NIST Reauthorization Bill Heads for House Markup

BYLINE: By Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff

A bill that would reauthorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology will be marked up Thursday by a House Science and Technology subcommittee.

The measure (HR 1868) would authorize about $2.5 billion through fiscal 2010 for research and administration at NIST's laboratories, which handle a broad range of scientific research. The Technology and Innovation Subcommittee will consider the bill, which is one of several House measures intended to improve U.S. competitiveness in science and technology.

The legislation would establish a competitive engineering grant program inside the existing Manufacturing Extension Partnership program -- a cost-sharing program intended to provide technical and business assistance to small and medium-size manufacturers.

It also would authorize a program of grants to small businesses intended to encourage the development of high-risk, innovative technologies.

Science Committee spokeswoman Alisha Prather said a manager's amendment may be offered to make technical changes and Jim Matheson, D-Utah, may attempt to add language clarifying that technology transfer activities should be included in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.

The markup is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in 2318 Rayburn.

Source: CQ Today
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