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House Bill 9628
118th Congress(2023-2024)
ACTIVATE Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Sep 17, 2024
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Introduced in House 
Sep 17, 2024
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Introduced in House(Sep 17, 2024)
Sep 17, 2024
Not Scanned for Linkage
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H. R. 9628 (Introduced-in-House)


118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9628


To direct the Secretary of Defense to collaborate with a federally funded research and development center to assess the biotechnology capabilities of adversaries of the United States, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 17, 2024

Mr. Khanna introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Defense to collaborate with a federally funded research and development center to assess the biotechnology capabilities of adversaries of the United States, 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 “Assessment of Critical Technologies in Adversarial Ventures and Emerging Threats Act” or the “ACTIVATE Act”.

SEC. 2. Authority for Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement for an assessment of biotechnology capabilities of adversaries of the United States.

(a) In general.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to conduct an assessment related to biotechnology and provide recommendations to the Secretary.

(b) Agreement elements.—Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the center shall agree to—

(1) conduct an assessment of—

(A) scientific topics related to biotechnology;

(B) scientific capabilities of potential adversaries of the United States, such as China, Iran, and the Russian Federation, related to biotechnology; and

(C) the current gaps and future scientific and technological needs for adversaries of the United States to be successful with respect to biotechnology capabilities; and

(2) develop recommendations with respect to useful indications of any advancement of such adversaries regarding such capabilities.

(c) Responsibilities of Secretary.—Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the Secretary shall agree to—

(1) appoint appropriate Department of Defense employees as liaisons to the center to support the timely conduct of the assessment described in subsection (b)(1);

(2) provide the center with access to materials relevant to the conduct of such assessment, consistent with the protection of sources and methods and other critically sensitive information; and

(3) ensure that appropriate members and staff of the center have the necessary clearances, obtained in an expedited manner, to conduct such assessment.

(d) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center under this section, not later than October 1, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology a report that includes the findings and recommendations of the center developed pursuant to the assessment described in subsection (b)(1).

(2) FORM OF REPORT.—The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

(3) TRANSMITTAL TO OTHER DEPARTMENT ENTITIES.—The Secretary shall transmit to relevant offices of the Department of Defense, including the offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and the Office of Net Assessment, a copy of the report under paragraph (1).