Bill Number: S. 517 (As reported in the Senate - S. 1766 was inserted into this bill as Senate Amendment 2917 on February 15, 2002)
Short Title: Energy Security Policy bill
Introduced: March 12, 2001
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

Purpose: A bill to authorize funding the Department of Energy to enhance its mission areas through technology transfer and partnerships for fiscal years 2002 through 2006, and for other purposes.

Summary: (S. 517 Summary Only - See S. 1766 for Summary of Senate Amendment 2917) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a Technology Infrastructure Pilot Program to improve the ability of the National Laboratories to support department missions by stimulating technology cluster development, improving Laboratory ability to leverage and benefit from commercial research, technology, and services, and encouraging the exchange of scientific and technological expertise between such Laboratories and other specified institutions; (2) provide specified maximum funding among up to ten National Laboratories selected to conduct those Programs; (3) authorize each National Laboratory Director to implement such Pilot Program; (4) require each such Director to establish a small business advocacy program (organizationally independent of National Laboratory procurement function) to increase small business participation in procurement, collaborative research, and technology licensing and transfer; and (5) establish a technology partnership ombudsman program and a small business assistance program. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on whether implementation should continue beyond the pilot stage. Requires the Secretary to direct the Laboratory Operations Board to study and report on improvements to mission effectiveness, partnerships, and technology transfer at National Laboratories. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Secretary, in addition to specified authorities already granted, to enter into other transactions with public and private entities for research projects. Mandates that, with respect to National Laboratories and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) facilities, all actions taken by the Secretary in implementing this Act shall be through the Administrator for Nuclear Security in conformance with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to reflect the provisions of this Act with respect to strategic plans, experimental Federal waivers, and time required for approval. States that it shall be an objective of the Administrator of NNSA each fiscal year, for cooperative research and development agreements or similar cooperative, cost-shared research partnerships with non-Federal organizations, to obligate funds in an amount at least equal to the percentage of the total amount appropriated for the NNSA for such fiscal year.