I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2739 
To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to establish a public-private 
partnership for near-term quantum application development and accelera-
tion, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 20, 2023 
Mr. OBERNOLTE (for himself, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. WEBER of Texas, and Mr. 
HUDSON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to establish 
a public-private partnership for near-term quantum ap-
plication development and acceleration, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Quantum Sandbox for 
Near-Term Applications Act of 2023’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows: 
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(1) The National Quantum Initiative and its 
ongoing activities explore and promote Quantum In-
formation Science. 
(2) Continual innovation by the quantum indus-
try of the United States is critically important. 
(3) Quantum and quantum-hybrid applications 
have the ability to provide innovative solutions for 
near-term use cases across a variety of public and 
private sector challenges. 
(4) Many quantum computers are available via 
the cloud and through a dedicated near-term quan-
tum application acceleration program that is inclu-
sive of the wide variety of quantum computing tech-
nologies will break down barriers to access quantum 
computing hardware systems. 
(5) Business and consumers of the United 
States will be able to see benefits of the innovation 
through a program focusing on near-term use of the 
technology. 
(6) 
Quantum 
information 
science 
is 
a 
foundational technology that is transforming the 
economy of the 21st century. 
(7) Robust leadership in quantum research and 
near-term development will have a great impact on 
the economic security of the United States. 
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(8) Unrivaled excellence in workforce develop-
ment is key in developing next generation leaders in 
quantum applications. 
SEC. 3. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR QUANTUM AP-
PLICATION DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the National Quantum 
Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8851 et seq.) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 405. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR QUANTUM 
APPLICATION 
DEVELOPMENT 
ACCELERA-
TION. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) 
QUANTUM
APPLICATIONS.—The 
term 
‘quantum applications’ means algorithms and appli-
cations which use quantum mechanics through quan-
tum processing units. These applications include 
quantum computing, quantum communication, quan-
tum sensing, and quantum-hybrid applications which 
are applications that use both quantum computing 
and classical computing hardware systems. 
‘‘(2) QUANTUM SANDBOX.—The term ‘quantum 
sandbox’ means a program— 
‘‘(A) for innovation and development of ap-
plications using quantum information sciences 
with a focus on near-term use cases; and 
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‘‘(B) that can be used to develop and test 
demonstrations, proofs of concepts, and pilot 
applications. 
‘‘(3) NEAR-TERM USE CASE.—The term ‘near- 
term use case’ means an application that can be de-
veloped and deployed in less than 24 months. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF QUANTUM SANDBOX RE-
QUIRED.—The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination 
with the Director of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, shall establish a quantum sandbox 
through the establishment of a public-private partnership 
focused on quantum computing application development 
acceleration for quantum, quantum communication, quan-
tum sensing, and quantum-hybrid computing near-term 
use cases. 
‘‘(c) ENGAGEMENT.—As part of the Program and in 
carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary shall, acting 
through the Director of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology, engage with the Quantum Economic 
Development Consortium, the National Laboratories (as 
defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15801)), federally funded research and develop-
ment centers, and other members of the United States 
quantum computing and quantum information eco-
system.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8801 
et seq.) is amended by adding after the item relating to 
section 404 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 405. Public-private partnership for quantum application development ac-
celeration.’’. 
Æ 
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