PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 103-611, Part I.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Jun 24, 1993
Department of Energy National Competitiveness Technology Partnership Act of 1993 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to add a new "Title XI - Technology Partnerships." Declares that in carrying out the missions of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Secretary of Energy and the departmental laboratories (certain facilities operated by or on behalf of DOE) may conduct research, development, and commercial application activities that build on such laboratories' core competencies. Authorizes the Secretary to assign specified missions to the departmental laboratories in areas such as: (1) national security; (2) energy-related science and technology; (3) industrial infrastructure in designated technology areas; and (4) technology transfer. Requires the Secretary and the departmental laboratory directors to use partnerships to the maximum extent practicable in order to ensure that the resultant technologies are applied and commercialized in a timely manner. Requires the Secretary to establish a goal to allocate to cost-shared partnerships with U.S. industry at least 20 percent of the annual funds provided to each multi-program departmental laboratory engaged in research and development and commercial application activities. Directs the Secretary to develop a multi-year strategy for specified critical technologies and to identify in developing such strategy the core competencies of each departmental laboratory. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the principal economic benefits of any partnership accrue to the United States economy. Requires the Secretary to include in the annual report to the Congress those Federal contributions to partnerships that exceed $500,000. Establishes the Department of Energy Partnership Fund to support partnerships under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to advance funds under any partnership to small businesses, certain not-for-profit organizations, and State or local governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to establish within DOE a Laboratory Partnership Advisory Board. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a formal fellowship program to encourage scientists, engineers, and technical staff from departmental laboratories to serve as visiting fellows in private, governmental, and educational sectors in the United States and abroad. Prohibits the Secretary and each departmental laboratory director from entering into any partnership having a Federal contribution in excess of $5 million before ensuring that the opportunity to participate in such partnership has been publicly announced to potential participants. Directs the Secretary to develop simplified procedures and guidelines for partnerships involving small businesses to facilitate access to the resources and capabilities of the departmental laboratories. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive cost-sharing requirements for such businesses if those requirements would impose an undue hardship and would prevent formation of the partnership; and (2) provide funds to a small business as part of a cooperative research and development agreement if the Secretary determines that the funds are necessary to prevent imposing such an undue hardship and for formation of such agreement. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to specified congressional committees on opportunities for minority colleges and universities to participate in DOE or departmental laboratory programs; and (2) establish a minority college and university scholarship program for students pursuing a degree in energy-related scientific, mathematical, engineering, and technical disciplines. (Sec. 4) Encourages the Secretary to use partnerships to expedite the private sector deployment of certain advanced manufacturing technologies. (Secs. 5 and 6) Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage the establishment of not-for-profit organizations to facilitate technology transfers from the departmental laboratories to the private sector; and (2) establish a career path program to recruit national laboratory employees for DOE positions. (Sec. 6) Amends the Federal criminal code and the Federal Procurement Policy Act to make certain post-employment restrictions inapplicable to the national laboratories. (Sec. 7) Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to provide for cost-shared projects involving DOE or DOE laboratories and non-Federal entities to test and apply high-performance computing and high-speed networking technologies through a national information infrastructure for applications in specified fields. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to solicit contract proposals for the deployment of a commercial uranium enrichment plant using the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) technology. (Sec. 9) Increases the number of DOE Under Secretaries. (Sec. 10) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act to specify deadlines for agency approval or disapproval of any joint work statement and cooperative research and development agreement submitted by the director of any laboratory for whose operation the agency has contracted with a non-Federal entity. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations for programs and activities under this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Johnston, J. Bennett [D-LA] · D–LA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 103-611, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 103-611, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Executive Comment Requested from DOE.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Acquisition.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Senate ordered measure printed as passed.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR 11/19/1993 S16574-16583)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR 11/19/1993 S16574-16583)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 109.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-69.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-69.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings concluded. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-70.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of Energy, and Office of Management and Budget.
Star Print ordered on S.473.
Referred to Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2215-2216, S2220-2221)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.473 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.473 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.473 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.473 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.