App developers and small business owners could more easily access information about available federal resources to support the development of mobile apps under legislation reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) on Friday.
A website containing comprehensive information about available federal funding for the development of apps, and how to apply, would be established under the Advancing and Promoting Programming (APP) Act.
“Our nation relies on technology now more than ever, so we must give American workers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields the tools and skills to maintain a competitive edge and bring our country fully into the 21st century,” Emmer said. “This is something I have been committed to since taking office, which is not only demonstrated through my work on the App Act, but also with my office’s participation in the Congressional App Challenge, a competition that encourages students to develop their own app.”
The APP Act would also establish an app store that lists the entire catalogue of federal government apps. Consumers would be able to provide feedback and to rate each app, and obsolete apps could be updated or retired based on consumer feedback.
Morgan Reed, the president of the App Association, said the APP Act would provide vital resources to developers and tech companies.
“In addition to providing students with valuable resources for computer science education, this Act would make federal funding opportunities more easily available to the tech innovators driving job growth and adding value in virtually every sector of our country’s economy,” Reed said. “Faced with a staggering skills gap that has left roughly 500,000 computing jobs unfilled, we are hopeful the APP Act will provide the resources to support the development of the bright minds fueling innovations in telemedicine, machine learning, the internet of things, and beyond.”
The APP Act, which Emmer introduced with bipartisan support from U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), would also dedicate federal resources to help businesses and nonprofits train new app developers.
“Mobile technology reaches every corner of the world and impacts our economies, governments and more,” DeFazio said. “As technology expands, so must our capacity to innovate and keep pace with the latest developments. The App Act will streamline federal resources and help the next generation of developers stay competitive in the global market.”