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Government Relations Update. By Daniel E Sniezek. 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)
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Government Relations Update By Daniel E Sniezek
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
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
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
Department of Energy • Pressure in 2017 and 2018 to dramatically cut DOE’s research budget has failed • Senate passed S. 2503 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.
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)
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