,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dfbd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ag1 #bjbj,mr4 ,coons 7for himself and ,mr4 ,durbin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to strengthen ,american economic resiliency and equitably expand economic opportunity by launching a national competition1 promoting ,state and local strategic planning1 encouraging innovation by the public and private sectors1 and by substantially investing ,federal resources in research and development4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,innovation ,center ,selection ,committee established under section #c4 7#b7 ,eligible area ,the term eligible area means a metropolitan statistical area that-- 7,a7 has a population of not less than #ejj1jjj2 and 7,b7 is not designated as an established tech hub4 7#c7 ,established tech hub ,the term established tech hub means the #i metropolitan statistical areas in the ,united ,states with the largest total number of innovation sector jobs in #bjai4 7#d7 ,hispanic-serving institution ,the term ,hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given the term in section #ejb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a74 7#e7 ,historically ,black college or university ,the term historically ,black college or university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#f7 ,innovation center ,the term innovation center means an eligible area designated by the ,committee under section #c7;e74 7#g7 ,innovation sector job ,the term innovation sector job means a job in the following research and development sectors1 as categorized under the ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system3 7,a7 ,basic chemical manufacturing 7#cbea74 7,b7 ,pesticide1 fertilizer1 and other agricultural chemical manufacturing 7#cbec74 7,c7 ,pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 7#cbed74 7,d7 ,computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 7#ccda74 7,e7 ,communications equipment manufacturing 7#ccdb74 7,f7 ,semiconductor and other electronic components manufacturing 7#ccdd74 7,g7 ,navigational1 measuring1 electromedical1 and control instruments manufacturing 7#ccde74 7,h7 ,aerospace product and parts manufacturing 7#ccfd74 7,i7 ,software publishers 7#eaab74 7,j7 ,satellite telecommunications 7#eagd74 7,k7 ,data processing1 hosting1 and related services 7#eahb74 7,l7 ,other information services 7#eaia74 7,m7 ,scientific research and development services 7#edag74 7#h7 ,,stem ,the term ,,stem means science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics4 #c4 ,innovation ,center ,selection ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established the ,innovation ,center ,selection ,committee1 which shall-- 7#a7 establish the global competitive edge of the ,united ,states in the #bast century across a range of innovation sectors critical to national and economic security2 7#b7 enable #i metropolitan statistical areas in the ,united ,states to become innovation centers for global innovation leadership and models for inclusive growth1 equal opportunity1 and rising living standards for disadvantaged populations2 7#c7 inspire1 within metropolitan statistical areas in the ,united ,states across the country1 new and constructive collaboration among local1 ,state1 and ,federal government entities1 academia1 and private industry by issuing a call for innovation center proposals with clear1 ambitious objectives2 7#d7 carry out a transparent1 competitive1 fair1 and rigorous process for selecting innovation centers2 7#e7 ensure the transparent1 efficient and effective use of taxpayer funds2 and 7#f7 empirically evaluate the effectiveness of innovation centers through release of publicly available reports and data4 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,composition 7,a7 ,voting members ,the ,committee shall be composed of the following voting members3 7i7 ,the ,secretary of ,commerce1 who shall serve as chairperson of the ,committee4 7ii7 ,the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration4 7iii7 ,the ,deputy ,secretary for ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7iv7 ,the ,director of the ,community ,development ,financial ,institution ,fund4 7v7 ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation4 7vi7 ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology4 7vii7 ,the ,director of the ,national ,economic ,council4 7viii7 ,the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,economic ,development4 7ix7 ,the ,assistant ,secretary for ,employment and ,training4 7x7 ,the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy4 7xi7 ,the ,under ,secretary of ,defense for ,research and ,engineering4 7xii7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,science of the ,department of ,energy4 7xiii7 ,the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health4 7xiv7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,science and ,technology of the ,department of ,homeland ,security4 7xv7 ,the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration4 7#b7 ,nonvoting members 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall have #h nonvoting members1 of which1 from among leaders of labor organizations or research institutions1 or leaders from private industry or professional societies-- 7i7 two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate2 7ii7 two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate2 7iii7 two shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7iv7 two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,term ,the nonvoting members appointed under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 shall serve for a term of #e years2 and 7ii7 may be reappointed to subsequent terms4 7,c7 ,vacancies ,a vacancy in the nonvoting membership of the ,committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment1 but the individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term for which the individual's predecessor was appointed4 7,d7 ,deadline for appointments ,the nonvoting members of the ,committee shall be appointed under this paragraph not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #cj days after the date on which all members of the ,committee are appointed1 the ,committee shall hold its first meeting4 7c7 ,compensation ,a nonvoting member of the ,committee appointed under subsection 7b77#b7 shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the ,committee4 7d7 ,staff 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,committee may appoint a staff director and other personnel as necessary to carry out the duties of the ,committee4 7#b7 ,member agencies ,the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,small ,business ,administration1 and the ,department of ,transportation shall provide necessary staffing support to the ,committee1 as determined by the ,committee4 7e7 ,selection of innovation centers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall select #i eligible areas to serve as innovation centers and receive the ,federal innovation supports described in section #d4 7#b7 ,application 7,a7 ,request for proposals ,not later than #c months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,committee shall issue a request for applications from eligible entities4 7,b7 ,submission ,each eligible area desiring to be selected as an innovation center shall submit to the ,committee an application through a proposal committee created by the eligible area1 which shall include representation from each ,state located in the eligible area and each municipal government representing not less than #bjj1jjj individuals located in the eligible area4 7#c7 ,selection criteria ,in selecting innovation centers under this section1 the ,committee shall evaluate each applicant based on-- 7,a7 the performance of the applicant in-- 7i7 ,,stem spending per capita2 7ii7 the number of patents per #ajj1jjj residents2 7iii7 the share of the population with a ,bachelor of ,arts degree or a higher degree2 and 7iv7 the number of ,,stem university degrees per capita2 7,b7 a plan to use data-driven strategies to promote innovation-based1 advanced sector takeoff1 focused on local interplay of university1 ,federal research institution1 and industry core competencies2 7,c7 a plan to increase innovation readiness1 including expanding research and technology development facilities and developing the local ,,stem workforce1 including through partnerships with entities with demonstrated success of administering apprenticeship and other workforce development models2 7,d7 a plan to build or improve areas that attract and support workers and firms2 7,e7 a plan to foster racial equity and inclusive growth1 including by leveraging minority serving institutions1 preventing gentrification1 combatting segregation1 promoting the inclusion of underrepresented residents1 and ensuring affordable housing options2 7,f7 a plan to invest the financial resources of the applicant2 7,g7 a plan to partner with local workforce development boards to scale up training to meet new workforce demands2 7,h7 a plan to incorporate and bring growth and opportunity to a broad geographic area beyond the limits of the metropolitan statistical area1 including rural areas1 through improved transportation1 high speed internet access1 other investments1 and partnerships2 and 7,i7 the relative potential for the selection of the innovation center to reverse a decline1 or accelerate growth1in innovation sector jobs4 7#d7 ,geographic diversity ,in selecting innovation centers under this section1 the ,committee shall ensure a broad geographic representation of the ,united ,states4 7#e7 ,site visits ,the ,committee may conduct site visits to eligible areas that are finalists for selection as an innovation center4 7#f7 ,timeline for selection ,the ,committee shall1 by secret ballot1 vote to select the #i innovation centers not later than #ab months after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#g7 ,evaluation and renewal 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,committee shall establish evaluation and renewal criteria to measure-- 7i7 the progress of an innovation center toward becoming a center for technology innovation2 7ii7 the effectiveness of an innovation center in translating innovation sector growth into broadly shared economic opportunity within the innovation center2 and 7iii7 the ethical and efficient use of ,federal funds4 7,b7 ,report to ,congress ,beginning in the third full year following the date of enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than once every #c years thereafter1 the ,committee shall submit to ,congress and each agency represented on the ,committee1 and make publicly available1 a report on the progress of each innovation center in meeting the objectives described in paragraph 7#c74 7,c7 ,evaluation 7i7 ,in general ,during the third year in which an innovation center is in existence1 the ,committee shall conduct an evaluation based on established benchmarks for achieving the objectives described in paragraph 7#c7 to determine whether the designation as an innovation center shall be renewed for #c additional years4 7ii7 ,failure to meet benchmarks ,an innovation center that fails to meet a majority of the benchmarks established under clause 7i7 shall not be renewed as an innovation center4 7,d7 ,renewal limit ,an innovation center shall be designated as such for a period of #c years1 and the ,committee may renew the designation for not more than #b additional #c-year terms4 7f7 ,final report ,not later than #a year after the date on which all innovation centers have exhausted their designations and renewals as an innovation center1 the ,committee shall submit to ,congress and each agency represented on the ,committee1 and make publicly available1 a final cumulative report on the efficacy of the program4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,committee for travel and administrative expenses related to carrying out the duties of the ,committee-- 7#a7 #e1jjj1jjj for each of the first #b fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 #a1jjj1jjj for each of the #h fiscal years following the #b fiscal years described in paragraph 7#a74 #d4 ,federal innovation supports 7a7 ,in general ,an innovation center shall be eligible for the ,federal innovation supports described in this section4 7b7 ,direct ,federal investment 7#a7 ,national ,science ,foundation research funding 7,a7 ,funding goal ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall pursue a goal of awarding through a rigorous selection process1 for each innovation center that gets its designation renewed continually for #c terms1 a total of #a1bej1jjj1jjj in grant funds to entities located in that innovation center by the end of the #ith year of the designation of that innovation center1 by proportionally increasing the total amount of the grants awarded over the #i-year period4 7,b7 ,additional funding ,in addition to awarding grants in pursuit of the goal described in subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director shall award grants-- 7i7 with a focus on universities or other research institutions that commit to expanding research and workforce capabilities aligned with industries and technologies and with a preference for universities or institutions that are-- 7,i7 concentrated in an innovation center2 or 7,,ii7 key to national challenges2 or 7ii7 that include industry-university research partnership programs4 7,c7 ,tracking ,in each year1 the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall track the aggregate amount of grants awarded by the ,director to entities in that year1 disaggregated by innovation center4 7,d7 ,authorization of additional appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph1 in addition to amounts that would otherwise be appropriated in a year for the ,national ,science ,foundation1 amounts as follows3 7i7 ,for fiscal year #bjba1 #j4 7ii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbb1 #a1aaj1jjj1jjj4 7iii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbc1 #b1bbj1jjj1jjj4 7iv7 ,for fiscal year #bjbd1 #c1ccj1jjj1jjj4 7v7 ,for fiscal year #bjbe1 #d1ddj1jjj1jjj4 7vi7 ,for fiscal year #bjbf1 #e1eej1jjj1jjj4 7vii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbg1 #f1ffj1jjj1jjj4 7viii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbh1 #g1ggj1jjj1jjj4 7ix7 ,for fiscal year #bjbi1 #h1hhj1jjj1jjj4 7x7 ,for fiscal year #bjcj1 #i1iij1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,national ,science ,foundation graduate research fellowships and undergraduate research programs 7,a7 ,expansion ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall expand graduate research fellowships and programs focused on undergraduate research opportunities1 including-- 7i7 research experiences for undergraduates2 7ii7 advanced technological education programs2 7iii7 historically ,black colleges and universities undergraduate programs2 and 7iv7 ,hispanic-serving institutions4 7,b7 ,allocation ,the amounts expended by the ,director to carry out subparagraph 7,a71 #ce percent of such amounts shall be expended for the expansion of graduate research fellowships and undergraduate research opportunities in innovation centers4 7,c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph amounts as follows3 7i7 ,in fiscal year #bjbb1 #eg1jjj1jjj4 7ii7 ,in fiscal year #bjbc1 #aad1jjj1jjj4 7iii7 ,in fiscal year #bjbd1 #aga1jjj1jjj4 7iv7 ,in fiscal year #bjbe1 #bbh1jjj1jjj4 7v7 ,in fiscal year #bjbf1 #bhe1jjj1jjj4 7vi7 ,in fiscal year #bjbg1 #cdb1jjj1jjj4 7vii7 ,in fiscal year #bjbh1 #cii1jjj1jjj4 7viii7 ,in fiscal year #bjbi1 #def1jjj1jjj4 7ix7 ,in fiscal year #bjcj1 #eac1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,national ,science ,foundation ,industry-,university ,cooperative ,research ,centers program ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall consider the location of a university within an innovation center to be a strength for purposes of selection criteria under the ,industry-,university ,cooperative ,research ,centers program4 7#d7 ,small business innovation research ,section #i7;j7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fch7;j77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,modifications relating to innovation centers 7,a7 ,definition ,in this paragraph1 the term innovation center has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act4 7,b7 ,requirement ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act1 the ,administrator shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection-- 7i7 to provide that1 during the #aj-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act1 the location of a small business concern within an innovation center shall be considered a strength under the selection criteria for ,phase ,i and ,phase ,,ii proposals under the ,,sbir program of a ,federal agency2 and 7ii7 to require the ,administrator to track and publish on an annual basis the total value of ,,sbir awards made to small business concerns located in innovation centers4 4 7#e7 ,manufacturing ,,usa program 7,a7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph3 7i7 ,manufacturing ,,usa ,program ,the term ,manufacturing ,,usa ,program means the program established under section #cd7;b7 of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs7b774 7ii7 ,manufacturing ,,usa institute ,the term ,manufacturing ,,usa institute means an institute described in section #cd7;d7 of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs7d774 7,b7 ,expansion ,under section #cd7;e7 of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs7e771 the ,secretary shall award financial assistance to assist in the establishment and support of-- 7i7 #i new ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes2 or 7ii7 a combination of satellites to existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes or new ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes4 7,c7 ,selection 7i7 ,in general ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes and satellites shall be identified and funded under subparagraph 7,b7 from among proposals submitted to the ,secretary for purposes of this paragraph4 7ii7 ,proposal elements ,any proposal submitted to the ,secretary in accordance with clause 7i7 shall include-- 7,i7 a plan for the institute or satellite concerned to support or otherwise align with existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes1 including through-- 7aa7 membership in1 or partnership or formal affiliation with1 an existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institute2 or 7bb7 a plan to reach a segment1 population1 or geographic area not already covered by or engaged with existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes2 and 7,,ii7 a plan for cost-sharing for the activities of the institute or satellite concerned1 including the sources of funds and amounts to be contributed4 7iii7 ,selection of satellites ,any selection of a satellite to an existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institute under this subparagraph shall be made by the ,secretary in consultation with exiting ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes4 7iv7 ,priority relating to innovation centers ,in identifying and funding a new ,manufacturing ,,usa institute or a combination of satellites to existing or new ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary shall give priority to proposals for identification and funding of ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes in an innovation center1 in whole or in substantial part4 7v7 ,prevention of overlap and redundancy ,in identifying and funding ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes or satellites to ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 avoid overlap or redundancy in mission1 technology focus1 or funding with existing ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes4 7,d7 ,amount of financial assistance 7i7 ,new ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes ,for each ,manufacturing ,,usa institute identified and funded under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary may expend up to #gj1jjj1jjj during the period of fiscal years #bjba through #bjcb4 7ii7 ,manufacturing ,,usa institute satellites ,for each ,manufacturing ,,usa institute satellite or expansion supported under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary may expend up to #be1jjj1jjj during the period of fiscal years #bjba through #bjcb4 7,e7 ,allocation ,not less than #cc percent of the financial assistance provided under subparagraph 7,b7 shall be for identifying and funding ,manufacturing ,,usa institutes in innovation centers4 7#f7 ,manufacturing universities ,the ,secretary of ,commerce and the ,secretary of ,defense shall consider the location of a university within an innovation center to be a strength for purposes of selection criteria under the ,manufacturing ,universities ,program4 7#g7 ,minority ,business ,development ,agency 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,director of the ,minority ,business ,development ,agency may1 acting through the ,inner ,city ,innovation ,hub program1 award not more than #b grants to eligible entities located within each innovation center4 7,b7 ,amount of grant ,a grant awarded under subparagraph 7,a7 may not exceed #a1ejj1jjj4 7,c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,director of the ,minority ,business ,development ,agency #bg1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjcj4 7#h7 ,additional regional innovations strategies grants 7,a7 ,definition of innovation center ,section #d of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgjc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ab7 ,innovation center has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act4 4 7,b7 ,grants ,section #bg of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgbb7 is amended-- 7i7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,as part of the program and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,as part of the program 2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,innovation center grants ,as a part of the program established pursuant to subsection 7b71 the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,economic ,development may award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible recipients described in subsection 7a77#a77;,d7 located within innovation centers4 2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7h7-- 7,i7 by striking ,from amounts appropriated and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,from amounts appropriated 2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,innovation center grants ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to award grants under subsection 7c77#a77;,b7 #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjcj4 4 7#i7 ,workforce investment activities in consultation with innovation centers 7,a7 ,youth workforce activities ,section #abi of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,youth workforce activities in consultation with innovation centers 7#a7 ,funding 7,a7 ,in general ,using funds made available under section #acf7;d71 the ,secretary shall provide a grant to each local area that-- 7i7 is within the area covered by an innovation center selected under subsection 7e7 of section #c of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act2 and 7ii7 the ,innovation ,center ,selection ,committee established under that section #c certifies is working in partnership with that innovation center4 7,b7 ,amount ,the amount of the grant for a fiscal year shall be equal to the allocation that the local area receives under section #abh7;b7 for that fiscal year4 7,c7 ,prohibition ,the ,secretary may not reduce the amount that any local area receives through an allocation under section #abh7;b7 because local areas described in subparagraph 7,a7 receive grants under this subsection4 7#b7 ,use of funds ,the local area shall use the grant funds in accordance with subsection 7c71 after consultation with the innovation center4 4 7,b7 ,adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities ,section #acd of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cagd7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities in consultation with innovation centers 7#a7 ,funding 7,a7 ,in general ,using funds made available under section #acf7;d71 the ,secretary shall provide a grant to each local area that-- 7i7 is within the area covered by an innovation center selected under subsection 7e7 of section #c of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act2 and 7ii7 the ,innovation ,center ,selection ,committee established under that section #c certifies is working in partnership with that innovation center4 7,b7 ,amount ,the amount of the grant for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of the allocations that the local area receives under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #acc7;b7 for that fiscal year4 7,c7 ,prohibition ,the ,secretary may not reduce the amount that any local area receives through an allocation under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 of section #acc7;b77#c7 because local areas described in subparagraph 7,a7 receive grants under this subsection4 7#b7 ,use of funds ,the local area shall use the grant funds in accordance with subsections 7b71 7c71 and 7d71 after consultation with the innovation center4 4 7,c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #acf of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caha7 is amended-- 7i7 in subsections 7a71 7b71 and 7c71 by inserting before the first comma the following3 7except for activities funded from amounts appropriated under subsection 7d772 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,workforce investment activities in consultation with innovation centers ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections #abi7;d7 and #acd7;e7 such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year that an innovation center designation is in effect4 4 7#aj7 ,additional ,,stem ,apprenticeship grants ,section #bh of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgbc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,innovation center grants 7#a7 ,definition of eligible entity ,in this subsection1 the term eligible entity means an eligible recipient that is-- 7,a7 described in subsection 7b77#d72 and 7,b7 located within an innovation center4 7#b7 ,grants authorized ,the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,economic ,development shall provide to not less than #a eligible entity located in each innovation center a grant to develop infrastructure to expand ,,stem apprenticeship programs4 7#c7 ,amount2 renewal 7,a7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant under paragraph 7#b7 shall be not more than #e1jjj1jjj for each year over a #c-year period4 7,b7 ,renewal ,the ,secretary may provide an eligible entity that receives a grant under paragraph 7#b7 not more than #b additional grants under that paragraph4 7#d7 ,preference ,the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,economic ,development shall give preference for a grant under this subsection to an eligible entity with demonstrated success of administering apprenticeship and other workforce development models and that demonstrates a commitment to serving individuals-- 7,a7 from underrepresented populations2 or 7,b7 who face barriers to employment1 including-- 7i7 long-term unemployment2 7ii7 past incarceration2 or 7iii7 veteran or disability status4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjcj4 4 7#aa7 ,national ,institutes of ,health research funding 7,a7 ,funding goal ,the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health shall pursue a goal of awarding through a rigorous selection process and subject to peer review1 for each innovation center that gets its designation renewed continually for #c terms1 a total of #a1bej1jjj1jjj in meritorious research awards in priority areas of biomedical science to entities located in that innovation center by the end of the #ith year of the designation of that innovation center1 by proportionally increasing the total amount of the grants1 contracts1 or other transactions awarded in each innovation center each year over the #i-year period4 7,b7 ,additional funding ,in addition to awarding grants1 contracts1 or other transactions in pursuit of the goal described in subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health shall award grants-- 7i7 with a focus on universities or other research institutions that commit to expanding research capabilities aligned with industries and technologies and with a preference for universities or institutions that are-- 7,i7 concentrated in an innovation center2 or 7,,ii7 key to national challenges2 or 7ii7 that include industry-university research partnership programs4 7,c7 ,tracking ,in each year1 the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health shall track the aggregate amount of grants1 contracts1 or other transactions awarded by the ,director to entities in that year1 disaggregated by innovation center4 7,d7 ,authorization of additional appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph1 in addition to amounts that would otherwise be appropriated in a year for the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 amounts as follows3 7i7 ,for fiscal year #bjba1 #j4 7ii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbb1 #adj1jjj1jjj4 7iii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbc1 #bhj1jjj1jjj4 7iv7 ,for fiscal year #bjbd1 #dbj1jjj1jjj4 7v7 ,for fiscal year #bjbe1 #efj1jjj1jjj4 7vi7 ,for fiscal year #bjbf1 #gjj1jjj1jjj4 7vii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbg1 #hdj1jjj1jjj4 7viii7 ,for fiscal year #bjbh1 #ihj1jjj1jjj4 7ix7 ,for fiscal year #bjbi1 #a1abj1jjj1jjj4 7x7 ,for fiscal year #bjcj1 #a1bfj1jjj1jjj4 7c7 ,tax incentives 7#a7 ,new markets tax credit allocations ,subsection 7f7 of section #de;,d of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,special allocation for innovation centers ,in the case of any calendar year beginning after #bjba-- 7,a7 the limitation under paragraph 7#a7 7including in calendar years for which the limitation under paragraph 7#a7 is zero7 shall be increased by #ej1jjj1jjj for each metropolitan statistical area which is designated as an innovation center under section #c7;e7 of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act for such calendar year1 and 7,b7 the additional limitation under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be divided equally among such innovation centers and allocated 7as provided in paragraph 7#b77 among qualified community development entities in such innovation centers4 4 7#b7 ,research credit 7,a7 ,in general ,section #da of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,special rules relating to innovation centers 7#a7 ,in general ,in the case of-- 7,a7 any qualified research expenses paid or incurred for qualified services or qualified research1 7,b7 any basic research payments for basic research1 and 7,c7 amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer in carrying on any trade or business of the taxpayer 7including as contributions7 to an energy research consortium for energy research1 during the taxable year at a location in a metropolitan statistical area which is an innovation center for such taxable year1 this section shall be applied as provided in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7#b7 ,credit rate ,subsection 7a7 shall be applied by substituting #cj percent for #bj percent each place it appears4 7#c7 ,alternative simplified credit ,subsection 7c77#d7 shall be applied-- 7,a7 by substituting #ba percent for #ad percent in subparagraph 7,a71 and 7,b7 by substituting #i percent for #f percent in subparagraph 7,b77ii74 7#d7 ,credit for qualified small businesses ,in the case of a trade or business located primarily within a metropolitan statistical area which is an innovation center for the taxable year1 subsection 7h7 shall be applied-- 7,a7 by substituting #ae1jjj1jjj for #e1jjj1jjj in paragraph 7#c77;,a77i77,i71 7,b7 by substituting #h-taxable-year for #e-taxable-year in paragraph 7#c77;,a77i77,,ii71 and 7,c7 by substituting #ejj1jjj for #bej1jjj both places it appears in paragraphs 7#d77;,b77i7 and 7#e77;,b77ii74 7#e7 ,innovation center ,for purposes of this subsection1 for any taxable year1 the term innovation center means a metropolitan statistical area with a designation as an innovation center under section #c7;e7 of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act in effect for calendar years beginning in such year4 7#f7 ,termination ,this subsection shall not apply to expenses paid or incurred after ,december #ca1 #bjcj4 4 7,b7 ,training included as research expenses 7i7 ,in general ,paragraph 7#a7 of section #da7;b7 of such ,code is amended-- 7,i7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,a72 7,,ii7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting 1 and2 and 7,,iii7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 employee training expenses4 4 7ii7 ,employee training expenses ,subsection 7b7 of section #da of such ,code is amended-- 7,i7 by redesignating paragraph 7#d7 as paragraph 7#e72 and 7,,ii7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,employee training expenses 7,a7 ,in general ,the term employee training expenses means any wages paid or incurred to an employee in connection with training for the employee to perform qualified services described in clause 7i7 or 7ii7 of paragraph 7#b77;,b74 ,such term does not include wages paid or incurred in connection with general employer training which does not specifically pertain to such qualified services4 7,b7 ,wages1 etc ,for purposes of this paragraph-- 7i7 ,in general ,the term wages shall not include any amount taken into account under paragraph 7#b77;,a77i74 7ii7 ,rules ,the rules of paragraph 7#b77;,d7 shall apply4 7,c7 ,termination ,the term employee training expenses does not include any wages paid or incurred after ,december #ca1 #bjcj4 4 7,c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this paragraph shall apply to taxable years beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjba4 7d7 ,regulatory modernization 7#a7 ,definition ,in this paragraph1 the term startup means a small business concern 7as defined in section #c7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb7;a777 that-- 7,a7 has been in existence for less than #c years2 and 7,b7 has annual average gross receipts of less than #c1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,requirement ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 in the case of a startup that is operating within an innovation center1 any requirement related to a ,federal grant that prohibits the use of university laboratory or other research assets purchased or supposed by the grant from being used for commercial purposes for an initial time period shall be waived4 7e7 ,business access to capital 7#a7 ,innovation center debentures 7,a7 ,in general ,section #cjc of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fhc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7l7 ,innovation center debentures ,in addition to any other authority under this ,act1 on and after the first day of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this subsection1 a small business investment company may issue innovation center debentures4 4 7,b7 ,definitions ,section #ajc of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #ffb7 is amended-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#ai71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in paragraph 7#bj71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#ba7 the term innovation center debenture means a deferred interest debenture that-- 7,a7 is issued at a discount2 7,b7 has a #e-year maturity or a #aj-year maturity2 7,c7 requires no interest payment or annual charge for the first #e years2 7,d7 is restricted to companies located within an innovation center1 as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act2 and 7,e7 is issued at no cost 7as defined in section #ejb of the ,credit ,reform ,act of #aiij 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #ffa;a77 with respect to purchasing and guaranteeing the debenture2 and 7#bb7 the term innovation center startup means any company that-- 7,a7 is primarily located within an innovation center 7as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act72 7,b7 is innovation- or technology-oriented2 and 7,c7 has been in existence for less than #e years4 4 7,c7 ,exemption from capital requirements ,section #cja7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fha7;c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,exception for applications located in innovation centers ,an applicant that is located in an innovation center 7as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act7 and that does not satisfy the requirements of section #cjb7;a7 shall be limited to #a tier of leverage available under section #cjb7;b7 until the applicant meets the requirements of section #cjb7;a74 4 7#b7 #g7;a7 loan financing for innovation center startups 7,a7 ,loan guarantee percentage ,section #g7;a77#b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 by striking and 7,f7 and inserting 7,f71 and 7,g72 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,g7 ,participation for innovation center startups 7i7 ,definition ,in this subparagraph1 the term innovation center startup means any small business concern that-- 7,i7 is primarily located within an innovation center 7as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act72 7,,ii7 is innovation- or technology-oriented2 and 7,,iii7 has been in existence for less than #e years4 7ii7 ,participation ,in an agreement to participate in a loan on a deferred basis under this subsection for an innovation center startup1 the participation by the ,administration shall be #ij percent4 4 7,b7 ,guarantee fee reduction ,section #g7;a77#ah7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77#ah77 is amended-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking ,with respect and inserting ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 with respect2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,innovation center startups ,with respect to a loan guaranteed under this subsection for a small business concern described in paragraph 7#b77;,g77i7-- 7i7 the ,administration may not collect a guarantee fee under this paragraph for a loan of not more than #cej1jjj2 and 7ii7 for a loan of more than #cej1jjj1 the ,administration shall collect a guarantee fee under this paragraph equal to #ej percent of the guarantee fee that the ,administration would otherwise collect for the loan4 4 7#c7 ,certified development company loans for innovation center startups 7,a7 ,maximum loan amount ,section #ejb7b77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fif7b77;,a77 is amended-- 7i7 in clause 7iv71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in clause 7v71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7vi7 #aj1jjj1jjj for each project of an innovation center startup4 4 7,b7 ,contribution requirement ,section #ejb7c77;,c7 of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fif7c77;,c77 is amended-- 7i7 in clause 7iii71 by striking or at the end2 7ii7 by redesignating clause 7iv7 as clause 7v72 and 7iii7 by inserting after clause 7iii7 the following3 7iv7 for an innovation startup-- 7,i7 at least #e percent of the total cost of the project financed1 if the innovation startup has been in operation for a period of #b years or less2 and 7,,ii7 at least #e percent of the total cost of the project financed if the project involves the construction of a limited or single purpose building or structure4 4 7#d7 ,,sba resources 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,small ,business ,administration shall provide innovation center startups 7as defined in section #g7;a77#b77;,g7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77#b77;,g777 access to financing resources of the ,administration and assist those startups in navigating the application process4 7,b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,small ,business ,administration #b1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba and every fiscal year thereafter to carry out subparagraph 7,a74 7f7 ,neighborhood1 property1 and infrastructure modernization 7#a7 ,community ,development ,block ,grant funding 7,a7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph-- 7i7 the term eligible entity means a unit of general local government or ,indian tribe that receives assistance under title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq472 7ii7 the terms ,indian tribe and unit of general local government have the meanings given those terms in section #ajb of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjb72 7iii7 the term qualified affordable housing means a housing development that consists of #e or more dwelling units of which #bj percent or more are made available-- 7,i7 for rental only by a low-income family 7as defined in section #c7;b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b7772 7,,ii7 at a monthly rent amount that does not exceed #cj percent of the monthly adjusted income 7as defined in such section #c7;b77 of the tenant low-income family2 and 7,,iii7 maintains affordability for residents who are low-income families for a period of not less than #cj years2 and 7iv7 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7,b7 ,funding 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide a grant to each eligible entity that-- 7,i7 is within the area covered by an innovation center2 and 7,,ii7 the ,committee certifies is working in partnership with that innovation center4 7ii7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant provided to an eligible entity under clause 7i7 for a fiscal year shall be equal to the allocation that the eligible entity receives under title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq47 for that fiscal year4 7iii7 ,prohibition ,the ,secretary may not reduce the amount that any eligible entity receives under title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq47 because eligible entities receive grants under this subparagraph4 7,c7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity shall use grant funds provided under subparagraph 7,b7 for the development and preservation of qualified affordable housing1 including the construction of such housing1 within the area covered by an innovation center1 in accordance with title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq47 and after consultation with the innovation center4 7,d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this paragraph for each fiscal year in which an innovation center designation is in effect4 7#b7 ,infrastructure financing 7,a7 ,,build grants 7i7 ,definition of ,,build program ,in this subparagraph1 the term ,,build program means the program for national infrastructure investments 7commonly known as the ,better ,utilizing ,investments to ,leverage ,development 7,,build7 discretionary grant program7 of the ,department of ,transportation4 7ii7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,transportation #cjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjcb to carry out projects under the ,,build program in innovation centers4 7iii7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,amounts authorized to be appropriated under clause 7ii7 shall supplement and not supplant any other amounts authorized to be appropriated for the ,,build program4 7,b7 ,,infra grants 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,transportation #cjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjcb to carry out projects under the nationally significant freight and highway projects program under section #aag of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 in innovation centers4 7ii7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,amounts authorized to be appropriated under clause 7i7 shall supplement and not supplant any other amounts authorized to be appropriated for the nationally significant freight and highway projects program under section #aag of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,c7 ,,tifia program 7i7 ,lines of credit ,section #fjd7;b77#b7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,i7 by striking ,the total and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the total 2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,projects in innovation centers ,in the case of a project in an innovation center 7as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act71 the total amount of a line of credit under this section shall not exceed #di percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs4 4 7ii7 ,fee waiver ,section #fje of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7g7 ,projects in innovation centers ,notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter1 in the case of a project in an innovation center 7as defined in section #b of the ,innovation ,centers ,acceleration ,act71 the ,secretary shall not require the payment of any fees under section #fjc7;b77#g71 section #fjd7;b77#i71 or subsection 7b74 4