Committee advances SCALE Biology Act to establish biometrology program at NIST

The House Science Committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute and ordered HR 8981, the SCALE Biology Act, favorably reported. Sponsors said the bill will create a biometrology laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop measurements and standards that improve reproducibility and commercialization of biotechnology.

Sponsor Rep. McClain Delaney described the program’s mission at NIST’s Gaithersburg campus and argued that common measurements are foundational to trust in biotech. "The bill will create a biometrology lab program at NIST to serve as a dedicated home for the kind of work that our measurement disciplines have had for many decades," she said.

Ranking Member Lofgren offered a technical amendment in the nature of a substitute and noted that the ANS initially did not include authorization of funds; McClain Delaney later offered an amendment to restore authorization levels (cited in the record as nearly $350 million over five years) but withdrew it while urging continued efforts to secure robust funding. Members from North Carolina’s Research Triangle and other districts spoke in support of the bill.

The committee adopted the ANS as amended and ordered HR 8981 favorably reported by voice vote; staff were authorized to make technical and conforming changes. The committee allowed two calendar days for supplemental or minority views before adjournment.

Next steps: HR 8981 will proceed to the House for floor consideration; appropriations or specific funding implementation will be determined later.