FY2022 NDAA, Section 216 ("Improvements relating to steering committee on emerging technology and national security threats")

Summary

Amends Section 236 of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act by adding the Director of National Intelligence as an official that can, with the Secretary of Defense, establish a steering committee on emerging technology and national security and receive recommendations from the committee. Amends members of the steering committee to consist of the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, the Deputy Sector of Defense, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, and other appropriate officials. Adds that the Steering Committee shall be chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence jointly.

Amends the responsibilities of the steering committee by clarifying that the committee's strategy is to maintain the technological superiority of both the US military and intelligence community according to not only the National Defense Strategy, but also the National Intelligence Strategy and the National Security Strategy. Adds that the steering committee is responsible for making recommendations on any changes to the guidance for developing the National Intelligence Program budget and determining whether sufficient resources are available for the intelligence community, in addition to the Department of Defense, to defeat threats to the US.

Adds that the list of technologies classified as emerging technologies is to be determined jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence. Adds the definition of intelligence community from the National Security Act of 1947.

Amends the Steering Committee's structure on emerging technology and national security threats for improved coordination.

SEC. 216. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO STEERING COMMITTEE ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS.

Section 236 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) , is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking may'' and inserting and the Director of National Intelligence may jointly''; (2) in subsection (b), by-- (A) by striking paragraphs (3) through (8); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: ``(3) The Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. ``(4) Such other officials of the Department of Defense and intelligence community as the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence jointly determine appropriate.''; (3) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as subsections (d) through (f), respectively; (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

Chairs the Steering Committee with key defense and intelligence leaders. Expands strategic scope and coordination.

``(c) Leadership.--The Steering Committee shall be chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence jointly.''; (5) in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (3)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking a strategy'' and inserting strategies''; (ii) by inserting and intelligence community'' after United States military''; and (iii) by inserting and National Intelligence Strategy, and consistent with the National Security Strategy'' after National Defense Strategy''; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by inserting and the Director of National Intelligence'' after the Secretary of Defense''; (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking strategy'' and inserting strategies''; (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (iv) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and (v) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) any changes to the guidance for developing the National Intelligence Program budget required by section 102A(c)(1)(A) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024(c)(1)(A)), that may be required to implement the strategies under paragraph (1); and''; and (vi) in subparagraph (F), as redesignated by clause (iv), by inserting and the intelligence community'' after Department of Defense''; and (C) in paragraph (4), by inserting and Director of National Intelligence, jointly'' after Secretary of Defense''; (6) by amending subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (3), to read as follows:

Defines "emerging technology" and "intelligence community"; extends deadline to October 1, 2025.

``(e) Definitions.--In this section: `(1) The term emerging technology' means technology jointly determined to be in an emerging phase of development by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, including quantum information science and technology, data analytics, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, advanced materials, software, high performance computing, robotics, directed energy, hypersonics, biotechnology, medical technologies, and such other technology as may be jointly identified by the Secretary and the Director. `(2) The term intelligence community' has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).''; and (7) in subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by striking October 1, 2024'' and inserting October 1, 2025''.