Results for

  • Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act

    S #4200 | Last Action: 10/1/2020
    Information TechnologyModernization Centers of Excellence Program Act This bill requires the General Service Administration (GSA) to establish an Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies. The bill lists program responsibilities, including to * modernize information technology used by an executive agency and how a customer interacts with the agency; * improve cooperation between commercial and executive agency information technology sectors; * encourage the adoption of commercial items; and * assist executive agencies, on a reimbursable basis, with planning and adoption of technology in focus areas designated by the GSA, which may include, among other things, artificial intelligence. The GSA, for each reimbursable agreement entered into, shall make specified information available on a public website within 30 days of the signing of the agreement and updated upon completion. This bill shall sunset seven years after its enactment.
  • Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act

    HR #5901 | Last Action: 9/30/2020
    Information TechnologyModernization Centers of Excellence Program Act This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish an Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies. The GSA shall (1) coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security in establishing the program to ensure that the technology, tools, and frameworks facilitated for executive agencies by the program provide sufficient cybersecurity and maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of federal information; and (2) report to Congress.
  • Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020

    S #4588 | Last Action: 9/16/2020
    Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020 This bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate a senior Office of Investment and Innovation employee as broadband and emerging information technology coordinator, and it establishes measures to aid the competitiveness and productivity of small businesses through broadband access and other emerging information technologies. The coordinator's responsibilities shall include (1) identifying best practices relating to broadband and emerging information technology that may help small businesses; and (2) coordinating SBA programs that assist small businesses in adopting, making innovations in, and using broadband and other information technologies. The SBA must also provide training to familiarize its employees with broadband and other emerging technologies. Further, the SBA must report on (1) its programs and activities relating to broadband and emerging information technologies, and (2) the impact of broadband and emerging information technology deployment on small businesses.
  • Computer Science for All Act of 2019

    HR #1485 | Last Action: 3/4/2019
    Computer Science for All Act of 2019 This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award grants to states, local educational agencies, and eligible tribal schools to serve as models for national replication of computer education expansion efforts. A grant recipient shall use the grant funds to * train teachers to teach computer science; * expand access to high-quality learning materials and online learning options; * create plans for expanding overall access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) classes; * utilize computer science as a catalyst for increased interest in STEAM more broadly; * reduce course equity gaps for all students; and * ensure additional support and resources. A grantee may also use grant funds to * build effective regional collaborations, * recruit and hire instructional personnel, * prepare for effectively sustaining project activities after the grant period ends, and * disseminate information about effective practices. At least semiannually, a grantee must report to ED on specified data related to the number of students served through program activities.
  • Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act of 2020

    HR #5685 | Last Action: 1/28/2020
    Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act of 2020 This bill extends through FY2029 the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Office of Science of the Department of Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The bill sets forth programs, projects, and activities, including those regarding federal research security, the science and technical workforce, basic energy sciences research and upgrades to certain facilities, computational materials and chemistry science, advanced scientific computing, high energy physics, biological systems science and environmental science, fusion energy sciences research, nuclear physics, carbon utilization research infrastructure, enhanced geothermal energy, quantum information science and technology research, cybersecurity research, artificial intelligence and data science, engineering biology research, next generation digital radar, Antarctic nongovernmental activities and environmental liability requirements, and federal government inventions. The OSTP shall * submit a comprehensive national science and technology strategy, and * complete a review of U.S. science and technology enterprise. The Office of Science shall continue to leverage U.S. participation in the Large Hadron Collider, prioritize international partnerships and investments in the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, and prioritize international collaboration that would provide U.S. researchers access to the most advanced accelerator facilities in the world. The Government Accountability Office shall evaluate NIST's Center for Neutron Research. The NSF shall contract the National Academy of Public Administration to study the organizational and management structure of the NSF.
  • Computing Opportunities to Vanquish Infectious Diseases Research Act of 2020

    HR #6599 | Last Action: 4/23/2020
    COVID Research Act of 2020 or the Computing Opportunities to Vanquish Infectious Diseases Research Act of 2020 This bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake specified actions related to forecasting emerging infectious diseases. The OSTP, acting through the National Science and Technology Council, must establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities concerning infectious disease prediction and forecasting. Among other tasks, the working group must identify challenges in predicting outbreaks and develop a strategic plan to address them. The bill also provides statutory authority for the Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The committee must provide expertise to the working group and otherwise facilitate science and policy discussions concerning emerging infectious diseases. The committee must issue public reports and brief Congress on its activities. In coordination with specified entities, DOE shall carry out, and report to Congress on, a competitive research program for the National Laboratories and others to leverage analytical tools and computational and networking capabilities to prevent and respond to emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). DOE must also establish the Emerging Infectious Diseases High Performance Computing Research Consortium to support the research program.
  • Energy Efficient Government Technology Act

    HR #1420 | Last Action: 10/23/2019
    Energy Efficient Government Technology Act This bill sets forth requirements with respect to increasing the energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. Specifically, this bill requires each federal agency to coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop an implementation strategy for the maintenance, purchase, and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies at or for federally owned and operated facilities. DOE must (1) maintain a data center energy practitioner program that leads to the certification of energy practitioners qualified to evaluate the energy usage and efficiency opportunities in federally owned and operated data centers; and (2) establish an open data initiative to make information about federal data center energy usage available and accessible in a manner that encourages data center innovation, optimization, and consolidation.
  • COVS Act

    HR #7566 | Last Action: 7/9/2020
    Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2020 or the COVS Act This bill allows federal agencies to directly transfer surplus computers and related technology to refurbishers for eventual distribution to schools, veterans, seniors, and other specified populations in need. The General Services Administration (GSA) may also transfer property it receives from other agencies to refurbishers for such purposes. Currently, the GSA operates the Computers for Learning Program, which distributes surplus computers and related technology from federal agencies to schools and educational nonprofits; the program does not allow property to be transferred directly to refurbishers.
  • Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act

    S #715 | Last Action: 9/10/2019
    Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act This bill addresses the productivity and energy efficiency of the manufacturing sector as well as the development of smart manufacturing technologies (certain advanced technologies in information, automation, monitoring, computation, sensing, modeling, and networking). The Department of Energy (DOE) must complete a national plan for smart manufacturing technology development and deployment to improve the productivity and energy efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing sector. DOE must revise the plan biennially to account for advancements in information and communication technology and manufacturing needs. DOE may make grants to states for supporting the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies. States must use those grants to (1) provide access to shared supercomputing facilities to small- and medium-sized manufacturers, (2) fund research and development of transformational manufacturing processes and materials technology that advance smart manufacturing, and (3) provide tools and training to aid the adoption of energy management systems and implement smart manufacturing technologies in the manufacturers' facilities. DOE must expand the scope of technologies covered by Industrial Assessment Centers to (1) include smart manufacturing technologies and practices, and (2) equip the centers' directors with the training and tools necessary to provide technical assistance in smart manufacturing technologies and practices. DOE must (1) study how it can increase access to existing high-performance computing resources in the National Laboratories, and (2) facilitate access to the laboratories by small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
  • Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act

    HR #1633 | Last Action: 3/7/2019
    Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act This bill addresses the productivity and energy efficiency of the manufacturing sector as well as the development of smart manufacturing technologies (certain advanced technologies in information, automation, monitoring, computation, sensing, modeling, and networking). The Department of Energy (DOE) must complete a national plan for smart manufacturing technology development and deployment to improve the productivity and energy efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing sector. DOE must revise the plan biennially to account for advancements in information and communication technology and manufacturing needs. DOE may make grants to states for supporting the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies. States must use those grants to (1) provide access to shared supercomputing facilities to small- and medium-sized manufacturers, (2) fund research and development of transformational manufacturing processes and materials technology that advance smart manufacturing, and (3) provide tools and training to aid the adoption of energy management systems and implement smart manufacturing technologies in the manufacturers' facilities. DOE must expand the scope of technologies covered by Industrial Assessment Centers to (1) include smart manufacturing technologies and practices, and (2) equip the centers' directors with the training and tools necessary to provide technical assistance in smart manufacturing technologies and practices. DOE must (1) study how it can increase access to existing high-performance computing resources in the National Laboratories, and (2) facilitate access to the laboratories by small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
  • A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to conduct an assessment of quantum computing technology to address problems associated with exposure to PFAS, and for other purposes.

    S #1534 | Last Action: 5/16/2019
    This bill requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to complete an assessment of quantum computing and how it may be used to address problems associated with exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs. PFASs are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.
  • Financial Technology Protection Act

    HR #56 | Last Action: 1/29/2019
    Financial Technology Protection Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. The bill establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force to Combat Terrorism and Illicit Financing, which must research terrorist and illicit use of new financial technologies and issue an annual report. The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information leading to the conviction of an individual involved with terrorist use of digital currencies. The bill establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation and Financial Intelligence Program to support the development of tools and programs to detect terrorist and illicit use of digital currencies.
  • QUEST Act of 2020

    HR #8303 | Last Action: 9/17/2020
    QUEST Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish and carry out a program (to be known as the Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology program or the QUEST program) to encourage and facilitate access to U.S. quantum computing hardware and quantum computing clouds for research purposes in order to (1) enhance the quantum research enterprise of the United States, (2) educate the future quantum computing workforce, and (3) accelerate the advancement of U.S. quantum computing capabilities.
  • 21st Century Assistive Technology Act

    S #1835 | Last Action: 6/13/2019
    21st Century Assistive Technology Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2024, modifies the funding allocations for, and makes administrative and other changes to certain grants and programs to increase access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities. These devices include any item, piece of equipment, or system that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids, or screen readers and computer software), and an assistive technology service is a service that directly assists an individual with a disability with selecting or using such devices, including by evaluating the individual's needs or expanding access to such devices and technology. Among other changes, the bill revises requirements for certain technical assistance to support grant recipients with data collection and other activities, increases requirements for collaboration between agencies that are implementing certain state grants for assistive technology and other state agencies that receive other sources of federal funding for this technology, and includes older adults more explicitly in the scope of particular programs.
  • Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2019

    HR #4368 | Last Action: 10/2/2019
    Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act of 2019 This bill establishes federal standards and procedures for the use of computational forensic software. (Computational forensic softwarerefers to software that relies on an automated or semiautomated computational process to process, analyze, or interpret evidence.) It also prohibits the use of trade secret protections to prevent criminal defendants from accessing evidence. First, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) must establish the Computational Forensic Algorithm Standards for the development and use of computational forensic software. These standards must, among other things, address requirements related to software testing and reporting to criminal defendants on the use and results of software in their cases. Further, NIST must establish the Computational Forensic Algorithm Testing Program. The testing program must, among other things, test individual software programs using NIST standards. Federal law enforcement agencies and related crime laboratories must comply with these NIST standards and testing requirements in their use of computational forensic software. In addition, criminal defendants must receive information resulting from analysis by computational forensic software, including access to the software for testing purposes. Evidence resulting from computational forensic software is only admissible in a criminal case if (1) the software was submitted to the NIST testing program, and (2) the software developers and users waive their legal claims against the defense for the purposes of the defense analyzing or testing such software. The bill also prohibits the use of trade secret protections when a criminal defendant would otherwise be entitled to obtain evidence.
  • Securing American Research From Cyber Theft Act

    HR #3611 | Last Action: 7/2/2019
    Securing American Research From Cyber Theft Act This bill establishes a pilot program and modifies a current program related to cybersecurity for federally supported research and data. The bill directs the Department of Defense to establish a pilot program to ensure the security of federally supported research data and to assist regional institutions of higher education and their researchers in complying with regulations regarding the safeguarding of sensitive information. The bill requires the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program to provide for improving the security, reliability, and resiliency of computing and networking systems used by higher education and other nonprofit research institutions for the processing, storage, and transmission of sensitive federally funded research and associated data.
  • Advancing Quantum Computing Act

    HR #6919 | Last Action: 5/19/2020
    Advancing Quantum Computing Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on the impact of quantum computing on U.S. businesses conducting interstate commerce. Such study shall involve, among other things, (1) listing industry sectors that develop and use quantum computing and public-private partnerships focused on promoting the adoption and use of quantum computing, (2) establishing a list of federal agencies asserting jurisdiction over such industry sectors and entities, and (3) assessing risks and trends in the marketplace and supply chain of quantum computing. Commerce must report to Congress the results of such study and any recommendations to promote the adoption of quantum computing.
  • Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019

    S #815 | Last Action: 3/14/2019
    Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019 This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. "Qualified access technology" is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2020 and terminates after five years.
  • Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019

    HR #2086 | Last Action: 4/4/2019
    Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019 This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. "Qualified access technology" is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2020 and terminates after five years.
  • Election Technology Research Act of 2020

    HR #4990 | Last Action: 9/16/2020
    Election Technology Research Act of 2020 This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other agencies to support research on voting systems. (Sec. 2) NIST, in collaboration with the NSF, must carry out research related to the security and integrity of voting systems. NIST shall make an award to an institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization to establish a Center of Excellence in Election Systems. (Sec. 3) The NSF, in collaboration with other agencies, shall award basic research grants to increase the understanding of cyber and other threats to voting systems and to inform the development of technologies, processes, and policies that contribute to more secure, fair, and accessible elections. The NSF shall award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations to establish at least one multidisciplinary center for elections systems research and education. (Sec. 4) NIST shall establish and make available common data format specifications for auditing, voter registration, and other elements of voting systems. (Sec. 5) The General Accountability Office must report on, among other things, the extent to which NIST's efforts to assist in the development of voluntary voting systems guidelines have resulted in market-ready standardized voting equipment and software.
  • Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020

    S #4224 | Last Action: 7/20/2020
    Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress an analysis of border security technology along the Southwest border. The report shall address the technology DHS needs to (1) prevent terrorists from entering the United States, (2) reduce cross-border criminal activity such as drug smuggling, and (3) facilitate legal trade flow. The report shall also address recent technological advancements and assess whether such advancements can help achieve these goals. DHS shall submit the report within a year of this bill's enactment and provide annual updates for five more years.
  • Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2019

    HR #247 | Last Action: 1/4/2019
    Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2019 This bill reorganizes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) information technology (IT) activities and establishes new IT reporting requirements. The bill renames (1) the Office of E-Government & Information Technology (E-Gov) as the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer (Federal CIO), and (2) the E-Government Fund as the Federal IT Fund. The office shall be headed by a Federal Chief Information Officer who shall report directly to the Director of OMB (currently, the head of E-Gov reports to the Deputy Director). There is established in the office a Federal Chief Information Security Officer. Agencies must report IT expenditures to the Federal CIO. The Federal CIO must publish timely, searchable, computer-readable data on agency IT expenditures, projects, and programs. The Federal CIO shall submit to Congress a proposal for consolidating IT across the federal government and increasing the use of shared services.
  • China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019

    HR #3532 | Last Action: 6/27/2019
    China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (3) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.
  • China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019

    S #1459 | Last Action: 5/14/2019
    China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are necessary to protect the U.S. economy from the drain of scarce materials by demand from China, (3) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (4) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.