7 U.S.C. § 178h: Powers of Secretary of Commerce

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce can fund and contract with states, schools, research groups, Indian tribes (as defined by Public Law 93–638, 25 U.S.C. 450), and private firms. The Secretary can hire specialists (for example, biologists, agronomists, foresters, geneticists, engineers, and economists). The Secretary can use federal and state labs, build and run research facilities and pilot plants, buy or license inventions, patents, technical data, land (including water rights), plants, and other property or rights, and take part in regional, national, and international conferences related to these activities.

Title 7, §178h

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to—

(a)make grants to States, education institutions, scientific organizations, and Indian tribes as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93–638, 25 U.S.C. 450), and enter into contracts with such institutions and organizations and with industrial or engineering firms;

(b)acquire the services of biologists, agronomists, foresters, geneticists, engineers, economists, and other personnel having expertise in native agricultural crops which could supply critical agricultural materials by contract or otherwise;

(c)utilize the facilities of Federal and State institutions and other scientific laboratories;

(d)establish and operate necessary facilities and pilot plants to carry out the continuous research, testing, development, and programing necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section;

(e)acquire secret processes, technical data, invention, patent applications, patents, licenses, land and interests in land (including water rights), plants and facilities, and other property or rights by purchase, license, lease, or donation; and

(f)foster and participate in regional, national, and international conferences relating to the activities authorized by this subchapter.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93–638, 25 U.S.C. 450), referred to in cl. (a), is Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, which was classified principally to subchapter II (§ 450 et seq.) of chapter 14 of Title 25, Indians, prior to editorial reclassification as chapter 46 (§ 5301 et seq.) of Title 25. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of Title 25 and Tables.

Amendments

1984—Pub. L. 98–284, § 10(1), (2), in provisions preceding cl. (a) substituted “this subchapter” for “this section” and struck out “, acting through the Regional Commissions or otherwise,” after “the Secretary of Commerce”. Cl. (b). Pub. L. 98–284, § 10(3), inserted “having expertise in native agricultural crops which could supply critical agricultural materials”. Cl. (f). Pub. L. 98–284, § 10(4), substituted “the activities authorized by this subchapter” for “natural rubber manufacture”.

§178h Powers of Secretary of Commerce