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119-s-5557119th CongressWALLET
SCALE Biology Act
Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a NIST-run Biometrology Laboratory Program to set standards and measurement tools for engineering biology and biomanufacturing. The bill would authorize the NIST Director to carry out research, convene partners, and develop voluntary, consensus technical standards, measurement infrastructure, and a public lexicon for biological data and materials.
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- Industry and manufacturers would get shared measurement infrastructure, foundries, and voluntary standards to make engineering biology more predictable, interoperable, and easier to commercialize.
- Researchers and colleges would gain access to user facilities and support for graduate and postgraduate training. The outreach rules emphasize participation from minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and public institutions with lower R&D funding.
- Federal programs and rules would be realigned. The bill would update definitions in the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act for terms like engineering biology, biomanufacturing, biorisk, and biosecurity, repeal one listed section, and require coordination with Manufacturing USA, the Department of Energy, and existing research security authorities.
The bill lists authorities and activities but does not specify funding amounts or phases.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal biology measurement research program
If enacted, the bill would direct the Secretary, through the NIST Director, to create a biometrology laboratory program for engineering biology and biomanufacturing. The program would fund measurement research, data standards, biosafety and biosecurity practices, lifecycle and sustainability studies, user facilities, industry partnerships, and workforce training. It would require NIST to coordinate with Manufacturing USA and, as appropriate, support biomass feedstock work with the Department of Energy. The NIST Director would post an implementation plan within 1 year and an implementation report within 3 years after enactment.
Repeal of a federal research authority
If enacted, the bill would repeal Section 10221 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act and remove its entry from that law’s table of contents. The text does not describe which programs, grants, or recipients rely on that authority, so specific effects are not specified.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov