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Bill

HR 9326

To promote United States leadership in technical standards by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of State to take certain actions to encourage and enable United States participation in developing standards and specifications for artificial intelligence and other critical and emerging technologies, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Jay Obernolte and 1 co-sponsor

The bill directs NIST and the State Department to lead U.S. participation and influence in AI and emerging-tech standards domestically and internationally.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9326

Summary of HR 9326 (119th Congress)

Purpose and Intent

  • HR 9326 is designed to promote United States leadership in technical standards development. It directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of State to take actions intended to encourage and enable U.S. participation in creating standards and specifications for artificial intelligence (AI) and other critical and emerging technologies.

Key Provisions and Changes (Main Provisions)

  • Direct NIST and the Department of State to engage in efforts to bolster U.S. influence and leadership in international and domestic standards processes related to AI and other critical technologies.
  • Actions likely contemplated (in line with the bill’s aim) may include:
    • Coordinating federal participation in standards development organizations (SDOs) and international standard-setting bodies.
    • Developing and disseminating U.S. positions on AI-related standards, including safety, interoperability, ethics, and transparency considerations.
    • Identifying and promoting priority technology areas where standards work is essential to national interests.
    • Facilitating collaboration among government agencies, industry, academia, and other stakeholders to align U.S. standards strategy with national competitiveness and security objectives.
  • While the text provided does not list every clause, the bill’s core objective is to formalize and elevate the role of NIST and the State Department in leading and coordinating U.S. efforts in AI and emerging tech standards.

Who and What Would Be Affected

  • Federal agencies: Primarily NIST and the Department of State, with potential implications for other agencies involved in standards, cybersecurity, trade, and technology policy.
  • Standards processes: United States representation in national and international standards development organizations (e.g., ISO, IEC, IEEE standards committees, and other relevant SDOs).
  • Industry and researchers: Private sector entities, researchers, and trade associations engaged in AI and emerging tech development would be affected by U.S. standards positions and participation requirements.
  • International relations: The State Department’s involvement signals a cross-government approach to diplomacy around standards, potentially affecting how the U.S. negotiates and promotes standards abroad.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on June 15, 2026.
  • Next steps: Committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor consideration. If advanced, the bill could proceed to full House votes and then, depending on progression, to the Senate and conference negotiations.
  • Co-sponsors: Daniel Webster and Jay Obernolte, indicating bipartisan interest in U.S. leadership on standards for AI and emerging technologies.

Potential Impacts and Implications

  • Strategic leadership: A codified emphasis on U.S. leadership could strengthen national competitiveness in technology markets and influence global AI standards in directions aligned with U.S. safety, privacy, and interoperability priorities.
  • Coordination and clarity: Formal roles for NIST and the State Department may improve coordination of the U.S. standards stance across agencies and with international partners.
  • International diplomacy: By elevating the State Department’s role, the bill may frame standards development as a bilateral and multilateral diplomatic issue, potentially affecting negotiations on trade and technology governance.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and the information available from its introduction and referral. If final text includes additional sections (e.g., reporting requirements, funding authorizations, timelines, or specific implementation milestones), those details would refine the understanding of scope and impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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