[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1197 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1197
To amend title 10, United States Code, to apply public-private talent
exchange programs in the Department of Defense to quantum information
sciences and technology research, to increase coordination across
agencies and emphasize opportunities in the Department for quantum
information sciences and technology research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 15, 2021
Ms. Hassan (for herself and Mr. Thune) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to apply public-private talent
exchange programs in the Department of Defense to quantum information
sciences and technology research, to increase coordination across
agencies and emphasize opportunities in the Department for quantum
information sciences and technology research, 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 for Universal Advancement in
Nationwide Technology Use and Modernization for National Security Act
of 2021'' or the ``QUANTUM for National Security Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCES AND
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH.
(a) Quantum Science and Technology Research as a Modernization
Priority.--Section 1102(b)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law
116-283) is amended by inserting ``, including quantum science and
technology research'' after ``modernization priorities of the
Department of Defense''.
(b) Establishment of Public-Private Exchange Programs.--In carrying
out section 1599g of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of
Defense shall seek to achieve, in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, the
establishment of public-private exchange programs, comparable to the
Air Force Education with Industry Program, each with up to 10 program
participants, focused on private sector entities working on quantum
information sciences and technology research applications.
(c) Establishment of Program Billet Office.--The Secretary shall
establish a public-private exchange program billet office to
temporarily hold billets for civilian employees who participate in
programs described in such section, to ensure that participating
Department of Defense offices are able to retain their staffing levels
during the period of participation.
SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND RESEARCH FOR
TRANSFORMATION (SMART) DEFENSE EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) Pilot Subprogram.--Section 2192a of title 10, United States
Code, as amended by section 242 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law
116-283), is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (h) as
subsections (c) through (i);
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsection:
``(b) Requirement for Pilot Subprogram.--(1) As a subprogram of the
program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall carry out
a pilot program to be known as the `National Security Pipeline Pilot
Program' (referred to in this section as the `Pilot Program') under
which the Secretary shall seek to enter into partnerships with
minority-serving institutions to diversify the participants in the
program under subsection (a).
``(2) Under the Pilot Program, the Secretary of Defense shall--
``(A) provide an appropriate amount of financial assistance
under subsection (c) to an eligible individual;
``(B) provide such financial assistance to recipients in
conjunction with summer internship opportunities or other
meaningful temporary appointments within the Department; and
``(C) periodically evaluate the success of recruiting
individuals for scholarships under this subsection and on
hiring and retaining those individuals in the public sector
workforce.
``(3)(A) Not later than the date that is three years after the date
of the enactment of the Quantum for Universal Advancement in Nationwide
Technology Use and Modernization for National Security Act of 2021, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense
committees a report on the Pilot Program.
``(B) The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the
following:
``(i) Identification of the following:
``(I) The number of students participating in the
Pilot Program as of the date of the report.
``(II) The fields of study pursued by such
students.
``(III) The minority-serving institutions at which
such students are enrolled.
``(ii) An evaluation of the success of the Pilot Program in
recruiting individuals for scholarships under this section and
hiring and retaining those individuals in the public sector
workforce.
``(4) After the date that is five years after the date of the
enactment of the Quantum for Universal Advancement in Nationwide
Technology Use and Modernization for National Security Act of 2021, the
Secretary shall terminate the Pilot Program or continue the Pilot
Program as the Secretary considers appropriate.'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1), as so redesignated--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection
(g)'' and inserting ``subsection (h)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``subsection
(c)'' and inserting ``subsection (d)''; and
(4) by amending subsection (i), as so redesignated, to read
as follows:
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `eligible individual' means an individual
who--
``(A) is pursuing an associate's degree,
undergraduate degree, or advanced degree; and
``(B) is--
``(i) a member of a group that is
underrepresented in the fields of science and
engineering, including women; or
``(ii) is enrolled in a degree-program at a
minority-serving institution.
``(2) The term `institution of higher education' has the
meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
``(3) The term `minority-serving institution' means an
institution of higher education that is eligible under section
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).''.
(b) Additional Modifications.--Such section 2192a is further
amended--
(1) in subsection (d), as redesignated by subsection
(a)(1), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(4) The Secretary shall, to the degree the Secretary considers
practicable and appropriate, allow a person receiving financial
assistance under this section to delay completion of the person's
service obligation under this section until the person has completed--
``(A) the terminal degree program of education that is
typically expected in the field the person is pursuing; or
``(B) a post-graduate fellowship at a non-Department
laboratory.
``(5) In employing participants during the period of obligated
service, the Secretary shall strive to ensure that participants are
compensated, to the extent practicable, at a rate that is comparable to
the rate of compensation for employment in a similar position in the
private sector.'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i), as
redesignated by subsection (a)(1), as subsections (f) through
(j), respectively;
(3) in subsection (h), as so redesignated--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary of
Defense shall''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(2)(A) The Secretary of Defense shall establish or designate an
organization within the Department of Defense which shall have primary
responsibility for building cohesion and collaboration across the
various scholarship and employment programs of the Department.
``(B) The organization described in subparagraph (A) shall have the
following duties--
``(i) establish an interconnected network and database
across the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
scholarship and employment programs of the Department,
including, at a minimum the SMART Defense Education Program,
the Defense Civilian Training Corps, the National Defense
Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, the Army AEOP
apprenticeship program, and the Consortium Research Fellows
Program;
``(ii) aid in matching scholarships to individuals pursuing
courses of study in in-demand skill areas; and
``(iii) build a network of program participants, past,
present, and future whom DOD departments can draw on to fill
skills gaps.
``(C) On an annual basis, the organization described in
subparagraph (A) shall publish, on a publicly accessible website of the
Department of Defense, an annual report on the workforce requirements
and expected future needs of the civilian workforce of the Department
of Defense.'';
(4) by redesignating subsection (j), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), as subsection (k); and
(5) by inserting after subsection (i), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following new subsection:
``(j) Special Rules.--(1) The Secretary shall strive, in each year
of the program under this section and to the greatest extent feasible,
to increase the number of applicants pursuing degrees in quantum
sciences or a related field of study.
``(2) The Secretary shall strive to ensure that, in each year of
the program under this section, at least one new graduate level
participant is studying in an advanced quantum research field.
``(3) The Secretary shall consider emerging technologies, such as
quantum computing and information sciences and artificial intelligence,
as skills and disciplines that are critical to the national security
functions of the Department of Defense.
``(4) The Secretary shall encourage increased participation in the
program under this section by students studying relevant cross-
disciplinary educational tracks that touch on more than one area of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
``(5) The Secretary shall treat optics, photonics, and quantum
information sciences as disciplines eligible for the program under this
section.''.
(c) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
Congress a report on participation and use of the program under section
2192a of title 10, United States Code, as amended by this subsection,
with a particular focus on levels of interest from students engaged in
studying quantum fields.
SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO AWARD
GRANTS TO SUPPORT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION.
Section 2036(g)(2) of title 10, United States Code, as added by
section 513 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283), is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (J) through (M) as
subparagraphs (K) through (N), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
``(J) quantum information sciences;''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FELLOWSHIPS IN QUANTUM INFORMATION
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 234 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note), as
amended by section 214 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283), is
further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new
subsection (f):
``(f) Fellowships.--
``(1) Program required.--In carrying out the program
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall, pursuant to
another provision of law or through another graduate and
postdoctoral fellowship program that was in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of the Quantum for Universal
Advancement in Nationwide Technology Use and Modernization for
National Security Act of 2021, such as the National Defense
Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program, carry out
a program of fellowships in quantum information science and
technology research and development for individuals who have
graduate or post-graduate degrees.
``(2) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall award fellowships
under the program required by paragraph (1) pursuant to
guidelines that the Secretary shall establish.
``(3) Reports.--Each recipient of a fellowship under the
program required by paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary
a report on the experience of the recipient coming from a
learning environment to a practical application of the
recipient's knowledge, in order to contribute to the overall
understanding of best practices in teaching and advising
students on courses of study in quantum information science and
technology research and development.
``(4) Equal access.--In carrying out the program required
by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall strive to ensure that
minority and economically disadvantaged students have equal
access to fellowships under such program.
``(5) Period.--A fellowship awarded under the program
required by paragraph (1) shall be for a period of not more
than three years.
``(6) Limitation.--Amounts made available to carry out the
program required by paragraph (1) may only be used for--
``(A) the award of fellowships under such program;
and
``(B) the administrative costs of carrying out such
program.''.
SEC. 6. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEFENSE QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Multidisciplinary Partnerships With Universities.--Section 234
of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note), as amended by
section 5, is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f), as added by section
5, the following new subsection (g):
``(g) Multidisciplinary Partnerships With Universities.--In
carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense
shall endeavor to develop partnerships with universities that are
focused on encouraging students to engage in multidisciplinary courses
of study.''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) funding research, development, and deployment of
quantum information sciences and quantum information science-
related technologies and systems is a priority; and
(2) it is especially critical that the United States
continue to prioritize such research, development, and
deployment in consideration of the significant investment made
by China in quantum information sciences.
(c) Comptroller General of the United States Assessment of
Program.--
(1) Assessment and briefing.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall--
(A) commence an assessment of the program carried
out under section 234 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note), as amended by
section 5 and this section, with consideration of the
report submitted under subsection (h) of such section
(as redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section);
and
(B) provide the congressional defense committees a
briefing on the preliminary findings of the Comptroller
General with respect to such program.
(2) Final report.--At a date agreed to by the Comptroller
General and the congressional defense committees at the
briefing provided pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), the Comptroller
General shall submit to the congressional defense committees a
final report with the findings of the Comptroller General with
respect to the assessment conducted under paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Congressional defense committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``congressional defense committees'' has
the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10,
United States Code.
SEC. 7. IMPROVEMENTS TO NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the execution of the National Defense Strategy is
critical to the functions of the Federal participants of the
National Quantum Initiative Program; and
(2) the success of the National Quantum Initiative Program
is necessary for the Department of Defense to carry out the
National Defense Strategy.
(b) Department of Defense Participation in National Quantum
Initiative Program.--
(1) In general.--The National Quantum Initiative Act
(Public Law 115-368; 15 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new title:
``TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE QUANTUM ACTIVITIES
``SEC. 501. DEFENSE QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
``The quantum information science and technology research and
development program carried out under section 234 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law
115-232; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note) shall be treated as part of the National
Quantum Initiative Program implemented under section 101(a) of this
Act.
``SEC. 502. COORDINATION.
``The Secretary of Energy, the Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, and the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall each coordinate with the Secretary of Defense in the
efforts of the Secretary of Defense to conduct basic research to
accelerate scientific breakthroughs in quantum information science and
technology.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents is section
1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
``TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE QUANTUM ACTIVITIES
``Sec. 501. Defense quantum information science and technology research
and development program.
``Sec. 502. Coordination.''.
(c) Assessment by Comptroller General of the United States of
National Quantum Initiative Program.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
(A) assess the National Quantum Initiative Program;
and
(B) submit to Congress a report on the findings of
the Comptroller General with respect to such
assessment.
(2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A)
shall cover the following:
(A) The effectiveness of the National Quantum
Initiative Program.
(B) Whether all of the programs, committees, and
centers required by the National Quantum Initiative Act
(15 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) have been established.
(C) Whether the agencies, programs, committees, and
centers described in subparagraph (B) are effectively
collaborating together and conducting joint activities
where appropriate.
(D) Identification of inefficiencies or
duplications across the various programs of the
National Quantum Initiative Program.
(d) Additional Improvements in Coordination.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of
Commerce acting through the Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, the Director of the National
Science Foundation, and the heads of other Federal agencies
participating in the National Quantum Initiative Program shall
coordinate with each other and the heads of other relevant
Federal agencies, including the Secretary of Defense, to carry
out the goals of the National Quantum Initiative Program.
(2) Subcommittee on the economic and security implications
of quantum science.--
(A) Establishment.--The President shall establish,
through the National Science and Technology Council,
the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security
Implications of Quantum Science (in this paragraph
referred to as the ``Subcommittee'').
(B) Membership.--
(i) Composition.--The Subcommittee shall be
composed of members as follows:
(I) One member appointed by the
Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.
(II) One member appointed by the
Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(III) One member appointed by the
Secretary of Energy.
(IV) One member appointed by the
Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(V) Three members appointed by the
Secretary of Defense, of whom--
(aa) one shall be a
representative of the Army;
(bb) one shall be a
representative of the Navy; and
(cc) one shall be a
representative of the Air
Force.
(VI) One member appointed by the
Director of the National Security
Agency.
(VII) One member appointed by the
Director of National Intelligence.
(VIII) One member appointed by the
Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(IX) Such other members as the
President considers appropriate.
(ii) Requirement.--Each member of the
Subcommittee shall be an employee of the
Federal Government.
(C) Chairpersons.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Director of
the National Security Agency shall jointly be
chairpersons of the Subcommittee.
(D) Duties.--The Subcommittee shall--
(i) coordinate with the National Science
and Technology Council and its subcommittees to
ensure that the economic and national security
implications of basic research and development
in quantum information science, along with
other related technologies, are reviewed and
planned for;
(ii) analyze economic and national security
risks arising from research and development in
such areas and make recommendations on how to
mitigate those risks; and
(iii) review new programs for national
security implications, when feasible, prior to
public announcement.
(E) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
chairpersons of the Subcommittee shall submit to
Congress a report on the findings and assessments of
the Subcommittee regarding economic and national
security risks resulting from quantum information
science and technology research.
(F) Termination.--The Subcommittee shall terminate
on the later of the following:
(i) The date that is five years after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(ii) Such date as the Subcommittee
determines appropriate.
(3) Involvement of defense in national quantum initiative
advisory committee.--
(A) Qualifications.--Subsection (b) of section 104
of the National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-
368; 15 U.S.C. 8814) is amended by striking ``and
Federal laboratories'' and inserting ``Federal
laboratories, and defense researchers''.
(B) Integration.--Such section is amended--
(i) by redesignating subsections (e)
through (g) as subsection (f) through (h),
respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subsection (d) the
following new subsection (e):
``(e) Integration of Department of Defense.--The Committee shall
take such actions as may be necessary, including by modifying policies
and procedures of the Committee, to ensure the full integration of the
Department of Defense in activities and programs of the Committee.''.
(4) Clarification of purpose of multidisciplinary centers
for quantum research and education.--Section 302(c) of the
National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368; 15 U.S.C.
8842(c)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) encouraging workforce collaboration, both with
private industry and among Federal entities, including national
defense agencies.''.
(5) Clarifications regarding national quantum information
science research centers.--
(A) Requirements.--Subsection (c) of section 402 of
the National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-
368; 15 U.S.C. 8852) is amended by inserting ``the
national defense agencies,'' after ``industry,''.
(B) Coordination.--Subsection (d) of such section
is amended--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3)
as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following new paragraph (2):
``(2) other research entities of the Federal Government,
including research entities in the Department of Defense;''.
(6) National quantum coordination office.--
(A) Collaboration when reporting to congress.--
Section 102 of the National Quantum Initiative Act
(Public Law 115-368; 15 U.S.C. 8812) is amended--
(i) by redesignating subsection (c) as
subsection (d); and
(ii) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following new subsection (c):
``(c) Collaboration When Reporting to Congress.--The Coordination
Office shall ensure that when participants in the National Quantum
Initiative Program prepare and submit reports to Congress that they do
so in collaboration with each other and all appropriate Federal
civilian, defense, and intelligence research entities.''.
(B) Adjustments.--The National Quantum Coordination
Office may make such additional adjustments as it deems
necessary to ensure full integration of the Department
of Defense into the National Quantum Initiative
Program.
(7) Reporting to additional committees of congress.--
Paragraph (2) of section 2 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 8801) is
amended to read as follows:
``(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
`appropriate committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, the Committee on Armed Services, and
the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the
Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives.''.
<all>