Senate committee sets up 'emergency technology guard'

Legislation to make it easier for science and technology experts to assist government agencies during terrorist attacks or other national emergencies won quick approval Friday from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

The Science and Technology Emergency Mobilization Act (S. 2037) would create a "national emergency technology guard" within the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide science and technology assistance to federal, state and local emergency response agencies.

The panel approved the bill by unanimous consent with no debate.