Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021
Bill: S.1849 | Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob (R-OH)
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program that supports the participation of U.S. small businesses in meetings and proceedings of standards development organizations to develop voluntary technical standards.
To carry out this program, the SBA must award grants to small businesses for the reasonable costs of participation in standards development organizations.
These grants may only be awarded to small businesses that (1) demonstrate technical expertise in key emerging technologies and technical standards (e.g., artificial intelligence), (2) commit personnel with such expertise to regular participation in international bodies responsible for developing standards for those technologies, and (3) agree to coordinate between the public and private sectors to ensure protection of national security interests in the setting of international standards.

To establish a program to support the participation of small businesses 
 in meetings and proceedings of international standards organizations, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Leadership in Global Tech Standards 
Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS 
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
            (2) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial 
        intelligence'' has the meaning given the term in section 238(g) 
        of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for 
        Fiscal Year 2019 (10 U.S.C. 2358 note).
            (3) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means a 
        small business concern that is incorporated and maintains a 
        primary place of business in the United States.
            (4) Small business concern.--The term ``small business 
        concern'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the 
        Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program to 
support participation by covered entities in meetings and proceedings 
of standards development organizations in the development of voluntary 
technical standards.
    (c) Activities.--In carrying out the program established under 
subsection (b), the Administrator shall award competitive, merit-
reviewed grants to covered entities to cover the reasonable costs, up 
to a specified ceiling, of participation of employees of those covered 
entities in meetings and proceedings of standards development 
organizations, including--
            (1) regularly attending meetings;
            (2) contributing expertise and research;
            (3) proposing new work items; and
            (4) volunteering for leadership roles such as a convener or 
        editor.
    (d) Award Criteria.--The Administrator may only provide a grant 
under this section to a covered entity that--
            (1) demonstrates deep technical expertise in key emerging 
        technologies and technical standards, including artificial 
        intelligence and related technologies;
            (2) commits personnel with such expertise to regular 
        participation in international bodies responsible for 
        developing standards for such technologies over the period of 
        the grant; and
            (3) agrees to participate in efforts to coordinate between 
        the Federal Government and industry to ensure protection of 
        national security interests in the setting of international 
        standards.
    (e) No Matching Contribution.--A recipient of an award under this 
section shall not be required to provide a matching contribution.
    (f) Evaluation.--In making awards under this section, the 
Administrator shall coordinate with the Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, who shall provide support in the 
assessment of technical expertise in emerging technologies and 
standards setting needs.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriation.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter 
$1,000,000 to carry out the program established under this section.
                                 <all>