[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 65 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1985-S1987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Ms. Hassan):
  S. 1161. A bill to promote focused research and innovation in quantum 
communications and quantum network infrastructure to bolster internet 
security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1161

         Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
     of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

         This Act may be cited as the ``Quantum Network 
     Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

         In this Act:
         (1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``elementary school'', 
     ``high school'', ``local educational agency'', and 
     ``secondary school'' have the meanings given those terms in 
     section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
         (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 8801).
         (3) Interagency working group.--The term ``Interagency 
     Working Group'' means the Interagency Working Group on 
     Workforce, Industry, and Infrastructure under the 
     Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National 
     Science and Technology Council.
         (4) Q2work program.--The term ``Q2Work Program'' means 
     the Q2Work Program supported by the National Science 
     Foundation.
         (5) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum 
     information science'' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 
     8801).
         (6) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics.

[[Page S1986]]

  


     SEC. 3. QUANTUM NETWORKING WORKING GROUP REPORT ON QUANTUM 
                   NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATIONS.

         (a) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Quantum Networking Working Group 
     within the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the 
     National Science and Technology Council shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing a plan 
     for the advancement of quantum networking and communications 
     technology in the United States.
         (b) Requirements.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
     include--
         (1) a framework for interagency collaboration on the 
     advancement of quantum networking and communications 
     research;
         (2) a plan for interagency collaboration on the 
     development and drafting of international standards for 
     quantum communications technology, including standards 
     relating to--
         (A) quantum cryptography and post-quantum classical 
     cryptography;
         (B) network security;
         (C) quantum network infrastructure;
         (D) transmission of quantum information through optical 
     fiber networks; and
         (E) any other technologies considered appropriate by the 
     Working Group;
         (3) a proposal for the protection of national security 
     interests relating to the advancement of quantum networking 
     and communications technology;
         (4) recommendations to Congress for legislative action 
     relating to the framework, plan, and proposal set forth 
     pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively; and
         (5) such other matters as the Working Group considers 
     necessary to advance the security of communications and 
     network infrastructure, remain at the forefront of scientific 
     discovery in the quantum information science domain, and 
     transition quantum information science research into the 
     emerging quantum technology economy.

     SEC. 4. QUANTUM NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH.

         (a) Research.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for 
     Standards and Technology shall carry out research to 
     facilitate the development and standardization of quantum 
     networking and communications technologies and applications, 
     including research on the following:
         (1) Quantum cryptography and post-quantum classical 
     cryptography.
         (2) Quantum repeater technology.
         (3) Quantum network traffic management.
         (4) Quantum transduction.
         (5) Long baseline entanglement and teleportation.
         (6) Such other technologies, processes, or applications 
     as the Under Secretary considers appropriate.
         (b) Implementation.--The Under Secretary shall carry out 
     the research required by subsection (a) through such 
     divisions, laboratories, offices and programs of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology as the Under Secretary 
     considers appropriate and actively engaged in activities 
     relating to quantum information science.
         (c) Development of Standards.--For quantum technologies 
     deemed by the Under Secretary to be at a readiness level 
     sufficient for standardization, the Under Secretary shall 
     provide technical review and assistance to such other Federal 
     agencies as the Under Secretary considers appropriate for the 
     development of quantum network infrastructure standards.
         (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
         (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Scientific and Technical Research and Services account 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to 
     carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2022 through 2026.
         (2) Supplement, not supplant.--The amounts authorized to 
     be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall supplement and not 
     supplant amounts already appropriated to the account 
     described in such paragraph.

     SEC. 5. ENERGY SCIENCES NETWORK.

         (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to in 
     this section as the ``Secretary'') shall supplement the 
     Energy Sciences Network User Facility (referred to in this 
     section as the ``Network'') with dedicated quantum network 
     infrastructure to advance development of quantum networking 
     and communications technology.
         (b) Purpose.--The purpose of subsection (a) is to utilize 
     the Network to advance a broad range of testing and research, 
     including relating to--
         (1) the establishment of stable, long-baseline quantum 
     entanglement and teleportation;
         (2) quantum repeater technologies for long-baseline 
     communication purposes;
         (3) quantum transduction;
         (4) the coexistence of quantum and classical information;
         (5) multiplexing, forward error correction, wavelength 
     routing algorithms, and other quantum networking 
     infrastructure; and
         (6) any other technologies or applications determined 
     necessary by the Secretary.
         (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal 
     years 2022 through 2026.

     SEC. 6. QUANTUM WORKFORCE EVALUATION AND ACCELERATION.

         (a) Identification of Gaps.--The National Science 
     Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National 
     Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a 
     study of ways to support the next generation of quantum 
     leaders.
         (b) Scope of Study.--In carrying out the study described 
     in subsection (a), the National Academies of Sciences, 
     Engineering, and Medicine shall identify--
         (1) education gaps, including foundational courses in 
     STEM and areas in need of standardization, in elementary 
     school, middle school, high school, and higher education 
     curricula, that need to be rectified in order to prepare 
     students to participate in the quantum workforce;
         (2) the skills and workforce needs of industry, 
     specifically identifying the cross-disciplinary academic 
     degrees or academic courses necessary--
         (A) to qualify students for multiple career pathways in 
     quantum information sciences and related fields;
         (B) to ensure the United States is competitive in the 
     field of quantum information science while preserving 
     national security; and
         (C) to support the development of quantum applications; 
     and
         (3) the resources and materials needed to train 
     elementary, middle, and high school educators to effectively 
     teach curricula relevant to the development of a quantum 
     workforce.
         (c) Reports.--
         (1) Executive summary.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies of 
     Science, Engineering, and Medicine shall prepare and submit 
     to the National Science Foundation, and programs or projects 
     funded by the National Science Foundation, an executive 
     summary of progress regarding the study conducted under 
     subsection (a) that outlines the findings of the Academies as 
     of such date.
         (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the National Academies of Science, 
     Engineering, and Medicine shall prepare and submit a report 
     containing the results of the study conducted under 
     subsection (a) to Congress, the National Science Foundation, 
     and programs or projects funded by the National Science 
     Foundation that are relevant to the acceleration of a quantum 
     workforce.

     SEC. 7. INCORPORATING QISE INTO STEM CURRICULUM.

         (a) In General.--The National Science Foundation shall, 
     through programs carried out or supported by the National 
     Science Foundation, prioritize the better integration of 
     quantum information science and engineering (referred to in 
     this section as ``QISE'') into the STEM curriculum for each 
     grade level from kindergarten through grade 12.
         (b) Requirements.--The curriculum integration under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
         (1) methods to conceptualize QISE for each grade level 
     from kindergarten through grade 12;
         (2) methods for strengthening foundational mathematics 
     and science curricula;
         (3) age-appropriate materials that apply the principles 
     of quantum information science in STEM fields;
         (4) recommendations for the standardization of key 
     concepts, definitions, and curriculum criteria across 
     government, academia, and industry; and
         (5) materials that specifically address the findings and 
     outcomes of the study conducted under section 6 and 
     strategies to account for the skills and workforce needs 
     identified through the study.
         (c) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the 
     National Science Foundation, including the STEM Education 
     Advisory Panel and the Advancing Informal STEM Learning 
     program and through the National Science Foundation's role in 
     the National Q-12 Education Partnership and the Q2Work 
     Program, shall coordinate with the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, EPSCoR eligible universities, and any 
     Federal agencies or working groups determined necessary by 
     the National Science Foundation.
         (d) Review.--In implementing this section, the National 
     Science Foundation shall review and provide necessary updates 
     to the related report entitled ``Key Concepts for Future QIS 
     Learners'' (May 2020).

     SEC. 8. QUANTUM EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM.

         (a) In General.--The National Science Foundation, through 
     the National Science Foundation's role in the National Q-12 
     Education Partnership and the Q2Work Program, and in 
     coordination with the Directorate for Education and Human 
     Resources, shall carry out a pilot program, to be known as 
     the ``Next Generation Quantum Leaders Pilot Program'', to 
     provide funding for the education and training of the next 
     generation of students in the fundamental principles of 
     quantum mechanics.
         (b) Requirements.--
         (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program 
     required by subsection (a), the National Science Foundation 
     shall--
         (A) publish a call for applications through the National 
     Q-12 Education Partnership website (or similar website) for 
     participation in the pilot program from elementary schools, 
     secondary schools, and State educational agencies;
         (B) coordinate with educational service agencies, 
     associations that support STEM educators or local educational 
     agencies, and partnerships through the Q-12 Education

[[Page S1987]]

     Partnership, to encourage elementary schools, secondary 
     schools, and State educational agencies to participate in the 
     program;
         (C) accept applications for a period of 5 months in 
     advance of the academic year in which the program shall 
     begin;
         (D) select elementary schools, secondary schools, and 
     State educational agencies to participate in the program, in 
     accordance with qualifications determined by the Interagency 
     Working Group, in coordination with the National Q-12 
     Education Partnership; and
         (E) in coordination with the National Q-12 Education 
     Partnership, identify qualifying advanced degree students, or 
     recent advanced degree graduates, with experience in the 
     field of quantum information science to provide feedback and 
     assistance to educators selected to participate in the pilot 
     program.
         (2) Prioritization.--In selecting program participants 
     under paragraph (1)(D), the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall give priority to elementary schools, 
     secondary schools, and local educational agencies located in 
     jurisdictions eligible to participate in the Established 
     Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (commonly known as 
     ``EPSCoR''), including Tribal and rural elementary, middle, 
     and high schools in such jurisdictions.
         (c) Consultation.--The National Science Foundation shall 
     carry out this section in consultation with the Interagency 
     Working Group.
         (d) Reporting.--
         (1) Report and selected participants.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 
     the National Science Foundation shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the educational institutions selected to 
     participate in the pilot program required under subsection 
     (a), specifying the percentage from nontraditional 
     geographies, including Tribal or rural school districts.
         (2) Report on implementation of curriculum.--Not later 
     than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit to 
     Congress a report on implementation of the curricula and 
     materials under the pilot program, including the feasibility 
     and advisability of expanding such pilot program to include 
     additional educational institutions beyond those originally 
     selected to participate in the pilot program.
         (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry 
     out this section.
         (f) Termination.--This section shall cease to have effect 
     on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
                                 ______