[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1161 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1161
To promote focused research and innovation in quantum communications
and quantum network infrastructure to bolster internet security, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 15, 2021
Mr. Thune (for himself and Ms. Hassan) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote focused research and innovation in quantum communications
and quantum network infrastructure to bolster internet security, and
for other purposes.
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.
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 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.
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