Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2582
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-21T04:58:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act" (H.R. 2582) aims to create a nonprofit organization, the Foundation for Standards and Metrology, to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is a federal agency that develops measurement science (the study of accurate measurements), technical standards (agreed-upon guidelines for products and processes), and related technologies. The foundation will foster partnerships to boost U.S. economic security, innovation, and competitiveness by accelerating research, standards development, and commercialization of new technologies.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Mission: The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, through the NIST Director, must create the Foundation as a nonprofit corporation. Its mission is to aid NIST in advancing measurement science and standards while promoting collaborations with researchers, universities, industry, nonprofits, and governments to speed up technology development and commercialization.
- Authorized Activities: The Foundation can:
- Engage in international efforts on measurements and standards.
- Fund studies, projects, and research on benchmarks (reference points for comparisons) and standards infrastructure across NIST's areas.
- Build partnerships with academia, industry, nonprofits, federally funded research centers, and state, tribal, or local governments.
- Improve NIST's research facilities for emerging technologies.
- Support turning government-funded research into marketable products.
- Run education and outreach programs.
- Provide direct aid to NIST associates (non-employee researchers or volunteers), such as fellowships, grants, training, health insurance, and safety support.
- Undertake other mission-related tasks.
- Governance Structure:
- Board of Directors: Composed of 11 appointed voting members (selected for diverse expertise in science, standards, education, and commercialization, with input from the National Academies) and non-voting ex officio members from NIST. No Department of Commerce employees can vote. The board sets bylaws, priorities, and oversees operations; members serve up to 5 years (staggered initially) without pay but with expense reimbursement.
- Executive Director: Appointed by the board to handle daily operations, including hiring, contracts, and asset management.
- Bylaws and Integrity: Must include policies on ethics, conflicts of interest (rules to avoid personal gain influencing decisions), donor restrictions, and transparency to prevent compromising government integrity.
- Funding and Operations:
- The Foundation is not a federal agency and can solicit private donations, grants, and property; it seeks tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3) (for charitable organizations).
- Annual federal transfers to the Foundation: $500,000 to $1,250,000 starting in fiscal year 2026, from NIST's budget.
- It can transfer funds back to NIST for research, subject to federal rules.
- Requires a strategic plan within one year (covering self-sustainability, objectives, transparency, and complementarity with NIST) and annual public reports on activities and finances.
- Audits by independent auditors; full access for government review. A 5-year evaluation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) assesses performance and suggests improvements.
- Limitations and Protections:
- No federal liability for the Foundation's debts or actions; it operates independently.
- Strict conflict-of-interest rules, including bans on involvement in decisions affecting personal or family financial interests.
- Policies for intellectual property (inventions or creations) ownership and licensing from Foundation activities.
- Exempt from federal advisory committee rules (which regulate outside advice to government).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (part of Public Law 117-167) by adding a new Section 10236. It introduces the Foundation as a dedicated nonprofit entity to support NIST, which previously relied more directly on federal funding and internal efforts for partnerships and commercialization. No prior equivalent foundation exists for NIST's standards and metrology work, marking a shift toward hybrid public-private collaboration models similar to those for other science agencies (e.g., foundations for NIH or NSF).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances NIST's capacity without expanding its federal workforce or budget; provides private funding streams to reduce reliance on appropriations. Could streamline commercialization of federal research, benefiting agencies like the Department of Commerce.
- On Citizens: Indirectly boosts economic growth through faster innovation in technologies (e.g., AI, quantum computing), potentially leading to new jobs and products. Education and outreach may increase public awareness of standards' role in safety and trade.
- On International Relations: Supports U.S. leadership in global standards and metrology, aiding trade negotiations and countering foreign competition (e.g., from China) by accelerating domestic tech development and international engagements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NIST and Federal Government: Primary beneficiary, gaining resources for mission expansion; oversees initial setup and receives transfers.
- Industry and Private Sector: Gains collaboration opportunities, faster commercialization, and input via board representation; potential donors or partners.
- Academia and Researchers: Universities and scientists benefit from grants, facilities, and fellowships; diverse board ensures broad input.
- Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Can partner on projects and provide funding; represented on the board.
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Involved in collaborations for regional innovation.
- General Public and Economy: Affected through enhanced U.S. competitiveness, job creation, and technology access.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a nonprofit with federal ties but clear separation (no federal control or liability), raising questions on oversight to prevent misuse of public missions for private gain. Tax-exempt status and donor policies aim to ensure compliance with IRS rules on charitable activities. Intellectual property provisions balance public benefit with incentives for private investment.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority to promote interstate trade and innovation; avoids entanglement by limiting Foundation influence over federal employees.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of economic competitiveness (introduced by representatives from both parties). Could spark debate on public-private boundaries, foreign influence risks (addressed via conflict rules), and long-term funding sustainability amid budget constraints. The 5-year GAO review provides accountability to Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (21 pages)