Promoting US Standards Leadership

Summary#

This bill directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), working with the Secretary of State, to increase U.S. participation in making technical standards for artificial intelligence and other critical and emerging technologies. Within 1 year, NIST and State must brief Congress on ongoing standards activities, key standards bodies, which standards affect federal agencies, and where holding standards meetings in the United States would help. The bill requires a reporting mechanism so federal agencies notify NIST and State about their participation in standards activities.

The bill also requires NIST, coordinated with State, to create an accessible web portal listing international standards efforts and how to access standards and participation opportunities. NIST may partner with nongovernmental organizations to run the portal.

The bill establishes a pilot grant program, starting not later than 180 days after enactment if funds are available. Grants will help eligible organizations host standards meetings in the United States. Eligible entities are organizations developing standards that affect one or more federal agencies or entities that host those organizations. Grants may pay up to 50% of anticipated meeting costs and not more than a maximum amount set by the Director. The pilot program lasts up to 5 years. NIST and State must brief Congress in the third year and each subsequent year about the pilot, including grant recipients, attendee geography, and how grant money was spent. If feasible, within 2 years the Director must recommend whether to make the program permanent.

What it means for you#

• For industry and standards groups: The bill creates a web portal to find international standards activities and may provide grants to host meetings in the United States.
• For federal agencies: Agencies must report their participation in standards activities to NIST and State using a joint reporting mechanism.
• For meeting hosts: Eligible hosts can apply for grants to cover planning, venue, and other reasonable meeting costs, up to the program limits.
• For the public: The bill aims to increase U.S. involvement in international standards work for AI and related technologies, but specific outcomes depend on future briefings and grant awards.

Expenses#

• The bill authorizes $5,000,000 to carry out the pilot program for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
• Pilot grants may cover no more than 50% of anticipated meeting costs and no more than a maximum amount set by the Director.
• The pilot program and other activities are subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
• No publicly available information on any additional estimated costs or official budget estimates beyond the $5,000,000 authorization.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text states its purpose is to promote U.S. leadership in technical standards and to encourage and enable U.S. participation in developing standards and specifications for artificial intelligence and other critical and emerging technologies. Proponents, based on the bill language, would say the briefings, portal, and pilot grants will help industry and federal agencies find and join international standards work and help host important meetings in the United States.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.