SCALE Biology Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
- Committees
- Science, Space, and Technology Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 21, 2026
Bottom line
The bill seeks to solidify U.S. leadership in the rapidly expanding bioeconomy by investing in foundational measurement science and standards at NIST.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new Biometrology Laboratory Program within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct essential measurement research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biotechnology. It aims to develop foundational technical standards, guidelines, and best practices, support basic and applied research, and provide user facilities to foster innovation, improve data reliability, and ensure the safe and secure development of biological technologies across various sectors.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that robust measurement science and standardized practices are absolutely critical for accelerating innovation, ensuring reliability, and scaling up biomanufacturing processes. They contend that these advancements are essential for sustained economic growth, national security, and maintaining America's competitive edge in the global bioeconomy, emphasizing that this investment will drive technological breakthroughs and create high-value jobs.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that while the bill's objectives are commendable, the proposed funding levels could be either insufficient to achieve the ambitious goals or excessive given other national priorities. Concerns could also be raised about potential duplication of efforts already underway in other federal agencies or the private sector, or about the scope of NIST's role in these emerging fields.
The bill is relatively concise and well-structured, allowing an informed reader to grasp its core provisions and implications within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 1
Short Title
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the 'Standards and Calibration for American Leadership in Engineering Biology Act' or the 'SCALE Biology Act,' providing a concise and descriptive name for legislative and public reference. This helps in easily identifying and referring to the legislation.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a clear and descriptive short title is crucial for effective communication of the bill's intent and importance to all stakeholders, from legislators to the public.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against short title provisions as they are standard legislative practice and do not alter substantive policy.
Tradeoffs
None, as this is a purely definitional and organizational provision.
Section 2(a)
NIST Research for Engineering Biology Standards
This provision amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to explicitly add a new duty for NIST: to perform research that facilitates and supports the development of voluntary, consensus-based technical standards, guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, biotechnology, and biometrology. This formally expands NIST's core mission to include these critical emerging fields.
Section 2(b) and new Section 36 of NIST Act
Establishment of NIST Biometrology Laboratory Program
This section establishes a new 'Biometrology Laboratory Program' within the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The program's core purposes are to conduct measurement research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biotechnology, with the overarching goals of enabling innovation, improving the accuracy and interoperability of biological data and materials, and supporting the safe, secure, and responsible development and application of biological technologies across various sectors to bolster economic and national security.
Section 36(c) of NIST Act (as added by Section 2(b))
Core Activities of the Biometrology Program
This provision outlines nine specific activities for the new program. These include supporting basic measurement science research (e.g., understanding DNA to cell function, measuring biomolecular components, developing biological data tools, conducting lifecycle assessments, and creating biorisk/biosafety/biosecurity standards), informing measurement infrastructure development, convening stakeholders for technical roadmaps, providing access to user facilities, establishing collaborative partnerships, supporting graduate research, defining common terminology, supporting extramural research, and identifying needs for technical standards to manage risks and commercialization.
Section 36(d) of NIST Act (as added by Section 2(b))
Support for Engineering Biology Foundries
This provision directs NIST, in collaboration with industry, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, to support the development of engineering biology related foundries. The primary objective is to enhance measurement assurance and make the engineering of living measurement systems more predictable, scalable, and routine, thereby accelerating the translation of research into practical applications.
Section 36(f) of NIST Act (as added by Section 2(b))
Interagency and Program Coordination
This mandates NIST to coordinate the biometrology program's activities with various federal departments and agencies, including the Executive Office of the President and the National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative. It also requires coordination with the Manufacturing USA Program to support U.S. leadership in biomanufacturing and with the Secretary of Energy and the Biomass Research and Development Board for efforts related to biomass feedstock utilization.
Section 36(i) of NIST Act (as added by Section 2(b))
Biometrology Program Implementation Plan
This provision requires the Director of NIST to submit a detailed implementation plan within the first fiscal year after the bill's enactment. The plan must specify how the Biometrology Laboratory Program will be established within NIST, including its relationship to existing labs like the Material Measurement Lab and Physical Measurement Lab, how its activities will be carried out, and how existing NIST infrastructure and expertise will be leveraged for international cooperation on voluntary consensus standards.
Section 36(j) of NIST Act (as added by Section 2(b))
Program Funding Authorizations
This section authorizes specific appropriations for the Biometrology Laboratory Program, totaling $348 million over five fiscal years: $55 million for FY2026, $60 million for FY2027, $70 million for FY2028, $78 million for FY2029, and $85 million for FY2030. These are authorizations, meaning Congress would still need to pass separate appropriations bills to provide the actual funding for the program.
Section 3
Repeal of Existing NIST Biomanufacturing Section and Definition Updates
This section repeals Section 10221 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18931), which previously established a NIST biomanufacturing program. Concurrently, it amends Section 10401 of the same Act to consolidate and update definitions related to the bioeconomy, biological data, biomanufacturing, biomass, biorisk, biosafety, biosecurity, biotechnology, and engineering biology, moving them to a more central and consistent location within the Act.
This section repeals Section 10221 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18931), which previously established a NIST biomanufacturing program. It also updates and consolidates definitions related to the bioeconomy, biological data, biomanufacturing, biomass, biorisk, biosafety, biosecurity, biotechnology, and engineering biology by moving them to a more central location (Section 10401) within the same Act.
Section 3
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for maintaining consistency across statutes and avoiding redundancy when establishing new, more comprehensive programs. The intent is to clean up and clarify the legal framework, not to obscure a controversial provision.
Case for: Proponents argue that these amendments are crucial for streamlining federal efforts in biomanufacturing and the broader bioeconomy. By repealing an older, potentially overlapping program and centralizing definitions, the bill ensures that the new Biometrology Laboratory Program operates under a clear and consistent statutory authority, which is vital for effective interagency coordination and policy implementation.
Case against: No specific case against these technical adjustments is typically raised. However, if the repealed program had unique or highly valued features not fully encompassed by the new Biometrology Laboratory Program, critics might argue that the repeal could lead to a loss of specific focus or capabilities, though the new program appears to be broader in scope.
Estimated impact: Streamlines the federal legal framework for NIST's role in biomanufacturing and the bioeconomy, affecting how NIST's mandate is statutorily defined and how related terms are consistently understood and applied across federal policy and research initiatives.