1. IEEE-USA Legislative Update
April 19, 2018
Russell Harrison
Director of Government Relations, IEEE-USA

2. Facebook in the Senate Increased interest in on-line data and privacy
Congress looking at limiting collection or sale of data, and perhaps increasing disclosure rules
Europe way ahead of us
California: Consumer
Privacy Act

3. FY 2018 Budget Passed (finally)
Bipartisan support
Solid increases in most budgets

4. FY 2019 Budget
Just getting started, which means Congress is way behind
Top-Line budget targets set in February
Few people expect major changes
Few people don’t expect an omnibus or Continuing Resolution

5. Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)
Small national lab at the University of Rochester
Fusion and optics research
Closed in President Trump’s budget, as part of a de- emphasis on ITER and Fusion
IEEE-USA & IEEE Sections working to protect the lab

6. Immigration Reform Country Cap Bill (S. 281, H.R. 392)
Removes country caps from EB visa program
Early Adjustment of Status
Still interest in green cards, but DACA owns the debate

7. Energy News
Most of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid failed earlier this week
Renewed attention to the importance of critical infrastructure
Debate over privatizing electrical grid
Four bills to protect energy infrastructure from cyberattacks have passed the Energy Subcommittee of House Energy & Commerce Committee
Three had bipartisan support & support from IEEE-USA
Voluntary information sharing programs
Restructured Department of Energy & new Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity

8. Energy News
Opinion: Who Will Spur the Next Energy Revolution? Not Private Industry
“Washington has long pushed American industry and workers
to outcompete the rest of the world. Without federal investments
in energy innovation, we wouldn’t have our current energy boom,
and advanced energy wouldn’t be one of the economy’s
brightest spots.”
Norm Augustine & Chad Holliday. Roll Call, April 16, 2018

9. Intellectual Property
Stronger Act (S. 1390) & Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act (RALIA)
Sen. Coons (D-DE) & Rep. Massie (R-KY)
Strength property rights for patent holders
Earlier to defend patents
Undo some of the provisions in the America Invents Act & Oil States court case
End fee diversion

10. Personnel news
Rep. Bridenstine nomination to be NASA chief moves forward

11. IEEE & Public Officials
You can invite public officials to speak at IEEE events … and you should
You cannot invite candidates to speak at IEEE events … unless you invite all the candidates
When do public officials become candidates?

12. 2018 Congressional Visits Day
May 8 & 9 Washington, DC

13. www.ieeeusa.org/policy Next Updates: May 17th
IEEE-USA Updates
Next Updates: May 17th

14. r.t.harrison@ieee.org (202) 530-8326
Russell Harrison
(202)