S.Amdt. 2068

SA 2068. Mr. BENNET submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1260, to establish a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation in the National Science Foundation, to establish a regional technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic security, science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation, to establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. FEDERAL PERSONNEL ISSUES.

(a) New Occupational Series for Digital Career Fields.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of Personnel Management shall, under section 5105 of title 5, United States Code, establish--

(1) not less than 1 new occupational series, and associated policies, covering positions in the fields of software development, software engineering, and knowledge management; and

(2) a new occupational series, and associated policies, covering positions in the field of artificial intelligence.

(b) Military Career Fields for Software Development, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence.--Section 230 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) is amended by adding the following new subsection:

“(d) Military Career Fields.--

“(1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (in this subsection collectively referred to as the ‘Service Chiefs') shall each establish new military career fields for software development, data science, and artificial intelligence that are open to commissioned officers, enlisted personnel, and, as appropriate, warrant officers.

“(2) Technical career paths.--The Service Chiefs shall use the authorities provided in section 605 of title 10, United States Code, and subchapter VI of chapter 36 of such title to ensure that military personnel in the career fields established under paragraph (1) who choose to specialize and focus on technical skill sets rather than pursue leadership positions are not required to move outside their specialties or into management positions to continue to promote.”.