuine issues material fact conflicting expert opinions issues witness credibility exist requires claim patent construed claim civil action invalidate patent including construing claim accordance ordinary customary meaning understood ordinary skill art prosecution history pertaining patent directs uspto consider previous claim determinations courts proceedings patent owner party requires uspto regulations ensure panel adjudicating review proceeding consists individual participated decision institute proceeding allows regulations prescribe decision institute proceeding designees uspto director members sec requires courts cross border bankruptcy cases involving recognition foreign proceeding apply bankruptcy laws relating retention termination licensed intellectual property rights trustee rejected contract allows licensee elect retain right intellectual property foreign representative rejects contract debtor expands definition intellectual property applies federal bankruptcy code include trademarks service marks trade names providing trademark licenses retained instead bankruptcy sec requires uspto develop educational resources small businesses address concerns arising patent infringement provide education awareness resources available persons responding allegations patent infringement directs uspto notify public website patent case brought federal court sec requires uspto report congress legislative recommendations transparency accountability patent transactions occurring secondary market economic impact secondary market united_states licensing oversight requirements ensure market level playing field brokers adhere ethical business practices submit recommendations congress development pilot program patent small claims procedures certain judicial districts requires government accountability office submit recommendations volume nature litigation involving business method patents including quality business method patents asserted suits alleging patent infringement sec amends limit grounds patent claim post grant review petitioner prohibited asserting subsequent civil actions certain proceedings grounds petitioner actually raised post grant review revise transitional covered business method patent review program expand scope prior art serve basis challenge permit uspto waive filing fees allows uspto provide information concerning application patent foreign country international intergovernmental organization corresponding application filed foreign country organization requires uspto director nominate appointment secretary commerce officers director considers necessary carry functions uspto exercise authority delegated director commissioner allows uspto prescribe filing date rules papers fees submitted electronic filing system authorizes uspto deputy director serve acting director event absence incapacity director vacancy office director extends additional seven years uspto authority set adjust fees patents humanity program improvement act allows holder successor acceleration certificate issued pursuant patents humanity program pilot awards program entitles awardees accelerate certain uspto proceedings patented technologies addressing humanitarian needs impoverished population research humanitarian technologies transfer including sale entitlement certificate person sec provides micro entity status makes certain small entities eligible reduced patent fees certifying institutions higher education comparable organizations outside united_states tax exempt nonprofit organizations comparable organizations outside united_states hold title patents patent applications behalf institution higher education purpose facilitating commercialization technologies tax exempt nonprofit organizations perform research development activities federal government assign grant convey license ownership interest organization performs activities federal government


Summary:
America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or the America INNOVATES Act

Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to rename the Under Secretary for Science as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy.

Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to report annually on DOE's ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies.

 Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, in part by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program.

Extends the pilot program for a term of three years after the enactment of this Act.

Requires DOE to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements (except those with a majority foreign-owned company) whose total cost is less than $1 million.

 Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities.

Amends the Small Business Act to require DOE, in carrying out its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to provide to small businesses seeking funding under these programs information concerning resources available to them at national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers.

 Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt, for six years after enactment of this Act, institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development.

Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories.

america act amends department_of_energy_organization_act rename secretary science secretary science_and_energy directs department_of_energy doe report annually doe ability improve technology transfer commercialization energy technologies directs doe carry pilot program giving contractors doe nonmilitary national laboratories national laboratories increased authority negotiate contract terms making facility eligible program extends pilot program term years enactment act requires doe delegate directors national laboratories signature authority respect certain agreements majority foreign owned company total cost million permits directors national laboratories use funds authorized support technology transfer doe carry early stage precommercial technology demonstration activities remove technology barriers limit private sector interest demonstrate potential commercial applications research technologies arising national laboratory activities amends small business act require doe carrying small_business_innovation_research sbir small_business_technology_transfer sttr programs provide small businesses seeking funding programs information concerning resources available national laboratories federally funded research development centers amends energy policy act exempt years enactment act institutions higher education nonprofit institutions cost sharing requirements research development requires government accountability office report congress results projects developed act doe efforts promote technology transfer private sector engagement national laboratories


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 by the EPA 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 until the EPA publishes final implementation regulations and guidance that include information relating to submission and consideration of a preconstruction permit application under the standard.

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 epa 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 final implementation regulations guidance include information relating submission consideration preconstruction permit application standard epa submit annually report actions expedite process review preconstruction permits


Summary:
Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2015

 Directs the President to establish an interagency Sustainable Chemistry Program to promote and coordinate federal sustainable chemistry research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and training activities.

Directs the President to establish an Interagency Working Group that includes representatives from specified federal agencies to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program.

Requires the Interagency Working Group to establish an Advisory Council on Sustainable Chemistry to make recommendations to it and provide it with advice and assistance.

Requires participating agencies to report to the Office of Management and Budget on Program activities and appropriations.

Requires the Interagency Working Group to submit a report to Congress, as well as to the Government Accountability Office.

Instructs the Interagency Working Group to lead agencies in awarding grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies across the value chain in the chemical industry to: (1) create collaborative research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, and commercialization programs; and (2) train students and retrain professional scientists and engineers in the use of sustainable chemistry concepts and strategies.

Requires the National Science Foundation to contract with the National Research Council to assess the current status of sustainable chemistry research in the United States.

Directs the Interagency Working Group to produce a national strategy for sustainable chemistry that provides a framework for advancing sustainable chemistry research.

directs president establish interagency promote coordinate federal sustainable chemistry research development demonstration technology transfer commercialization education training activities directs president establish interagency_working_group includes representatives specified federal agencies oversee planning management coordination program requires interagency working_group establish recommendations provide advice assistance requires participating agencies report activities appropriations requires interagency working_group submit report congress government_accountability_office instructs interagency_working_group lead agencies awarding grants institutions higher education establish partnerships companies value chain chemical industry create collaborative research development demonstration technology transfer commercialization programs train students retrain professional scientists engineers use sustainable chemistry concepts strategies requires national_science_foundation contract national_research_council assess current status sustainable chemistry research united_states directs interagency_working_group produce national strategy sustainable chemistry provides framework advancing sustainable chemistry research


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

This bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue orders applicable to manufacturers of concrete masonry products. Any such order must provide for the establishment of a Concrete Masonry Products Board to carry out a program of promotion, research, and information regarding concrete masonry products. Manufacturers and importers shall maintain, and make available, specified records.

An order must also provide that assessments be paid by concrete masonry product manufacturers with respect to concrete masonry products manufactured and marketed in the United States. Assessment rates are specified. At least 50% of the assessments paid by a manufacturer must be used to support research, education, and promotion plans and projects in support of the geographic region of the manufacturer. During the 60-day period preceding the proposed effective date of an order, the Secretary shall conduct a referendum for order approval among the manufacturers required to pay assessments under it. Referendum procedures are outlined.

The bill allows petition and review of an order, and order enforcement through U.S. district courts. The Secretary: (1) may conduct appropriate investigations in order to administer this Act (with power of subpoena); and (2) must suspend or terminate any order or provision that obstructs or does not tend to effectuate the purposes of this Act, or that is not favored by persons voting in a referendum.

concrete masonry products research education promotion act bill directs secretary commerce issue orders applicable manufacturers concrete masonry products order provide establishment concrete masonry products board carry program promotion research information concrete masonry products manufacturers importers shall maintain available specified records order provide assessments paid concrete masonry product manufacturers respect concrete masonry products manufactured marketed united_states assessment rates specified assessments paid manufacturer support research education promotion plans projects support geographic region manufacturer day period preceding proposed effective date order secretary shall conduct referendum order approval manufacturers required pay assessments referendum procedures outlined bill allows petition review order order enforcement district courts secretary conduct appropriate investigations order administer act power subpoena suspend terminate order provision obstructs tend effectuate purposes act favored persons voting referendum


Summary:
Biennial Report on the Skills Gap Act of 2015

This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a biennial report on the current state of the skills gap in the United States, including: (1) an analysis of the effectiveness of efforts to close such gap, and (2) policy recommendations to improve such efforts.

The bill defines "skills gap" as the difference between the specific skills set of employees and the skills desired by employers.

Each report may include:

 an analysis of employer participation in apprenticeships and on-the-job training in the United States; an assessment of the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program to determine if it can be better utilized; an analysis of the prevalence and portability of recognized postsecondary credentials that align with occupations that are in demand; a comparison of policies and strategies addressing the current skills gap in the United States with those employed by other large countries; and an analysis of the specific barriers preventing the U.S. workforce from acquiring the skills desired by U.S. employers, including an assessment of opportunities to reduce those barriers.

biennial report skills gap act bill directs government_accountability_office submit biennial report current state skills gap united_states including analysis effectiveness efforts close gap policy recommendations improve efforts bill defines skills gap difference specific skills set employees skills desired employers report include analysis employer participation apprenticeships job training united_states assessment department_of_labor program determine better utilized analysis prevalence portability recognized postsecondary credentials align occupations demand comparison policies strategies addressing current skills gap united_states employed large countries analysis specific barriers preventing workforce acquiring skills desired employers including assessment opportunities reduce barriers


Summary:
Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2016

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:
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to convert the current program for creation and support of regional centers for the transfer of manufacturing technology into one for creation and support of manufacturing extension centers for the transfer of manufacturing technology and best business practices, to be known as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension (HME) Partnership, and reauthorized for FY2017-FY2020.

Each Hollings Manufacturing Extension Center may be affiliated with an institution of higher education or a state or local government, as well as with a U.S.-based nonprofit institution (or consortium of such institutions) as under current law.

Authorized Center activities that currently include selective, short-term loans of advanced manufacturing equipment to small manufacturing firms shall be replaced by facilitation of collaborations and partnerships between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies and community colleges and area career and technical education schools.

The bill repeals the current six-year limit on federal financial assistance to a Center, allowing open-ended assistance through a cooperative agreement.

Commerce shall appoint a panel to review and evaluate each Center receiving financial assistance during its third and eighth years of operation, but the Department shall review a Center directly during its fifth year of operation.

Each Center shall establish a board to oversee its operations.

The bill establishes a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.

The NIST shall establish within the HME Partnership:

 a program of competitive awards for a participating Center, or a consortium of Centers, to develop projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems; and an innovation services initiative to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in improving profitability through the reduction of energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental waste.

manufacturing extension partnership improvement act bill amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act direct department_of_commerce national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist convert current program creation support regional centers transfer manufacturing technology creation support manufacturing extension centers transfer manufacturing technology best business practices known partnership reauthorized hollings manufacturing extension center affiliated institution higher education state local government nonprofit institution consortium institutions current law activities currently include selective short term loans advanced manufacturing equipment small manufacturing firms shall replaced facilitation collaborations partnerships small medium sized manufacturing companies community colleges area career technical education schools bill repeals current year limit federal financial assistance center allowing open ended assistance cooperative agreement commerce shall appoint panel review evaluate center receiving financial assistance eighth years operation department shall review center directly fifth year operation center shall establish board oversee operations bill establishes manufacturing extension partnership advisory board nist shall establish program competitive awards participating center consortium centers develop projects solve new emerging manufacturing problems innovation services initiative assist small medium sized manufacturers improving profitability reduction energy use greenhouse gas emissions environmental waste


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 16, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

American Innovation and Competitiveness Act

TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH

(Sec. 101) This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to maintain the intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria as the basis for evaluating grant proposals in the merit review process.

(Sec. 102) The NSF shall issue and periodically update policy guidance for both NSF staff and other NSF merit review process participants on the importance of transparency and accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review process.

(Sec. 103) The bill renames the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research as the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and revises program requirements.

(Sec. 104) The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall: (1) research information systems for future cybersecurity needs; and (2) develop a process to research and identify, or if necessary, develop cryptography standards and guidelines for future cybersecurity needs, including quantum-resistant cryptography standards.

The bill amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize NIST to research the security of computers, computer networks, and computer data storage used in voting systems.

Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

(Sec. 105) The bill renames the National High Performance Computing Program as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program and revises program requirements.

(Sec. 106) The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) shall continue to coordinate federal research in high-energy physics, radiation biology, and fusion energy sciences.

(Sec. 107) NIST shall implement a comprehensive strategic plan for laboratory programs expanding interactions with academia, international researchers, and industry, and commercial and industrial applications.

(Sec. 108) The bill amends the Standard Reference Data Act to modify the definition of "standard reference data."

(Sec. 109) The NSF shall:

 evaluate the existing and future needs, across all NSF-supported disciplines, for mid-scale projects; strengthen oversight and accountability over the full life-cycle of major multi-user research facility projects; update conflicts of interest policy and procedure; and continue to review its efforts to sustain scientific efforts in the face of logistical challenges for the U.S. Antarctic Program. (Sec. 113) The Department of Commerce Office of Security shall directly manage NIST's law enforcement and site security programs through an assigned Director of Security for NIST.

(Sec. 114) The NSF may: (1) continue to carry out the Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research program authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010; and (2) revise regulations to ensure that its research does not contain any falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism.

(Sec. 116) The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to: (1) assess research and data reproductibility and replicability issues in interdisciplinary research, and (2) make recommendations for improving rigor and transparency in scientific research.

(Sec. 117) The NSF shall support research related to the interagency Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative.

TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

Research and Development Efficiency Act

(Sec. 201) The Office of Management and Budget shall establish an interagency working group to reduce administrative burdens of federally funded researchers while protecting the public's interest in the transparency of, and accountability for, federally funded activities.

The working group shall: (1) establish a centralized database for documents relating to researchers, (2) establish a central repository for all assurances required for federal research grants, and (3) conduct a comprehensive review of the mandated progress reports for federally funded research.

International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2016

(Sec. 208) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall establish a body under the NSTC to identify and coordinate international science and technology cooperation in order to strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION

(Sec. 303) The NSF, the Department of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall establish the STEM Education Advisory Panel to advise the NSTC Committee on STEM Education on matters related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

(Sec. 305) The NSF shall award grants to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

(Sec. 306) The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is amended to revise requirements for NIST's post-doctoral fellowship program.

(Sec. 307) The NSF shall continue to administer awards on behalf of OSTP to recognize outstanding mentoring in STEM fields and provide Congress with a list of award recipients.

(Sec. 308) The OSTP shall establish an interagency working group to summarize available research and best practices on how to promote diversity and inclusions in STEM fields, and examine whether barriers exist to promoting diversity and inclusion within federal agencies employing scientists and engineers.

(Sec. 309) Each federal agency shall recommend to the President how it could expand research opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 310) The NSF shall award grants for research on computer science education and computational thinking.

(Sec. 311) The bill amends the STEM Education Act of 2015 to allow the use of funds to foster on-going partnerships between institutions involved in informal STEM learning, institutions of higher education, and education research centers.

(Sec. 312) Commerce shall continue to research the value to businesses of utilizing apprenticeship programs and shall disseminate its findings to businesses and other relevant stakeholders. It may collaborate with Labor to study approaches for reducing the cost of creating new apprenticehip programs, particularly for small businesses.

The bill amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to carry out a grant program to identify the need for skilled STEM workers and to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.

(Sec. 313) The bill expands the reporting requirement of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering with respect to NSF participation in activities of institutions serving populations that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

(Sec. 314) The bill amends the America COMPETES Act to enhance NOAA science education programs and programs at Hispanic-serving institutions offering STEM education.

TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Science Prize Competition Act

(Sec. 401) The bill amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to revise requirements regarding science prize competitions.

Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act

(Sec. 402) Federal science agencies may use crowdsourcing and voluntary, collaborative citizen science to advance their missions.

TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act

(Sec. 501) The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is amended to revise requirements for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

TITLE VI--INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

(Sec. 601) The NSF shall award grants for Innovation Corps entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, and mentoring.

United States Chief Technology Officer Act

(Sec. 604) The President may designate one of the Associate Directors of the OSTP as the U.S. Chief Technology Officer.

(Sec. 605) The OSTP shall arrange with the National Research Council to study technologies employed at institutions of higher education to provide notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel during emergencies.

measure amended passed house december summary version repeated american innovation competitiveness act title maximizing basic research sec bill requires national_science_foundation nsf maintain intellectual merit broader impacts criteria basis evaluating grant proposals merit review process sec nsf shall issue periodically update policy guidance nsf staff nsf merit review process participants importance transparency accountability outcomes merit review process sec bill renames experimental_program stimulate competitive research stimulate competitive research epscor revises program requirements sec national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist shall research information systems future cybersecurity needs develop process research identify necessary develop standards guidelines future cybersecurity needs including resistant standards bill amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act authorize nist research security computers computer networks computer data storage voting systems sec bill renames national high performance computing program networking_and_information_technology_research_and_development_program revises program requirements sec national_science_and_technology_council nstc shall continue coordinate federal research high energy physics radiation biology fusion energy sciences sec nist shall implement comprehensive strategic plan laboratory programs expanding interactions academia international researchers industry commercial industrial applications sec bill amends modify definition standard reference data sec nsf shall evaluate existing future needs nsf supported disciplines mid scale projects strengthen oversight accountability life cycle major multi user research facility projects update conflicts interest policy procedure continue review efforts sustain scientific efforts face logistical challenges sec shall directly manage nist law enforcement site security programs assigned director security nist sec nsf continue carry program authorized national_science_foundation_authorization_act revise regulations ensure research contain falsification fabrication sec nsf shall enter agreement national_research_council assess research data issues interdisciplinary research recommendations improving rigor transparency scientific research sec nsf shall support research related interagency advancing innovative initiative title administrative regulatory burden reduction act sec office_of_management_and_budget shall establish interagency working group reduce administrative burdens federally funded researchers protecting public interest transparency accountability federally funded activities working group shall establish centralized database documents relating researchers establish central repository assurances required federal research grants conduct comprehensive review mandated progress reports federally funded research international science technology cooperation act sec office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp shall establish body nstc identify coordinate international science technology cooperation order strengthen science technology enterprise improve economic national security support foreign policy goals title iii science technology engineering math education sec nsf department_of_education national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa shall establish advise stem education matters related science technology engineering mathematics stem sec nsf shall award grants increase participation underrepresented populations stem fields sec national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act amended revise requirements nist post doctoral fellowship program sec nsf shall continue administer awards behalf ostp recognize outstanding mentoring stem fields provide congress list award recipients sec ostp shall establish interagency working group summarize available research best practices promote diversity stem fields examine barriers exist promoting diversity inclusion federal agencies employing scientists engineers sec federal agency shall recommend president expand research opportunities undergraduate students attending institutions higher education sec nsf shall award grants research computer science education thinking sec bill amends stem education act allow use funds foster going partnerships institutions involved informal stem learning institutions higher education education research centers sec commerce shall continue research value businesses utilizing apprenticeship programs shall disseminate findings businesses relevant stakeholders collaborate labor study approaches reducing cost creating new programs particularly small businesses bill amends carry grant program identify need skilled stem workers expand stem apprenticeship programs sec bill expands reporting requirement science engineering respect nsf participation activities institutions serving populations underrepresented stem disciplines sec bill amends america competes act enhance noaa science education programs programs hispanic serving institutions offering stem education title leveraging private sector science prize competition act sec bill amends revise requirements science prize competitions crowdsourcing sec federal science agencies use crowdsourcing voluntary collaborative citizen science advance missions title manufacturing manufacturing extension partnership improvement act sec national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act amended revise requirements title innovation technology transfer sec nsf shall award grants entrepreneurship commercialization education training mentoring united_states chief technology officer act sec president designate associate directors ostp sec ostp shall arrange national_research_council study technologies employed institutions higher education provide notifications students faculty personnel emergencies


Summary:
SelectUSA Authorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill establishes in the Department of Commerce a government-wide SelectUSA program to attract and retain domestic and foreign investment in the U.S. economy.

 SelectUSA shall:

 coordinate outreach and engagement by the federal government to promote the United States as the premier location to operate a business; serve as an ombudsman to facilitate resolution of issues involving federal programs or activities related to pending investments; inform domestic and foreign firms on the U.S. investment climate, federal programs and available investor incentives, and state and local economic development organizations; and endeavor to increase foreign direct investment opportunities for rural areas and smaller states, and make its services increasingly available to such states and areas. (Sec. 3) The bill also establishes the Federal Interagency Investment Working Group to coordinate activities to promote business investment and respond to specific issues that affect business investment decisions.

(Sec. 4) Commerce shall, by December 31 of each year, report to Congress on SelectUSA's activities during the preceding fiscal year.

(Sec. 5) The Government Accountability Office shall, within one year after this bill's enactment, assess SelectUSA's effectiveness in increasing, encouraging, and supporting foreign direct investment in the United States.

(Sec. 6) At the beginning of each fiscal year, Commerce shall certify to Congress that each of its newly appointed political officials has received training on:

 regulations and policies governing the use of subordinates for non-official business; restrictions against the use of the political appointee's title or position for personal gain or creating the appearance of such use; key regulations and policies governing official travel, including the Federal Travel Regulation, as well as departmental travel policies, particularly regarding the necessity for adequately documented justification to support any per diem overages; and the advisability of monitoring renovation work done to their office suites to ensure the cost of such work does not contravene congressional budget restrictions. Within 30 days after enactment of this bill, Commerce shall:

 report to Congress on the renovations to the office suite of its Under Secretary for International Trade as to whether expenditures associated with those renovations exceeded the $5,000 limit imposed by Congress and whether the expenditures contravened the Anti-Deficiency Act; certify to Congress that it has implemented procedures requiring thorough documentation to support the categorization of any work performed on an official office suite of a politically appointed official as general or routine maintenance, or renovation work that is subject to congressional budget restrictions; and report to Congress on the steps it has taken to make subordinates working for politically appointed officials feel empowered to report instances of potential regulatory, policy, or rule violations (i.e., whistleblowing) to their superiors or to the Inspector General of Commerce.

authorization act sec bill establishes department_of_commerce government wide program attract retain domestic foreign investment economy shall coordinate outreach engagement federal government promote united_states premier location operate business serve ombudsman facilitate resolution issues involving federal programs activities related pending investments inform domestic foreign firms investment climate federal programs available investor incentives state local economic development organizations endeavor increase foreign direct investment opportunities rural areas smaller states services available states areas sec bill establishes coordinate activities promote business investment respond specific issues affect business investment decisions sec commerce shall december year report congress activities preceding fiscal year sec government_accountability_office shall year bill enactment assess effectiveness increasing encouraging supporting foreign direct investment united_states sec beginning fiscal year commerce shall certify congress newly appointed political officials received training regulations policies governing use non official business restrictions use political appointee title position personal gain creating appearance use key regulations policies governing official travel including departmental travel policies particularly necessity adequately documented justification support diem advisability monitoring renovation work office ensure cost work congressional budget restrictions days enactment bill commerce shall report congress renovations office suite secretary international_trade expenditures associated renovations exceeded limit imposed congress expenditures certify congress implemented procedures requiring thorough documentation support categorization work performed official office suite politically appointed official general routine maintenance renovation work subject congressional budget restrictions report congress steps taken working politically appointed officials empowered report instances potential regulatory policy rule violations inspector general commerce


Summary:
Modernizing American Manufacturing Bonds Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified small issue bonds for manufacturing purposes, to: (1) expand the definition of "manufacturing facility" to include a facility which is used in the creation or production of intangible property and which is functionally related and subordinate to a facility located on the same site and financed with not more than 25% of bond proceeds, and (2) increase from $10 million to $30 million the maximum bond limitation.

modernizing american manufacturing bonds act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect qualified small issue bonds manufacturing purposes expand definition manufacturing facility include facility creation production intangible property functionally related subordinate facility located site financed bond proceeds increase million million maximum bond limitation


Summary:
Promoting More American Manufacturing Jobs Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify rules for applying the deduction for income from domestic production activities to contract manufacturing or production arrangements.

In a contract manufacturing or production arrangement, a person contracts with one or more unrelated persons for the manufacture, production, growth, or extraction of an item of qualifying production property (tangible personal property, computer software, and sound recordings) or film. The qualifying production property must be manufactured, produced, grown, or extracted in whole or significant part within the United States.

In an arrangement in which any person makes a substantial contribution through the activities of its employees within the United States to the manufacture, production, growth, or extraction of qualifying production property: (1) the person shall be treated as engaging in the activity, and (2) the domestic production gross receipts of the person shall include the gross receipts received under the arrangement for the activities.

The Internal Revenue Service must prescribe regulations that include specified factors for determining a substantial contribution.

A person with an economic risk of loss of more than 50% of the direct material costs necessary to the manufacture, production, growth, or extraction of the qualifying production is deemed to make a substantial contribution.

The parties to an arrangement may agree in writing to: (1) make only one person eligible for the deduction, or (2) apply the rules retroactively to tax years in which only one person claimed the deduction.

promoting american manufacturing jobs act bill amends internal_revenue_code specify rules applying deduction income domestic production activities contract manufacturing production arrangements contract manufacturing production arrangement person contracts unrelated persons manufacture production growth extraction item qualifying production property tangible personal property computer software sound recordings film qualifying production property manufactured produced grown extracted significant united_states arrangement person makes substantial contribution activities employees united_states manufacture production growth extraction qualifying production property person shall treated engaging activity domestic production gross receipts person shall include gross receipts received arrangement activities internal_revenue_service prescribe regulations include specified factors determining substantial contribution person economic risk loss direct material costs necessary manufacture production growth extraction qualifying production deemed substantial contribution parties arrangement agree writing person eligible deduction apply rules retroactively tax years person claimed deduction


Summary: Early Detection of Dyslexia in Children Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report to Congress on methods for identifying and treating children with dyslexia in kindergarten through third grade.

early detection children act directs secretary education study report congress methods identifying treating children kindergarten grade


Summary: Gifted and Talented Education Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include teacher quality enhancement programs relating to the needs of gifted and talented students among authorized uses of title II grants for states and partnerships.

gifted talented education enhancement act amends higher education act include teacher quality enhancement programs relating needs gifted talented students authorized uses title grants states partnerships


Summary: Full Funding for IDEA Now Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to set forth a mandatory minimum level of federal grant payments to states for assistance for education of all children with disabilities under IDEA part B. Entitles a state to receive such a minimum grant allotment in an amount determined by current formulas for maximum authorization levels in specified fiscal years (which such minimum entitlement replaces). Eliminates the current authorization of appropriations for specified fiscal years for such grants.

funding idea act amends individuals disabilities education act idea set forth mandatory minimum level federal grant payments states assistance education children disabilities idea entitles state receive minimum grant allotment determined current formulas maximum authorization levels specified fiscal years minimum entitlement replaces eliminates current authorization appropriations specified fiscal years grants


Summary: Teacher Training Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education to give preference to certain entities in selecting recipients for specified IDEA grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for technical assistance, model demonstration projects, information dissemination, and implementing activities supported by scientifically based research. Allows such preference to be given to institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are: (1) educating regular education personnel to meet the needs of children with disabilities in integrated settings; (2) educating special education personnel to work in collaboration with regular educators in integrated settings; or (3) successfully recruiting and preparing individuals with disabilities and individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the profession for which the IHE is preparing individuals. Allows such preference also to be given to local educational agencies, other public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations that: (1) provide training to regular education personnel to meet the needs of children with disabilities in integrated settings; (2) provide training to regular education personnel to work in collaboration with regular educators in integrated settings; or (3) prepare individuals with disabilities and individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the profession for which the entity is preparing individuals.

teacher training expansion act amends individuals disabilities education act idea authorize secretary education preference certain entities selecting recipients specified idea grants contracts cooperative agreements technical assistance model demonstration projects information dissemination implementing activities supported scientifically based research allows preference given institutions higher education ihes educating regular education personnel meet needs children disabilities integrated settings educating special education personnel work collaboration regular educators integrated settings successfully recruiting preparing individuals disabilities individuals groups underrepresented profession ihe preparing individuals allows preference given local educational agencies public agencies private nonprofit organizations provide training regular education personnel meet needs children disabilities integrated settings provide training regular education personnel work collaboration regular educators integrated settings prepare individuals disabilities individuals groups underrepresented profession entity preparing individuals