1. Government Relations Update
By Daniel E Sniezek

2. Artificial Intelligence
Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) has introduced legislation to create a inter- governmental committee to advise the federal government on AI
Added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
NDAA authorized the Department of Defense, and so is a “must pass” bill
Cantwell’s bill would allow non-government experts to serve on the advisory committee
Contrary to House bill, which just includes government employees
DOD wants to limit participation so they can control the process
NDAA going to Conference Committee soon

3. FY 2019 Appropriations
2019 Budget process is moving more smoothly than expected
Most R&D budgets doing well, so far
Overall federal R&D spending will probably reach an historic high, $85B
Many details still to be worked out
Senate Highlights
DOD basic research up 19.4%
NSF up 3.9%
NASA up 2.8%
NIST – flat spending after a big boost in FY2018
House numbers are generally lower than Senate, but still good

4. China
Emerging as a major focal point for US policy, with big implications for IEEE
Immigration: Visa restrictions on Chinese students & visitors
Research: Greater restrictions on sensitive research, researchers and facilities doing sensitive research
Exports: Broader export control restrictions, limits on export of research
Most of these changes are proposed, but not implemented. IEEE-USA expects more rule changes this Fall

5. Department of Energy
Pressure in 2017 and 2018 to dramatically cut DOE’s research budget has failed
Senate passed S July 24th. House approval expected soon. Bill authorizes the DOE’s Office of Science & includes several provisions pushed by IEEE-USA
New infrastructure spending on national labs
Reauthorizes Energy Innovation Hubs and Energy Frontier Research Centers
Promotes high-speed computer
New Director of the DOE’s Office of Science (Chris Fall) expected to be confirmed by the Senate by September.

6. Federal Aviation Administration
Reauthorization expected by September
New rules making it easier to fly drones included in the bill
Language on air traffic control
Rules for Self-Driving Cars
Establishes federal primacy over car regulations
Creates a legal, but limited, safe space for prototype vehicles to operate on roads
Establishes structure for more comprehensive rules for autonomous vehicles
Rare instance of legislators moving ahead of technology (if only slightly)

7. Government Relations in 2019
Many new members of Congress expected
We’ll need to introduce ourselves to them
IEEE-USA will be working with interested local sections to arrange meetings with their new legislators, starting in January, 2019