42 USC 16298c - National Energy Technology Laboratory reforms

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 16298c.

National Energy Technology Laboratory reforms

(a)

Special hiring authority for scientific, engineering, and project management personnel

(1)

In general

The Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (referred to in this section as the “Director”) may—

(A)

make appointments to positions in the National Energy Technology Laboratory to assist in meeting a specific project or research need, without regard to civil service laws, of individuals who—

(i)

have an advanced scientific or engineering background; or

(ii)

have a business background and can assist in specific technology-to-market needs;

(B)

fix the basic pay of any employee appointed under subparagraph (A) at a rate not to exceed level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5; and

(C)

pay any employee appointed under subparagraph (A) payments in addition to the basic pay fixed under subparagraph (B), subject to the condition that the total amount of additional payments paid to an employee under this subparagraph for any 12-month period shall not exceed the least of—

(i)

$25,000;

(ii)

the amount equal to 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of that employee; and

(iii)

the amount of the limitation that is applicable for a calendar year under section 5307(a)(1) of title 5.

(2)

Limitations

(A)

In general

(B)

Full-time employees

(b)

Laboratory-directed research and development

(1)

In general

(2)

Authorization of funding

(A)

In general

(B)

Use

(C)

Requirements

The account under subparagraph (A)—

(i)

shall be administered by the Secretary;

(ii)

shall be available without fiscal year limitation; and

(iii)

shall not be subject to appropriation.

(3)

Requirement

(4)

Annual report on use of authority

(c)

Laboratory operations

(d)

Review

Not later than 2 years after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report assessing the management and research activities of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, which shall include—

(1)

an assessment of the quality of science and research at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, relative to similar work at other National Laboratories;

(2)

a review of the effectiveness of authorities provided in subsections (a) and (b); and

(3)

recommendations for policy changes within the Department and legislative changes to provide the National Energy Technology Laboratory with the necessary tools and resources to advance the research mission of the National Energy Technology Laboratory.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 969C, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IV, § 4006(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2544.)

cite as: 42 USC 16298c