SCALE Biology Act
Sponsored By: Representative McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Introduced
Summary
Would establish a federally coordinated biometrology laboratory program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to set measurement standards and data practices for engineering biology and biomanufacturing. It would fund research, technical standards, testing facilities, and coordination to support U.S. competitiveness, reliable biological data, and safe deployment of biotech across industries.
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- Industry and manufacturers: Would expand measurement infrastructure and interoperability standards, provide user access to NIST facilities, and authorize engineering biology foundries to help commercialization and scale-up.
- Researchers, universities, and trainees: Would fund comprehensive measurement research, support extramural projects, and back graduate and postgraduate training in biometrology.
- Federal agencies and safety planners: Would coordinate technical roadmaps across agencies, address biorisk, biosafety, and biosecurity, and require life cycle and sustainability assessments for engineered biology products.
*Would authorize appropriations of $55 million for FY2026, $60 million for FY2027, $70 million for FY2028, $78 million for FY2029, and $85 million for FY2030 to establish and operate the program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
NIST biometrology lab for biotechnology
This bill would direct NIST to create a Biometrology Laboratory program. The lab would fund research, make voluntary technical standards, offer facility access, and support training. The bill would add legal definitions for terms like bioeconomy and biomanufacturing. It would also repeal Section 10221 of a related law, ending that prior authority. All changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
CA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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