National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025 | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3468Employment and training programsIntergovernmental relations

National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025

INTRO DEC 11· LAST ACTION FEB 12

READING

8MIN

COSPONSORS

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Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses a critical need for modernizing scientific research infrastructure and accelerating innovation in the United States. If passed, it could significantly speed up the discovery process, making U.S. researchers more competitive globally by providing access to cutting-edge, automated tools and fostering a more collaborative environment. This could lead to faster development of new technologies, medicines, and materials, impacting various sectors of the economy and improving national security.

If this bill does not become law, the U.S. might continue to face challenges in efficiently conducting advanced scientific research, potentially lagging behind other nations in key areas like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Without a coordinated national network, individual labs might struggle to access and integrate the latest automation technologies, potentially slowing down scientific progress and the translation of research into real-world applications.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Establishes a National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network.

This creates a formal, nationwide system for advanced, remotely accessible scientific research.

PROVISION 02

Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to designate up to six 'nodes' (individual programmable cloud labs) within one year of enactment.

This sets the initial scope and timeline for the network's formation and identifies the lead agency.

PROVISION 03

Requires applicants for node designation to submit plans for long-term self-sustainability and evidence of non-Federal financial contributions.

This aims to reduce the network's reliance on continuous government funding over time and incentivize private sector involvement.

PROVISION 04

Mandates that selected nodes collaborate to establish common standards, protocols, and best practices for interoperability and data sharing.

This ensures that different labs in the network can effectively work together and share resources seamlessly.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 1

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

FEB 12

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

DEC 11

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

DEC 11

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3468

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedDec 11, 2025

Last actionFeb 12, 2026

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED DEC 11, 2025

Senate BillS 3468Employment and training programsIntergovernmental relations

National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025

INTRODUCED DEC 11, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 12, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

8 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes a National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network.

This creates a formal, nationwide system for advanced, remotely accessible scientific research.

med

Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to designate up to six 'nodes' (individual programmable cloud labs) within one year of enactment.

This sets the initial scope and timeline for the network's formation and identifies the lead agency.

high

Requires applicants for node designation to submit plans for long-term self-sustainability and evidence of non-Federal financial contributions.

This aims to reduce the network's reliance on continuous government funding over time and incentivize private sector involvement.

med

Mandates that selected nodes collaborate to establish common standards, protocols, and best practices for interoperability and data sharing.

This ensures that different labs in the network can effectively work together and share resources seamlessly.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act

Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall designate and oversee the Network.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Institution of higher education: A college, university, or other postsecondary educational institution.
Programmable cloud laboratory: A physical lab with research equipment and advanced manufacturing tools (like robotics and AI) that can be securely controlled and programmed remotely to run experiments and collect data.
Network: The National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network, a system connecting several advanced remote-controlled labs across the country.
Node: An individual programmable cloud laboratory that has been officially selected to be part of the national Network.
Interoperability: The ability of different computer systems, devices, applications, or products to connect and communicate in a coordinated way, without special effort from the user.

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

FEB 12

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

DEC 11, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

DEC 11, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeReferred

Feb 12, 2026

senate

Related Hearings

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Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Feb 3, 2026

Video

Business meeting to consider S.71, to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars, S.1898, to establish a demonstration program for the active remediation of orbital debris and to require the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices in order to support a safe and sustainable orbital environment, S.2585, to modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map in order to promote the most efficient use of Federal funds for broadband deployment, S.3199, to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, S.3266, to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, S.3468, to establish a national programmable cloud laboratories network to enhance research efficiency, innovation, and collaboration, S.3639, to expedite processing of satellite and space licenses, S.3700, to establish an expert review panel to make recommendations for a comprehensive agency-wide safety management system at the FAA, and routine lists in the Coast Guard; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the NTSB final report on the DCA midair collision.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Feb 12, 2026

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National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Related Hearings