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S. 5198Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsored by Todd YoungSen. Todd Young (R-IN)
Introduced July 30, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM UTC

The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 updates the Stevenson‑Wydler Technology Innovation Act to extend and strengthen the regional innovation program. It adds new goals such as increasing access to capital for innovation‑focused businesses, clarifies the role of venture development organizations, and provides $50 million per year in funding through FY 2030. The changes affect state and nonprofit groups that support regional economic development, as well as private innovators and startups that receive federal assistance.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new sub‑paragraph requiring programs to increase access to capital for innovation‑based ventures in their region.
  • Defines “venture development organization” as a state or nonprofit entity that provides direct financing, commercialization services, and tailored entrepreneurial support to local innovators.
  • Changes language from “strategies” to “initiatives” and makes certain actions mandatory rather than optional.
  • Sets the federal cost‑share limit at 50% plus an additional up‑to‑40% based on regional need, with the extra share determined by the Secretary’s regulations.
  • Expands outreach requirements to target rural areas, communities hurt by trade, and distressed economies, and to coordinate with local workforce boards.
  • Authorizes $50 million annually for FY 2026‑2030 for the regional innovation program and allows use of any unobligated prior‑year funds.
  • Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue a funding opportunity notice within 90 days of the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

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

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

July 30, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

July 30, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

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

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

July 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued July 30, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5198

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 30, 2026

Mr. Young (for himself and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to reauthorize the regional innovation program, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026.

2.

Reauthorization of regional innovation program

(a)

In general

Section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (E), by striking and;

(ii)

in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(G)

increase access to capital to invest in innovation-based business ventures in the geographic region.

; and

(B)

by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:

(4)

Venture development organization

The term venture development organization means a State or nonprofit organization that has a measured, geographically defined, economic development purpose within its core mission and contributes to regional or sector-based economic prosperity by providing the following:

(A)

Direct financing to private innovation-centered businesses.

(B)

Services to accelerate the commercialization of research.

(C)

Entrepreneurial support tailored to innovation-centered founders, start-ups, and businesses within the geographic areas of service of such founders, start-ups, and businesses, as the case may be.

;

(2)

in subsection (b), by striking strategies and inserting initiatives;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

by inserting and subject to the availability of appropriations after pursuant to subsection (b); and

(ii)

by striking may and inserting shall;

(B)

by striking paragraph (4)(D);

(C)

by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:

(5)

Cost share

The Federal share of the cost of any activity funded under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent, plus an additional amount that—

(A)

shall not exceed 40 percent; and

(B)

is based on the relative needs of the area in which the activity at issue will be funded, as determined in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary.

; and

(D)

by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:

(6)

Outreach

The Secretary shall conduct outreach to encourage participation in regional innovative initiatives under this subsection by public and private sector entities—

(A)

in—

(i)

rural communities;

(ii)

communities negatively impacted by trade;

(iii)

areas with persistent economic distress; or

(B)

that agree to collaborate with local workforce investment area boards to carry out workforce or training related activities.

;

(4)

in subsection (d)(4)—

(A)

by amending the heading to read as follows: Data sources; and

(B)

by inserting and the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program under section 28 after subsection (c);

(5)

in subsection (e)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking or at and inserting , the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking strategies and inserting initiatives and activities carried out pursuant to subsection (d); and

(6)

by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:

(h)

Funding

(1)

Use of unobligated funds

Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the availability of funds to carry out this section, the Secretary may obligate and expend any amounts appropriated or otherwise available to carry out this section for any previous fiscal year that remains unobligated as of the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(2)

Future authority

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

.

(b)

Notice of funding opportunity

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall issue a notice of funding opportunity with respect to the regional innovation program established under section 27(b) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722(b)), as amended by subsection (a).