To establish a Biotechnology Management Office in the Department of Defense and to provide support for the research and development of bioindustrial manufacturing processes, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6664
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-08T16:49:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, H.R. 6664, aims to create a dedicated office within the Department of Defense (DoD) to oversee biotechnology efforts and to authorize funding for research and development (R&D) of bioindustrial manufacturing processes. This supports the DoD's ability to develop, acquire, and maintain biotechnology capabilities for national defense purposes.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Biotechnology Management Office:
- Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Defense must appoint a senior official with biotechnology expertise to lead the office and serve as the DoD's primary biotechnology coordinator.
- Within 120 days, the office must be formally established under the Deputy Secretary of Defense, with input from the appointed official.
- The office's responsibilities include:
- Creating and maintaining a long-term roadmap for biotechnology research, development, acquisition, and maintenance.
- Updating DoD policies and guidelines for adopting biotechnology products.
- Coordinating biotechnology activities with other DoD elements, federal agencies, industry, academia, and international partners.
- Suggesting ways to simplify DoD's regulatory and procurement processes for biotechnology.
- Performing analyses on global biotechnology competition, assessments, and future trends to inform DoD leaders.
- Building public-private partnerships, including innovation hubs with state and local governments.
- Identifying gaps in biotechnology skills and training within the DoD workforce.
- Handling other tasks as directed by the Secretary.
- The office is temporary and will end on September 30, 2030 (known as a "sunset" provision).
- Within 30 days of appointing the senior official, the Secretary must brief congressional defense committees on the office's charter and initial one-year plans.
- Support for Bioindustrial Manufacturing R&D:
- Authorizes DoD to use funds allocated for research, development, testing, and evaluation to support bioindustrial manufacturing activities, including design and construction of related facilities or processes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 215 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (a law that previously outlined certain DoD biotechnology initiatives) by adding a new subsection on funding. This explicitly allows DoD R&D funds to cover bioindustrial manufacturing efforts, including construction, which may not have been clearly permitted before. It also reorganizes existing subsections for clarity.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances DoD's internal coordination and innovation in biotechnology, potentially improving defense technologies like advanced materials or medical countermeasures. It may increase collaboration with other federal agencies and require congressional oversight through briefings.
- On Citizens: Could indirectly benefit the public by fostering biotechnology advancements that spill over into civilian applications, such as improved manufacturing or workforce training programs, though the focus is defense-oriented.
- On International Relations: Promotes coordination with international partners on biotechnology, which could strengthen alliances in defense tech but also involves assessing global competition, potentially influencing U.S. strategic positioning.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense: Primary beneficiary, with new leadership, office, and funding to build biotechnology expertise.
- Congressional Defense Committees: Involved in oversight via required briefings and funding authorizations.
- Industry and Academia: Gain opportunities through partnerships, innovation ecosystems, and R&D funding for bioindustrial processes.
- DoD Workforce: Targeted for biotechnology training to address skill gaps.
- State and Local Governments: May participate in regional innovation partnerships.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The sunset clause limits the office to five years, allowing Congress to reassess its effectiveness without permanent commitment. Funding authorization aligns with existing DoD budget processes but expands allowable uses, potentially requiring future appropriations.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's power to authorize and fund military activities under Article I, Section 8, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Emphasizes U.S. leadership in biotechnology amid global competition (e.g., with China), which could appeal to national security hawks. The temporary nature and focus on public-private ties reflect bipartisan interest in innovation without long-term bureaucracy, though implementation depends on DoD priorities and budgets.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To establish a Biotechnology Management Office in the Department of Defense and to provide support for the research and development of bioindustrial manufacturing processes, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (4 pages)