Technology Standards Task Force Act of 2021
Bill: S.1498 | Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine (D-NV)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Technology Standards Task Force Act of 2021
This bill directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a task force on setting emerging technology standards, to be known as the Emerging Technology Standards-Setting Task Force.
The task force shall develop a long-term strategic plan for the United States to lead emerging technology standards-setting processes.

To require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
to establish the Emerging Technology Standards-Setting Task Force, 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 ``Technology Standards Task Force Act 
of 2021''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS-SETTING TASK 
              FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
        Technology Policy shall establish a task force on setting 
        emerging technology standards.
            (2) Designation.--The task force established under 
        paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Emerging Technology 
        Standards-Setting Task Force'' (in this section referred to as 
        the ``Task Force'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of 
        members as follows:
                    (A) The Director.
                    (B) At least two individuals selected by the 
                Secretary of Commerce, one whom--
                            (i) at least one shall be selected by the 
                        Secretary to represent the Department of 
                        Commerce generally; and
                            (ii) at least one shall be selected by the 
                        Secretary to represent the National Institute 
                        of Standards and Technology.
                    (C) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of State to represent the Department of 
                State.
                    (D) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of Defense to represent the Department of 
                Defense.
                    (E) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of Energy to represent the Department of 
                Energy.
                    (F) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of Labor to represent the Department of 
                Labor.
                    (G) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of Transportation to represent the Department 
                of Transportation.
                    (H) At least one individual selected by the 
                Attorney General to represent the Department of 
                Justice.
                    (I) At least one individual selected by the 
                Secretary of the Treasury to represent the Department 
                of the Treasury.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Task Force shall 
        be the Director.
    (c) Duties.--
            (1) Strategic plan.--Not later than one year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall develop a 
        long-term strategic plan for the United States to lead emerging 
        technology standards-setting processes.
            (2) Additional duties.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Task Force shall--
                    (A) assess which technology standards (such as 
                fifth and sixth generation wireless networking 
                technology and artificial intelligence) have the 
                greatest effect on national security and economic 
                competitiveness;
                    (B) describe and analyze the ways in which 
                standards setting processes can be misused by 
                governments for protectionist ends and human rights 
                abuses;
                    (C) establish and execute a strategy to ensure 
                credibility and engagement with international 
                institutions; and
                    (D) develop a list of allies and partners with 
                which to align with respect to the strategy to be 
                established and executed under subparagraph (B).
    (d) Engagement.--In carrying out the duties of the Task Force, the 
Task Force shall engage with academia and the private sector.
    (e) Staff.--The Chairperson of the Task Force may appoint or 
delegate an executive director and such other additional personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Task Force to perform its duties.
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