Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (6 Aug 2021): Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
What this bill does
H.R. 4956, the Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021, would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a program to help U.S. small businesses participate in international organizations that develop voluntary technical standards. The SBA would award grants to these small businesses to cover the costs of their involvement, such as attending meetings and contributing expertise.
To receive a grant, a small business would need to show technical expertise in emerging technologies, commit staff with this expertise to participate in global standards bodies, and agree to help coordinate between the government and industry to protect national security interests as standards are set. Businesses would also need to submit a plan detailing how their participation relates to the proposed standards.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in August 2021 and referred to the Committee on Small Business. It has not advanced beyond its initial introduction. If enacted, the bill would authorize $1 million annually for the program.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program that supports the participation of U.S. small businesses in meetings and proceedings of standards development organizations to develop voluntary technical standards.
To carry out this program, the SBA must award grants to small businesses for the reasonable costs of participation in standards development organizations.
These grants may only be awarded to small businesses that (1) demonstrate technical expertise in key emerging technologies and technical standards (e.g., artificial intelligence), (2) commit personnel with such expertise to regular participation in global bodies responsible for developing standards for those technologies, (3) agree to coordinate between the public and private sectors to ensure protection of national security interests in the setting of global standards, and (4) provide a plan detailing the relationship between the above activities and the proposed standards to be adopted.
Timeline
6 Aug 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4956 do?
- H.R. 4956, the Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021, would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a program to help U.S. small businesses participate in international organizations that develop voluntary technical standards. The SBA would award grants to these small businesses to cover the costs of their involvement, such as attending meetings and contributing expertise. To receive a grant, a small business would need to show technical expertise in emerging technologies, commit staff with this expertise to participate in global standards bodies, and agree to help coordinate between the government and industry to protect national security interests as standards are set. Businesses would also need to submit a plan detailing how their participation relates to the proposed standards. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in August 2021 and referred to the Committee on Small Business. It has not advanced beyond its initial introduction. If enacted, the bill would authorize $1 million annually for the program.
- Has H.R. 4956 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4956. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4956?
- H.R. 4956 was sponsored by Rep. Franklin, C. Scott [R-FL-15] (R-FL), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4956?
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. (6 Aug 2021).
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