WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee today unanimously approved the National Institute of Standards and Technology Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 6229), introduced by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, and cosponsored by Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas).

Chairman Smith: “The NIST Reauthorization Act of 2018 helps ensure that the research and development conducted by NIST will keep the United States on the cutting edge of global technological capabilities. This legislation provides vital support for NIST’s scientific and technical research and services, which are critical to America’s economic and industrial competitiveness. The bill strengthens established research programs, while bolstering funding for emerging, critical areas, such as artificial intelligence and quantum science. This legislation will help ensure our global leadership in science and technology and keep America at the forefront of technological innovation.”

Chairwoman Comstock: “NIST’s mission is to contribute to areas critical to our nation’s global competitiveness. This legislation authorizes increased investments in four emerging technology areas: quantum science, artificial intelligence and data science, advanced communications and the internet of things, and composites research and standards development. This will help NIST accelerate the implementation of AI systems and give our industries a competitive edge. These investments in research and development will address the growing cybersecurity threats that harm our federal agencies and infrastructure and help reduce the cyber risks that are growing more frequent by the day.”

Background:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Reauthorization Act of 2018 supports and strengthens the research and development programs of NIST.

This bill will:

  • Increase the core NIST scientific and technical research and services lab account by $130 million to transform basic research into innovations and new technologies
  • Accelerate basic quantum information science research and standards development and provide funds to address fundamental research gaps, create a stronger workforce pipeline, and allow the U.S. to take the lead in developing global quantum standards and measurements
  • Require NIST to enhance and expand its guidance and assistance to Federal Agencies to help them effectively use the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
  • Provide for the Institute to expand its fundamental and applied cybersecurity research to address key questions relating to measurement of privacy, security, and vulnerability of software tools and communication networks
  • Direct NIST to expand its composites research and standards development to facilitate the adoption of composite technology in American infrastructure 
  • Support Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data science research and development
  • Encourage NIST to continue to examine the Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities and the growing measurement and security challenges created by the convergence of digital technologies with the physical world

Click here to view the full text of the bill.