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September 25, 2024

Science Committee Passes Four Bipartisan Bills

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed four bipartisan bills addressing our nation’s energy, research, and technology needs.

“I’m pleased to pass another set of smart, responsible bills through the Committee today,” Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) said. “Our energy bills will help propel innovative work at the Department of Energy, including advancing artificial intelligence systems and developing small modular reactors. And our research and technology legislation will support our nation’s vital work on mitigating injuries and property damage from windstorms and update critical AI guidance at NIST. I appreciate the collaborative efforts of our members that will drive our nation’s advancements in science and technology.”

“Today’s markup was another great example of the bipartisan productivity of this Committee,” Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said. “With the passage of two bills that will expand and secure AI capabilities at DOE and NIST, we continue the Committee’s momentum of being the leader in the AI policy space in Congress. As we innovate, energy demands increase. Which is why Ms. Ross and Mr. Strong’s bill to advance small-scale nuclear reactor research to help provide low cost, low emission electricity where it’s needed most is so important. Extreme weather and climate-driven windstorms impact every corner of our nation. After a seven-year gap in authorization, we are finally reauthorizing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. This bill will improve the program with efforts to advance research on wind-driven fire - like those that caused the tragic Maui fire of 2023 - and study of the effects of climate change on windstorm behavior. I thank Chairman Lucas and all my colleagues for their leadership and hard work on their respective bills. The Committee continues to serve as a beacon of bipartisan progress in the House.”

Legislation Passed:

H.R. 9671, the Department of Energy Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 

Provides guidance for and investment in Department of Energy artificial intelligence research and development activities.

H.R. 9710, the Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Act of 2024 

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to support a program to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of small modular reactors and micro-reactors in order to accelerate the availability of United States-based technologies.

H.R. 9720, the AI Incident Reporting and Security Enhancement Act 

Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to update the national vulnerability database to reflect vulnerabilities to artificial intelligence systems and study the need for voluntary reporting related to artificial intelligence security and safety incidents.

H.R. 9723, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 

Reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), providing critical funding for the program to continue its research into how to mitigate the injuries and property damage caused by windstorms.