[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 126 (Thursday, August 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5778-S5780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Daines):
S. 4932. A bill to amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to
provide for a research, development, and demonstration program, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam 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. 4932
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 ``Department of Energy Quantum
Leadership Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 401 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8851) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out
a research, development, and demonstration program on quantum
information science, engineering, and technology.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, engineering, and
technology'' after ``science'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, engineering, and
technology'' after ``science'';
(C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) provide research experiences and training for
additional undergraduate and graduate students in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology, including
in the fields specified in paragraph (4);'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as
paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively;
(E) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) operate National Quantum Information Science Research
Centers under section 402 to accelerate and scale scientific
and technical breakthroughs in quantum information science,
engineering, and technology, and maintain state-of-the-art
infrastructure for quantum researchers and industry partners;
``(4) conduct cooperative research with industry, National
Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and other
research institutions to facilitate the development and
demonstration of quantum information science, engineering,
and technology priorities, as determined by the Secretary of
Energy, including in the fields of--
``(A) quantum information theory;
``(B) quantum physics;
``(C) quantum computational science, including hardware and
software, machine learning, and data science;
``(D) applied mathematics and algorithm development;
``(E) quantum communications and networking, including
hardware and software for quantum communications and
networking;
``(F) quantum sensing and detection;
``(G) materials science and engineering;
``(H) quantum modeling and simulation, including molecular
modeling;
``(I) near- and long-term application development, as
determined by the Secretary of Energy;
[[Page S5779]]
``(J) quantum chemistry;
``(K) quantum biology;
``(L) superconductive and high-performance
microelectronics; and
``(M) quantum security technologies;'';
(F) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)--
(i) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (J);
and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) the Office of Electricity;
``(G) the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and
Emergency Response;
``(H) the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management;
``(I) the Office of Technology Transitions; and''; and
(G) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by striking ``and'' before ``potential''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and other relevant stakeholders, as
determined by the Secretary of Energy'' before the period at
the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Industry Outreach.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall support the
quantum technology industry and promote commercialization of
applications of quantum technology relevant to the activities
of the Department of Energy by--
``(1) educating--
``(A) the energy industry on near-term and commercially
available quantum technologies; and
``(B) the quantum industry on potential energy
applications;
``(2) accelerating the advancements of United States
quantum computing, communications, networking, sensing, and
security capabilities to protect and optimize the energy
sector;
``(3) advancing relevant domestic supply chains,
manufacturing capabilities, and associated simulations or
modeling capabilities;
``(4) facilitating commercialization of quantum
technologies from National Laboratories and engaging with the
Quantum Economic Development Consortium and other
organizations, as applicable, to transition component
technologies that advance the development of a quantum supply
chain; and
``(5) to the extent practicable, ensuring industry partner
access, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses, to
specialized quantum instrumentation, equipment, testbeds, and
other infrastructure to design, prototype, and test novel
quantum hardware and streamline user access to reduce costs
and other administrative burdens.
``(d) High Performance Computing Strategic Plan.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall
submit to Congress a 10-year strategic plan to guide Federal
programs in designing, expanding, and procuring hybrid,
energy-efficient high-performance computing systems capable
of integrating with a diverse set of accelerators, including
quantum, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
accelerators, to enable the computing facilities of the
Department of Energy to advance national computing resources.
``(2) Contents.--The strategic plan under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
``(A) A conceptual plan to leverage capabilities and
infrastructure from the exascale computing program, as the
Secretary of Energy determines necessary.
``(B) A plan to minimize disruptions to the advanced
scientific computing workforce.
``(C) A consideration of a diversity of quantum computing
modalities.
``(D) A plan to integrate cloud access of commercially
available quantum hardware and software to complement on-
premises high performance computing systems and resources
consistent with the QUEST program established under section
404.
``(e) Early-stage Quantum High Performance Computing
Research and Development Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
an early-stage research and development program in quantum
high-performance computing--
``(A) to inform the 10-year strategic plan described in
subsection (d)(1); and
``(B) to build the necessary scientific computing workforce
to fulfill the objectives of that plan.
``(2) Activities.--The program established under paragraph
(1) shall--
``(A) support early-stage quantum supercomputing testbeds
and prototypes; and
``(B) connect early-stage quantum high performance
computing projects to the Centers funded under this Act.
``(3) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
(i)(1), the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to
carry out the activities under this subsection.
``(f) Supply Chain Study.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of
Energy shall conduct a study on quantum science, engineering,
and technology supply chain needs, including--
``(1) identifying hurdles to growth in the quantum industry
by leveraging the expertise of the Quantum Economic
Development Consortium; and
``(2) making recommendations on how to strengthen the
domestic supply of materials and technologies necessary for
the development of a robust manufacturing base and workforce.
``(g) Traineeship Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
a university-led traineeship program--
``(A) to address workforce development needs in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology; and
``(B) that will focus on supporting increased
participation, workforce development, and research
experiences for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate
students.
``(2) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
(i)(1), the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to
carry out the activities under this subsection.
``(h) Coordination of Activities.--In carrying out this
section, the Secretary of Energy shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, coordinate with the Director of the National
Science Foundation, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies to ensure
that programs and activities carried out under this section
complement and do not duplicate existing efforts across the
Federal government.
``(i) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--Of the funds authorized to be
appropriated to the Office of Science under section 303(j) of
the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (42
U.S.C. 18641(j)), there is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Energy not more than $175,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out activities
under this section.
``(2) Restrictions.--
``(A) Confucius institute.--None of the funds made
available under this subsection may be obligated to or
expended by an institution of higher education that maintains
a contract or other agreement with a Confucius Institute or
any successor of a Confucius Institute.
``(B) Foreign countries and entities of concern.--
``(i) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:
``(I) Foreign country of concern.--The term `foreign
country of concern' means--
``(aa) a covered nation (as defined in section 4872(d) of
title 10, United States Code); and
``(bb) any other country that the Secretary of Energy, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
State, and the Director of National Intelligence, determines
to be engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the national
security or foreign policy of the United States.
``(II) Foreign entity of concern.--The term `foreign entity
of concern' means a foreign entity that--
``(aa) is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by
the Secretary of State under section 219(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a));
``(bb) is included on the list of specially designated
nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury;
``(cc) is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the
jurisdiction or direction of a government of a foreign
country that is a covered nation (as defined in section
4872(d) of title 10, United States Code);
``(dd) is alleged by the Attorney General to have been
involved in activities for which a conviction was obtained
under--
``(AA) chapter 37 of title 18, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Espionage Act');
``(BB) section 951 or 1030 of title 18, United States Code;
``(CC) chapter 90 of title 18, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Economic Espionage Act of 1996');
``(DD) the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.);
``(EE) section 224, 225, 226, 227, or 236 of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2274, 2275, 2276, 2277, 2284);
``(FF) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C.
4801 et seq.); or
``(GG) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
``(ee) is determined by the Secretary of Energy, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director
of National Intelligence, to be engaged in unauthorized
conduct that is detrimental to the national security or
foreign policy of the United States.
``(ii) Restriction.--None of the funds made available under
this subsection may be obligated or expended to promote,
establish, or finance quantum research activities between a
United States entity and a foreign country of concern or a
foreign entity of concern.''.
SEC. 3. DOE QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND FOUNDRY PROGRAM.
The National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by inserting
after section 401 (15 U.S.C. 8851) the following:
``SEC. 401A. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND
FOUNDRY PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
an instrumentation and infrastructure program to carry out
the following:
``(1) Maintain United States leadership in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology.
``(2) Develop domestic quantum supply chains.
[[Page S5780]]
``(3) Provide resources for the broader scientific
community.
``(4) Support activities carried out under sections 401,
403, and 404.
``(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall--
``(1) develop, design, build, purchase, and commercialize
specialized equipment, laboratory infrastructure, and state-
of-the-art instrumentation to advance quantum engineering
research and the development of quantum component
technologies at a scale sufficient to meet the needs of the
scientific community and enable commercialization of quantum
technology;
``(2) leverage the capabilities of National Laboratories
and Nanoscale Science Research Centers, including facilities
and experts that research and develop novel quantum materials
and devices; and
``(3) consider the technologies and end-use applications
identified by the Quantum Economic Development Consortium as
having significant economic potential.
``(c) Quantum Foundries.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), and in coordination with institutions of
higher education and industry, the Secretary of Energy shall
support the development of quantum foundries focused on
meeting the device, hardware, software, and materials needs
of the scientific community and the quantum supply chain.
``(d) Funding.--Of amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Office of Science, the Secretary of Energy
shall use not more than $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2025 through 2029 to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH
CENTERS.
Section 402 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8852) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``basic''; and
(ii) by striking ``science and technology and to support
research conducted under section 401'' and inserting
``science, engineering, and technology, expand capacity for
the domestic quantum workforce, and support research
conducted under sections 401, 403, and 404''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``that may include 1
or more commercial entities'' after ``collaborations'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``and should be
inclusive of the variety of viable quantum technologies, as
appropriate'' before the period at the end;
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``basic''; and
(B) by inserting ``, engineering, and technology,
accelerating quantum workforce development,'' after
``science'';
(4) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) the Office of Technology Transitions; and'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Renewal.--Each Center established under this section
may be renewed for an additional period of 5 years following
a successful, merit-based review and approval by the
Director.''; and
(6) in subsection (f), in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and inserting
``$35,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2025
through 2029''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 403 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8853) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by inserting ``, including'' after ``networking''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) as applicable, leverage a diversity of modalities and
commercially available quantum hardware and software; and
``(7) develop education and training pathways related to
quantum network infrastructure investments, aligned with
existing programmatic investments by the Department of
Energy.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration;'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``ground-to-space
and'' before ``space-to-ground'';
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``photon-based'' and
inserting ``all applicable modalities of'';
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``, quantum
sensors,'' after ``quantum repeaters'';
(iv) in subparagraph (G)--
(I) by inserting ``data centers,'' after ``repeaters,'';
and
(II) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (H)--
(I) by striking ``the quantum technology stack'' and
inserting ``quantum technology modality stacks''; and
(II) by striking ``National Laboratories in'' and inserting
``National Laboratories such as''; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) development of quantum network and entanglement
distribution protocols or applications, including development
of network stack protocols and protocols enabling integration
with existing technologies or infrastructure; and
``(J) development of high-efficiency room-temperature
photon detectors for quantum photonic applications, including
quantum networking and communications;'';
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``basic''; and
(ii) by striking ``material'' and inserting ``materials'';
and
(D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``fundamental''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``basic research'' and
inserting ``research, development, and demonstration''.
SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM USER EXPANSION FOR
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
Section 404 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8854) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``and quantum computing clouds'' and inserting ``, software,
and cloud-based quantum computing'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to enable development of software and applications,
including estimation of resources needed to scale
applications; and
``(6) to develop near-term quantum applications to solve
public and private sector problems.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) enable users to develop algorithms, software tools,
simulators, and applications for quantum systems using cloud-
based quantum computers; and
``(7) partner with appropriate public- and private-sector
entities to develop training and education opportunities on
prototype and early-stage devices.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as
paragraphs (5) through (9), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;''; and
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
______