[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3143 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 676
115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3143

                          [Report No. 115-389]

  To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum 
research and development for the economic and national security of the 
                             United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2018

   Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Harris, Mr. 
 Daines, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read 
     twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                             Transportation

                           November 27, 2018

                Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  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,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
Quantum Initiative Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--</DELETED>

<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. Definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 3. Purposes.
             <DELETED>TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE

<DELETED>Sec. 101. National Quantum Initiative Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. National Quantum Coordination Office.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Sunset.
   <DELETED>TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
                           QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

<DELETED>Sec. 201. National Institute of Standards and Technology 
                            Activities and Quantum Workshop.
 <DELETED>TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY 
               CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

<DELETED>Sec. 301. Quantum Information Science Research and Education 
                            Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and 
                            Education.
<DELETED>Sec. 303. Spending limitation.

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory 
        Committee'' means the National Quantum Initiative Advisory 
        Committee established under section 104(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination office.--The term ``Coordination 
        Office'' means the National Quantum Coordination Office 
        established under section 102(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution 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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the 
        National Quantum Initiative Program implemented under section 
        101(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means 
        the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National 
        Science and Technology Council established under section 
        103(a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The purposes of this Act are to ensure the continued 
leadership of the United States in quantum information science and its 
technology applications by--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) supporting research, development, 
        demonstration, and application of quantum information science 
        and technology in order to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) expand the number of researchers, 
                educators, and students with training in quantum 
                information science and technology to develop a 
                workforce pipeline;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) promote the development and inclusion 
                of multidisciplinary curriculum and research 
                opportunities for quantum information science at the 
                undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral 
                level;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) address basic research knowledge 
                gaps;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) promote the further development of 
                facilities and centers available for quantum 
                information science and technology research, testing 
                and education; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) stimulate research on and promote more 
                rapid development of quantum-based 
                technologies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) promoting collaboration among government, 
        Federal laboratories, industry, and universities; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) promoting the development of standards for 
        quantum information science and technology security.</DELETED>

        <DELETED>TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 101. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) invest in fundamental Federal quantum 
        information science and technology research, development, 
        demonstration, and other activities to achieve the goals 
        established in paragraph (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) invest in activities to develop a quantum 
        information science and technology workforce 
        pipeline;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) provide for interagency coordination of 
        Federal quantum information science and technology research, 
        development, demonstration, and other activities undertaken 
        pursuant to the Program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) partner with industry and academia to leverage 
        knowledge and resources; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) leverage existing Federal investments 
        efficiently to advance Program goals and objectives.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 102. NATIONAL QUANTUM COORDINATION OFFICE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a 
National Quantum Coordination Office, which shall have--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) staff that shall be comprised of employees 
        detailed from the Federal agencies that are members of the 
        Subcommittee.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Responsibilities.--The Coordination Office shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) provide technical and administrative support 
        to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the Subcommittee; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the Advisory Committee;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) conduct public outreach, including 
        dissemination of findings and recommendations of the Advisory 
        Committee, as appropriate; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 103. SUBCOMMITTEE ON QUANTUM INFORMATION 
              SCIENCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish, through 
the National Science and Technology Council, a Subcommittee on Quantum 
Information Science.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall include--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the National Science Foundation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the Department of Energy;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) the Office of the Director of National 
        Intelligence;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) the Office of Management and Budget;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) any other Federal agency as considered 
        appropriate by the President.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Responsibilities.--The Subcommittee shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) coordinate the quantum information science and 
        technology research and education activities and programs of 
        the Federal agencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) establish goals and priorities of the Program, 
        based on identified knowledge and workforce gaps and other 
        national needs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) assess and recommend Federal infrastructure 
        needs to support the Program; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) evaluate opportunities for international 
        cooperation with strategic allies on research and development 
        in quantum information science and technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 104. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE ADVISORY 
              COMMITTEE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The President shall establish a National 
Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) trends and developments in quantum information 
        science and technology;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) progress made in implementing the 
        Program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the management, coordination, implementation, 
        and activities of the Program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the need to revise the Program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) whether or not there are opportunities for 
        international cooperation with strategic allies on research and 
        development in quantum information science and technology; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) whether national security, societal, economic, 
        legal, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the 
        Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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 Transportation of the Senate, the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and other 
appropriate committees of the Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Exemption.--The Advisory Committee shall be exempt 
from section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 105. SUNSET.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

   <DELETED>TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
                      QUANTUM ACTIVITIES</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
              ACTIVITIES AND QUANTUM WORKSHOP.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Quantum Workshop.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) assess the current research on the 
                issues described in this paragraph;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) evaluate the research gaps relating to 
                such issues; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) provide recommendations on how the 
                National Institute of Standards and Technology and the 
                Program can address the research needs 
                identified.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

 <DELETED>TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY 
          CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 301. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) using the existing programs of the National 
        Science Foundation, in collaboration with other Federal 
        agencies, as appropriate, to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) improve the teaching and learning of 
                quantum information science and engineering at the 
                undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) formulating goals for quantum information 
        science and engineering research and education activities to be 
        supported by the National Science Foundation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) leveraging the collective body of knowledge 
        from existing quantum information science and engineering 
        research and education activities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) coordinating research efforts funded through 
        existing programs across the directorates of the National 
        Science Foundation; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) engaging with other Federal agencies, research 
        communities, and potential users of information produced under 
        this section.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 302. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND 
              EDUCATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and 
Education.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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 5 Multidisciplinary Centers for 
        Quantum Research and Education.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an 
        award under this subsection may include institutions of higher 
        education, eligible nonprofit organizations, and private sector 
        entities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) continue to advance quantum 
                information science and engineering;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) support curriculum and workforce 
                development in quantum information science and 
                engineering; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) foster innovation by bringing industry 
                perspectives to quantum research and workforce 
                development, including by leveraging industry resources 
                and research capacity.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) how the Center will support long-term 
                and short-term workforce development in the quantum 
                field;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) how the Center can support an 
                innovation ecosystem to work with industry to translate 
                Center research into applications; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) a long-term plan to become self-
                sustaining after the expiration of Foundation 
                support.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Selection and duration.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Centers selected and 
                established under this section are authorized to carry 
                out activities for a period of 5 years.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply 
                for an additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a 
                competitive, merit-reviewed basis.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 303. SPENDING LIMITATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.</DELETED>

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. Quantum standards and measurement activities.

       TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

Sec. 301. Quantum Information Science Research and Education Program.
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (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) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution 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 utilization of quantum physics 
        for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, or 
        measurement of information in ways that offer advantages to 
        classical capabilities.
            (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, 
                including computational research 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 international standards 
        for quantum information science and technology--
                    (A) to facilitate technology innovation and 
                commercialization; and
                    (B) to meet economic and national security goals.

                  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, 
        standards development, 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, standards engagement, 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 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), the collaborative ventures or consortia 
        established under section 201(a), and centers or consortia 
        established by other agencies participating in the Program;
            (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 the appropriate government 
        agencies and an open and competitive merit-reviewed process, to 
        existing quantum computing and communication systems developed 
        by industry, universities, and national 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, information sharing about international 
        standards development and use, 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;
            (4) evaluate opportunities for international cooperation 
        with strategic allies on research and development in quantum 
        information science and technology; and
            (5) propose a coordinated interagency budget for the 
        Program to the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the 
        maintenance of a balanced quantum information science research 
        portfolio and an appropriate level of research effort.
    (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) Submittal of Strategic Plans.--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.
    (g) Annual Program Budget Report.--
            (1) In general.--Each year, concurrent with the annual 
        budget request submitted by the President to Congress under 
        section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Chairs of the 
        Subcommittee shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, 
        and such other committees of Congress as may be appropriate a 
        report on the budget for the Program.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The budget of the Program for the current 
                fiscal year, for each agency that participates in the 
                Program.
                    (B) The budget proposed for the Program for the 
                next fiscal year, for each agency that participates in 
                the Program.
                    (C) An analysis of the progress made toward 
                achieving the goals and priorities established for the 
                Program.

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, standards, 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, and the development of open standards for, 
        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 Transportation 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. QUANTUM STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES.

    (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 and applied 
        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 Consortium.--
            (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 consortium 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 
        consortium 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 consortium convened under this section.
    (c) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out the 
activities under this section $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.

       TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

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, including the competitive award of 
grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit 
organizations (or consortia thereof), which may support 
Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education 
established under section 302(a)(1).
    (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, at a minimum--
            (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 5 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.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
        National Science Foundation to carry out this section for each 
        of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 an amount equal to the number 
        of Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education 
        (as provided in the National Science Foundation budget request 
        for the fiscal year) multiplied by $10,000,000.
    (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.
                                                       Calendar No. 676

115th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 3143

                          [Report No. 115-389]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum 
research and development for the economic and national security of the 
                             United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           November 27, 2018

                       Reported with an amendment