Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 2.djvu/773

 PUBLIC LAW 96-461—OCT. 15, 1980

94 STAT. 2051

(2) before the expiration of thirty calendar days the chairmen of both the Committee on Science and Technology of the House and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate have written to the Secretary to the effect that they have no objection to the proposed transfer. FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT

SEC. 8. Section 14 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278(d)) as is use 278d. amended, is further amended by striking out "$75,000" and inserting in lieu thereof "$250,000". INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

SEC. 9. In order to develop and strengthen the expertise of the National Bureau of Standards in science and engineering, to enhance the Secretary's ability to maintain the Bureau's programs at the forefront of worldwide developments in science and engineering, and to cooperate in international scientific activities, the Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 271-278h), as amended, is further amended by inserting immediately after section 16 the following new section: "SEC. 17. (a) The Secretary is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to expend such sums, within the limit of appropriated funds, as the Secretary may deem desirable, through the grant of fellowships or any other form of financial assistance, to defray the expenses of foreign nationals not in service to the Government of the United States while they are performing scientific or engineering work at the National Bureau of Standards or participating in the exchange of scientific or technical information at the National Bureau of Standards. "(b) The Congress consents to the acceptance by employees of the National Bureau of Standards of fellowships, lectureships, or other positions for the performance of scientific or engineering activities or for the exchange of scientific or technical information, offered by a foreign government, and to the acceptance and retention by an employee of the National Bureau of Standards of any form of financial or other assistance provided by a foreign government as compensation for or as a means of defraying expenses associated with the performance of scientific or engineering activities or the exchange of scientific or technical information, in any case where the acceptance of such fellowship, lectureship, or position or the acceptance and retention of such assistance is determined by the Secretary to be appropriate and consistent with the interests of the United States. For the purposes of this subsection, the definitions appearing in section 7342(a) of title 5 of the United States Code apply. Civil actions may be brought and penalties assessed against any employee who knowingly accepts and retains assistance from a foreign government not consented to by this subsection in the same manner as is prescribed by section 7342(h) of title 5 of the United States Code. "(c) Provisions of law prohibiting the use of any part of any appropriation for the payment of compensation to any employee or officer of the Government of the United States who is not a citizen of the United States shall not apply to the payment of compensation to scientific or engineering personnel of the National Bureau of Standards.".

Foreign nationals, financial assistance. 15 USC 278g.

NBS employees, foreign assistance and compensation.

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