[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1746 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1746
To establish the Commission on American Quantum Information Science
Dominance, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 13, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Lujan) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on American Quantum Information Science
Dominance, 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 Leadership in Emerging
Applications and Policy Act of 2025'' or the ``Quantum LEAP Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. COMMISSION ON AMERICAN QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY DOMINANCE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is hereby established, as of the
date specified in paragraph (2), an independent commission in
the legislative branch of the Federal Government to examine and
make recommendations with respect to emerging quantum
information science as it pertains to current and future
missions and activities of the United States Government and the
private sector.
(2) Date of establishment.--The date of establishment
referred to in paragraph (1) is the date that is 30 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Designation.--The commission established by paragraph
(1) shall be known as the ``Commission on American Quantum
Information Science and Technology Dominance'' (in this section
referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 12
members appointed as follows:
(A) Two members appointed by the Chairman of the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate, 1 of whom is a Member of the Senate and 1
of whom is not.
(B) Two members appointed by the Ranking Member of
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, 1 of whom is a Member of the Senate and
1 of whom is not.
(C) Two members appointed by the Chairman of the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives, 1 of whom is a Member of the
House of Representatives and 1 of whom is not.
(D) Two members appointed by the Ranking Member of
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives, 1 of whom is a Member of the
House of Representatives and 1 of whom is not.
(E) One member appointed by the majority leader of
the Senate.
(F) One member appointed by the minority leader of
the Senate.
(G) One member appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(H) One member appointed by the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(2) Deadline for appointment.--Members shall be appointed
to the Commission under paragraph (1) not later than 45 days
after the Commission establishment date specified under
subsection (a)(2).
(3) Effect of lack of appointment by appointment date.--If
1 or more of the appointments under paragraph (1) is not made
by the appointment date specified in paragraph (2), the
authority to make such appointment or appointments shall
expire, and the number of members of the Commission shall be
reduced by the number equal to the number of appointments so
not made.
(4) Qualifications.--The members of the Commission who are
not members of Congress and who are appointed under paragraph
(1) shall be individuals from private civilian life who are
recognized experts and have relevant professional experience in
matters relating to--
(A) diverse modalities and applications of emerging
quantum information science and associated
technologies;
(B) use of emerging quantum information science and
associated technologies by national policy makers and
business leaders; or
(C) the implementation, funding, or oversight of
the national and economic security policies of the
United States.
(c) Chair and Vice Chair.--
(1) Chair.--The Chairman of the Committee on the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the House of Representatives shall jointly
designate 1 member of the Commission to serve as Chair of the
Commission.
(2) Vice chair.--The Ranking Member of the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives shall jointly
designate 1 member of the Commission to serve as Vice Chair of
the Commission.
(d) Period of Appointment and Vacancies.--Members of the Commission
shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the
Commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment was made.
(e) Review.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall carry out a review of
advances in emerging quantum information science and associated
technologies. In carrying out such review, the Commission shall
consider the methods, means, and investments necessary to
advance and secure the development of quantum information
science and associated technologies by the United States to
comprehensively address the national and economic security
needs of the United States.
(2) Coordination.--The Commission shall coordinate with
Federal agencies relevant to the National Quantum Strategy,
including the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy,
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
National Quantum Coordination Office within the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, the Department of Defense, and
the National Science Foundation.
(3) Scope.--In conducting the review required by paragraph
(1), the Commission shall consider the following:
(A) The global competitiveness of the United States
in quantum information science and associated
technologies, including matters relating to national
security, economic security, defense, domestic supply
chain, public-private partnerships, and investments.
(B) Means, methods, and investments for the United
States to maintain and protect a technological
advantage in quantum information science and associated
technologies relating to national security and defense.
(C) Developments and trends in international
cooperation and competitiveness, including foreign
investments in quantum information science and
associated technologies that are scientifically and
materially related to national security, economic
security, and defense.
(D) Means by which to foster greater emphasis and
investments in basic and advanced research to stimulate
government, industry, academic and combined initiatives
in quantum information science and associated
technologies.
(E) Means by which to foster greater emphasis and
investments in advanced development and test and
evaluation of quantum information science-enabled
capabilities to stimulate the growth of the United
States quantum information science commercial industry,
while also supporting and improving acquisition and
adoption of quantum information science and associated
technologies for national security purposes.
(F) Barriers to commercialization and recommended
mechanisms to accelerate technology transfer, Federal
procurement, and industry access to Federal testbeds.
(G) Workforce and education incentives and programs
to attract, recruit, and retain leading talent in
fields relevant to the development and sustainment of
quantum information science and associated
technologies.
(H) Means to establish international standards for
the use of quantum information science application.
(I) Means to establish data sharing capabilities
within and amongst government, industry, and academia
to foster collaboration and accelerate innovation,
while maintaining privacy and security for data as
required for national security, intellectual property,
and personal protection purposes.
(J) Consideration of the transformative potential
and rapidly-changing developments of quantum
information science and associated technologies and
appropriate mechanisms for managing such technology
related to national security, economic security, and
defense.
(K) Means by which to advance all quantum
information science and associated technologies and
modalities.
(L) Comparison of the near-term applications
development programs in the United States compared to
those of other countries.
(M) Any other matters the Commission deems
relevant.
(f) Commission Report and Recommendations.--
(1) Final report.--Not later than the date that is 2 years
after the Commission establishment date specified in subsection
(a)(2), the Commission shall submit to Congress and the
President a final report on the findings of the Commission and
such recommendations as the Commission may have for
administrative or legislative action.
(2) Interim report.--Not later than the date that is 1 year
after the Commission establishment date specified in subsection
(a)(2), the Commission shall submit to Congress and the
President an interim report on the status of the review being
carried out pursuant to subsection (e)(1), including a
discussion of any interim recommendations legislative or
administrative action the Commission may have.
(3) Form.--Each report submitted to Congress under this
subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may
include a classified annex.
(g) Government Cooperation.--
(1) Cooperation.--In carrying out its duties, the
Commission shall receive the full and timely cooperation of the
Secretary of Commerce and the heads of other Federal
departments and agencies in providing the Commission with
analysis, briefings, and other information necessary for the
fulfillment of its responsibilities.
(2) Liaison.--The Secretary of Commerce shall designate at
least 1 officer or employee of the Department of Commerce to
serve as a liaison officer between the Department and the
Commission.
(3) Detailees authorized.--The Secretary of Commerce and
the heads of other departments and agencies of the Federal
Government may provide, and the Commission may accept and
employ, personnel detailed from the Department of Commerce and
such other departments and agencies, without reimbursement.
(4) Facilitation.--
(A) Independent, nongovernment institute.--Not
later than the date that is 45 days after the
Commission establishment date specified in subsection
(a)(2), the Secretary of Commerce may make available to
the Commission the services of an independent,
nongovernmental institute described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, that
has recognized credentials and expertise in quantum
information science and associated technologies in
order to facilitate the Commission's discharge of its
duties under this section.
(B) Federally funded research and development
center.--On request of the Commission, the Secretary of
Commerce shall make available the services of a
federally funded research and development center that
is covered by a sponsoring agreement of the Department
of Commerce in order to enhance the Commission's
efforts to discharge its duties under this section.
(5) Expedition of security clearances.--The Office of
Senate Security and the Office of House Security shall ensure
the expedited processing of appropriate security clearances
under processes developed for the clearance of legislative
branch employees for any personnel appointed to the Commission
by their respective offices of the Senate and House of
Representatives and any personnel appointed by the Executive
Director appointed under subsection (h).
(6) Services.--
(A) Department of commerce services.--The Secretary
of Commerce may provide to the Commission, on a
nonreimbursable basis, such administrative services,
funds, staff, facilities, and other support services as
are necessary for the performance of the Commission's
duties under this section.
(B) Other agencies.--In addition to any support
provided under paragraph (1), the heads of other
Federal departments and agencies may provide to the
Commission such services, funds, facilities, staff, and
other support as the heads of such departments and
agencies determine advisable and as may be authorized
by law.
(h) Staff.--
(1) Status as federal employees.--Notwithstanding the
requirements of section 2105 of title 5, United States Code,
including the required supervision under subsection (a)(3) of
such section, any member of the Commission who is not a Member
of Congress shall be considered to be a Federal employee.
(2) Executive director.--The Commission shall appoint and
fix the rate of basic pay for an Executive Director in
accordance with section 3161(d) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Pay.--The Executive Director, with the approval of the
Commission, may appoint and fix the rate of basic pay for
additional personnel as staff of the Commission in accordance
with section 3161(d) of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Personal Services.--
(1) Authority to procure.--The Commission may--
(A) procure the services of experts or consultants
(or of organizations of experts or consultants) in
accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of title
5, United States Code; and
(B) pay in connection with such services travel
expenses of individuals, including transportation and
per diem in lieu of subsistence, while such individuals
are traveling from their homes or places of business to
duty stations.
(2) Maximum daily pay rates.--The daily rate paid an expert
or consultant procured pursuant to paragraph (1) may not exceed
the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code.
(j) Authority To Accept Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and
dispose of gifts or donations of services, goods, and property from
non-Federal entities for the purposes of aiding and facilitating the
work of the Commission. The authority in this subsection does not
extend to gifts of money. Gifts accepted under this authority shall be
documented, and conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of
interest shall be avoided. Subject to the authority in this section,
members of the Commission shall otherwise comply with rules set forth
by the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate and the Committee on
Ethics of the House of Representatives governing employees of the
Senate and House of Representatives.
(k) Legislative Advisory Committee.--The Commission shall operate
as a legislative advisory committee.
(l) Contracting Authority.--The Commission may acquire
administrative supplies and equipment for Commission use to the extent
funds are available.
(m) Use of Government Information.--The Commission may secure
directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government such
information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out its
duties. Upon such request of the chair of the Commission, the head of
such department or agency shall furnish such information to the
Commission.
(n) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States mail
in the same manner and under the same conditions as Federal departments
and agencies.
(o) Space for Use of Commission.--Not later than 30 days after the
establishment date of the Commission, the Administrator of General
Services, in consultation with the Commission, shall identify and make
available suitable excess space within the Federal space inventory to
house the operations of the Commission. If the Administrator is not
able to make such suitable excess space available within such 30-day
period, the Commission may lease space to the extent the funds are
available.
(p) Removal of Members.--A member may be removed from the
Commission for cause by the individual serving in the position
responsible for the original appointment of such member under
subsection (b)(1), provided that notice has first been provided to such
member of the cause for removal and voted and agreed upon by \3/4\ of
the members serving. A vacancy created by the removal of a member under
this subsection shall not affect the powers of the Commission, and
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was
made.
(q) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the date that
is 540 days after the date on which it submits the final report
required by subsection (f).
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