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H.R. 632: H-Prize Act of 2007

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H.R. 632: H-Prize Act of 2007

110th Congress · introduced 2007-01-23 · Energy · Latest: Star Print ordered on the bill.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2007-01-23 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 433 (2007): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR632 (2007-06-06), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Star Print ordered on the bill. 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 2007

Plain summary

H-Prize Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies; and (2) enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competitions. Authorizes the Secretary to use appropriated funds for the cash prize program, including certain funds from other federal agencies. (Sec. 4) Designates prize-eligible categories, including: (1) advancements in certain hydrogen technologies, components, or systems related to hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization; (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. Requires the Secretary to consult with designated agencies when establishing criteria for such awards. (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. States that this Act shall not be construed to prevent the federal government from negotiating a license for the use of intellectual property developed for a prize competition under this Act. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to require registered participants in the awards program to waive claims against the federal government and the administering entity (except claims for willful misconduct) for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits arising from the participants' participation in a competition under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary, however, from requiring a registered participant to waive claims against the administering entity arising out of any unauthorized use or disclosure by the entity of the registered participant's trade secrets or confidential business information. Sets forth liability insurance or alternative financial responsibility requirements for registered participants with regard to third party or federal government claims against them. (Sec. 8) Instructs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding: (1) identification of the award recipient; (2) description of the technologies developed by each award recipient; and (3) specific actions being taken toward commercial application of all technologies with respect to which a prize has been awarded under this Act. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2017.

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 2007

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3] · 37 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 632, H-Prize Act of 2007 (2007-05-31); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 632, H-Prize Act of 2007 (2007-05-31)

Cosponsors on this site

Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), John B. Larson (D-CT), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), John Boozman (R-AR), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

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-cong110-hr632 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110