National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4609
Sponsor: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Biological and life sciences
Chemistry
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Higher education
International organizations and cooperation
Manufacturing
Minority education
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Radio spectrum allocation
Research administration and funding
Research ethics
Right of privacy
Scientific communication
Small business
Technology assessment
Telephone and wireless communication
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2026 and establishes programs and activities.
 
The bill sets forth requirements for 
 
 
supporting basic measurement science, technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology;
 
a program to inform the development of standards for the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions; 
 
 establishing research programs and otherwise carrying out research on identity management, cybersecurity, biometric identification, and communications measurement;
 
assessing and assigning severity metrics to identified vulnerabilities with open source software;
 
carrying out research and testing to improve the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-enabled cybersecurity;
 
a digital identity technical roadmap and digital identity management guidance;
 
a biometrics vendor test program;
 
performance standards and guidelines for high-risk biometric identification systems, including facial recognition systems;
 
making publicly available resources to help qualifying institutions manage and reduce their cybersecurity risk related to conducting research;
 
carrying out advanced communications measurement research; 
 
operation of the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network;
 
development of a strategic plan for the future of the Center for Neutron Research;
 
information exchange and coordination among federal agencies and communication from federal agencies to the private sector to ensure federal engagement in the development and use of international technical standards; and 
 
establishing a five-year pilot program to award grants to support increased participation by small business and academic interests in international standards organizations.
 

action_date: 2022-02-18
text: 

National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2026 and establishes programs and activities.
 
The bill sets forth requirements for 
 
 
supporting basic measurement science, technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology;
 
developing standards to measure greenhouse gas emissions; 
 
 carrying out research on identity management, cybersecurity, biometric identification, and communications measurement;
 
assessing identified vulnerabilities with open-source software;
 
 operating the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network;
 
 a strategic plan concerning the Center for Neutron Research;
 
establishing in NIST an organization to facilitate the development of forensic science standards;
 
activities in support of green and sustainable chemistry (i.e., clean, safe, and economic alternatives, technologies, and methodologies to traditional chemical products and processes);
 
information exchange and coordination among federal agencies and with the private sector to ensure federal engagement in the development and use of international technical standards; and 
 
establishing a five-year pilot program to award grants to support increased participation by small business and academic interests in international standards organizations.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study of NIST's policies and protocols to protect its research and combat undue foreign influence.
 
NIST shall establish, as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a pilot program of expansion awards among manufacturing extension centers or a consortium of centers to develop and support training and job placement services.
 
NIST shall establish a National Supply Chain Database to assist the federal government and industry sectors in minimizing disruptions to the United States' supply chain.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 177.
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-247.
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-247.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in House