Lamar Smith: “I thank Mr. Hultgren for yielding me time on his bill, H.R. 5907, the National Innovation Modernization by Laboratory…”

“I thank Mr. Hultgren for yielding me time on his bill, H.R. 5907, the National Innovation Modernization by Laboratory Empowerment Act, or NIMBLE Act. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide signature authority to the directors of the national laboratories, allowing these lab directors to make funding decisions on cooperative agreements with industry where the total cost is less than $1 million. This commonsense reform provides the labs with more flexibility and eliminates the red tape and bureaucratic process that makes it difficult for businesses to partner with the labs. DOE national labs can provide the private sector with access to critical research infrastructure as they develop new technologies. But a burdensome approval process can smother an industry's interest and constrict the pace of technology development. This bill gives the labs freedom to pursue agreements that will increase U.S. competitiveness and maintain our innovation and productivity leadership. I thank Representative Randy Hultgren again and this bill's 10 Science, Space, and Technology Committee's cosponsors, including Representative Ed Perlmutter, Vice Chairman Frank Lucas, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, and Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Steve Knight for their ongoing support of DOE's world-leading national laboratories. Mr. Speaker, I want to say about Mr. Hultgren that his leadership on the committee has been appreciated for years.…”