PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11579-11580)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 19, 2002
National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for: (1) Scientific and Technical Research Services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Measurement Standards Laboratories and the Malcomb Baldrige National Quality Program; and (2) Industrial Technology Services activities of NIST for the Advanced Technology Program and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; and (3) Construction of Research Facilities activities.Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to remove the one percent limit on NIST funds the Director of NIST is authorized to expend for awards of research fellowships and other financial assistance to students.Establishes the Baldrige National Quality Program within NIST to administer the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and to perform research and outreach activities to assist quality and performance improvement efforts. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to: (1) increase the number of Malcolm awards; and (2) include not-for-profit organizations as qualifying organizations.Modifies NIST Act provisions regarding the Advanced Technology Program, including by authorizing: (1) the Secretary to aid U.S. joint research and development (R&D) ventures led by institutions of higher education or other nonprofit research organizations; and (2) the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to enter into contracts with experts to analyze the need for or value of joint ventures in specific technical fields.Authorizes: (1) the Secretary, when entering into procurement contracts or financial assistance agreements to carry out collective R&D initiatives, to limit eligibility to nonprofit organizations; and (2) the Director to retain building use and depreciation surcharge fees for maintenance and repair of NIST facilities.Repeals provisions requiring the Director to establish a non-energy inventions program.
People & committees
Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] · D–SC
Legislative record
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Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11579-11580)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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