The National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), (8), and (9), is Pub. L. 96–479, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2305, which is classified generally to chapter 28 (§ 1601 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables.

Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5143, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1446, provided that:

“(a) National Commission on Superconductivity.—The President shall appoint a National Commission on Superconductivity to review all major policy issues regarding United States applications of recent research advances in superconductors in order to assist the Congress in devising a national strategy, including research and development priorities, the development of which will assure United States leadership in the development and application of superconducting technologies.

“(b) Membership.—The membership of the National Commission on Superconductivity shall include representatives of—

“(1) the National Critical Materials Council, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce (including the National Institute of Standards and Technology), the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Defense;

“(2) organizations whose membership is comprised of physicists, engineers, chemical scientists, or material scientists; and

“(3) industries, universities, and national laboratories engaged in superconductivity research.

“(c) Chairman.—A representative of the private sector shall be designated as chairman of the Commission.

“(d) Coordination.—The National Critical Materials Council shall be the coordinating body of the National Commission on Superconductivity and shall provide staff support for the Commission.

“(e) Report.—Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1988], the National Commission on Superconductivity shall submit a report to the President and the Congress with recommendations regarding methods of enhancing the research, development, and implementation of improved superconductor technologies in all major applications.

“(f) Scope of Review.—In preparing the report required by subsection (e), the Commission shall consider addressing, but need not limit, its review to—

“(1) the state of United States competitiveness in the development of improved superconductors;

“(2) methods to improve and coordinate the collection and dissemination of research data relating to superconductivity;

“(3) methods to improve and coordinate funding of research and development of improved superconductors;

“(4) methods to improve and coordinate the development of viable commercial and military applications of improved superconductors;

“(5) foreign government activities designed to promote research, development, and commercial application of improved superconductors;

“(6) the need to provide increased Federal funding of research and development of improved superconductors;

“(7) the impact on the United States national security if the United States must rely on foreign producers of superconductors;

“(8) the benefit, if any, of granting private companies partial exemptions from United States antitrust laws to allow them to coordinate research, development, and products containing improved superconductors;

“(9) options for providing income tax incentives for encouraging research, development, and production in the United States of products containing improved superconductors; and

“(10) methods to strengthen domestic patent and trademark laws to ensure that qualified superconductivity discoveries receive the fullest protection from infringement.

“(g) Sunset.—The Commission shall disband within a year of its establishment. Thereafter the National Critical Materials Council may review and update the report required by subsection (e) and make further recommendations as it deems appropriate.”