[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2791 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2791
To designate a laboratory as the National Biodefense Analysis and
Countermeasures Center, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 20, 2023
Mr. Trone introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate a laboratory as the National Biodefense Analysis and
Countermeasures Center, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Biodefense Analysis and
Countermeasures Center Authorization Act of 2023'' or the ``NBACC
Authorization Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS AND COUNTERMEASURES CENTER.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 324. NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS AND COUNTERMEASURES CENTER.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the laboratory
described in subsection (b) as an additional laboratory pursuant to the
authority under section 308(c)(2), which shall be the lead Federal
facility dedicated to defending the United States against biological
threats by--
``(1) understanding the risks posed by intentional,
accidental, and natural biological events; and
``(2) providing the operational capabilities to support the
investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and
bioterrorism.
``(b) Laboratory Described.--The laboratory described in this
subsection may be a federally funded research and development center--
``(1) known, as of the date of enactment of this section,
as the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center;
``(2) that may include--
``(A) the National Bioforensic Analysis Center,
which conducts technical analyses in support of Federal
law enforcement investigations; and
``(B) the National Biological Threat
Characterization Center, which conducts experiments and
studies to better understand biological vulnerabilities
and hazards; and
``(3) transferred to the Department pursuant to
subparagraphs (A), (D), and (F) of section 303(1) and section
303(2).
``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The National Biodefense Analysis and
Countermeasures Center shall--
``(1) conduct studies and experiments to better understand
current and future biological threats and hazards and
pandemics;
``(2) provide the scientific data required to assess
vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and determine
potential impacts to guide the development of countermeasures;
``(3) conduct and facilitate the technical forensic
analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following a
biological attack, or in other law enforcement investigations
requiring evaluation of biological materials, in support of the
appropriate lead Federal agency;
``(4) coordinate with other national laboratories to
enhance research capabilities, share lessons learned, and
provide training more efficiently;
``(5) collaborate with the Homeland Security Enterprise, as
defined in section 2200, to plan and conduct research to
address gaps and needs in biodefense; and
``(6) carry out other such activities as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(d) Work for Others.--The National Biodefense Analysis and
Countermeasures Center shall engage in a continuously operating Work
for Others program to make the unique biocontainment and bioforensic
capabilities of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures
Center available to other Federal agencies.
``(e) Facility Repair and Routine Equipment Replacement.--The
National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center shall--
``(1) perform regularly scheduled and required maintenance
of laboratory infrastructure; and
``(2) procure mission-critical equipment and capability
upgrades.
``(f) Facility Mission Needs Assessment.--
``(1) In general.--To address capacity concerns and
accommodate future mission needs and advanced capabilities, the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall conduct a
mission needs assessment, to include scoping for potential
future needs or expansion, of the National Biodefense Analysis
and Countermeasures Center.
``(2) Submission.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Under Secretary for Science
and Technology shall provide the assessment conducted under
paragraph (1) to--
``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Subcommittee on Homeland
Security Appropriations of the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to support the activities of
the laboratory designated under this section.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed as affecting in any manner the authorities or
responsibilities of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office
of the Department.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296;
116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 323 the following:
``Sec. 324. National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center.''.
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