HR 6229 RFS
SEC. 7. INTERNET OF THINGS. 
The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall con-
tinue to conduct research with respect to and support the 
expanded connectivity, interoperability, and security of 
interconnected systems and other aspects of the internet 
of things, including through— 
(1) the development of new tools and meth-
odologies for cybersecurity of the internet of things; 
(2) the development of technologies to address 
network congestion and device interference, such as 
the development of testing tools for next generation 
wireless communications, internet of things proto-
cols, coexistence of wireless communications systems, 
and spectrum sharing; 
(3) convening experts in the public and private 
sectors to develop recommendations for accelerating 
the adoption of sound interoperability standards, 
guidelines, and best practices for the internet of 
things; and 
(4) the development and publication of new cy-
bersecurity tools, encryption methods, and best prac-
tices for internet of things security. 
SEC. 8. HIRING AND MANAGEMENT. 
(a) DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.—The Secretary, act-
ing through the Director, may— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:51 Sep 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6229.RFS
H6229
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 6229 RFS
(1) appoint, without regard to the provisions of 
subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States 
Code (other than sections 3303, 3328, and 3330e of 
such chapter), qualified candidates to scientific, en-
gineering, and professional positions for carrying out 
research and development functions which require 
the services of specially qualified personnel relating 
to cybersecurity and quantum information science 
and technology and such other areas of national re-
search priorities as the Secretary, acting through the 
Director, may determine; and 
(2) fix the rate of basic pay of any individual 
appointed under paragraph (1), at a rate not in ex-
cess of the basic rate of pay of the Vice President 
under section 104 of title 3, United States Code, 
without regard to title 5, United States Code. 
(b) LIMITATION.—The Director may appoint not 
more than 10 individuals under this section. 
(c) SUNSET.—The authority under this section shall 
expire on the date that is 5 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:51 Sep 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6229.RFS
H6229
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 6229 RFS
(2) The term ‘‘Framework’’ means the Frame-
work for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cyberse-
curity developed by the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology and referred to in Executive 
Order 13800 issued on May 11, 2017 (82 Fed. Reg. 
22391 et seq.). 
(3) The term ‘‘Institute’’ means the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology. 
(4) The term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001). 
(5) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Commerce. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 25, 
2018. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:51 Sep 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6229.RFS
H6229
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS