15 USC 4601 - Findings, purposes, and definitions

Collapse to view only § 4601. Findings, purposes, and definitions

§ 4601. Findings, purposes, and definitions
§ 4602. Grants to Sematech
§ 4603. Semiconductor Technology Council
§ 4603a. Study and report by Semiconductor Technology Council
§ 4604. Repealed.
§ 4605. Export of semiconductor manufacturing
§ 4606. Protection of information

§ 4601. Findings, purposes, and definitions

(a) Findings

(b) PurposesThe purposes of this subchapter are—

(1) to encourage the semiconductor industry in the United States—

(A) to conduct research on advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques; and

(B) to develop techniques to use manufacturing expertise for the manufacture of a variety of semiconductor products; and

(2) in order to achieve the purpose set out in paragraph (1), to provide a grant program for the financial support of semiconductor research activities conducted by Sematech.

(1) The terms “Semiconductor Technology Council” and “Council” mean the advisory council established by section 4603 of this title.

(2) The term “Sematech” means a consortium of firms in the United States semiconductor industry established for the purposes of (A) conducting research concerning advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques, and (B) developing techniques to adapt manufacturing expertise to a variety of semiconductor products.

(Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, § 271, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1068; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title II, § 263(c)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1610.)

§ 4602. Grants to Sematech

(a) Authority to make grants

(b) Memorandum of understandingThe Secretary of Defense shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with Sematech for the purposes of this subchapter. The memorandum of understanding shall require the following:

(1) That Sematech have—

(A) a charter agreed to by all representatives of the semiconductor industry that are participating members of Sematech; and

(B) an annual operating plan that is developed in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Semiconductor Technology Council.

(2) That the total amount of funds made available to Sematech by Federal, State, and local government agencies for any fiscal year for the support of research and development activities of Sematech under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such activities.

(3) That Sematech, in conducting research and development activities pursuant to the memorandum of understanding, cooperate with and draw on the expertise of the national laboratories of the Department of Energy and of colleges and universities in the United States in the field of semiconductor manufacturing technology.

(4) That an independent, commercial auditor be retained (A) to determine the extent to which the funds made available to Sematech by the United States for the research and development activities of Sematech have been expended in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this subchapter, the charter of Sematech, and the annual operating plan of Sematech, and (B) to submit to the Secretary of Defense, Sematech, and the Comptroller General of the United States an annual report containing the findings and determinations of such auditor.

(5) That (A) the Secretary of Defense be permitted to use intellectual property, trade secrets, and technical data owned and developed by Sematech in the same manner as a participant in Sematech and to transfer such intellectual property, trade secrets, and technical data to Department of Defense contractors for use in connection with Department of Defense requirements, and (B) the Secretary not be permitted to transfer such property to any person for commercial use.

(6) That Sematech take all steps necessary to maximize the expeditious and timely transfer of technology developed and owned by Sematech to the participants in Sematech in accordance with the agreement between Sematech and those participants and for the purpose of improving manufacturing productivity of United States semiconductor firms.

(d) Funding for FY88

(Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, § 272, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1068; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title II, § 263(c)(2), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1610; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(e)(7), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2157.)

§ 4603. Semiconductor Technology Council

(a) Establishment

(b) Purposes and functions

(1) The purposes of the Council are the following:

(A) To link assessment by the semiconductor industry of future market and national security needs to opportunities for technology development through cooperative public and private investment.

(B) To seek ways to respond to the technology challenges for semiconductors by fostering precompetitive cooperation among industry, the Federal Government, and institutions of higher education.

(C) To make available judgments, assessments, insights, and recommendations that relate to the opportunities for new research and development efforts and the potential to better rationalize and align industry and government contributions to semiconductor research and development.

(2) The Council shall carry out the following functions:

(A) Advise Sematech and the Secretary of Defense on appropriate technology goals and appropriate level of effort for the research and development activities of Sematech.

(B) Review the emerging markets, technology developments, and core technology challenges for semiconductor research and development and semiconductor manufacturing and explore opportunities for improved coordination among industry, the Federal Government, and institutions of higher education regarding such developments and challenges.

(C) Assess the effect on the appropriate role of Sematech of public and private sector international agreements in semiconductor research and development.

(D) Exchange views regarding the competitiveness of United States semiconductor technology and new or emerging semiconductor technologies that could affect national economic and security interests.

(E) Exchange and update information and identify overlaps and gaps regarding the efforts of industry, the Federal Government, and institutions of higher education in semiconductor research and development.

(F) Assess technology progress relative to industry requirements and Federal Government requirements, responding as appropriate to the challenges in the national semiconductor technology roadmap developed by representatives of industry, the Federal Government, and institutions of higher education.

(G) Make recommendations regarding the semiconductor technology development efforts that should be supported by Federal agencies and industry.

(H) Appoint subgroups as appropriate in connection with the updating of the semiconductor technology roadmap.

(I) Publish and submit to Congress by March 31 of each year an annual report addressing the semiconductor technology challenges and developments for industry, government, and institutions of higher education and the relationship among the challenges and developments for each, including an evaluation of the role of Sematech.

(1) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics who shall be Cochairman of the Council.

(2) The Under Secretary of Energy responsible for science and technology matters.

(3) The Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology.

(4) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

(5) The Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.

(6) The Director of the National Science Foundation.

(7) Ten members appointed by the President as follows:

(A) Four individuals who are eminent in the semiconductor device industry, one of whom shall be Cochairman of the Council.

(B) Two individuals who are eminent in the semiconductor equipment and materials industry.

(C) Three individuals who are eminent in the semiconductor user industry, including representatives from the telecommunications and computer industries.

(D) One individual who is eminent in an academic institution.

(d) Terms of membership

(e) Vacancies

(f) Quorum

(g) Meetings

(h) Compensation

(1) Each member of the Council shall serve without compensation.

(2) While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of duties for the Council, members of the Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5.

(i) Chapter 10 of title 5

(j) Support for Council

(Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, § 273, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1070; Pub. L. 102–245, title I, § 103(e), Feb. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 9; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title II, § 263(b), (c)(3)–(e), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1608, 1610; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title II, § 251, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2702; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title IX, § 911(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 717; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(72), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4313.)

§ 4603a. Study and report by Semiconductor Technology Council

(a) Study and report

(b) Council recommendations and report

The Council shall include in the report submitted under subsection (a) the following:

(1) identification of potential sources of Federal funding from department and agency budgets for Sematech and recommendations concerning methods and terms of Federal financial participation in Sematech, including grants, loans, loan guarantees, and contributions in kind. The feasibility of methods of Federal recoupment shall also be considered;

(2) definition and assessment of continued Federal participation in Sematech including, but not limited to, issues of technology research and development, civilian and defense industrial base objectives and initiatives, and commercialization. The report shall include a summary of the most recent plans, milestones, and cost estimates for Sematech, including any changes and alterations, and shall comment on Sematech’s accomplishments and shortfalls in the preceding fiscal year;

(3) coordination of inter-agency participation, including all matters pertaining to Federal funding and decisionmaking, and other issues regarding Federal participation in Sematech; and

(4) any other issues and questions the Council deems appropriate shall be considered.

(Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5422, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1468; Pub. L. 102–245, title I, § 103(e), Feb. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 9; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title II, § 263(g), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1610.)

§ 4604. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1031(a)(2), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 714

§ 4605. Export of semiconductor manufacturing

Any export of materials, equipment, and technology developed by Sematech in whole or in part with financial assistance provided under section 4602(a) of this title shall be subject to the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

and shall not be subject to the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, § 275, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1071.)

§ 4606. Protection of information

(a) Freedom of Information Act

(b) Intellectual property

(Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, § 276, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1071.)