(Dec. 27th, 2021) President Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 117-81) act for FY 2022. The NDAA is a legislative vehicle for establishing policy and discretionary authorizations for the DOD, nuclear weapons programs of the DOE, and other defense-related activities (see NDAA primer). This year’s NDAA expanded the national quantum information science and technology (QIST) activities via five sections (Sec. 216, Sec. 229, Sec. 511, Sec. 1251, and Sec. 6606).
Sec. 6606 legislated the Subcommittee on Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science (ESIX) by amending the National Quantum Initiative Act and placing ESIX next to the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science (SCQIS). While the latter focuses primarily on accelerating and promoting QIST R&D efforts across the government, ESIX is generally charged with:
- Assessing the economic and security implications of U.S. investments in QIST;
- Providing appropriate policy recommendations to address those implications;
- Recommending goals, priorities, and investment strategies, along with controls and protections, in QIST that advance the economic and security interest of the United States, while addressing potential risks; and
- Ensuring federal investments in QIST R&D reflect an appropriate balance between scientific progress and the potential economic and security implications of such progress.
In line with balancing the scientific progress with potential economic and security implications, Sec. 229 covers activities to support the development of quantum technologies. This includes authorizing additional approaches to supporting the development and deployment of quantum technologies within the DOD. As well, as annual reports on DOD progress.
On workforce, Sec. 511 modifies an ongoing grant program for STEM education in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to include QIST.
Finally, the law authorizes additional funds to be spent on quantum computing and quantum networking, along with funding to augment quantum sensing, research, education, and training at HBCUs.
URL: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1605/text