118 HR 9628 IH: Assessment of Critical Technologies in Adversarial Ventures and Emerging Threats Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-09-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9628IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 17, 2024Mr. Khanna introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Defense to collaborate with a federally funded research and development center to assess the biotechnology capabilities of adversaries of the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Assessment of Critical Technologies in Adversarial Ventures and Emerging Threats Act or the ACTIVATE Act.

2.

Authority for Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement for an assessment of biotechnology capabilities of adversaries of the United States

(a)

In general

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to conduct an assessment related to biotechnology and provide recommendations to the Secretary.(b)

Agreement elements

Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the center shall agree to—(1)conduct an assessment of—(A)scientific topics related to biotechnology;(B)scientific capabilities of potential adversaries of the United States, such as China, Iran, and the Russian Federation, related to biotechnology; and(C)the current gaps and future scientific and technological needs for adversaries of the United States to be successful with respect to biotechnology capabilities; and(2)develop recommendations with respect to useful indications of any advancement of such adversaries regarding such capabilities.(c)

Responsibilities of Secretary

Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the Secretary shall agree to—(1)appoint appropriate Department of Defense employees as liaisons to the center to support the timely conduct of the assessment described in subsection (b)(1);(2)provide the center with access to materials relevant to the conduct of such assessment, consistent with the protection of sources and methods and other critically sensitive information; and(3)ensure that appropriate members and staff of the center have the necessary clearances, obtained in an expedited manner, to conduct such assessment.(d)

Report

(1)

In general

If the Secretary enters into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center under this section, not later than October 1, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology a report that includes the findings and recommendations of the center developed pursuant to the assessment described in subsection (b)(1).(2)

Form of report

The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.(3)

Transmittal to other Department entities

The Secretary shall transmit to relevant offices of the Department of Defense, including the offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and the Office of Net Assessment, a copy of the report under paragraph (1).