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.

[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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