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Senate approves repeal of cold-fusion provisions involving University of Utah
Summary
House Bill 42, repealing cold-fusion authorization and addressing transfer of patent rights, passed third reading after sponsors said research activity ceased and patent rights and defense were transferred to a private corporation.
On third reading the Senate approved House Bill 42, which repeals statutory provisions authorizing cold-fusion research at the University of Utah. Sponsors said the researchers had departed, patents were pending and the university had transferred rights and obligations to a privately held Utah corporation (ENCO) that will assume responsibility for patent prosecution and associated costs.
Senators asked where specialized equipment had gone and whether rights or obligations could be compromised by repeal. The sponsor and other senators said much of the equipment is specialized and was retained, and that ENCO and the university would continue to handle patent defense and related costs. Senator Blackham (floor discussion) said the original $5 million appropriation had oversight and a legislative committee had monitored spending; the money was spent, and the oversight body’s role is now obsolete.
Clerk call recorded House Bill 42 as passing third reading with 24 ayes, no nays and five absences reported; the bill will be transmitted for further action as recorded by the clerk.
