Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8930
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T20:24:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation establishes a requirement for the federal government to evaluate current and projected biotechnology workforce needs across multiple agencies. It aims to improve planning and capacity in biotechnology-related roles within the executive branch.
Key Provisions
- The Director of the Office of Personnel Management must coordinate with designated federal agencies to identify biotechnology positions and assess workforce requirements.
- The assessment must cover:
- Current and future (5-year and 10-year) staffing needs.
- Filled versus unfilled positions.
- Role descriptions, required qualifications, education, credentials, and security clearances.
- Total security clearances needed and funding gaps.
- Suitability of existing job classifications and potential for new occupational series.
- Challenges in workforce development and proposed solutions.
- Options for internal training, employee details between agencies, prequalified expert pools, and public-private talent exchanges.
- A report summarizing findings must be submitted to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform within 180 days of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This Act introduces a new, one-time statutory mandate for a comprehensive biotechnology workforce assessment. It does not amend or repeal prior statutes but adds specific reporting and coordination obligations on the Office of Personnel Management and the listed agencies.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Requires coordination and data sharing among 15 specified departments and agencies (such as Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, and others), potentially leading to improved workforce planning and resource allocation for biotechnology functions.
- Citizens: No direct effects on individuals; indirect benefits could arise from stronger federal biotechnology capabilities in areas like health, agriculture, and national security.
- International relations: Minimal direct impact; assessments may indirectly support agencies involved in trade, diplomacy, or intelligence related to biotechnology.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Office of Personnel Management and the heads of the 15 designated federal agencies.
- Congressional oversight committees.
- Current and prospective federal employees in biotechnology positions.
- External experts or organizations that might participate in talent exchanges or advisory roles.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress’s authority to oversee executive branch operations and does not raise apparent constitutional concerns. It emphasizes data collection and planning rather than regulatory mandates, with no new enforcement mechanisms or penalties specified.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (7 pages)