Summary:
Education for All Act of 2016

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to state that it is U.S. policy to work with partner countries and international and civil society organizations to achieve sustainable quality universal basic education by: (1) strengthening educational systems; (2) assisting developing countries to improve literacy, numeracy, and other basic skills; and (3) promoting education as the foundation for community development.

The President shall ensure that: (1) assistance is aligned with U.S. foreign policy and economic interests; and (2) priority is given to developing countries in which there is the greatest need and opportunity to expand universal access and improve learning outcomes and in which the assistance can produce a substantial impact on children, women, and vulnerable populations.

 The President shall: (1) submit to Congress by October 1, 2017, a comprehensive U.S. strategy to be carried out during FY2018 through FY2022 to promote quality basic education in partner countries; and (2) submit annual implementation reports.

The bill establishes within the United States Agency for International Development a Senior Coordinator of United States International Basic Education Assistance, who shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of U.S. resources and activities relating to the promotion of international basic education programs and activities.

education act bill amends foreign assistance_act state policy work partner countries international civil society organizations achieve sustainable quality universal basic education strengthening educational systems assisting developing countries improve literacy basic skills promoting education foundation community development president shall ensure assistance aligned foreign policy economic interests priority given developing countries greatest need opportunity expand universal access improve learning outcomes assistance produce substantial impact children women vulnerable populations president shall submit congress october comprehensive strategy carried fy2018 fy2022 promote quality basic education partner countries submit annual implementation reports bill establishes united_states_agency international_development senior coordinator united_states international basic education assistance shall primary responsibility oversight coordination resources activities relating promotion international basic education programs activities


Summary:
Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2016 or the Digital GAP Act

(Sec. 4) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to coordinate with foreign governments, international organizations, regional economic communities, businesses, and civil society to promote in developing countries:

 first-time, affordable Internet access; Internet deployment and capacity building; removal of tax and regulatory barriers to Internet access; Internet use to increase economic growth and tradeand to bolster democracy, government accountability, transparency, and human rights; Internet access, and inclusion into Internet policy making, for women, people with disabilities, minorities, low-income and marginalized groups, and underserved populations; and cybersecurity and data protection. (Sec. 5) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the State Department should: (1) redesignate an existing Assistant Secretary position to be the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace to lead its diplomatic cyberspace policy, and (2) promote the recruitment of candidates with technical expertise into the Civil Service and the Foreign Service.

The redesignation of the Assistant Secretary position may not be construed as increasing the number of State Department Assistant Secretary positions above the current level of 24.

(Sec. 6) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Agency for International Development should: (1) integrate efforts to expand Internet access, develop appropriate technologies, and enhance digital literacy into its education, development, and economic growth programs; (2) expand the utilization of information and communications technologies in humanitarian aid and disaster relief responses; and (3) establish and promote guidelines for the protection of personal information of individuals served by humanitarian, disaster, and development programs.

(Sec. 7) The Peace Corps Act is amended to express the sense of Congress that technology access can transform agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth development, which are the sectors in which Peace Corps currently develops volunteer positions.

(Sec. 8) The President is urged to use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

 increased efforts to promote affordable and gender-equitable Internet access, integrating gender-equitable affordable Internet access into existing economic and business assessments and indexes, standardized inclusion of broadband conduit--fiber optic cables that support broadband or wireless facilities for broadband service, providing technical assistance to regulatory authorities in developing countries to remove unnecessary barriers to investment and strengthen market growth and development, and protection of human rights online. (Sec. 9) The President shall transmit to Congress within 180 days plans to promote U.S. and U.S.-funded agency partnerships with the private and public sectors to provide Internet access or infrastructure in developing countries.

(Sec. 10) The President shall report to Congress within 180 days on efforts to implement the Internet access policy under this bill.

(Sec. 11) The President is urged to include in the next White House Cyberspace Strategy information about methods to promote: (1) Internet access in developing countries, (2) cybersecurity policy consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, and (3) global Internet freedom principles.

(Sec. 12) The bill defines "cyberspace" as the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, embedded processors and controllers in critical industries, and the virtual environment of information and interactions between people.

digital global access policy act digital gap act sec bill declares policy coordinate foreign governments international organizations regional economic communities businesses civil society promote developing countries time affordable internet access internet deployment capacity building removal tax regulatory barriers internet access internet use increase economic growth bolster democracy government accountability transparency human rights internet access inclusion internet policy making women people disabilities minorities low income marginalized groups underserved populations cybersecurity data protection sec bill expresses sense congress state_department redesignate existing assistant secretary position assistant secretary cyberspace lead diplomatic cyberspace policy promote recruitment candidates technical expertise civil service foreign_service redesignation assistant secretary position construed increasing number state_department assistant secretary positions current level sec bill expresses sense congress agency international_development integrate efforts expand internet access develop appropriate technologies enhance digital literacy education development economic growth programs expand utilization information communications technologies humanitarian aid disaster relief responses establish promote guidelines protection personal information individuals served humanitarian disaster development programs sec peace_corps act amended express sense congress technology access transform agriculture community economic development education environment health youth development sectors peace_corps currently develops volunteer positions sec president use influence international bodies advocate increased efforts promote affordable gender equitable internet access integrating gender equitable affordable internet access existing economic business assessments indexes standardized inclusion broadband conduit fiber support broadband wireless facilities broadband service providing technical assistance regulatory authorities developing countries remove unnecessary barriers investment strengthen market growth development protection human rights online sec president shall transmit congress days plans promote agency partnerships private public sectors provide internet access infrastructure developing countries sec president shall report congress days efforts implement internet access policy bill sec president include white_house cyberspace strategy information methods promote internet access developing countries cybersecurity policy consistent national_institute_of_standards_and_technology framework improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity global internet freedom principles sec bill defines cyberspace interdependent network information technology infrastructures including internet telecommunications networks computer systems embedded processors controllers critical industries virtual environment information interactions people


Summary:
Solar Villages Initiative Act

 This bill authorizes the President, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, to provide assistance for renewable energy projects in developing countries to increase the availability of credit, savings, and other services to microfinance and microenterprise clients lacking full access to capital, training, technical assistance, and business development services.

 In providing such assistance, the President shall give priority to empowering female-owned businesses.

solar villages initiative act bill authorizes president agency international_development provide assistance renewable energy projects developing countries increase availability credit savings services microenterprise clients lacking access capital training technical assistance business development services providing assistance president shall priority empowering female owned businesses


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Global Food Security Act of 2016

This bill requires the President to develop and implement a Global Food Security Strategy to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition.

(Sec. 3) This section specifies that it is in the U.S. national interest to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans through programs and activities that:

 place food insecure countries on a path toward self-sufficiency and economic freedom by coordinating U.S. assistance programs; accelerate inclusive, agricultural-led economic growth that reduces global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition; increase the productivity, incomes, and livelihoods of small-scale producers; build resilience to food shocks among vulnerable populations and households while reducing reliance upon emergency food assistance; create an environment for agricultural growth and investment; improve the nutritional status of women and children; demonstrably meet, align with, and leverage U.S strategies and investments in trade, economic growth, national security, science and technology, agriculture research and extension, maternal and child health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene; strengthen partnerships between U.S. and foreign universities that build agricultural capacity; and ensure the effective use of taxpayer dollars in furthering these objectives. (Sec. 4) This section sets forth definitions that apply to this bill.

(Sec. 5) The President must coordinate a whole-of-government strategy to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans.

This section specifies required goals and criteria for the strategy. The President must coordinate the efforts of federal departments and agencies to implement the strategy by establishing:

 monitoring and evaluation systems, coherence, and coordination across federal departments and agencies; linkages with other initiatives and strategies of federal departments and agencies; and platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders and congressional committees. The President must submit the strategy, including agency-specific plans, to Congress by October 1, 2016.

(Sec. 6) To carry out the strategy, the President may provide assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prevent or address food shortages.

(Sec. 7) This section states that it is U.S. policy to fully leverage, enhance, and expand the impact and reach of available U.S. humanitarian resources to mitigate the effects of manmade and natural disasters by utilizing innovative new approaches to delivering aid.

This section amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide emergency food assistance (including funds, transfers, vouchers, and agricultural commodities) acquired through local or regional procurement to meet emergency food needs arising from manmade and natural disasters.

The President must report annually to Congress on the use of this authority, including the amounts of assistance provided, intended beneficiaries, monitoring and evaluation strategies, anticipated outcomes, and actual outcomes.

(Sec. 8) The President must report to Congress on the implementation of the Global Food Security Strategy for 2017 and 2018.

The Office of Management and Budget must submit to Congress an interagency budget crosscut report including specified details regarding the proposed and actual expenditures of individual agencies for global food security activities.

(Sec. 9) This section specifies that nothing in the Global Food Security Strategy or this bill should be construed to supersede or otherwise affect the authority of federal departments and agencies to carry out specified food and nutrition security or emergency and nonemergency food assistance programs.

measure amended passed senate april summary version repeated global food security act bill requires president develop implement global food security strategy promote global food security resilience nutrition sec section specifies national interest promote global food security resilience nutrition consistent national food security investment plans programs activities place food countries path self sufficiency economic freedom coordinating assistance programs accelerate inclusive agricultural led economic growth reduces global poverty hunger malnutrition increase productivity incomes small scale producers build resilience food vulnerable populations households reducing reliance emergency food assistance create environment agricultural growth investment improve nutritional status women children meet align leverage strategies investments trade economic growth national security science_and_technology agriculture research extension maternal child health nutrition water sanitation hygiene strengthen partnerships foreign universities build agricultural capacity ensure effective use taxpayer dollars furthering objectives sec section sets forth definitions apply bill sec president coordinate government strategy promote global food security resilience nutrition consistent national food security investment plans section specifies required goals criteria strategy president coordinate efforts federal departments agencies implement strategy establishing monitoring evaluation systems coordination federal departments agencies linkages initiatives strategies federal departments agencies platforms regular consultation collaboration key stakeholders congressional committees president submit strategy including agency specific plans congress october sec carry strategy president provide assistance foreign assistance_act prevent address food shortages sec section states policy fully leverage enhance expand impact reach available humanitarian resources mitigate effects manmade natural disasters utilizing innovative new approaches delivering aid section amends foreign assistance_act authorize president provide emergency food assistance including funds transfers vouchers agricultural commodities acquired local regional procurement meet emergency food needs arising manmade natural disasters president report annually congress use authority including amounts assistance provided intended beneficiaries monitoring evaluation strategies anticipated outcomes actual outcomes sec president report congress implementation global food security strategy office_of_management_and_budget submit congress interagency budget crosscut report including specified details proposed actual expenditures individual agencies global food security activities sec section specifies global food security strategy bill construed supersede affect authority federal departments agencies carry specified food nutrition security emergency nonemergency food assistance programs


Summary:
Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015

This bill directs the President to establish: (1) an inter-agency working group, led by the Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and (2) a 10-year strategy to achieve with partner countries and donors the goal of ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2035.

The President shall designate a current USAID employee serving in the Senior Executive Service or at the level of a Deputy Assistant Administrator or higher to serve concurrently as the Maternal and Child Survival Coordinator, who shall be responsible for: (1) overseeing maternal and child health and nutrition funding managed by the Bureau of Global Health of USAID, and (2) leading the inter-agency working group.

The U.S. government, through USAID and other relevant executive branch agencies, shall develop a financing framework to leverage public and private capital to expand delivery of high-impact, evidence-based interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health.

reach mother child act bill directs president establish inter agency working_group led child maternal survival coordinator agency international_development usaid year strategy achieve partner countries donors goal ending preventable maternal newborn child deaths president shall designate current usaid employee serving senior_executive_service level deputy assistant administrator higher serve concurrently maternal child survival coordinator shall responsible overseeing maternal child health nutrition funding managed bureau global health usaid leading inter agency working_group government usaid relevant executive branch agencies shall develop financing framework leverage public private capital expand delivery high impact evidence based interventions maternal newborn child health


Summary:
Electrify Africa Act of 2015

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth.

 The President may: (1) establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy, and (2) use U.S. influence to leverage international support to promote the strategy.

 The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to extend OPIC's issuing authority through September 30, 2018.

OPIC should:

 simplify the application, approval, and post-approval processes for insurance, financing, investment, or reinsurance for power generation and distribution projects in sub-Saharan Africa for which total OPIC support is less than $20 million; prioritize its loan, guarantee, and insurance programs, and financial commitments in the areas of power generation, distribution, and off-grid power and lighting in sub-Saharan Africa, including through the use of an investment advisory council; and publish in an accessible digital format the amount, type, location, duration, and measurable results of its investments and financings. OPIC is temporarily authorized to: (1) issue local currency guarantees to African subsidiaries of foreign financial institutions to facilitate eligible investor lending for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) make loans to eligible investors for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa for which total OPIC support does not exceed $50 million.

 Foreign corporations, partnerships, and other associations that are majority owned by one or more U.S. citizens or corporations, partnerships, or other associations shall be temporarily considered eligible investors for the sole purpose of receiving OPIC assistance for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

africa act bill directs president establish multiyear strategy assist countries sub saharan africa implement national power strategies develop appropriate mix power solutions including renewable energy provide access reliable affordable sustainable power order reduce poverty drive economic growth president establish interagency_working_group coordinate activities government departments agencies involved carrying strategy use influence leverage international support promote strategy agency international_development trade_and_development_agency overseas_private_investment_corporation opic millennium challenge corporation prioritize efforts assistance power projects markets sub saharan africa foreign assistance_act amended extend opic issuing authority september opic simplify application approval post approval processes insurance financing investment reinsurance power generation distribution projects sub saharan africa total opic support million prioritize loan guarantee insurance programs financial commitments areas power generation distribution grid power lighting sub saharan africa including use investment advisory_council publish accessible digital format type location duration measurable results investments financings opic temporarily authorized issue local currency guarantees african subsidiaries foreign financial institutions facilitate eligible investor lending power projects sub saharan africa loans eligible investors power projects sub saharan africa total opic support exceed million foreign corporations partnerships associations majority owned citizens corporations partnerships associations shall temporarily considered eligible investors sole purpose receiving opic assistance power projects sub saharan africa


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

 promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020; encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020; promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas; encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution; promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies; promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations. (Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

 The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

 increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive, enhancing private sector coordination, and assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment. (Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

measure amended passed senate december summary version repeated africa act sec bill states policy partner governments sub saharan african countries international financial institutions african regional economic communities cooperatives private sectors promote time access power services million people sub saharan africa encourage installation additional megawatts electrical power sub saharan africa promote reliable affordable power urban rural served areas encourage necessary reforms support electricity access projects market based power generation distribution promote policies displace kerosene lighting technologies promote energy development strategy sub saharan africa includes use oil natural gas coal hydroelectric wind solar geothermal power promote use private financing seek ways remove barriers private financing assistance projects including charitable organizations sec president shall establish multiyear strategy assist countries sub saharan africa implement national power strategies develop appropriate mix power solutions provide access reliable affordable sustainable power order reduce poverty drive economic growth job creation ensure strategy remains responsive local community concerns technological innovation president establish interagency_working_group coordinate activities government departments agencies involved carrying strategy sec agency international_development trade_and_development_agency overseas_private_investment_corporation millennium challenge corporation prioritize efforts assistance power projects markets sub saharan africa partner investors local institutions including private sector actors increase access reliable affordable sustainable power sec president use influence international bodies advocate increasing investment power sector electrification projects sub saharan africa addressing energy needs individuals communities electricity grid access cost prohibitive enhancing private sector coordination assisting sub saharan african governments remove unnecessary regulatory barriers investment sec years president shall transmit strategy progress report congress includes information programs supporting policy legislative changes leading increased power generation access sub saharan africa power projects receiving government support


Summary:
Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Support Act

This bill directs the Department of State to work to advance the goals of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

 For working with the Alliance appropriations are authorized for the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Peace Corps.

clean fuels support act bill directs department_of_state work advance goals global alliance clean working alliance appropriations authorized state_department agency international_development department_of_energy national_institutes_of_health centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention environmental_protection_agency national_science_foundation department_of_agriculture national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration peace_corps


Summary:
Economic Growth and Development Act

This bill requires the President to: (1) establish a primary, interagency mechanism to assist the private sector in coordinating U.S. development programs with private sector investment activities; and (2) submit, annually, a strategy for the facilitation and coordination of private sector investments and activities for the purposes of development.

Such mechanism shall: (1) streamline and integrate private sector liaison, coordination, and investment promotion functions of U.S. development agencies; (2) facilitate the use of development and finance tools across such agencies to attract greater private sector participation in development activities; and (3) establish a single point of contact for the private sector for partnership opportunities with such agencies.

The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shall direct their policy teams to include private sector facilitation and coordination in all country, sector, and global development strategies.

 The State Department, USAID, and other relevant federal agencies shall ensure that analyses of rigorous, current constraints on growth and investment guide all such strategies.

economic growth development act bill requires president establish primary interagency mechanism assist private sector coordinating development programs private sector investment activities submit annually strategy facilitation coordination private sector investments activities purposes development mechanism shall streamline integrate private sector liaison coordination investment promotion functions development agencies facilitate use development finance tools agencies attract greater private sector participation development activities establish single point contact private sector partnership opportunities agencies department_of_state agency international_development usaid shall direct policy teams include private sector facilitation coordination country sector global development strategies state_department usaid relevant federal agencies shall ensure analyses rigorous current constraints growth investment guide strategies


Summary:
Empower Burma Act of 2016

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to encourage international efforts to promote sustainable economic development in Burma in order to reduce poverty, drive economic growth, and support democracy.

The President may establish an Interagency Working Group to coordinate the activities of U.S. agencies involved in carrying out such strategy.

The President should direct U.S. representatives to appropriate international bodies to advocate for increased economic development efforts in Burma.

The U.S. government should ensure that international development assistance projects that it supports in Burma:

 do not benefit entities on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (SDN list) or entities otherwise undermining peace in Burma, do not benefit the military, do not marginalize vulnerable populations or exclude any ethnic or religious communities, and promote good governance and meet internationally recognized labor standards. It is the sense of Congress that:

 preferential duty treatment should be extended to Burma as soon as Burma meets specified eligibility criteria; the Millennium Challenge Corporation should provide assistance to Burma as soon as Burma qualifies as an eligible country and enters into a Millennium Challenge Compact with the United States; and the President should not remove any entity from the SDN list without credible evidence that the entity is no longer participating in the activities for which it was listed and is not undermining peace in Burma.

empower burma act bill directs president establish multiyear strategy encourage international efforts promote sustainable economic development burma order reduce poverty drive economic growth support democracy president establish interagency_working_group coordinate activities agencies involved carrying strategy president direct representatives appropriate international bodies advocate increased economic development efforts burma government ensure international_development assistance projects supports burma benefit entities list specially designated nationals blocked persons maintained department_of_the_treasury office_of_foreign_assets_control list entities undermining peace burma benefit military vulnerable populations exclude ethnic religious communities promote good governance meet internationally recognized labor standards sense congress preferential duty treatment extended burma soon burma meets specified eligibility criteria millennium challenge corporation provide assistance burma soon burma qualifies eligible country enters millennium challenge compact united_states president remove entity list credible evidence entity longer participating activities listed undermining peace burma


Summary: Scientific Communications Act of 2007 - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a program for making grants to institutions to provide communications training to graduate students in order to improve the ability of scientists to interact with policymakers. Requires such program to be integrated with other NSF programs for the training of scientists, such as the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program. Requires recipients of grants under this Act to transmit annual reports to NSF describing the operations of the program funded by the grant.

scientific communications act directs national_science_foundation nsf establish program making grants institutions provide communications training graduate students order improve ability scientists interact policymakers requires program integrated nsf programs training scientists integrative graduate education research_traineeship program requires recipients grants act transmit annual reports nsf describing operations program funded grant


Summary: Nanotechnology Innovation and Prize Competition Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to award prizes to eligible persons for achievement in one or more applications of nanotechnology for: (1) improvement of the environment, consistent with Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (2) development of alternative energy that has the potential to lessen the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels; (3) improvement of human health, consistent with regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (4) development of consumer products; and (5) advancement in the field of nanoelectronics. Describes an eligible person as an individual who is: (1) a citizen or legal resident of the United States; (2) a member of a group that includes U.S. citizens or legal residents; or (3) an entity that is incorporated and maintains its primary place of business in the United States. Requires establishment of a board to administer and make awards under such program by: (1) holding a financial award competition and making an award to the first competitor to meet such criteria as the board shall establish; and (2) recognizing (without financial remuneration) an eligible person for superlative achievement in one or more of the nanotechnology applications described above. Authorizes the board to contract with a private organization to administer such a financial award competition. Prohibits the federal government from acquiring an intellectual property right in any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such product or idea in any such competition. Requires the board to submit annual reports to Congress on the nanotechnology award program established by this Act.

nanotechnology innovation prize competition act directs secretary commerce establish program award prizes eligible persons achievement applications nanotechnology improvement environment consistent principles green chemistry environmental_protection_agency epa development alternative energy potential lessen dependence united_states fossil fuels improvement human health consistent regulations promulgated food_and_drug_administration fda development consumer products advancement field describes eligible person individual citizen legal resident united_states member group includes citizens legal residents entity incorporated maintains primary place business united_states requires establishment board administer awards program holding financial award competition making award meet criteria board shall establish recognizing financial remuneration eligible person achievement nanotechnology applications described authorizes board contract private organization administer financial award competition prohibits federal_government acquiring intellectual property right product idea virtue submission product idea competition requires board submit annual reports congress nanotechnology award program established act


Summary: Space Commerce Act of 2008 - Amends the Technology Administration Act of 1998 to redesignate the Office of Space Commercialization, within the Department of Commerce, as the Office of Space Commerce and revise its functions.

space commerce act amends technology_administration act redesignate office space commercialization department_of_commerce office space commerce revise functions


Summary: Amends the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to make a technical correction, to be effective on July 23, 2008, immediately after the enactment of the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.

amends wireless communications public safety act technical correction effective july immediately enactment net improvement act


Summary: Scott Gardner Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to share immigration information with the Attorney General. Requires a joint report from such officials to Congress on improving the performance of federal immigration databases to ensure the prompt entry of immigration information. Requires: (1) the director of each state and local law enforcement agency receiving federal incarceration funds under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to collect and report to the Secretary all immigration and DWI (driving while intoxicated) information collected in the course of normal duties; (2) such information to appear in the wanted person file of the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database; and (3) state or local detention of an arrested flagged alien pending federal transfer. Amends INA to: (1) require the Secretary to reimburse the costs of training state and local law enforcement employees on federal immigration laws; and (2) authorize the apprehension and detention of an alien for DWI or a similar violation, as long as the alien is deportable on any other grounds or is an illegal alien. Requires each state motor vehicle administrator to share with the Secretary all information concerning aliens with records of DWI convictions or refusals to take sobriety tests. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a formula for the allocation of federal detention facilities for aliens.

scott act_-_directs secretary homeland_security share immigration information attorney general requires joint report officials congress improving performance federal immigration databases ensure prompt entry immigration information requires director state local law enforcement agency receiving federal incarceration funds immigration_and_nationality_act ina collect report secretary immigration driving intoxicated information collected course normal duties information appear wanted person file national criminal information center ncic database state local detention arrested flagged alien pending federal transfer amends ina require secretary reimburse costs training state local law enforcement employees federal immigration laws authorize apprehension detention alien similar violation long alien deportable grounds illegal alien requires state motor vehicle administrator share secretary information concerning aliens records convictions refusals tests directs secretary submit congress formula allocation federal detention facilities aliens


Summary: Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.

human animal hybrid prohibition act amends federal criminal code prohibit set penalties creating attempting create human animal hybrid human non human tissue specified act transferring attempting transfer human embryo non human non human embryo human transporting receiving purpose human animal hybrid


Summary: Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act or the CALM Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe a regulation that is limited to incorporating by reference, and making mandatory, the Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television approved by the Advanced Television Systems Committee, so far as the recommended practice concerns the transmission of commercial advertisements by a television broadcast station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor. Allows the FCC to waive the regulation if obtaining the equipment to comply would result in financial hardship.

commercial advertisement mitigation act act_-_directs federal_communications_commission fcc prescribe regulation limited incorporating reference making mandatory recommended practice techniques establishing maintaining audio digital television approved advanced television systems committee far recommended practice concerns transmission commercial advertisements television broadcast station cable operator multichannel video programming distributor allows fcc waive regulation obtaining equipment comply result financial hardship


Summary: Innovative Technologies Investment Incentive Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new business-related tax credit for 25% of the equity investment (i.e., stock and capital or profits interest) in a small business concern that is engaged in a high technology or biotechnology trade or business and employs an average of fewer than 500 employees in a taxable year. Establishes a national innovative technology investment credit limitation of $500 million.

innovative technologies investment incentive act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow new business related tax credit equity investment stock capital profits interest small business concern engaged high technology biotechnology trade business employs average fewer employees taxable year establishes national innovative technology investment credit limitation million


Summary: Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to list permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained: (1) from a licensed dealer; (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements; (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat or owned it for not less than one year; or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Sets forth additional monetary penalties for related violations. Prohibits federal facilities from purchasing or otherwise acquiring dogs or cats for exhibition purposes (currently, for research, experimentation, or exhibition purposes) except from: (1) the operator of an auction that comports with legal requirements; or (2) a person holding a valid dealer or exhibitor license. Prohibits dealers from selling or otherwise providing any research facility (currently, any individual or entity) with random source dogs or cats unless specified certification requirements are met.

pet_safety_and_protection_act amends animal welfare act list permissible sources dogs cats research facilities include dogs cats obtained licensed dealer publicly owned operated pound shelter meets specified requirements donation person bred raised dog cat owned year research facility licensed secretary agriculture sets forth additional monetary penalties related violations prohibits federal facilities purchasing acquiring dogs cats exhibition purposes currently research experimentation exhibition purposes operator auction comports legal requirements person holding valid dealer exhibitor license prohibits dealers selling providing research facility currently individual entity random source dogs cats specified certification requirements met


Summary: Amends the Act entitled "An Act Incorporating the Archaeological Institute of America" concerning the location of the principal office of the Archaeological Institute of America.

amends act entitled act incorporating archaeological institute america concerning location principal office archaeological institute america


Summary:
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2013 - Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a federal research public access policy, following common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers, that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency.

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain, and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires each federal agency to submit an annual report on its federal research public access policy to specified congressional committees.

fair access science_and_technology research_act requires federal agency extramural research expenditures million develop federal research public access policy following common procedures collection depositing research papers consistent advances purposes agency makes federal research public access policy applicable researchers employed federal agency works remain public domain researchers funded agency specifies exclusions requires federal agency submit annual report federal research public access policy specified congressional committees


Summary:
Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2013 - Establishes the position of Science Laureate of the United States.

Requires the President to appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of: (1) merit, particularly the ability of such individual to foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions; and (2) recommendations received by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) based on those factors.

Encourages each Science Laureate to continue his or her scientific work and directs the NAS to facilitate his or her duties.

Requires each Science Laureate to serve a term of one or two years.

science united_states act establishes position science united_states requires president appoint science basis merit particularly ability individual foster enhance public awareness interest science provide ongoing significant scientific contributions recommendations received national_academy_of_sciences nas based factors encourages science continue scientific work directs nas facilitate duties requires science serve term years


Summary:
Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2014 - Establishes the position of Science Laureate of the United States.

Requires the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of merit, particularly the ability of such individual to foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions.

Encourages each Science Laureate to continue his or her scientific work and directs the NAS to facilitate his or her duties.

Limits the term of a Science Laureate to one year.

science united_states act establishes position science united_states requires national_academy_of_sciences nas appoint science basis merit particularly ability individual foster enhance public awareness interest science provide ongoing significant scientific contributions encourages science continue scientific work directs nas facilitate duties limits term science year


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

NIST Reauthorization Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2015.

(Sec. 3) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the Director of the NIST to: (1) serve as the President's principal advisor on standards policy pertaining to technological competitiveness and innovation ability, (2) facilitate standards-related information sharing and cooperation between federal agencies, (3) support scientific and technical conferences, and (4) perform pre-competitive measurement research with institutions of higher education and industry.

(Sec. 4) Revises the membership of the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, including by requiring that at least two-thirds of members be from U.S. industry. Authorizes the Committee to consult with the National Research Council (NRC) in making recommendations regarding general policy for NIST.

Removes the requirement that the Technology Innovation Program be included in the Committee's annual reports on policy issues or matters affecting NIST.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to undertake activities to protect NIST buildings and other plant facilities, equipment, and property and persons located in them or associated with them.

(Sec. 6) Revises requirements for research fellowships. Authorizes the Director to support, promote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance awareness and understanding of measurement sciences, standards, and technology. Requires the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program to include no fewer than 20 fellows per fiscal year (currently, no fewer than 20 nor more than 120 new fellows per fiscal year). Removes provisions for the separate manufacturing fellowship and teacher science and technology enhancement programs.

(Sec. 7) Requires the three-year programmatic planning document for NIST to also describe how the Director is addressing recommendations from the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Director to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a review of NIST laboratory programs.

Directs NIST to contract with the NRC to assess the technical quality and impact of the work conducted at NIST laboratories. (Currently, NIST is authorized to contract with the NRC for advice and studies to serve industry and science.)

Allows NIST to also contract with the NRC to conduct additional assessments of NIST programs and projects that involve collaboration across NIST laboratories and centers and assessments of selected topics.

(Sec. 9) Makes revisions to the program known as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Adds as a purpose of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers the transfer of best business practices.

Includes as an objective of the Centers: (1) the provision of area career and technical education schools of information about the job skills needed in small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions they serve (currently provided only to community colleges); and (2) the promotion and expansion of certification systems offered through industry, associations, and local colleges.

Requires the activities of the Centers to include the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies and community colleges and area career and technical education schools to help them better understand the specific needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers better understand the skill sets that students learn in the programs offered by those institutions.

Allows the Secretary to provide financial support to any Center created under the Partnership (currently, limited to six years).

Instructs the Secretary to implement, review, and update regulations related to the Partnership at least once every three years.

Revises cost-sharing requirements for the receipt by an applicant of financial assistance under the Partnership.

Bars the Secretary from providing funding to a Center unless it has received a positive evaluation.

Requires a Center to undergo an independent review in its eighth year of operation.

Requires the Director, if a recipient of a Center award has received financial assistance for 10 consecutive years, to conduct a new competition to select an operator for the Center consistent with the plan required by this Act. Makes incumbent Center operators in good standing eligible to compete for the new award.

Requires the Director to: (1) transmit to Congress a plan for how NIST will conduct reviews, assessments, and reapplication competitions; and (2) contract with an independent organization to assess the implementation of the reapplication competition process.

Requires the Director to report to Congress information on the first and second years of operations for Centers operating from new competitions or recompetition as compared to longstanding Centers.

Applies the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to confidential information obtained by the government on the business operation of any participant in a Partnership program or of a client of a Center and trade secrets possessed by any client of a Center.

Requires each Center's advisory boards to institute a conflict of interest policy that ensures representation of local small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Center's region. Prohibits board members from serving or providing services to the Center or serving on more than one Center's oversight board simultaneously.

Requires the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board to consist of no fewer than 10 members (currently, 10 members), at least one of whom represents a community college.

Requires the Director, under the competitive grant program, to select proposals that will promote the transfer and commercialization of research and technology from institutions of higher education, national laboratories, and nonprofit research institutes.

(Sec. 10) Eliminates requirements for annual reports on enterprise integration standardization and implementation activities and on the Technology Innovation Program.

(Sec. 11) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to remove the 75% limitation on the total amount of certain grants and cooperative agreements to assist activities consistent with such Act, including activities performed by individuals.

(Sec. 12) Removes the National Security Agency (NSA) from the list of agencies that NIST must consult in developing standards and guidelines for information systems.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure nist reauthorization act sec reauthorizes national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist fy2015 sec amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act authorize director nist serve president principal advisor standards policy pertaining technological competitiveness innovation ability facilitate standards related information sharing cooperation federal agencies support scientific technical conferences perform pre competitive measurement research institutions higher education industry sec revises membership visiting committee advanced technology including requiring thirds members industry authorizes committee consult national_research_council nrc making recommendations general policy nist removes requirement technology innovation program included committee annual reports policy issues matters affecting nist sec authorizes secretary commerce undertake activities protect nist buildings plant facilities equipment property persons located associated sec revises requirements research fellowships authorizes director support promote coordinate activities efforts enhance awareness understanding measurement sciences standards technology requires post doctoral fellowship program include fewer fellows fiscal year currently fewer new fellows fiscal year removes provisions separate manufacturing fellowship teacher science_and_technology enhancement programs sec requires year programmatic planning document nist describe director addressing recommendations visiting committee advanced technology sec requires director contract national_academy_of_sciences conduct review nist laboratory programs directs nist contract nrc assess technical quality impact work conducted nist laboratories currently nist authorized contract nrc advice studies serve industry science allows nist contract nrc conduct additional assessments nist programs projects involve collaboration nist laboratories centers assessments selected topics sec makes revisions program known hollings manufacturing extension partnership adds purpose hollings manufacturing extension centers transfer best business practices includes objective centers provision area career technical education schools information job skills needed small medium sized manufacturing businesses regions serve currently provided community colleges promotion expansion certification systems offered industry associations local colleges requires activities centers include facilitation collaborations partnerships small medium sized manufacturing companies community colleges area career technical education schools help better understand specific needs manufacturers help manufacturers better understand skill sets students learn programs offered institutions allows secretary provide financial support center created partnership currently limited years instructs secretary implement review update regulations related partnership years revises cost sharing requirements receipt applicant financial assistance partnership bars secretary providing funding center received positive evaluation requires center undergo independent review eighth year operation requires director recipient center award received financial assistance consecutive years conduct new competition select operator center consistent plan required act makes incumbent center operators good standing eligible compete new award requires director transmit congress plan nist conduct reviews assessments competitions contract independent organization assess implementation competition process requires director report congress information second years operations centers operating new competitions compared centers applies freedom information act foia confidential information obtained government business operation participant partnership program client center trade secrets possessed client center requires center advisory boards institute conflict interest policy ensures representation local small medium sized manufacturers center region prohibits board members serving providing services center serving center oversight board simultaneously requires manufacturing extension partnership board consist fewer members currently members represents community college requires director competitive grant program select proposals promote transfer commercialization research technology institutions higher education national_laboratories nonprofit research institutes sec eliminates requirements annual reports enterprise integration standardization implementation activities technology innovation program sec amends stevenson-wydler_technology innovation_act remove limitation total certain grants cooperative agreements assist activities consistent act including activities performed individuals sec removes national_security_agency nsa list agencies nist consult developing standards guidelines information systems


Summary:
American Space Technology for Exploring Resource Opportunities In Deep Space Act or the ASTEROIDS Act - Directs the President through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other appropriate federal agencies to

 facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of asteroid resources to meet national needs; discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of asteroid resources in outer space in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States; promote the right of U.S. commercial entities to explore and utilize resources from asteroids in outer space, in accordance with such obligations, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources; and develop the frameworks necessary to meet the international obligations of the United States.

american space technology exploring resource opportunities deep space act act_-_directs president national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa federal_aviation_administration faa appropriate federal agencies facilitate commercial exploration utilization resources meet national needs discourage government barriers development economically viable safe stable industries exploration utilization resources outer space consistent existing international obligations united_states promote right commercial entities explore utilize resources outer space accordance obligations free harmful interference transfer sell resources develop frameworks necessary meet international obligations united_states


Summary: Data Preservation Act of 2014 - Amends the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Act of 2005 to reauthorize the Program for FY2015-FY2019.

data preservation act amends national geological geophysical data preservation program act reauthorize program fy2015-fy2019


Summary:
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015

Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a federal research public access policy that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency and that follows common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers.

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain, and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires each federal agency to submit an annual report on its federal research public access policy to specified congressional committees.

fair access science_and_technology research_act requires federal agency extramural research expenditures million develop federal research public access policy consistent advances purposes agency follows common procedures collection depositing research papers makes federal research public access policy applicable researchers employed federal agency works remain public domain researchers funded agency specifies exclusions requires federal agency submit annual report federal research public access policy specified congressional committees


Summary:
Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the President, acting through appropriate federal agencies, to:

 facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of space resources to meet national needs; discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of space resources in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States; and promote the right of U.S. commercial entities to explore outer space and utilize space resources, in accordance with such obligations, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources. Defines "space resource" as a natural resource of any kind found in place in outer space.

Directs the President to make recommendations to Congress for: (1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to the exploration and utilization of space resources among federal agencies, and (2) any authorities necessary to meet U.S. international obligations with respect to such exploration and resource utilization.

Declares that any asteroid resources obtained in outer space are the property of the entity that obtained them, which shall be entitled to all property rights to them, consistent with applicable federal law and existing international obligations.

States that a U.S. commercial space resource utilization entity:

 shall avoid causing harmful interference in outer space, and may bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for any action by another entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.

space resource exploration utilization act sec directs president acting appropriate federal agencies facilitate commercial exploration utilization space resources meet national needs discourage government barriers development economically viable safe stable industries exploration utilization space resources consistent existing international obligations united_states promote right commercial entities explore outer space utilize space resources accordance obligations free harmful interference transfer sell resources defines space resource natural resource kind found place outer space directs president recommendations congress allocation responsibilities relating exploration utilization space resources federal agencies authorities necessary meet international obligations respect exploration resource utilization declares resources obtained outer space property entity obtained shall entitled property rights consistent applicable federal law existing international obligations states commercial space resource utilization entity shall avoid causing harmful interference outer space bring civil action district_court action entity subject jurisdiction causing harmful interference operations respect resource utilization activity outer space


Summary:
Geospatial Data Act of 2016

This bill establishes: (1) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the Federal Geographic Data Committee (the committee), which shall be the lead entity in the executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards relating to geospatial data; and (2) in the executive branch the National Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the committee. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (as defined in this bill) shall ensure that geospatial data from multiple sources is available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of the physical and cultural world. The committee shall prepare a strategic plan for the implementation of the infrastructure consistent with national security, national defense, and emergency preparedness program policies regarding data accessibility.

 The committee shall operate GeoPlatform, an electronic service that provides access to geospatial data and metadata for geospatial data.

 Agencies whose functions involve geospatial data shall implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to that agency's mission in support of the strategic plan for the infrastructure. Such agencies shall disclose each contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or other transaction that deals with geospatial data.

 Four years after enactment of this bill, federal funding shall not be made available for the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, or dissemination of geospatial data that does not comply with applicable standards established by the committee.

The committee and agencies using geospatial data shall rely upon and use private individuals and entities for the acquisition of commercially available surveying and mapping and the provision of geospatial services, to the maximum extent practical.

geospatial data act bill establishes office_of_management_and_budget omb federal geographic data committee committee shall lead entity executive branch development implementation review policies practices standards relating geospatial data executive branch national geospatial advisory_committee provide advice recommendations committee national spatial data infrastructure defined bill shall ensure geospatial data multiple sources available easily integrated enhance understanding physical cultural world committee shall prepare strategic plan implementation infrastructure consistent national security national defense emergency preparedness program policies data accessibility committee shall operate electronic service provides access geospatial data metadata geospatial data agencies functions involve geospatial data shall implement strategy advancing geographic information related geospatial data activities appropriate agency mission support strategic plan infrastructure agencies shall disclose contract cooperative agreement grant transaction geospatial data years enactment bill federal funding shall available collection production acquisition maintenance dissemination geospatial data comply applicable standards established committee committee agencies geospatial data shall rely use private individuals entities acquisition commercially available surveying mapping provision geospatial services maximum extent practical


Summary:
Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act

 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2019 the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a network of federal and regional entities that provide information about the nation's coasts and oceans, as well as the Great Lakes.

 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must: (1) serve as the lead federal agency for the implementation of the IOOS, and (2) establish an IOOS Program Office to oversees daily operations and coordination of the IOOS. The bill outlines the requirements for NOAA as the lead agency.

 The bill establishes a process for regional associations to certify their regional coastal observing systems.

 The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council must: (1) conduct an Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment on ocean acidification within a year and every five years thereafter; and (2) develop a plan to deploy ocean acidification sensors prioritized by the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems, gaps in data on ocean acidification, and research needs.

 The National Science Foundation's research on ocean acidification must include research on: (1) impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystems exhibiting hypoxia (a dead zone that is depleted of oxygen), harmful algal blooms (rapid accumulation of algae), or sediment delivery; and (2) the effects of those impacts combined with changes in ocean chemistry.

coordinated ocean monitoring research_act bill revises reauthorizes fy2019 integrated coastal ocean observation system act integrated ocean observing system network federal regional entities provide information nation coasts oceans great_lakes national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa serve lead federal agency implementation establish program_office oversees daily operations coordination bill outlines requirements noaa lead agency bill establishes process regional associations certify regional coastal observing systems joint subcommittee ocean science_and_technology national_science_and_technology_council conduct ocean chemistry coastal community vulnerability assessment ocean acidification year years develop plan deploy ocean acidification sensors prioritized threat coastal economies ecosystems gaps data ocean acidification research needs national_science_foundation research ocean acidification include research impacts multiple ecosystems exhibiting hypoxia dead zone depleted oxygen harmful algal blooms rapid accumulation algae sediment delivery effects impacts combined changes ocean chemistry


Summary:
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015

(Sec. 4) This bill requires each executive agency with annual extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to: (1) develop a federal research public access policy that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency; and (2) follow common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers.

Each such policy shall provide for:

 submission to a digital repository designated or maintained by the agency of an electronic version of the author's final manuscript of original research papers that have been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and that result from research supported from funding by the federal government; the incorporation of all changes resulting from the peer review publication process in such manuscript; the replacement of the final manuscript with the final published version if the publisher consents to the replacement and if the goals of the agency for functionality and interoperability are retained; free online public access to such final peer-reviewed manuscripts or published versions within an appropriate time period for the type of research conducted or sponsored by the agency but not later than 12 months after publication in peer-reviewed journals; a means for members of the public and other stakeholders to request to adjust the period before such a manuscript or published version is made publicly available by presenting evidence demonstrating that the period is inconsistent with the objectives of such policy or the needs of the public, industry, or the scientific community; providing research papers in formats and under terms that enable productive reuse of the research and computational analysis by state-of-the-art technologies; improving the ability of the public to locate and access research papers made accessible under such policy; and long-term preservation of, and free public access to, published research findings in a stable digital repository maintained by the agency or, if consistent with the purposes of the agency, in any repository meeting conditions determined favorable by the agency. Each federal research public access policy shall: (1) apply to researchers employed by the agency whose works remain in the public domain and researchers funded by the agency; (2) provide that such works shall be marked as being public domain material when published and shall be made available at the same time such works are made available through free online public access; and (3) make effective use of any law or guidance relating to the creation and reservation of a government license that provides for the reproduction, publication, release, or other uses of a final manuscript for federal purposes.

Each such policy shall not apply to:

 research progress reports presented at professional meetings or conference; laboratory notes, preliminary data analyses, notes of the author, phone logs, or other information used to produce final manuscripts; classified research, research resulting in works that generate revenue or royalties for authors or patentable discoveries, to the extent necessary to protect a copyright or patent; or authors who do not submit their work to a journal or works that are rejected by journals. The Government Accountability Office shall, every five years, submit a report that: (1) includes an analysis of the period between the date each paper becomes publicly available in a journal and the date the paper is in the online repository of the applicable agency, and (2) examines the effectiveness of such policy in providing the public with free online access to papers on research funded by each agency.

fair access science_and_technology research_act sec bill requires executive agency annual extramural research expenditures million develop federal research public access policy consistent advances purposes agency follow common procedures collection depositing research papers policy shall provide submission digital repository designated maintained agency electronic version author final original research papers accepted publication peer reviewed result research supported funding federal_government incorporation changes resulting peer_review publication process replacement final final published version publisher consents replacement goals agency functionality interoperability retained free online public access final peer reviewed published versions appropriate time period type research conducted sponsored agency later months publication peer reviewed means members public stakeholders request adjust period published version publicly available presenting evidence demonstrating period inconsistent objectives policy needs public industry scientific community providing research papers formats terms enable productive reuse research analysis state art technologies improving ability public locate access research papers accessible policy long term preservation free public access published research findings stable digital repository maintained agency consistent purposes agency repository meeting conditions determined favorable agency federal research public access policy shall apply researchers employed agency works remain public domain researchers funded agency provide works shall marked public domain material published shall available time works available free online public access effective use law guidance relating creation reservation government license provides reproduction publication release uses final federal purposes policy shall apply research progress reports presented professional meetings conference laboratory notes preliminary data analyses notes author phone logs information produce final classified research research resulting works generate revenue royalties discoveries extent necessary protect copyright patent submit work works rejected government_accountability_office shall years submit report includes analysis period date paper publicly available date paper online repository applicable agency examines effectiveness policy providing public free online access papers research funded agency


Summary:
Next Generation Researchers Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Next Generation of Researchers Initiative in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote, provide, and improve opportunities for new researchers and earlier research independence. The initiative must: (1) coordinate with agencies, academic institutions, and others to improve and update existing information on the biomedical research workforce, and (2) take into consideration the recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences regarding the next generation of researchers and report on actions taken based on those recommendations.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises loan repayment programs for health professionals conducting research to increase the maximum repayment amount and to give the NIH the authority to expand eligibility for the programs based on workforce and scientific priorities.

The Government Accountability Office must report on NIH efforts to attract, retain, and develop emerging scientists.

generation researchers act sec bill amends public_health_service_act establish generation researchers initiative national_institutes_of_health nih promote provide improve opportunities new researchers earlier research independence initiative coordinate agencies academic institutions improve update existing information biomedical research workforce consideration recommendations national academies sciences generation researchers report actions taken based recommendations sec bill revises loan repayment programs health professionals conducting research increase maximum repayment nih authority expand eligibility programs based workforce scientific priorities government_accountability_office report nih efforts attract retain develop emerging scientists


Summary: This bill amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 to repeal, and deem never to have been enacted, the requirement that the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle service competitive procurements be open for award to all certified providers of such systems offering the best value to the government, regardless of the rocket engine's country of origin (including the Russian Federation), for the evolved expendable launch vehicle program.

bill amends department_of_defense_appropriations_act repeal deem enacted requirement launch vehicle service competitive procurements open award certified providers systems offering best value government regardless rocket engine country origin including russian_federation launch vehicle program


Summary:
Digital Security Commission Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges to assess, and make recommendations for policy and practice concerning, the issue of multiple security interests in the digital world, including public safety, privacy, national security, and communications and data protection, both now and throughout the next 10 years.

Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader (eight members), the minority leaders in the House and the Senate (eight members), and the President (one member) from among U.S. citizens with significant knowledge and primary experience in:

 cryptography, global commerce and economics, federal law enforcement, state and local law enforcement, consumer-facing technology sector, enterprise technology sector, the intelligence community, and the privacy and civil liberties community.

digital security commission act bill establishes legislative branch national_commission security technology challenges assess recommendations policy practice concerning issue multiple security interests digital world including public safety privacy national security communications data protection years members commission shall appointed speaker house senate majority leader members minority leaders house senate members president member citizens significant knowledge primary experience global commerce economics federal law enforcement state local law enforcement consumer facing technology sector enterprise technology sector intelligence_community privacy civil liberties community


Summary: Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007 - Extends: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the grassland reserve program; (5) the environmental quality incentives program; (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (7) the agricultural management assistance program; Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the community forestry and open space conservation program; (3) an integrated pest management initiative; (4) a conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (5) a conservation planning pilot program; and (6) a cooperative conservation educational assistance program. Authorizes a conservation loan guarantee program. Revises: (1) the farmland protection program; and (2) funding for the healthy forests reserve program. Revises and extends the biorefinery development program. Extends: (1) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (2) the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program; (3) the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; (4) biomass research and development; and (5) carbon cycle research. Extends: (1) the community food project grant program; (2) the farm-to-cafeteria program; (3) the women, infants, and children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (5) farmers' market promotion program. Establishes: (1) a fruit and vegetable nutrition promotion program; (2) a food stamp fruit and vegetable electronic transfer pilot program; and (3) a farm viability program (currently, program authority is discretionary). Provides for Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture procurement of locally produced agricultural products. Extends: (1) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative; (2) education grant programs for Hispanic-serving institutions; (3) the value-added agricultural product market development grant program; and (4) and revises the national organic certification and transition cost share program.

healthy farms foods fuels act extends conservation reserve program wetlands reserve program conservation security program grassland reserve program environmental quality incentives program wildlife habitat incentive program agricultural management assistance program establishes cooperative conservation partnership initiative community forestry open space conservation program integrated pest management initiative conservation initiative socially disadvantaged farmers ranchers conservation planning pilot program cooperative conservation educational assistance program authorizes conservation loan guarantee program revises farmland protection program funding healthy forests reserve program revises extends biorefinery development program extends energy audit renewable energy development program renewable energy systems energy efficiency improvements program department_of_agriculture bioenergy program biomass research development carbon cycle research extends community food project grant program farm cafeteria program women infants children wic farmers market nutrition program senior farmers market nutrition program farmers market promotion program establishes fruit vegetable nutrition promotion program food stamp fruit vegetable electronic transfer pilot program farm viability program currently program authority discretionary provides department_of_defense department_of_agriculture procurement locally produced agricultural products extends organic agriculture research extension initiative education grant programs hispanic serving institutions value added agricultural product market development grant program revises national organic certification transition cost share program


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any Farm Service Agency office located in Appomattox, Virginia, or Lunenburg, Virginia.

prohibits secretary agriculture closing relocating farm_service_agency office located virginia virginia


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any Farm Service Agency (FSA) county or field office until at least one year after enactment of an omnibus law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007.

prohibits secretary agriculture closing relocating farm_service_agency fsa county field office year enactment omnibus law provide continuation agricultural programs fiscal years


Summary: Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007 - Establishes the farm and ranch profitability grant program. Extends the market access program. Revises (and extends certain of) the following conservation programs: (1) the environmental quality incentives program; (2) the conservation innovation grant program; (3) the cost share and incentive payment program; (4) state performance incentives; (5) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (6) the conservation reserve program; and (7) the wetlands reserve program. Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the comprehensive conservation planning pilot program; (3) the farmland protection program; (4) the debt for agricultural easements program; (5) the conservation risk management pilot program; (6) the (Delmarva) conservation corridor demonstration program; (7) biomass and biorefinery research and development programs; (8) the climate carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change research program; (9) the farm and ranch energy efficiency rebate program; (10) the alternative use for biofuel byproducts research program; and (11) the farmers' market pilot program for the disabled. Authorizes a conservation loan guarantee program. Revises farmland protection policy provisions. Requires an electric utility to provide net metering service to a requesting electric consumer. Extends the: (1) fresh fruit and vegetable program; (2) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (3) senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (4) farmers' market promotion program. Provides for Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense (DOD) procurement of locally produced agricultural products. Revises healthy forests reserve program provisions. Establishes the community forest and open space conservation program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) standard deduction increases; (2) combat pay and retirement account exclusions; (3) minimum benefits; (4) countable resource increases; (5) work requirements; (6) program reauthorization; (7) program administration; (8) cash payment pilot projects; (9) block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa; (10) legal immigrant eligibility; (11) the emergency food assistance program; (12) the commodity supplemental food program; and (13) community food project competitive grants. Revises (and extends certain of) the following programs under the Federal Crop Insurance Act: (1) the agricultural management assistance program; (2) the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program; (3) crop insurance incentives for beginning farmers; and (4) organic crop provisions. Extends the: (1) national dairy market loss payment program; (2) dairy export incentive program; (3) dairy indemnity program; and (4) dairy research program. Sets the FY2008 minimum price for Class 1 milk under a federal marketing order at $15.58 per hundredweight. Revises: (1) federal milk marketing order provisions; and (2) dairy reporting provisions. Establishes a federal dairy education loan forgiveness program. Establishes the: (1) national organic agriculture conversion and stewardship incentives program; and (2) national organic certification cost share program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude gains on the sale of development rights or conservation easements on agricultural land for conservation purposes to qualifying entities. Establishes: (1) a research program to improve specialty crop and livestock survivability; (2) a national clean plant network; and (3) an early pest detection and surveillance improvement program.

farm nutrition community investment act establishes farm ranch profitability grant program extends market access program revises extends certain following conservation programs environmental quality incentives program conservation innovation grant program cost share incentive payment program state performance incentives wildlife habitat incentive program conservation reserve program wetlands reserve program establishes cooperative conservation partnership initiative comprehensive conservation planning pilot program farmland protection program debt agricultural easements program conservation risk management pilot program conservation corridor demonstration program biomass biorefinery research development programs climate carbon cycle renewable energy climate change research program farm ranch energy efficiency rebate program alternative use biofuel byproducts research program farmers market pilot program disabled authorizes conservation loan guarantee program revises farmland protection policy provisions requires electric utility provide net metering service requesting electric consumer extends fresh fruit vegetable program special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic farmers market nutrition program senior farmers market nutrition program farmers market promotion program provides department_of_agriculture department_of_defense dod procurement locally produced agricultural products revises healthy forests reserve program provisions establishes community forest open space conservation program amends food_stamp_act respect standard deduction increases combat pay retirement account exclusions minimum benefits resource increases work requirements program reauthorization program administration cash payment pilot projects block grants puerto_rico american_samoa legal immigrant eligibility emergency food assistance program commodity supplemental food program community food project competitive grants revises extends certain following programs federal_crop_insurance_act agricultural management assistance program adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program crop insurance incentives beginning farmers organic crop provisions extends national dairy market loss payment program dairy export incentive program dairy indemnity program dairy research program sets fy2008 minimum price class milk federal marketing order hundredweight revises federal milk marketing order provisions dairy reporting provisions establishes federal dairy education loan forgiveness program establishes national organic agriculture conversion stewardship incentives program national organic certification cost share program amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gains sale development rights conservation easements agricultural land conservation purposes qualifying entities establishes research program improve specialty crop livestock survivability national clean plant network early pest detection surveillance improvement program