HouseH.R. 9923119th Congress
Biotechnology Diplomacy and Expertise Enhancement Act of 2026
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9923 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9923
To demonstrate United States leadership and to engage successfully in
biotechnology diplomacy by recruiting and training biotechnology
experts that can advocate for United States biotechnology priorities
internationally, to ensure that Regional Technology Officers receive
specialized training in biotechnology, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2026
Mr. Moylan (for himself, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Moulton)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To demonstrate United States leadership and to engage successfully in
biotechnology diplomacy by recruiting and training biotechnology
experts that can advocate for United States biotechnology priorities
internationally, to ensure that Regional Technology Officers receive
specialized training in biotechnology, 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 ``Biotechnology Diplomacy and
Expertise Enhancement Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF THE REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER PROGRAM TO INCLUDE
BIOTECHNOLOGY TRAINING AND EXPERTISE.
Section 9508 of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2022
(division I of Public Law 117-263; 22 U.S.C. 10305) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Expansion of Training To Include Biotechnology Expertise.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish hiring
directives to expand the Program to include biotechnology
experts and to ensure the Program requires current and new
Regional Technology Officers to receive specialized training in
biotechnology and emerging biotechnologies. These
biotechnology-trained Regional Technology Officers shall serve
as critical diplomatic assets for the United States in
fostering international collaboration, strengthening national
security, driving innovation, and shaping policy development in
biotechnology.
``(2) Goals.--The goals of the training required under
paragraph (1) shall be to prepare Regional Technology Officers
to--
``(A) promote diplomatic engagement to advance
United States leadership in biotechnology and
biomanufacturing innovation and security in
international forums and partnerships;
``(B) work with government and non-government
partners to increase the deployment of biotechnology in
support of democratic values;
``(C) shape diplomatic agreements in regional and
international fora with respect to biotechnology;
``(D) facilitate the role of biotechnology in
advancing the foreign policy objectives of the United
States through engagement with foreign governments,
international organizations, private sector entities,
research labs, incubators, and venture capitalists;
``(E) promote the responsible use and secure
international transfer of biotechnologies; and
``(F) maintain the advantages of the United States
with respect to biotechnology.
``(3) Specialized training requirements.--The Secretary
shall develop and implement a comprehensive training program
for all Regional Technology Officers, with a focus on
biotechnology and emerging biotechnologies, including training
on--
``(A) advances in biotechnology, such as gene
editing technologies, synthetic biology, and
bioengineering;
``(B) biotechnology security and biosecurity,
including the protection of sensitive biotechnology
research and preventing the misuse of biotechnologies;
``(C) ethical considerations in biotechnology
research and the responsible application of
biotechnologies in areas such as public health,
agriculture, defense and security;
``(D) international regulations and policies
governing biotechnology; and
``(E) diplomatic engagement strategies specific to
biotechnology-related issues, such as establishing
multilateral agreements and negotiating biotechnology-
related trade agreements.
``(4) Collaboration.--The Secretary is encouraged to
collaborate with relevant Federal agencies, private-sector
stakeholders, international biotechnology associations, and
academic institutions while developing and implementing the
training programs required under this subsection.
``(5) Continuing education.--The Secretary should ensure
continuing technology education for Regional Technology
Officers, including requirements for refresher training on the
latest advances in biotechnology and their impacts on
international policy and relations.
``(6) Geographic and diplomatic priorities.--Regional
Technology Officers who have received biotechnology training
pursuant to this subsection shall receive priority to be
assigned to regions or countries where biotechnology research
and development are critical to United States foreign policy
interests, including regions and countries with growing
biotechnology sectors, strategic biotechnology partnerships, or
emerging security risks.''.
SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR EXPANDED REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall advance the goals
described in section 9508(d)(2) of the Department of State
Authorization Act of 2022, as amended by section 2, by--
(1) developing a comprehensive strategy for the recruitment
and hiring of technical experts to join the Regional Technology
Officer Program (referred to in this section as the
``Program''); and
(2) expanding the Program to include Regional Technology
Officers with expertise in biotechnology during fiscal year
2026, and further expanding the Program, as needed.
(b) Implementation Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit an
implementation plan to Congress that outlines the Department of State's
strategies for--
(1) advancing the goals of the Program with a focus on
biotechnology diplomacy, security, and innovation;
(2) hiring and training Regional Technology Officers with
biotechnology expertise; and
(3) expanding the Program to include Regional Technology
Officers with specific expertise in biotechnology.
(c) Annual Report.--The Secretary of State shall submit to Congress
an annual report that describes--
(1) the progress of the biotechnology-focused Program,
including--
(A) the number of officers who have received the
training required under section 9508(d)(2) of the
Department of State Authorization Act of 2022, as
amended by section 2; and
(B) the countries or regions to which such officer
have been assigned; and
(2) outcomes from diplomatic efforts, partnerships, and
agreements related to biotechnology, including results in
advancing United States leadership in biotechnology security
and innovation.
SEC. 4. TARGETED HIRING FREEZE EXEMPTION FOR REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY
OFFICERS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or
policy imposing a hiring freeze or personnel limitation within the
Department of State, the Secretary of State may appoint and employ such
additional personnel as may be necessary to carry out this Act, and the
amendments made by this Act, including biotechnology-focused Regional
Technology Officers.
(b) Priority.--The Secretary of State shall prioritize the
recruitment, training, and overseas deployment of Regional Technology
Officers with expertise in biotechnology, biosecurity, and emerging
life science technologies in order to support United States diplomatic
engagement, technology monitoring, and international cooperation in the
biotechnology sector.
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