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H.R. 5143: H-Prize Act of 2006

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H.R. 5143: H-Prize Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2006-04-06 · Energy · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2006-04-06 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 131 (2006): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR5143 (2006-05-10), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

H-Prize Act of 2006

Plain summary

H-Prize Act of 2006 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Energy to award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies. Instructs the Secretary to widely advertise prize competitions to encourage broad participation, including by individuals, universities (including historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions), and large and small businesses (including businesses owned or controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged persons). Directs the Secretary enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competitions. States that funding sources for such cash prizes shall consist of federal appropriated funds and funds provided by the administering entity. Terminates the authority to announce the prize competitions on September 30, 2017. (Sec. 4) Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen components or systems; (2) prototypes of hydrogen-powered vehicles or other hydrogen-based products that meet or exceed certain performance criteria; and (3) transformational changes in technologies for hydrogen distribution or production that meet or exceed far-reaching criteria, including minimal carbon emissions, and which may include cost criteria designed to facilitate the eventual market success of a winning technology. Prescribes guidelines for implementation and eligibility. (Sec. 6) Declares that the federal government shall not, by virtue of offering or awarding a prize under this Act, be entitled to any intellectual property rights derived as a consequence of, or direct relation to, the participation by a registered participant in a competition authorized by this Act. (Sec. 7) Prescribes guidelines for waiver of liability by registered participants. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2016. Prescribes award allocation guidelines. (Sec. 9) States that the programs created under this Act shall not be considered a substitute for federal research and development programs.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

H-Prize Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4] · 26 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of 2006 (2006-05-05); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of 2006 (2006-05-05)

Cosponsors on this site

John B. Larson (D-CT), Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong109-hr5143 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109