[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6227 Engrossed in House (EH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6227
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum
research and development for the economic and national security of the
United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National Quantum
Initiative Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE
Sec. 101. National Quantum Initiative Program.
Sec. 102. National Quantum Coordination Office.
Sec. 103. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.
Sec. 104. National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
Sec. 105. Sunset.
TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM
ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. National Institute of Standards and Technology activities and
quantum workshop.
TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS
FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Sec. 301. Quantum information science research and education program.
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AND NATIONAL QUANTUM
INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS
Sec. 401. Quantum Information Science Research program.
Sec. 402. National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.
Sec. 403. Spending limitation.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee
established under section 104(a).
(2) Coordination office.--The term ``Coordination Office''
means the National Quantum Coordination Office established
under section 102(a).
(3) Institutions of higher education.--The term
``institutions of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National
Quantum Initiative Program implemented under section 101(a).
(5) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum
information science'' means the storage, transmission,
manipulation, or measurement of information that is encoded in
systems that can only be described by the laws of quantum
physics.
(6) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means the
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National
Science and Technology Council established under section
103(a).
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to ensure the continued leadership of
the United States in quantum information science and its technology
applications by--
(1) supporting research, development, demonstration, and
application of quantum information science and technology in
order to--
(A) expand the number of researchers, educators,
and students with training in quantum information
science and technology to develop a workforce pipeline;
(B) promote the development and inclusion of
multidisciplinary curriculum and research opportunities
for quantum information science at the undergraduate,
graduate, and postdoctoral level;
(C) address basic research knowledge gaps;
(D) promote the further development of facilities
and centers available for quantum information science
and technology research, testing and education; and
(E) stimulate research on and promote more rapid
development of quantum-based technologies;
(2) improving the interagency planning and coordination of
Federal research and development of quantum information science
and technology and maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal
Government's quantum information science and technology
research and development programs;
(3) promoting collaboration among government, Federal
laboratories, industry, and universities; and
(4) promoting the development of standards for quantum
information science and technology security.
TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE
SEC. 101. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
The President shall implement a 10-year National Quantum Initiative
Program. In carrying out the Program, the President shall, acting
through appropriate Federal agencies, councils, working groups,
subcommittees, and the Coordination Office--
(1) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics for a 10-
year plan to accelerate development of quantum information
science and technology applications in the United States;
(2) invest in fundamental Federal quantum information
science and technology research, development, demonstration,
and other activities to achieve the goals established in
paragraph (1);
(3) invest in activities to develop a quantum information
science and technology workforce pipeline;
(4) provide for interagency coordination of Federal quantum
information science and technology research, development,
demonstration, and other activities undertaken pursuant to the
Program;
(5) partner with industry and academia to leverage
knowledge and resources; and
(6) leverage existing Federal investments efficiently to
advance Program goals and objectives.
SEC. 102. NATIONAL QUANTUM COORDINATION OFFICE.
(a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a National
Quantum Coordination Office, which shall have--
(1) a Director appointed by the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the
Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, and the Secretary of Energy; and
(2) staff that shall be comprised of employees detailed
from the Federal agencies that are members of the Subcommittee.
(b) Responsibilities.--The Coordination Office shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to--
(A) the Subcommittee; and
(B) the Advisory Committee;
(2) oversee interagency coordination of the Program,
including encouraging and supporting joint agency solicitation
and selection of applications for funding of projects under the
Program;
(3) serve as the point of contact on Federal civilian
quantum information science and technology activities for
Government organizations, academia, industry, professional
societies, State governments, and others to exchange technical
and programmatic information;
(4) ensure coordination between the Multidisciplinary
Centers for Quantum Research and Education established under
section 302(a) and the National Quantum Information Science
Research Centers established under section 402(a);
(5) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, as
appropriate;
(6) promote access to and early application of the
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program
activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal
Government, and to United States industry, including startup
companies; and
(7) promote access, through appropriate Government
agencies, to existing quantum computing and communication
systems developed by industry, academia, and Federal
laboratories to the general user community in pursuit of
discovery of the new applications of such systems.
(c) Funding.--Funds necessary to carry out the activities of the
Coordination Office shall be made available each fiscal year by the
participating agencies of the Subcommittee, as determined by the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
SEC. 103. SUBCOMMITTEE ON QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE.
(a) Establishment.--The President shall establish, through the
National Science and Technology Council, a Subcommittee on Quantum
Information Science.
(b) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall include--
(1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(2) the National Science Foundation;
(3) the Department of Energy;
(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(5) the Department of Defense;
(6) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
(7) the Office of Management and Budget;
(8) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(9) any other Federal agency as considered appropriate by
the President.
(c) Chairs.--The Subcommittee shall be jointly chaired by the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Secretary of
Energy.
(d) Responsibilities.--The Subcommittee shall--
(1) coordinate the quantum information science and
technology research and education activities and programs of
the Federal agencies;
(2) establish goals and priorities of the Program, based on
identified knowledge and workforce gaps and other national
needs;
(3) assess and recommend Federal infrastructure needs to
support the Program; and
(4) evaluate opportunities for international cooperation
with strategic allies on research and development in quantum
information science and technology.
(e) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee shall develop a 5-year
strategic plan, and 6 years after enactment of the Act develop an
additional 5-year strategic plan, with periodic updates as appropriate
to guide the activities of the Program, meet the goals, priorities, and
anticipated outcomes of the participating agencies.
(f) Reports.--The Chairs of the Subcommittee shall submit to the
President, the Advisory Committee, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate, and other appropriate committees of Congress
the strategic plans developed under subsection (e) and any updates to
such plans.
SEC. 104. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish a National Quantum
Initiative Advisory Committee.
(b) Qualifications.--The Advisory Committee established by the
President under subsection (a) shall consist of members from industry,
academic institutions, and Federal laboratories. The President shall
appoint members to the Advisory Committee who are qualified to provide
advice and information on quantum information science and technology
research, development, demonstrations, education, technology transfer,
commercial application, or national security and economic concerns.
(c) Membership Consideration.--In selecting an Advisory Committee,
the President may seek and give consideration to recommendations from
the Congress, industry, the scientific community (including the
National Academy of Sciences, scientific professional societies, and
academia), the defense community, and other appropriate organizations.
(d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the President and
the Subcommittee and make recommendations that shall be considered in
reviewing and revising the Program. The Advisory Committee shall
provide the President and the Subcommittee with an independent
assessment of--
(1) trends and developments in quantum information science
and technology;
(2) progress made in implementing the Program;
(3) whether the Program activities, priorities, and
technical goals developed by the Subcommittee are helping to
maintain United States leadership in quantum information
science and technology;
(4) the management, coordination, implementation, and
activities of the Program;
(5) the need to revise the Program;
(6) whether or not there are opportunities for
international cooperation with strategic allies on research and
development in quantum information science and technology; and
(7) whether national security, societal, economic, legal,
and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program.
(e) Reports.--The Advisory Committee shall report, not less
frequently than once every 2 years, to the President on the assessments
required under subsection (d) and any recommendations to improve the
Program. The first report under this subsection shall be submitted not
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. The
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit
a copy of each report under this subsection to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology of the Senate, the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and other
appropriate committees of the Congress.
(f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal members of
the Advisory Committee, while attending meetings of the Advisory
Committee or while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the
Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular places of business,
may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code, for individuals in the Government serving without pay. Nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the Advisory
Committee who are officers or employees of the United States from being
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with existing law.
(g) Exemption.--The Advisory Committee shall be exempt from section
14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
SEC. 105. SUNSET.
(a) In General.--Except as provided for in subsection (b), the
authority to carry out sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 shall terminate
on the date that is 11 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Extension.--The President may continue the activities under
such sections if the President determines that such activities are
necessary to meet national economic or national security needs.
TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM
ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES AND
QUANTUM WORKSHOP.
(a) National Institute of Standards and Technology Activities.--As
part of the Program described in title I, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall--
(1) continue to support and expand basic quantum
information science and technology research and development of
measurement and standards infrastructure necessary to advance
commercial development of quantum applications;
(2) use its existing programs, in collaboration with other
agencies, as appropriate, to train scientists in quantum
information science and technology to increase participation in
the quantum fields;
(3) establish or expand collaborative ventures or consortia
with other public or private sector entities, including
academia, National Laboratories, and industry for the purpose
of advancing the field of quantum information science and
engineering; and
(4) have the authority to enter into and perform such
contracts, including cooperative research and development
arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other
transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of
the Institute and on such terms as the Director considers
appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
(b) Quantum Workshop.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology shall convene a workshop of
stakeholders to discuss the future measurement, standards,
cybersecurity, and other appropriate needs for supporting the
development of a robust quantum information science and
technology industry in the United States. The goals of the
workshop shall be to--
(A) assess the current research on the issues
described in this paragraph;
(B) evaluate the research gaps relating to such
issues; and
(C) provide recommendations on how the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and the Program
can address the research needs identified.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall transmit to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a summary report containing the
findings of the workshop convened under this section.
(c) Funding.--The Secretary of Commerce shall devote $400,000,000
to carry out this section, which shall include $80,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, subject to the availability of
appropriations, to come from amounts made available for the National
Institute of Standards and Technology. This section shall be carried
out using funds otherwise appropriated by law after the date of
enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS
FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
SEC. 301. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall carry out a basic research and education program on quantum
information science and engineering.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall
carry out activities that continue to support basic interdisciplinary
quantum information science and engineering research, and support human
resources development in all aspects of quantum information science and
engineering. Such activities shall include--
(1) using the existing programs of the National Science
Foundation, in collaboration with other Federal agencies, as
appropriate, to--
(A) improve the teaching and learning of quantum
information science and engineering at the
undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels; and
(B) increase participation in the quantum fields,
including by individuals identified in sections 33 and
34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a; 42 U.S.C. 1885b);
(2) formulating goals for quantum information science and
engineering research and education activities to be supported
by the National Science Foundation;
(3) leveraging the collective body of knowledge from
existing quantum information science and engineering research
and education activities;
(4) coordinating research efforts funded through existing
programs across the directorates of the National Science
Foundation; and
(5) engaging with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced under
this section.
SEC. 302. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
(a) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with other Federal agencies as
appropriate, shall award grants to institutions of higher
education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia
thereof) to establish up to five Multidisciplinary Centers for
Quantum Research and Education.
(2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award
under this subsection may include institutions of higher
education, eligible nonprofit organizations, and private sector
entities.
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to
conduct basic research and education activities in support of
the goals and priorities of the Program as determined in title
I, to--
(A) continue to advance quantum information science
and engineering;
(B) support curriculum and workforce development in
quantum information science and engineering; and
(C) foster innovation by bringing industry
perspectives to quantum research and workforce
development, including by leveraging industry resources
and research capacity.
(4) Requirements.--An institution of higher education or an
eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof)
seeking funding under this section shall submit an application
to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Director may require. The application
shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(A) how the Center will work with other research
institutions and industry partners to leverage
expertise in quantum science, education and curriculum
development, and technology transfer;
(B) how the Center will promote active
collaboration among researchers in multiple disciplines
involved in quantum research including physics,
engineering, mathematics, computer science, chemistry,
and material science;
(C) how the Center will support long-term and
short-term workforce development in the quantum field;
(D) how the Center can support an innovation
ecosystem to work with industry to translate Center
research into applications; and
(E) a long-term plan to become self-sustaining
after the expiration of Foundation support.
(5) Selection and duration.--
(A) In general.--The Centers selected and
established under this section are authorized to carry
out activities for a period of 5 years.
(B) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for an
additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(C) Termination.--Consistent with the existing
authorities of the Foundation, the Director of the
National Science Foundation may terminate an
underperforming Center for cause during the performance
period.
(6) Funding.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall devote $250,000,000 to carry out this section,
which shall include $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019
through 2023, subject to the availability of appropriations, to
come from amounts made available for Research and Related
Activities and Education and Human Resources. This section
shall be carried out using funds otherwise appropriated by law
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Graduate Traineeships.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation may establish a program to provide traineeships to graduate
students at institutions of higher education within the United States
who are citizens of the United States and who choose to pursue masters
or doctoral degrees in quantum information science.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AND NATIONAL QUANTUM
INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS
SEC. 401. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a basic
research program on quantum information science.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) formulate goals for quantum information science
research to be supported by the Department of Energy;
(2) leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing
quantum information science research;
(3) coordinate research efforts funded through existing
programs across the Office of Science; and
(4) engage with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced under
this section.
SEC. 402. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that the
Office of Science carries out a program, in consultation with other
Federal agencies, as appropriate, to establish and operate up to five
National Quantum Information Science Research Centers to conduct basic
research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in quantum information
science and technology and to support research conducted under section
401. Such centers shall be established through a competitive, merit-
reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education, research centers, multi-institutional
collaborations, and other appropriate entities.
(b) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award under this
subsection may include multiple types of research institutions and
private sector entities.
(c) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Centers
developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under this section
shall serve the needs of the Department of Energy, industry, the
academic community, and other relevant entities to create and develop
processes for the purpose of advancing basic research in quantum
information science and improving the competitiveness of the United
States.
(d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the coordination of,
and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of each Center
with the activities of--
(1) other research entities of the Department, including
the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier
Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and
(2) industry.
(e) Selection and Duration.--
(1) In general.--The centers selected and established under
this section are authorized to carry out activities for a
period of 5 years.
(2) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for an
additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a competitive,
merit-reviewed basis.
(3) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities
of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an
underperforming Center for cause during the performance period.
(f) Funding.--The Secretary of Energy shall devote $625,000,000 to
carry out this section, which shall include $125,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, subject to the availability of
appropriations, to come from amounts made available for the Office of
Science. This section shall be carried out using funds otherwise
appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 403. SPENDING LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for
such purpose.
Passed the House of Representatives September 13, 2018.
Attest:
Clerk.
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6227
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum
research and development for the economic and national security of the
United States.