Bill · S. 1235· Senate(119-S-1235)
Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/1/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Coons
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act," directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish the Foundation for Standards and Metrology. This Foundation will be a nonprofit corporation designed to support the Institute's mission in advancing measurement science, technical standards, and technology. The Foundation aims to increase collaboration between researchers, industry, and various government entities to accelerate the development of emerging technologies. It will be overseen by a Board of Directors and an Executive Director to manage daily operations. The bill also provides a mechanism for transferring specific amounts of funding to the Foundation each fiscal year.
Yes· 3 of 13
Is this likely to grow the economy?+5
The bill aims to enhance economic security and prosperity through advanced measurement science and technology commercialization.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+5
The bill creates a mechanism to expand and facilitate research through a new foundation.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The foundation supports collaboration with industry and the commercialization of emerging technologies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Advancing Economic Security: The Foundation's mission includes advancing measurement science and technical standards to enhance the economic security and prosperity of the United States (Section 2(a)).
-
Support for Researchers and Students: The Foundation can provide direct support to NIST associates through various means such as fellowships, grants, stipends, and professional development training (Section 2(a)).
-
Enhanced Collaboration: The Foundation is tasked with advancing collaboration between the Institute and various groups, including researchers, industry, and higher education institutions (Section 2(a)).
-
Infrastructure Improvement: The Foundation may support the expansion and improvement of research facilities and infrastructure to help develop emerging technologies (Section 2(a)).
-
Job and Research Support: The Foundation can support the commercialization of federally funded research (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Lack of Government Agency Status: The Foundation is explicitly not to be an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government (Section 2(a)), which means it operates outside the standard federal agency structure.
-
Financial Risk to the United States: The United States is not liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the Foundation, and its full faith and credit does not extend to the Foundation's obligations (Section 2(a)).
-
Potential for Conflicts of Interest: While the bill mandates the development of conflict of interest standards, it notes that individuals may participate in matters that could affect financial interests unless prohibited (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Increases Job Creation+3Improves Consumer Protection+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3Improves International Trade+3Improves International Alliances+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Students+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+4
- 4/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana