Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The BIO-SCALE Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish at least three regional, nonprofit technology maturation facilities across the United States to help develop and scale up bioindustrial technologies, such as those used to produce bio-based chemicals, fuels, and materials through biological processes. These facilities will operate on an open-access basis, meaning companies and researchers can use them without licensing barriers, and will be equipped with advanced fermentation tanks and biomass processing equipment to support the growth of the bioindustry sector. The Secretary must solicit proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations and institutions within one year of the bill's enactment, with preference given to proposals in areas with existing bioindustrial capabilities, near feedstock sources, or in rural regions needing economic development. The bill authorizes $345 million in funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, plus an additional $117 million for fiscal years 2029 through 2030, with recipients having two to three years to spend the funds depending on their existing infrastructure. The facilities will sunset after ten years unless the Secretary determines they are performing successfully and allows them to continue operating.
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