United StatesNIST would support measurement research for biology-based products and technologies
The National Institute of Standards and Technology would run a research program to help scientists and manufacturers measure biological materials and processes more reliably.
What it does
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would research better ways to measure biological materials and processes and support voluntary technical standards for researchers and manufacturers.
Congress would authorize $348 million for the program across fiscal years 2026–2030. This would allow funding, but separate spending legislation would still need to provide the money.
NIST would protect sensitive program information and publicly explain its plans and progress. An implementation plan and a later report would also go to Congress.
Argument forShared measurement tools and voluntary standards could help researchers and manufacturers compare biological results and make their work more reliable.
Argument againstSecurity controls could limit researchers’ access to sensitive information, even when shared facilities would otherwise support their work.
More detail
NIST would run a program to improve how researchers measure biological materials and processes. The program would cover engineering living systems, using biology to make products, and other biological technologies. Technical standards supported by the research would be voluntary and developed through agreement among participants.
Congress would authorize $348 million for the program. The money would support NIST’s biological measurement research program. The authorization would allow funding but would not itself provide the money. The authorization covers fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
NIST would protect sensitive information and publish a program plan and progress report. NIST would send the plan and report to the named congressional committees and post them publicly. Security controls would apply as appropriate to protect sensitive information. The plan would be due by the end of the first fiscal year after enactment. The implementation report would be due within three years after enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldLatest
- Jul 21Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- May 21Introduced in House
- May 21Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.Introduced
Technology