DPA Emerging Technology Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8053
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to update the structure and operations of the Defense Production Act Committee. It aims to improve coordination among federal agencies on activities authorized under the Act, with a focus on emerging technologies relevant to national defense.
Key Provisions
- Committee Meetings: Requires the Defense Production Act Committee to meet at least twice per year, plus additional times as needed by the chairperson.
- Subcommittee Authority: Grants the chairperson the power to create and convene additional subcommittees to enhance agency coordination on specific activities under the Act.
- Emerging Technology Subcommittee: Establishes a permanent Subcommittee on Emerging Technology within the Committee. This subcommittee must analyze:
- The effects (including benefits) of covered technologies on activities essential to national defense.
- Ways covered technologies can improve efficiencies, foster innovation, and address supply chain gaps within single industries, federal agencies, or across them.
- Covered Technology Definition: The subcommittee must define "covered technology," with consideration for fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics, biotechnology, cryptography and quantum computing, materials science, semiconductors, and space.
- Report Requirement: Directs the new subcommittee to submit a report to Congress within 18 months evaluating the benefits, drawbacks, and resource needs for establishing a strategic reserve of critical biomanufacturing inputs essential for national defense.
- Technical Correction: Fixes a minor citation error in the short title of the Defense Production Act of 1950.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Redesignates existing subsections in Section 722 of the Defense Production Act and inserts new provisions for meetings, subcommittee creation, and the Emerging Technology Subcommittee.
- Introduces a mandatory reporting obligation on biomanufacturing reserves, which did not previously exist under the Act.
- Adds a one-time correction to the Act's short title phrasing.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances interagency coordination on defense-related activities, particularly involving emerging technologies, which could affect agencies like the Department of Defense and others participating in the Defense Production Act Committee.
- Citizens and Industries: May indirectly influence domestic industries in technology sectors by promoting innovation and supply chain improvements, though no direct mandates on private entities are included.
- International Relations: No direct provisions address international matters, but the focus on emerging technologies could support broader national security efforts without explicit foreign policy changes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies involved in the Defense Production Act Committee.
- Congress, which receives the required report on biomanufacturing reserves.
- Industries and sectors related to covered technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, and space.
- Entities involved in national defense supply chains.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within existing congressional authority to amend defense-related statutes and does not introduce new constitutional questions or alter fundamental legal frameworks.
- It emphasizes administrative improvements to an existing committee without creating new regulatory powers or enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- DPA Emerging Technology Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (4 pages)