The House of Representatives has passed legislation reauthorizing two "critical" federal grant programs, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), which could provide hundreds of millions of dollars for San Diego's innovation economy. The programs, which had expired five months ago, are set to continue through 2031. While the bill is pending, experts warn that the current funding freeze could have a significant impact on the local San Diego economy, as San Diego already receives approximately $100 million in SBIR or STTR funding each year. The bill includes a new category of “Strategic Breakthrough Awards” to direct funding towards the most promising technologies. It also requires federal agencies to screen applicants for foreign affiliations, post-award reporting, and data collection readiness requirements.