(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed four bipartisan bills at a full committee markup. These crucial measures will strengthen America’s leadership in emerging scientific fields, significantly improve wildfire response with cutting-edge technologies, and support innovation in forecasting and emergency operations.
“Each bill passed today showcases our bipartisan commitment to tackling national challenges through the strength of America’s scientific enterprise,” Chairman Brian Babin said. “H.R. 390 and H.R. 3705 leverage NASA and NOAA’s world-class resources and facilities to advance research and innovation, improving safety and operational effectiveness in response to wildfires and coastal fog events. H.R. 3259 and H.R. 3679 take proactive steps to prepare for the transformative impacts of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. These bills utilize NIST’s expertise to promote the adoption of quantum-resistant cryptographic standards and equip small businesses with the tools to better understand and integrate AI into their operations. Many thanks to our committee members for their hard work on these bills. Together, these efforts reaffirm our dedication to building a robust scientific community that drives progress and strengthens our nation.”
“I’m very pleased to see these four bipartisan bills pass through Committee today,” Ranking Member Lofgren said. “Each of these bills will help advance efforts within our premier agencies, from improving cybersecurity to fighting wildfires. I thank the Chairman for his partnership and look forward to seeing each of these bills pass the House.”
Legislation Passed:
This bill directs NASA to use its ACERO project to improve aerial wildfire response through advanced aircraft, real-time data sharing, and coordinated multi-agency operations.
H.R. 3259, Post Quantum Cybersecurity Standards Act
This bill enhances cryptography research and encourages the implementation of post-quantum cryptography standards throughout the United States.
H.R. 3679, Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act
This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop resources for small businesses to help them better understand and utilize artificial intelligence systems.
H.R. 3705, Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act
This bill directs NOAA to improve coastal marine fog forecasting to enhance maritime safety, protect critical infrastructure, and reduce the economic impact of port disruptions caused by severe fog events.