▶ 0:13:34Good morning. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will now come to Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time pursuant to committee rule 2F. The House rule 11 recorded votes may be postponed.
▶ 0:13:54Today we are considering HR 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, HR 8437, the Geo Power Act, HR 9326, the USA Act, and finally HR 8981, the Scale Biology Act. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning.
▶ 0:14:24Today's markup highlights the breadth of this committee's work. The four bipartisan bills before us strengthen our research enterprise, improve public safety, support domestic energy development, and reinforce American leadership in critical and emerging technologies. From the science that protects our communities from natural disasters to the energy resources that will power the next generation and the technology shaping our economic future.
▶ 0:14:53These measures demonstrate what can be achieved when Congress works alongside innovators, researchers, and stakeholders to put America first. We often think of American leadership in terms of the technologies making the big headlines such as artificial intelligence and and advanced manufacturing. But true leadership is built on more than just breakthrough technologies.
▶ 0:15:20It also depends on quieter foundational work, showing up at the table when international standards are written, maintaining the scientific programs that protect our communities from catastrophe, and investing in the energy resources that will power our economy for decades to come. The first bill is HR 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. That's a mouthful. Which strengthens our nation's earthquake preparedness.
▶ 0:15:51Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural disasters facing our nation. According to a USGS FEMA report, earthquakes caused nearly 15 billion dollars in damages in 2023. This bill reauthorizes a program that has protected American lives for nearly five decades while modernizing our earthquake early warning system and enhancing coordination across federal, state, and our local partners.
▶ 0:16:21Next, we have HR 8437, the Geo Power Act, which helps expand next generation geothermal energy in the United States. This legislation establishes a milestone-based demonstration program that will ensure taxpayer dollars are being invested in projects that show measurable progress. Additionally, it authorizes DOE to use innovative financing mechanisms to support promising projects that may not otherwise move forward.
▶ 0:16:52Advancing next generation geothermal will strengthen America's energy independence and diversify our domestic power supply. This morning, we will also consider HR 9326, the USA Act, which ensures that American industry and federal agencies have the tools and the support that they need to participate meaningfully in international bodies that set technical standards for AI and other rapidly growing technologies.
▶ 0:17:20According to the US China Business Council citing French Association for Standardization data, the number of Chinese held secretariat positions within the International Organi Organization for Standardization increased 58% between 2011 and 2021 while American held positions have remained flat. If we are not in the room, others will write the rules that shape the future of these technologies.
▶ 0:17:50And finally, we have HR 8981, the scale biology act, which expands upon the important work that NIST is already doing in the areas of biometrology, biomass, and biio manufacturing by formalizing a laboratory program at the agency. And like so many advanced technical fields, engineering biology is an area where we we are in a global race with China and other nations.
▶ 0:18:19and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation. Overall, these bills embody the consistent focus of this committee, reducing risk, expanding opportunity, and keeping America prepared for whatever comes next. Whether it is a fault line beneath our feet, the energy demands of a growing economy or competition from overseas, these measures help ensure that America is ready to lead.
▶ 0:18:47I'm pleased to bring this legislation before the committee today and welcome thoughtful amendments as we work together to ensure that these bills are as strong and effective as po as possible. And now I'd like to recognize the ranking member for five minutes who is from a state that definitely knows what earthquakes are. So you're
▶ 0:19:08thank you Mr. Chairman for holding the mark of today. It is a busy day on the Hill today and so I'm hoping we can move through these bills and amendments uh expeditiously. As always, I remind members that a concise advocacy can be just as persuasive as a lengthy Um the first bill on the roster is of course the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction uh Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. You're right, a mouthful.
▶ 0:19:37Uh earthquakes are in fact an unfortunate fact of life and beyond. Uh earlier this year, researchers at the University of Hawaii reported the San Hasinto and San Andreas falls are at their highest stress level in 1,000 years. That's a wakeup call for us.
▶ 0:19:57uh we can prepare and minimize loss of life and infrastructure by implementing the best possible building codes, warning systems and postearquake responses. Now, this committee has a role in making that possible. The last time we reauthorized uh the program was in the 115th Congress. It expired in 2023.
▶ 0:20:20It's worth noting that uh our colleague uh Senator Padilla authored a bill which uh had uh reauthorization months ago. Um it has been sitting at the desk in uh at the clerk's desk since uh early this year. It could have been signed into law by now. Um but here we are.
▶ 0:20:46Uh the ANS we're considering today adopts most of the language included in the Senate version with a few additional improvements. Uh the legislation will go a long way uh to protecting both life and property in all areas of the country at risk from earthquakes and I support the bill and the amendment made to it and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.
▶ 0:21:09Uh, the GEO Power Act continues this committee's tradition of developing good bipartisan energy legislation aimed at diversifying our clean energy sources and tackling the climate crisis. Yesterday, the House passed the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act in an overwhelming bipartisan vote.
▶ 0:21:29Before us today is an important bill that authorizes the next step from what just passed the House by enabling the scale up of promising new geothermal technologies into commercially viable solutions. I I want to thank my colleagues uh Representative Beg and Selenus for their leadership on this bill. Next is the Utilize Standards for All Act. This legislation would address some of the many challenges facing US leadership in international standardization activities.
▶ 0:22:00It aims to foster greater US participation in international standards development bodies and to encourage those organizations to conduct their meetings in the United States. Now, while this bill is a good first step, we have to remain focused on breaking down really one of the biggest barriers to US-based standard meetings, which is our own government imposed limitations on visas for foreign technical experts to enter the US to attend these forums.
▶ 0:22:29We also need to ensure we fund these efforts with appropriations. I support my colleague, Representative Webster's bill, and I hope we can continue to work together to address the full range of challenges to continue US leadership in international standard setting. The last bill on the roster is Representative Mlan Delane's scale biology uh act. Several weeks ago, a team of scientists led by Dr.
▶ 0:22:55Kate Adamola at the University of Minnesota reported that they had successfully synthesized a cell for the very first time in history. Uh it's worth noting that uh Dr. Drew and Endy who was been a witness at this committee uh at Stanford's bio engineering center was a participant in that project.
▶ 0:23:18It's a dazzling feat that demonstrates the US's burgeoning capability in new forms of biotechnology and I personally believe it's going to be in competition for Nobel Prize. The best way to build on this momentous innovation is to elevate our ability to measure the biological inputs that made this possible in the first place and ensure we can pursue this innovation responsibly, safely, and securely.
▶ 0:23:45The scale biology act does all of this and reinforces US leadership in engineering, biology, and biio manufacturing. I'm very proud of my Democratic colleagues hard work and commitment to this issue and to the work at NIST and would note that she um uh the gentle lady from Maryland has convened experts uh to advise the committee on this and has been a real leader uh in this effort and I want to thank her for not just this bill but the leadership she sown in this
▶ 0:24:15area. And with that said, Mr. Chairman, I'm excited to get started on today's markup and yield back the balance of my Gentle Woman yields. Uh, other members are invited to submit opening statements into the record. And now, pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. The clerk will report the bill.
▶ 0:24:41HR 3168 to reauthorize the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of 1977 and for other purposes. Without objection, this bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill?
▶ 0:25:00Mlan, the gentleoman from Maryland, Mlan Delaney, you're recognized. Uh uh today we'll be considering my bill HR 8981 the standards and calibration for American leadership in engineering biology or scale act. I'm proud to have partnered on this legislation with ranking member Lafrren uh congressman Abernote and delegate Mulan to help unlock the promises of biotechnology as it grows and expands across many industries.
▶ 0:25:31As my colleagues certainly know, I'm proud to represent Maryland sixth district um home to the Gaithersburg campus of NIS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and NIS experts, researchers and scientists are already advancing biotechnology through a number of existing efforts housed in the physical measurement lab or its material measurement lab. It is vital that we make the development of standards and measurements for biotechnology an important statutory mission of the institute.
▶ 0:25:58It also reflects the recommendations of the national security commission of emerging biotechnology and the US China and security review commission to ensure the US isn't only participating but leading the global bioeconomy. I look forward to making a full statement when it's called up for consideration and I yield back my time. Thank you.
▶ 0:26:16Is there further Is there further discussion on the bill?
▶ 0:26:22Hearing none. And if there's no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the chair. The clerk shall report Babin AS please.
▶ 0:26:40Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3168 offered by Mr. Babin of
▶ 0:26:45without objection. The amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. And I now recognize myself for five minutes to explain the The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3168 amends the underlying bill to include the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program or NERP.
▶ 0:27:15In addition, it makes technical and conforming changes to the program. In 2023, a joint FEMA and USGS study found that earthquakes cost the nation approximately 14.7 billion each year in building damage and associated costs, not including the emotional toll of experiencing this type of disaster. While my home state of Texas doesn't have very many earthquakes, we do suffer our fair share of natural disasters.
▶ 0:27:45And having been through a number of hurricanes, I'm a veteran of hurricanes. Believe me, I know firsthand the important role that science plays in providing real time monitoring, prediction, alerts, and engineering advances, including stronger building materials to help keep Americans safe from disasters.
▶ 0:28:08HR 3168 as introduced authorizes the program at the US Geological Survey and the House Natural Resources Committee has done their job by reporting legislation to reauthorize that portion of the program. This amendment ensures that the program is reauthorized at the other three participating agencies NSF, NI, NIST, and FEMA so that their essential work under NERP can continue.
▶ 0:28:36I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to y and I yield back. Is there further discussion on this
▶ 0:28:46Uh Mr. Begage of Alaska is first and then you will be next there.
▶ 0:28:50Thank you, Mr. Chair. HR 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, speaks directly to something Alaskans live with every day. Alaska is the most earthquakerprone state in the country, seeing a magnitude 7.0 almost every year and a magnitude 8.0 roughly every 13 years. For us, that's just the reality of living in Alaska.
▶ 0:29:18NIHP brings together USGS, FEMA, NIST, and the National Science Foundation so that monitoring, mapping, engineering, research, and building codes function as one system rather than separate efforts. For Alaska, that coordination has shown results.
▶ 0:29:34USGS's advanced national seismic system let us detect and respond to the 2021 magnitude 8.2 2 earthquake near Pville, the largest earthquake ever recorded with an advanced national seismic system regional network. This bill locks in the funding to finish that system with at least $30 million a year dedicated to it through fiscal year 2030.
▶ 0:29:56The bill also pushes shake alert expansion forward and requires coordination with the FCC so earthquake alerts reach people quickly. rural Alaska, those seconds of warning, and that clarity can mean the difference between people reaching safety and not. Current law speaks to federal, state, and local coordination. This bill brings tribal governments into that structure directly, adding them to the advisory committee to USGS's coordination responsibilities and to early warning system planning.
▶ 0:30:26This program also protects the infrastructure our economy depends on, pipelines, ports, fisheries, aviation, and military installations in Alaska. A major earthquake in Alaska could disrupt energy supply and defense capability that the entire nation relies on. Mr. Chairman, this bill funds hard science, keeps Alaskans safer, and brings tribal governments to the table as partners in earthquake preparedness. I support it and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you and I yield back.
▶ 0:30:55Gentleman yields back and I'd like to recognize the gentleman from California, Mr. Gallagher.
▶ 0:31:00Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also want to speak in support of HR 3168. Um, this is important especially out in California where we also experience our fair share of of earthquakes and as as you said, Mr. Chairman, I'm no stranger to different disasters, fire, flood, earthquake. It's important that we use the latest in technology and science um to make sure that, you know, we're getting ahead of these, that we have early warning detection.
▶ 0:31:24And that's what this this bill does ensures that coordination uh to ensure alerts and early warnings are broadcast as rapidly as possible uh for the maximum warning time as we know with disasters we faced uh getting that that knowledge that notice early in time as early as possible saves [clears throat] lives. Um I also wanted to say a little bit about when it comes to earthquake uh you know in my state there there are two parts of of California.
▶ 0:31:50there's, you know, the the more coastal area that experiences a lot of earthquakes and then there's the more inland area that doesn't have that threat. Um, and yet across California, for instance, our hospitals uh are having to meet seismic retrofit uh state um that are extremely expensive and it's it's it's really impacted our rural hospitals. uh for example, it's you know millions and millions of dollars for hospitals that have uh that that may have no earthquake threat whatsoever.
▶ 0:32:20Uh so that's more of an issue with state policy that that we need to change. Uh but the other important part about this is that for those facilities needing to meet seismic requirements, they need the funding to do so. And uh and this bill helps address that issue as well with with grant funding that is is available that will help uh facilities meeting uh you know those standards. Um, but again, I I am in support of this uh of this legislation. It's much needed.
▶ 0:32:47Uh, as as you know, we we we've dealt with far too many of of these disasters and ensuring that we have better response time, that we have the resources, and that we're all coordinating uh from federal, state to local is is very important to all of us. So, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back my time.
▶ 0:33:04Gentleman yields. Thank you. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will now proceed with amendments to the ANS and the order listed on the amendment roster. And the next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida. Clerk shall report Webster Amendment 049.
▶ 0:33:26Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3168 offered by Mr. Webster of Florida.
▶ 0:33:32Thank you. Without uh objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Webster of Florida for five minutes to explain his
▶ 0:33:41Thank you, Chairman. The amendment directs NASA to consult with the US Geological Survey and and the FAA on leveraging earthquake monitors to detect sonic booms caused by objects entering the Earth's atmosphere from space.
▶ 0:33:58By integrating earthquake monitoring with space object detection, the amendment supports scientific collaboration which maximizes the utility of federal I urge my colleagues support the amendment. I yield back my time.
▶ 0:34:16Gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 0:34:19Mr. Chairman. [clears throat]
▶ 0:34:20Yes, ma'am.
▶ 0:34:21Uh the the amendment offered by Mr. Webster would require the administrator of NASA to notify the committee of efforts to leverage US Geological Survey earthquake monitoring data to understand the potential for improving the detection and tracking of objects entering Earth's atmosphere uh from space. As we know, space debris that enters our atmosphere could cause harm to people and property depending on how big it is and where it lands.
▶ 0:34:49And this amendment is about using federal science data to achieve benefits beyond its original purpose, which is a good idea and we support it and I yield back.
▶ 0:34:59Gentlemen yields back. Couldn't agree more. Uh is there further discussion on this amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Webster Amendment 049. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:35:14I. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamichi amendment 116, please.
▶ 0:35:33Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3168.
▶ 0:35:37Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Bonamichi of Oregon for five minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 0:35:44Well, thank you very much, Mr. chairman and thank you to you and the ranking member for your leadership and for bringing up this bill to reauthorize the critical earthquake hazards programs. I want to also thank my colleagues from Alaska and California who just spoke in favor of this important legislation. In 2018, Congress directed the Government Accountability Office to review the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which it completed in 2022.
▶ 0:36:09Among its most significant findings, the GAO recommended that the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, complete a national risk assessment to identify progress and gaps in the National Earthquake Resilience. As of last year, NIST told GAO it was still developing a plan for that assessment. So, four years after the report, we still don't have it.
▶ 0:36:33FEMA estimates that earthquakes cause about 14.7 billion dollars in annualized building losses across the country and in California, Oregon, and Washington account for 65% of that total. Oregon sits along the Cascadius subduction zone, which has the potential to cause a 9.0 magnitude or greater earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the next 50 years.
▶ 0:36:55Oregon's Department of Geology estimates that a catastrophic Cascadia seismic event could cause nearly 10,000 fatalities, 37 billion in building damages, and lead to at least 85,000 people in need of shelter. Addressing any gaps in preparedness will reduce these risks and obviously save lives.
▶ 0:37:15Uh this amendment would direct NIS to complete the national risk assessment to identify the progress made and the gaps remaining to improve earthquake resilience in communities across the country. This assessment would incorporate expertise from the other national earthquake hazard reduction program agencies and include insights from state, local, and tribal governments who develop emergency management plans, infrastructure hardening and preparedness education on the ground.
▶ 0:37:40So, this straightforward amendment will help federal and local leaders identify where the gaps are before the next major earthquake, not after its destruction leaves families devastated and communities scrambling to rebuild. So, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 0:37:56Gentleoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamichi amendment 116. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon as well. The clerk shall please report Bonamichi amendment
▶ 0:38:26Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 316.
▶ 0:38:29Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Bonamichi of Oregon for five minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 0:38:36Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman, and again, thank you to you and the ranking member, my colleagues, for bringing up this important legislation. Earthquake early warning systems save lives. Precious seconds can make a difference between life and death when the ground starts shaking. Unfortunately, alert delays and connectivity issues in our earthquake early warning systems risk losing moments that communities can't afford when disaster strikes.
▶ 0:39:00The shake alert early warning earthquake warning system is the only official public network early alert system operated by the US Geological Survey. Its monitoring and data are managed by leading regional universities, including my alma mater, the University of Oregon. Shake Alert continues to be a lifeline for local emergency planners to prepare for earthquakes on the West Coast. But alert latency and compatibility issues with other federal systems are affecting performance.
▶ 0:39:29The Congressional Research Service reviewed the Shake Alert early earthquake warning system between 2019 and 2023. Found that the system missed about 22.6% of qualifying earthquakes, which is more than twice its own 10% performance standard. So, FEMA's wireless emergency alert system, the primary channel for delivering early alerts to the public, frequently delivers alerts more than 10 seconds after the earthquake begins.
▶ 0:39:56And in some cases, the system failed to deliver an alert at all because of software problems. When an earthquake early warning system exists specifically to give people a few extra seance seconds to drop, cover, or hold on a 10-second delay is far more devastating than a rounding error.
▶ 0:40:14My amendment would require FEMA to work with partners at the US Geological Survey and Federal Communications Commission to evaluate the pathways we use to deliver early warnings and shore up timeliness and reliability. This is a critical issue for Oregonians. Shake Alert operates in three states, California, Oregon, and Washington. And again, Oregon sits on the Cascadius abduction zone. Our infrastructure and building stock are not prepared for the major seismic events it could cause.
▶ 0:40:41So when the earthquake comes, Oregon orgonians need every second of lead time the system can provide delivered reliably and on time. This amendment will help save lives and I urge my colleagues to support it and I yield back.
▶ 0:40:54Gentleoman yields. Is there further discussion on this amendment? Hearing none, the [clears throat] question is on adoption of Bonamichi amendment 117. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments?
▶ 0:41:23Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is amended to HR 3168. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:41:33Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The amendment of the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present. I move that the committee report HR 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 as amended to the House with a recommendation that the bill be favorably approved.
▶ 0:42:03The question is on favorably approving. Excuse me. Reporting HR 3168 is amend is amended to the house. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:42:14Those opposed say nay. The eyes have it and the bill as amended is favor ordered favorably reported without objection to the motion to reconsider is laid on the Pursuant to notice, I now call up the Geo Power Act. The clerk will report the bill
▶ 0:42:38HR 8437 to advance next generation geothermal electricity.
▶ 0:42:42Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill? Any further discussion on the underlying There's no further discussion on the underlying bill. We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster.
▶ 0:43:07The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by representative begg of Alaska. That the clerk shall report begget ANS.
▶ 0:43:17Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 8437 offered by Mr. Begage.
▶ 0:43:22Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. And I now recognize Representative Begage of Alaska for 5 minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 0:43:33Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise today to offer this amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 8437, the geothermal power opportunity with expanded regions act or the geopower act. Mr. Chairman, the geotherm geothermal is base load power. It runs around the clock regardless of weather, season, or time of day. The resource itself has never been the problem. The problem has been the cost and risk of drilling into geologies where no one has previously proven a resource.
▶ 0:44:02The Geop Power Act takes that on directly. It sets up a milestone-based geothermal demonstration program at the Department of Energy aimed at next generation geothermal systems in low permeability and impermeable reservoirs. The kind of geology that falls outside the traditional hydrothermal zones we've relied on out in the West.
▶ 0:44:24Financing is tied to technical and financial milestones rather than upfront grants, which protects taxpayers, and it requires at least three projects in at least three states with at least three separate sponsors generating data in diverse geologies. Public investment rarely produces the kind of hard publicly available drilling and reservoir data that private capital needs before it will commit to the next project. This legislation is designed to break a specific deadlock.
▶ 0:44:55No one drills because no one has proven the geology and no one proves the geology because drilling without more certainty costs too much. Milestonebased financing is designed to help break that cycle. The bill also prioritizes projects on or near Indian land, which puts ultra rural communities in geothermal rich corridors squarely in scope.
▶ 0:45:19A successful demonstration near an Alaska or Aatan, both adjacent to active volcano systems, could change the energy economies of entire regions. Less diesel dependence, less supply chain vulnerability, and less energy poverty in some of the most remote areas of North America. Mr. Chairman, this committee has a strong record on American energy leadership, and the Geop Power Act extends that record. The bill is fiscally responsible.
▶ 0:45:47It is performance-based and it opens the door for rural and remote communities that have long sought affordable, reliable power. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back. Gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment? I recognize Mr. Self for five minutes.
▶ 0:46:07Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR8437. DOE already has authority to support geothermal research and demonstration projects. This bill adds another federal financing program and authorizes up to $150 million per year compared to $21 million per year for the prior demonstration program.
▶ 0:46:29Uh that's more than a seven-fold increase in spending and taxpayers should not be forced to finance projects that the bill itself says may attract significant private investment. I urge my colleagues to reject the amendment and the underlying bill and I yield back.
▶ 0:46:50Gentleman yields. Any further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 0:46:54Mr. Vanips.
▶ 0:46:56Oh, I'm sorry.
▶ 0:47:00I I've called you by the wrong name, James. I'm sorry.
▶ 0:47:03No problem, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gallagher from California. Uh I I want to voice my support uh for the amendment and the underlying uh legislation. Uh Mr. Chairman, uh we know the the power of geothermal energy out in California. We have the Geysers project in Northern California which has been a a great source of of renewable power. Uh in the north, um it many of our municipal uh jurisdictions rely on that power.
▶ 0:47:30uh and I think it has the great potential to provide much more affordable uh power in California. uh and so we do need to have these investments. Uh you know we right now provide less than 1% of US electricity is by geothermal but we have the opportunity to to up that uh recent advances in drilling technologies have expanded this potential far beyond uh traditional geothermal regions. And as uh the author of this amendment just pointed out um you know there's great potential there if we're if we're allowed to go and explore this.
▶ 0:48:00And this amendment would help um create this milestonebased demonstration program that helps derisk the deployment and and commercialization of next generation geothermal electricity. Uh if we're going to ensure that we have affordable energy prices, affordable power, we need we can't put all our eggs in one basket as we've done in California. Uh we need to be looking at very, you know, different and diverse energy sources and geothermal is definitely one of them.
▶ 0:48:28Uh it would prioritize prioritize projects located in regions with limited or no existing electricity generation. You know many of our rural areas that need this this vital power and you know as I said could be the corridors for uh this new ge geothermal resource. Uh and also prioritizing capacity greater than 30 megawws. You know we want to do these projects and and and have big projects that help provide that kind of power that we are going to need. And so, uh, I am supportive of this.
▶ 0:48:58I think we need to scale up our, uh, geothermal energy projects nationwide, but I think this has the potential to be very helpful in California, uh, where we have some of the highest energy prices in the nation. Uh, so I I I thank the author for the amendment and for this underlying legislation, I will be supporting it today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield
▶ 0:49:17Thank you, Mr. Gallagher. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS and the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamichi amendment 114.
▶ 0:49:38Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 8437 offered by Miss Bonamichi.
▶ 0:49:43Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Bonamichi of Oregon for five minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 0:49:50Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, I want to make sure I'm talking about the right amendment here. This is the which one?
▶ 0:49:58The the financing. Okay, terrific. Yeah, I have two amendments. Thank you for your your indulgence. Uh geothermal energy is a clean source that as my colleague Mr. Begage pointed out can run all day in every season. The Department of Energy's own analysis projects that enhanced geothermal systems could supply up to 90 gawatts of base load power by 2050. That's enough to power tens of millions of American homes with reliable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
▶ 0:50:27Accomplishing that level of power generation starts with demonstrating geothermal project success. The milestone-based geothermal demonstration program this bill creates seeks to leverage innovative financing to support these projects, including transactions between the Department of Energy and industry leaders. These financing methods have shown to quickly scale emerging technologies in other sectors, but they often lack standard accounting for outcomes and costs to understand what works and why.
▶ 0:50:55So, my amendment would direct the Department of Energy to report on what milestones the selected projects meet, how much private capital they attract alongside federal investment. These metrics will help project agency officials, project developers, and community leaders near demonstration sites better define success so we can scale geothermal en energy and market and do it responsibly. So I urge all of my uh colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 0:51:22Gentleoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 0:51:28There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Bonameichi amendment 114. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:51:35Those opposed say no.
▶ 0:51:37In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamichi amendment 115.
▶ 0:51:53Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 8437.
▶ 0:51:57Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Bonamichi for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 0:52:03Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oregon has been part of the story of American geothermal innovation for more than a decade. Since 2010, the Department of Energy has partnered with researchers at the Newberry volcano site in central Oregon on some of the earliest work in the country to prove that enhanced geothermal systems can work in hard low permeability rock. Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and GE Global Research all contributed their expertise to that effort.
▶ 0:52:34Central Oregon took a chance on unproven technology when few others would, and that willingness has led to continued has continued to attract advanced geothermal demonstration projects. That kind of research partnership also brings lasting benefits to the rural communities that host it through workforce development, skilled jobs, and long-term investment in the local economy.
▶ 0:52:55My amendment would direct the Department of Energy to prioritize project sites where the federal government has already invested in this type of research to leverage the years of geologic data, infrastructure, and partnerships built at places like Newberry. Oregon helped pioneer this technology as enhanced global as enhanced geothermal systems develop novel techniques like laserbased heating for super hot rocks, project and asset continuity will improve predictability for future projects.
▶ 0:53:24So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 0:53:28Gentlewoman yields back. Any further discussion on the amendment. If there's no further discussion, the question is on the adoption of Bonamichi amendment 115. All those in favor say I.
▶ 0:53:40Those opposed say no.
▶ 0:53:42In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the adoption of the amendment of the nature of a substitute as amended to HR 8437. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:54:04Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present. I move that the committee report HR 8437 the geo power act as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting HR 8437 as amended to the house.
▶ 0:54:33All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say nay. the the eyes have it and the bill is amended is a is ordered favorably reported and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table pursuant to notice and I'll now call up HR 9326 the USA act the clerk will report the bill
▶ 0:54:58HR 9326 to promote United States leadership and technical standards by directing the national
▶ 0:55:03without objection the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at at Um, at any point does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying
▶ 0:55:16Mr. Webster.
▶ 0:55:18Mr. Webster, you're recognized for five
▶ 0:55:26Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. So the utilized standards for the all act strengthens the US leadership by advancing a private sectorled voluntary consensus technically technical standards uh process built on strong public private partnerships.
▶ 0:55:57This approach is the cornerstone of our American standardization system. The bill uh directs NIST to coordinate cross federal agencies ensuring effective cooperation and with private sector house stakeholders to advance US interest in global standards development.
▶ 0:56:16US establishes a pilot program to support the host standards meeting in the United States thereby increasing US participation and influence in international sth standards body. I want to thank uh representative for his leadership, dedication in co-leading this bill which is vital for maintaining US competitiveness and security in emerging technology and sectors.
▶ 0:56:45I urge my colleagues to support the USA act yield back. Does any other member wish to be be recognized speak on the amendment
▶ 0:56:58I mean excuse me on the bill underlying bill. I apologize. Mr. Self, you're recognized.
▶ 0:57:06Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9326, the USA act strengthens American leadership in technical standards for artificial intelligence, other emerging technology. Enough said. We've seen some media reports in the last couple of days. I think this is vital and I yield back.
▶ 0:57:26Okay. Thank you very much. Is there any further discussion on the underlying We will proceed with amendments. I'm sorry, Miss McClan Delaney.
▶ 0:57:36Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also strongly support uh the US leadership and technical standards uh at NIST in the Department of State M in this forum, but also in terms of all of our international forums, resources like this are so incredibly important in coordination.
▶ 0:57:53Um and so I would strongly support it having seen it um while I was in the last administration at NTIA and how we need these resources across agencies given the fact that many of our um global partner our global uh entities like China and others are so leaning into these type of resources.
▶ 0:58:14I would further uh state that um we need to uh uh keep in mind that the world radio conference and other of these international forums at the ITU are increasingly uh needing support and resources um and that our attendance is vital. So I yield back.
▶ 0:58:32Gentleoman yields back. Is there uh no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Webster of Florida. The clerk shall please report Webster ANS.
▶ 0:58:49Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 932.
▶ 0:58:53Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. And I now uh recognize Representative Webster of Florida for 5
▶ 0:59:01Thank you, Chairman. Uh the ANS for the US act reinforces a need to advance voluntary consensus private sectorled technical standards built on strong private partnerships and promotes their adoption as globally recognized international standards. This ensures the United States not Beijing uh remains the global leader in setting international standards. I urge my colleagues to support the ANS. yield back.
▶ 0:59:32Uh, gentleman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none, we will proceed with amendments to the ANS and the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Fushi of North Carolina. Clerk shall report Fushi amendment 087.
▶ 0:59:54Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9326. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Fushi of North Carolina for five minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 1:00:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment ensures appropriate procedures are in place in accordance with all relevant laws to ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded against improper release. It preserves information sharing while preventing controlled unclassified information and other protected material from being inadvertently published online. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense amendment. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 1:00:35Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, the question on the is on adoption of Fushi amendment 087. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Fushi of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Fushi amendment 086.
▶ 1:01:06Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR93. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I now recognize Representative Fushi of North Carolina for five minutes to explain her
▶ 1:01:18Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment increases the participation of US stakeholders, including academia and civil society organizations in the standards development process established by this bill.
▶ 1:01:32Colleges and universities, nonprofits, civil society organizations, and research institutions bring valuable technical expertise and perspectives that can help ensure emerging technology standards reflect American values and respond to the needs of the American people.
▶ 1:01:51This is particularly important to communities like in North Carolina's fourth congressional district, home to the research triangle park, where worldclass researchers and institutions have much to contribute but may lack the resources needed to participate fully in international standards activities. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:02:15Gentleoman yields. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on the adoption of Fushi amendment 086. All those in favor say I. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon. Clerk shall report. Bonomichi amendment 113.
▶ 1:02:46Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9326.
▶ 1:02:50Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. And I now recognize Representative Bonamichi of Oregon for five minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 1:02:59thank you, Mr. Chairman. Americanled technological standards are strongest when the broadest range of experts help write them. The countries and companies that set technical standards for major technologies, including artificial intelligence, will shape how this technology works for the rest of the century.
▶ 1:03:15For domains as wide reaching as AI, these standards range from software, hardware, and governance, safety rules that protect consumers, interoperability rules that decide which products can complete compete on a level playing field, and data management guard rails that preserve user privacy. American America's edge in this competition should not come from a handful of dominant players alone.
▶ 1:03:37It should come from the full range of our innovation economy and those affected by it, including small businesses, research universities, and community leaders who navigate technology gaps every day. Oregon is home to the Silicon Forest, the semiconductor research and development corridor in the Pacific Northwest that depends on exactly that type of open competitive technology ecosystem to thrive. NIST's own research confirms that this full range of experts is not yet fully in the room when AI standards get written.
▶ 1:04:08In its July 2024 plan for global engagement on AI standards, NIST found that industry giants dominated participation, but nonprofit and academic voices are often absent from the process largely because of resource constraints. So my amendment would simply require us to identify the barriers these experts experience to participate in AI standards development and offer recommendations to address them.
▶ 1:04:32This will help smaller businesses, universities, and nonprofits uh gain a seat at the table so that the standards that guide this technology reflect the full strength of American innovation, not just its biggest players. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:04:48Gentleoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? There's no further discussion on the amendment. The question is on adoption of Bonamichi amendment 113. All those in favor say I. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. The [clears throat] next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Bonamichi of Oregon. The clerk shall report Bonamichi amendment
▶ 1:05:17Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9326. Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Bonamichi of Oregon for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 1:05:27Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Participation in technical standards development should depend on what an organization can contribute, not on the size of its travel budget. When standards bodies meet to decide how emerging technologies will be operated, tested, and kept safe, the businesses and researchers in that room shape rules that affect the entire country. NIST has documented that industry giants dominate standards development participation and small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and nonprofit groups are historically unre under underrepresented.
▶ 1:05:58This is often for a simple reason. The cost of technical experts across the country or across the world to participate and that disparity can stifle the collaboration that keeps American research competitive. So my amendment would allow standards meeting hosts in the United States to use cost sharing fee reductions and travel support to bring experts from small businesses, universities, and nonprofits into the room so the voices shaping the future of technology reflect the full breadth of American innovation.
▶ 1:06:26I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:06:29Gentlewoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 1:06:35There's no further discussion on the amendment. The questions on adoption of Bonamichi amendment 112. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:06:43Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Okay. Hearing none, the question is on adoption of the amendment and the nature of a substitute is amended to HR 9326. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:07:07Those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. And the amendment and the nature of a substitute as amended is adopted. A reporting quorum being present. I move that the committee report HR 9326 the USA act as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question [clears throat] is on favorably reporting HR 9326 is amended to the house.
▶ 1:07:37All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:07:40Those opposed, nay. The eyes have it and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR the Scale Biology Act. The clerk will report the bill.
▶ 1:08:03HR 8981 to establish in the National Institute of Standards and Technology a program of measure.
▶ 1:08:08Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill? The gentleoman from Maryland.
▶ 1:08:21your bill. Okay. I'd like to thank the chair and ranking member for this critical legislation that is coming up for consideration this morning. Um, as we learned in our hearing last year on the National Security Commission on emerging biotech seinal report and their recommendations to Congress, biotechnology stands at a very critical juncture. The policies that we advance today will shape the next century of scientific discoveries and determine whether the US can keep its competitive edge.
▶ 1:08:52Most of us never think about weights and measurements. And that's exactly the point. When we pull up to a gas station, we don't often wonder whether the number displayed is telling the truth about how many gallons we're putting in the tank. We have the trust because we have a system of standards. The same is true when we buy a pound of produce at the store, catch a flight time to the very minute, or check a stock price down to the second.
▶ 1:09:18We rely on uniform standards to be in nearly everything we do precisely because we don't have to think about them and because they build trust in everyday life. Today, biotechnology lacks the kind of common measurement and standards for biological data that we have in other disciplines. Practitioners don't have a universal common language for how they verify, measure, and replicate their work.
▶ 1:09:44This gap severely limits the interoperability of existing and potential new use cases, forcing industry actors to spend more time curating data than really moving innovation. We know how to sequence and synthesize DNA. Researchers have just announced, as was uh cited by our ranking member, the creation of a fully synthetic cell, the spud cell.
▶ 1:10:11Now, being a farmer's daughter from Idaho, an Idaho potato farmer's daughter, and I love potatoes, creating more spud cells seem like a really good thing to do, right? But we have the tools and researchers of the past that could only that the past historians could only dream of.
▶ 1:10:28And we must do our part by elevating development of biological standards and measurements as a key statutory mission of our scientific And this is where the importance of biometrology, the development and use of biotech standards and measurements becomes clear. And there's no better place for this work than NIST in my district.
▶ 1:10:50A program dedicated in law to researching and advancing a suite of standards and framework for biotech development that will create the unifying language for industry, for consumers, and for regulators. Uniform standards will improve research, ensure reliability and expand collaboration and adoption of new technologies and products.
▶ 1:11:09As we look to the future, the same status that make biological data trustworthy will determine whether the US leads the next wave of innovation, the convergence of biotech and artificial intel, artificial intelligence, AI, which will transform every sector across our economy from health to a to biio manufacturing to defense.
▶ 1:11:30Countries that master the relationship between AI and biotech innovation will be in the best position to lead and harness the power to shape how these technologies will be used for generations to come. That is why the US must treat biological data as a strategic national resource or receding global biotech leadership to China.
▶ 1:11:51Just like chat GBT is trained on large amounts of text, the AI models known for biological design tools need high quality biological data to learn from and highquality data depends on common standards. Securing US biotech leadership in the 21st century demands that we invest in the re research and development and the R&D that will underpin what is estimated to be up to 30 trillion, that's right, 30 trillion in economic value by 2050.
▶ 1:12:19The scale biology act will do just that. The bill will create a biomerology lab program at NIST to serve as a dedicated home for the kind of work that our measurement disciplines have had for many decades. The bill directs NIST to conduct the underlying research conver uh convene different stakeholders from industry, academia and across government to move us closer to unlocking the bioeconomy.
▶ 1:12:44It charges NIST with developing the technical roadmap and identifi identifying the standards we need to make emerging biotech uh able to come to market and to address both consumer safety and security concerns.
▶ 1:12:58In short, by strengthening the measurement science that underpins the bioeconomy, the scale biology act will accelerate innovation, improve reliability and interoperability of our biological data sets, and reinforce and underpin American leadership in engineering bi engineering biology and bio manufacturing. With that, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back.
▶ 1:13:23Gentleoman yields back. Is there further discussion on the underlying bill? Miss Ross from North Carolina, you're
▶ 1:13:29Thank you very much um Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofrren for holding this important and efficient markup. I'm pleased to speak in support of the Scale Biology Act which my colleagues Congresswoman Mlan Delaney and Congressman Obernolulti introduced in May.
▶ 1:13:48As we've heard, this bipartisan bill will establish a new federal program at NIST dedicated to Our bioeconomy continues to grow and we need reliable measurement science and consensusbased standards to embolden innovation, enhance operability, and accelerate biotech commercialization.
▶ 1:14:14I'm proud to represent the research triangle, one of the largest life sciences hubs in the country. The triangle has grown into a full spectrum biotech ecosystem powered by some of the world's top research universities and institutions. The triangle is also home to many biotech leaders, innovators in research, health, and entrepreneurship who are working to move this science forward.
▶ 1:14:43This bill be comes before the committee at a critical moment for US biotech. The Trump administration has greatly disrupted our science and technology enterprise by restructuring critical agencies, firing experienced scientists and cutting research funding. This all not only hurts the US biotech industry but in it enhances our competitor China.
▶ 1:15:10This bill will reinforce our nation's leadership in engineering, biology, and biio manufacturing. I support the underlying bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 1:15:23Gentleoman yields. Is there further discussion on the underlying bill? Miss Lofin, you're recognized.
▶ 1:15:29Oh, okay. Sorry, she's turned on her bike. I thought she wanted to speak. Is there no further discussion on the underlying bill? We will proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. First amendment on the roster is the amendment of the nature of a substitute offered by representative Lofrren of California.
▶ 1:15:45Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:15:45Shall report the bill.
▶ 1:15:48Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 8981. Without
▶ 1:15:52objection, the amendment is considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I recognize Representative Lorren for five minutes to explain her
▶ 1:16:00Thank you uh Mr. Chairman. The bill and I want to thank the bill sponsors uh Representatives Mlan Delaney and Obernolulti. I offer this amendment that makes a technical corrections to the bill, but also with this ANS, the program does not have funds authorized. I actually disagree with that, but I understand that the majority does operate within the constraints imposed by its majority.
▶ 1:16:25And so, in the spirit of comedy, I'm offering this um amendment with the uh notation that the uh you, Mr. chairman and the majority have offered to work with us so that NIST will have resources to carry out the activities authorized under this bill. Uh and with that, Mr. Chairman, uh in the spirit of bipartisanship, I yield
▶ 1:16:51Gentleoman yields. Yes. If there is no further discussion on the amendment, we will proceed with the amendments to the ANS and the order listed on the amendment roster. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Mlan Delaney of Maryland. Clerk shall report MLAN Delaney amendment 104.
▶ 1:17:12Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR8981.
▶ 1:17:16Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Mlan Delaney for 5 minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 1:17:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I echo many of the comments that were just uh uh put forth by our our our leading by Representative Laughron. Um this amendment will restore the authorization levels in HR8981 to what they were when I introduced the bill nearly 350 million over 5 years to help NIST stand up the biomerology lab and carry out the directors of the legislation.
▶ 1:17:48I'm proud to represent the expert researchers, techni technicians, and staff at NIS Gaithersburg office and I've met with the experts who would be asked to build this program who believe that robust funding is essential to ensure that this bill lives up to what we're promising today, real enduring standards. I appreciate the partnership of the majority as we prepared to mark up this bill and look forward to working together to ensure that the NIST workforce in Gayesburg has the resources required to stand up the lab.
▶ 1:18:15But as there is still debate as was just re referenced as to current funding levels and all stakeholders must continue to work together to solidify the necessary you know support for the directives of this bill. I am withdrawing it but highlighting that support and further support is still needed. So I appreciate again how the majority and minority um staffs have really worked so um well together. And with that uh Mr. Chairman I withdraw my amendment and yield back. Gentleoman yields back.
▶ 1:18:45The amendment is Uh there are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none. The question is on adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 8981. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:19:03Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted. A reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report HR 8981, the scale biology act as amended to the house with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting HR8981 as amended to the house. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:19:34I.
▶ 1:19:34Those opposed say nay. The na the eyes have it and the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make any necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill. So ordered. Members will have two calendar days to submit supplemental minority or additional views on these measures.
▶ 1:20:02And with no further business before the committee, the committee now stands adjourned. Thank you.