The following pieces of legislation are currently being discussed in Congress. Each of the following bills presents new opportuniities for innovative companies to showcase their technologies and processes as a result of these bills. IFA does not take a position on any of these bills at present:
H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009; H.Rpt.111-137 Part 1 (Waxman)
Requires U .S . to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050; establishes a market-based trading program for businesses to meet the cap 6 .26 .09: House passed 219–212
H.R. 2892, Dept. of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, FY 2010; H.Rpt. 111- 157 (Price)
Extends the E-Verify program for two years . Provides $112 million in funding for E-Verify 6 .24 .09: House passed 389–37 . 7 .9 .09: Senate passed 84–6 . 7 .9 .09: Senate appoints conferees
S. 515, Patent Reform Act of 2009 (Leahy)
Converts the U .S . patent system from a first-to-invent to first-to-file structure, which would give priority to the earlier-filed application for a claimed invention . Permits post- grant challenges to issued grants 4 .2 .09: Favorably reported, as amended, by the Senate Judiciary Committee . 5 .12 .09: Senate Judiciary Committee filed report, S . Rpt . No . 111-18
