NBACC Authorization Act of 2023

[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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