Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021
Latest action (26 May 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 1849, the Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021, would direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish, within 180 days of enactment, a grant program supporting small businesses that participate in international standards-setting organizations. Grants would be competitive and merit-reviewed, covering reasonable costs—up to a specified ceiling—for employees to attend meetings, contribute technical expertise, propose new work items, or take on leadership roles such as convener or editor. Recipients would not be required to provide matching funds.
To qualify, a small business must be incorporated and headquartered in the United States, demonstrate deep technical expertise in emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence), commit staff to ongoing participation in relevant international bodies, and agree to help coordinate with the federal government to protect national security interests in standards-setting. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would assist in evaluating applicants' technical expertise. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2022 to fund the program.
The bill primarily affects small businesses with specialized technical capabilities, along with the SBA and NIST, which would administer and support the program. It was introduced by Senator Rob Portman, with Senator Michael Bennet as a cosponsor, on May 26, 2021, and referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. As of the latest available status, it has not received a committee vote or further action.
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 international bodies responsible for developing standards for those technologies, and (3) agree to coordinate between the public and private sectors to ensure protection of national security interests in the setting of international standards.
Common questions
- What does S. 1849 do?
- S. 1849, the Leadership in Global Tech Standards Act of 2021, would direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish, within 180 days of enactment, a grant program supporting small businesses that participate in international standards-setting organizations. Grants would be competitive and merit-reviewed, covering reasonable costs—up to a specified ceiling—for employees to attend meetings, contribute technical expertise, propose new work items, or take on leadership roles such as convener or editor. Recipients would not be required to provide matching funds. To qualify, a small business must be incorporated and headquartered in the United States, demonstrate deep technical expertise in emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence), commit staff to ongoing participation in relevant international bodies, and agree to help coordinate with the federal government to protect national security interests in standards-setting. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would assist in evaluating applicants' technical expertise. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2022 to fund the program. The bill primarily affects small businesses with specialized technical capabilities, along with the SBA and NIST, which would administer and support the program. It was introduced by Senator Rob Portman, with Senator Michael Bennet as a cosponsor, on May 26, 2021, and referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. As of the latest available status, it has not received a committee vote or further action.
- Has S. 1849 become law?
- Not yet. As of 26 May 2021, S. 1849 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1849?
- S. 1849 was sponsored by Sen. Robert “Rob” Portman [R-OH, 2011-2022] (Republican-OH), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 1849?
- Introduced (26 May 2021).
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