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<dc:title>117 S3014 RS: Next Generation Telecommunications Act</dc:title>
<dc:publisher>U.S. Senate</dc:publisher>
<dc:date>2022-12-07</dc:date>
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<distribution-code display="yes">II</distribution-code><calendar>Calendar No. 595</calendar><congress>117th CONGRESS</congress><session>2d Session</session><legis-num>S. 3014</legis-num><current-chamber>IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES</current-chamber><action><action-date date="20211020">October 20, 2021</action-date><action-desc><sponsor name-id="S385">Ms. Cortez Masto</sponsor> (for herself, <cosponsor name-id="S318">Mr. Wicker</cosponsor>, <cosponsor name-id="S270">Mr. Schumer</cosponsor>, <cosponsor name-id="S303">Mr. Thune</cosponsor>, and <cosponsor name-id="S409">Mr. Luján</cosponsor>) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the <committee-name committee-id="SSCM00" added-display-style="italic" deleted-display-style="strikethrough">Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation</committee-name></action-desc></action><action stage="Reported-in-Senate"><action-date date="20221207">December 7, 2022</action-date><action-desc>Reported by <sponsor name-id="S275">Ms. Cantwell</sponsor>, with an amendment</action-desc><action-instruction>Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic</action-instruction></action><legis-type>A BILL</legis-type><official-title>To establish the Next Generation Telecommunications Council, and for other purposes.</official-title></form><legis-body><section id="id55B67A60E7164583B14E95A7C7C71AEF" section-type="section-one" changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough" committee-id="SSCM00"><enum>1.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This Act may be cited as the <quote><short-title>Next Generation Telecommunications Act</short-title></quote>.</text></section><section id="id2B355444041A4E3FB8A3B82C6CE57F98" changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough" committee-id="SSCM00"><enum>2.</enum><header>6G and advanced wireless technologies council</header><subsection id="id2ecd3f2137c24741a0df36383f7d6bf1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established a Council, to be known as the <quote>Next Generation Telecommunications Council</quote> (referred to in this section as the <quote>Council</quote>), to advise Congress on 6G advancements and other advanced wireless communications technologies, including the use of such technologies for smart cities or communities. </text></subsection><subsection id="idc6acdb0981f941ff9580b427f6354f0d"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><paragraph id="id2a1755b90a4c4985a93f21ebb5bc73fc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Composition</header><subparagraph id="id0FB0C64129984154BE91A2542DC7F424"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), the Council shall be composed of the following members:</text><clause id="id52f66b4cf6a449c3a547e01a42ea1e85"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The Deputy Secretary of Commerce.</text></clause><clause id="id04e270c84127418abb6437f09bce9575"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. </text></clause><clause id="id4bcecd827d29451ab35a3b6652733ccc"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>The Undersecretary of the National Institute of Standards.</text></clause><clause id="id4950c08a675a48c5a85b27e4a937e375"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>The Chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission.</text></clause><clause id="id520be6a4cf0e41ea98e31637602f8a75"><enum>(v)</enum><text>The Director of the National Science Foundation.</text></clause><clause id="idf898f41ed0da4042ac580bb2b719da6e"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Senate and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="id7b81d9e138924dabb4a84a815ae134e1"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Two members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Senate and 1 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="ida64f462569a24a1980bf9c97d8ed1b70"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="id6208be8e09264dbdabb5c90e495d33e1"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>Two members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives and 1 of whom shall not be.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id923699D29ABE4D35B1EFFD8F9A6F785F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements for certain members</header><clause id="idF00C8414EEF14093BF5A26B5E37F5BF0"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The members of the Council who are not members of Congress and who are appointed under clauses (iv) through (vii) of subparagraph (A) shall be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in—</text><subclause id="idc1e6046ec6324973b9dd8bb81fa146ff"><enum>(I)</enum><text>telecommunications, spectrum policy, and standards organizations;</text></subclause><subclause id="id0c7ab9288b4b4ca7a42cb9d8d44c7e95"><enum>(II)</enum><text>cybersecurity and innovation; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id5f5c94bede284badb1b175d18fdf834d"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the implementation, funding, or oversight of national security and information sharing.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id18e397c433064b39a97cf63b4309d9e5"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Limitation on appointments</header><text>An official who appoints members of the Council may not appoint an individual as a member of the Council if such individual possesses any personal or financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Council.</text></clause><clause id="idf9e61867e81e4534be5bc13b163e9fb7"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All members of the Council described in clause (i) shall possess an appropriate security clearance in accordance with applicable provisions of law concerning the handling of classified information.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="iddeb4868c61c34004b2b6eed84375a7be"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Co-chairs</header><subparagraph id="id22A8D7728248472F9A7788229AFAA74F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall have 2 co-chairs selected from among the members of the Council, of which—</text><clause id="id063deb7dba5b45469150a0e02169a764"><enum>(i)</enum><text>one co-chair of the Council shall be a member of the Democratic Party; and</text></clause><clause id="id771BB09BCC9641759F045B19C3B4D818"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>one co-chair shall be a member of the Republican Party.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idab64eb62191942beacc45eaadd0d68cd"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The individuals who serve as the co-chairs of the Council shall be jointly agreed upon by the President, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idadc9c94913084ffd8e7c057c4b8d364b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Appointment; initial meeting</header><paragraph id="id9e421603eae2404cb07623efc6dee82b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>Members of the Council shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idce16515676c1482d880a15e6a2366c4c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial meeting</header><text>The Council shall hold its initial meeting on or before the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id87baf16491b24cf8adec8ba7e59596a6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings; quorum; vacancies</header><paragraph id="idf8f577d4c7e14e0c8b210b83e0dbf03b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>After its initial meeting, the Council shall meet upon the call of the co-chairs of the Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf254fa6d67cf4e9ab22ff15593755991"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>Seven members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business, except that 2 members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for purposes of receiving testimony.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id62b6c1623057434ca8bd36de4c21affc"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id064014b0afe444f6a77e69be67ba49f6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Quorum with vacancies</header><text>If vacancies in the Council occur on any day after 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Council as of such day.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id40ea21df21274a1ea59aab20be87f6cc"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Actions of Council</header><paragraph id="idc9de6f30533241f5ada1efc580c33b24"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Council voting and present.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id348c765037c8477b9bc0c00b4690e890"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Panels</header><text>The Council may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Council for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Council under this section. The actions of any such panel shall be subject to the review and control of the Council. Any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Council unless approved by the Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9c4dfcd86cd6462ba2ff8571507b2c8f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text>Any member, agent, or staff of the Council may, if authorized by the co-chairs of the Council, take any action which the Council is authorized to take pursuant to this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idfc0e878b81eb46628cf4387f016fdea1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The duties of the Council are to review past actions of the processes and procedures used to advance wireless communication deployment, including 5G technology, and advise Congress on 6G advancements, existing gaps in the standardization and development of 6G, and other advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1708B78F23C94162824E9B9E39FC5502" commented="no"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Strategy</header><paragraph id="id527ec5ce644e40c5b0400e170f1d1bd4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall develop and submit to Congress recommendations for how the Federal Government can support—</text><subparagraph id="id783ea4bc95ed49d2863f8ce2a5393b90"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the development and adoption of 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies, including ensuring digital inclusion and equity in access to such technologies for communities of color, those underserved, and rural communities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb43ea7ce1c9e4ec4902bdc7a05fdd4b1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assessment of roles and responsibilities within the Federal Government and how the Federal Government can better coordinate functions to ensure timely decisions and needed actions; </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idABE4E330C2604C5F8E29B5BC830EF5DF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>research and development into, and standards for, 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies, including collaboration with the private sector and United States allies; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb5ff627ad2bd44cebcc91b95f90ccb13"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the promotion of international cooperation, including security cooperation, with respect to 6G and other wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide0cefd0fb92249cfb1b0f87fdb22f59d"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In developing the strategy under this subsection, the Council shall consider the following issues:</text><subparagraph id="id9ef9fcb9d8c243fca25f33d422858a78"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Access to adequate spectrum resources to support 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id71ea1ca85fe34c85b6501870b69f0b3b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Assessment of the Federal Government’s function as regulator of electromagnetic spectrum, including but not limited to, testing capabilities, proper access to timely and relevant information, the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee and interagency cooperation, and communication with Federal and commercial license holders.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb66ea5faa6f0417f8208a563e17ab90e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Supply chain resiliency and security, including vendor diversity, for 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb3cc098474fd4595a355c821c3208e90"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Assessment of the workforce needs in order to build, maintenance, and utilize 6G networks, including the necessary diversity within each of these areas.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8ddf47519d3740928baf6c2fa412d16a"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Ensure greater collaboration and information sharing to make certain advanced networks, including those utilized by first responders, remain secure and resilient in the face of cyber intrusions and natural disasters.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idffb61c2aebc6432e89167ba233d46a53"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Other issues identified as important to the successful development and deployment of 6G and other advanced wireless communications technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, satellite and fixed wireless broadband, and open RAN technologies.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3ab294769ddf4d56838350804d3c05d1"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Powers of Council</header><paragraph id="ide442d9a21fc04aaea4f3eee1fdc3a36c"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council or, on the authorization of the Council, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8a14d1ce4eb84968af4f8b6c29be6f8f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contracting</header><text>The Council may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Council to discharge its duties under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida4b14017750843099130a74c7995e342"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Information from Federal agencies</header><subparagraph id="id78349EFF991E453CB32B494B0B75C3FB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council may secure directly from any executive department, agency, bureau, board, council, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purposes of this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id702b5779fa314f87a61b64dec0f8f971"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement to share information</header><text>Each such department, agency, bureau, board, commission, office, establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Council, upon request of the co-chairs of the Council.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id571698fe0d524ec3b7838c2406d8d877"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Treatment of classified information</header><text>The Council shall handle and protect all classified information provided to it under this section in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1ae4c59d07b0468f94aeeeb65fbc1aeb"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Assistance from Federal agencies</header><subparagraph id="id05048729F6DC499B88190CC769BA91D9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative services, funds, staff, facilities, and other support services as are necessary for the performance of the Council’s duties under this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddc7552d1ee344d5bb207bc6563d3e928"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Administrative support</header><text>The Chairperson of the Federal Communications Council may provide the Council, on a reimbursable basis, with such administrative services, staff, and other support services as the Council may request.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id82132f633b3045ca84617cba4a750118"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Additional support</header><text>In addition to the assistance set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2), other departments and agencies of the Federal Government may provide the Council such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support as such departments and agencies consider advisable and as may be authorized by law.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id03b379c45c56494ea624d793c6f4fe7e"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Cooperation among agencies</header><text>The Council shall receive the full and timely cooperation of any official, department, or agency of the Federal Government, including from the Department of State, Department of Defense, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, whose assistance is necessary, as jointly determined by the co-chairs selected under subsection (b)(2), for the fulfillment of the duties of the Council, including the provision of full and current briefings and analyses.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idad187455b44d49b4a4910437eb381a82"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Postal services</header><text>The Council may use the United States Postal Service in the same manner and under the same conditions as the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id43ea0747579245269c9e3154a824a6b9"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Gifts</header><text>No member or staff of the Council may receive a gift or benefit by reason of the service of such member or staff to the Council.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7f3139a74c5a439f85c31cf6d40731d4"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Staff of Council</header><paragraph id="id8f330eb6ba4e4bfc8fe1931b7c729afd"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><subparagraph id="id29DE41992DA242038AFDC1BECC7EE7BA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Appointment of staff director and other personnel</header><text>The co-chairs of the Council, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Council, shall appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Council to carry out its duties, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable to a person occupying a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title 5.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9430AE832EED43EFA819920153836FCE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Detailees</header><text>Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement from the Council, and such detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id687e95144f4d4bfe835b277882e9e86b"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All staff of the Council shall possess a security clearance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations concerning the handling of classified information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id029e2683016145328c14bc302f75a606"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultant services</header><subparagraph id="idF6C33C9742A5459392DEA62F7DDE1371"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of such title 5.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3134F2AEA3884FB0B3CADBCEF97B0ACE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All experts and consultants employed by the Council shall possess a security clearance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations concerning the handling of classified information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9b80a8979a5248b09c8cd5b5d385525d"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Compensation and travel expenses</header><paragraph id="id59cee7a93eb540068cee3aed4de089db"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation</header><subparagraph id="id3E69999D233442B1BDC905AFD928378D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Council may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Council under this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA55BE62AF94646EEBE16D877176F9903"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Members of the Council who are officers or employees of the Federal Government or Members of Congress shall receive no additional pay by reason of their service on the Council.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4ad2e4a8456c4773bb15850a02f1f5aa"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Council, members of the Council may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Federal Government are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idcd48f10301c54594a48670ea8cabbd51"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Access after termination of Council</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the termination of the Council under subsection (k)(2), only the members and designated staff of the congressional commerce committees, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and such other officials of the executive branch as the President may designate, shall have access to information related to the national security of the United States that is received, considered, or used by the Council.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc0783d30886c46609a9428eec6250986"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Final report; termination</header><paragraph id="id3b7c48c746fd4596b5040990e8d80727"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Council is established, the Council shall submit to the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a final report in compliance with the duties described in subsection (f) and containing the strategy described in subsection (g).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idd60aa34de3d04ad781627dbf40f1f066"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Termination</header><subparagraph id="idA8C203747C54465F85EAC88AA6B6DAB8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council, and all the authorities of this section, shall terminate at the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date on which the final report under paragraph (1) is submitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9F2A984E6B38492193834A012C26258C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Conclusion of activities</header><text>The Council may use the 120-day period referred to in paragraph (1) for the purposes of concluding its activities, including providing testimony to Congress concerning the final report referred to in that paragraph and disseminating the report. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf44d73e41e0445a68b5e90144d87cdeb"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Assessments of final report</header><text>Not later than 60 days after receipt of the final report under subsection (k)(1), the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, an assessment of the final report. Each assessment shall include such comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the final report as the Director or Secretary, as the case may be, considers appropriate.</text></subsection><subsection id="id3b876dbb189b4e599c054113d256fa68"><enum>(m)</enum><header>Inapplicability of certain administrative provisions</header><paragraph id="id9e821226e40b4c90b17f9807ace0b666"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text>The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the activities of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida04e1b6dfe4142c3950d1d6d2a766453"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Freedom of Information Act</header><text>The provisions of section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the <quote>Freedom of Information Act</quote>), shall not apply to the activities, records, and proceedings of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id282ee8932f17453d889b658fbd577a67"><enum>(n)</enum><header>Funding</header><paragraph id="id2102d8d8021e49938a4f8aaa2ae395f3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry out this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id84356b1552fc47178f461d37beced54b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability in general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (1), the Secretary of Commerce shall make available to the Council such amounts as the Council may require for purposes of the activities of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id729c916eff944d8daea6ed6716ef715d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duration of availability</header><text>Amounts made available to the Council under paragraph (2) shall remain available until expended. </text></paragraph></subsection></section></legis-body><legis-body display-enacting-clause="no-display-enacting-clause"><section section-type="section-one" id="idc1201feb-9b3b-496a-a964-e1c788c008d2" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="SSCM00"><enum>1.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This Act may be cited as the <quote><short-title>Next Generation Telecommunications Act</short-title></quote>.</text></section><section id="id11D37A9B779B44D89377BFE3DDF37C76" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="SSCM00"><enum>2.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this Act:</text><paragraph id="id8EB6E813D87648D6AC929DC91C7B489E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Advanced wireless communications technologies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>advanced wireless communications technologies</term> means advanced technologies that contribute to or rely on 6G or future generation networks, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, satellite and fixed wireless broadband, open network architecture, precision agriculture, advanced telemedicine and medical diagnostics, and remote learning technologies.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idE3D13E8F361C4EEAA560DB43EA4126C2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Appropriate congressional committees</header><text>The term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text><subparagraph id="id88A0891C94D5484AA9C643F7E581C9D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9F283D56545642839F8EE2D76489DF78"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCCFE301BBE3E4513B02967345B773C6E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id714DEFDD08B948F5A048B431142C0109"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id13BC3F0B57D24C5481B933BFFE35B4EB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Congressional leaders</header><text>The term <term>congressional leaders</term> means—</text><subparagraph id="id20C1E4B9AB94414F8C9F9E2D9621505C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the majority leader of the Senate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id806D0DFC43C94E90AEE7C96A87E3046E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the minority leader of the Senate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC55AA787B7F64E45AF7D04C9BB030BE2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7A18F33FF0764E74A1C9873D632B039D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the minority leader of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0DE5098E874E4CAB84E197A77E4C2022"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Council</header><text>The term <term>Council</term> means the Next Generation Telecommunications Council established under section 3(a).</text></paragraph></section><section id="id9b599071-4d55-4c67-83a2-f2672f432f8a" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="SSCM00"><enum>3.</enum><header>6G and advanced wireless technologies council</header><subsection id="id886ba3bf-8eb6-41b6-b219-3eab89409e7d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established a council, to be known as the <quote>Next Generation Telecommunications Council</quote>, to advise Congress on 6G advancements and advanced wireless communications technologies, including the use of such technologies for smart cities or communities.</text></subsection><subsection id="ideb1d7842-73b1-498c-afe1-42ea530ef951"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><paragraph id="idbb73eda5-3b84-4492-8fc1-87831a2a1658"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Composition</header><subparagraph id="idd43cab42-ca86-4bb7-b7f2-7d48258f9c24"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), the Council shall be composed of the following members:</text><clause id="idb8a35a65-f391-4211-a884-82da4941469c"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The Deputy Secretary of Commerce.</text></clause><clause id="idcf92bb54-0156-4da4-b62f-aa44aca87a7b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. </text></clause><clause id="id5bd19105-9dd2-469f-9317-80c6d23bd849"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.</text></clause><clause id="idd9acf804-14f8-42a9-8e22-125e8617f31f"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission.</text></clause><clause id="idb9fbb0c6-8117-4a77-a66e-6d0c0cbc74e9"><enum>(v)</enum><text>The Director of the National Science Foundation.</text></clause><clause id="ida86d0936-410c-461b-ba92-35a5eab86964"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Senate and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="id4b2cff4a-dda6-42a9-9e82-de3bb4575855"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Senate and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="id6fb23af8-4d89-47be-8b65-142f1dc558e3"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause><clause id="id91e452b6-5d1b-4c34-930c-7f3b680deb85"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>Three members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives and 2 of whom shall not be.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5fb69d23-3856-4b71-961e-68be93f35ca5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements for certain members</header><clause id="iddb2a8c32-b4bf-4263-ae72-1cbd8b532402"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The members of the Council who are not members of Congress and who are appointed under clauses (vi) through (ix) of subparagraph (A) shall be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in—</text><subclause id="id5ab68971-0d11-4569-8baa-4e7cbb609bc9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>telecommunications, computing, spectrum policy, and standards organizations;</text></subclause><subclause id="idF03249F5A27146E6A8A6D4EC8DAC8E3A"><enum>(II)</enum><text>cloud services and artificial intelligence and machine learning;</text></subclause><subclause id="id0d88ac10-0e5d-4916-b0d7-775caed2ee57"><enum>(III)</enum><text>cybersecurity and security innovations; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id80cb9c63-79d7-479d-baa8-57e803a16995"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>national security oversight, protection of information systems, and coordination conducted between the private sector and government institutions.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id60a39974-2a87-4d06-af66-8490771a8713"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Limitation on appointments</header><text>An official who appoints members of the Council may not appoint an individual as a member of the Council if such individual possesses any personal or financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Council.</text></clause><clause id="iddbe54f5a-32e7-4b82-99ca-798ebeaf3274"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All members of the Council described in clause (i) shall possess an appropriate security clearance in accordance with applicable provisions of law concerning the handling of classified information.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id98f9cef9-b733-4f82-ac1b-c0a375e4317b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Co-chairs</header><subparagraph id="id3cfd02a4-e7a4-4861-8c4d-43446189bb3b"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall have 2 co-chairs selected from among the members of the Council, of which—</text><clause id="id2da08365-a2f9-48fa-bab0-f28a4d56bf58"><enum>(i)</enum><text>one co-chair of the Council shall be a member of the Democratic Party; and</text></clause><clause id="idb0dfb4df-1ee8-4f29-a874-a0047d23e0a8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>one co-chair shall be a member of the Republican Party.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd1c3a8f4-55f5-4fcc-be08-2c0bac48b3c6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The individuals who serve as the co-chairs of the Council shall be jointly agreed upon by the President and the congressional leaders.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id808dbfa1-d050-4560-a1c5-d335d262bba9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Appointment; initial meeting</header><paragraph id="id9a0876ac-3838-46b8-b693-87285b7ddf92"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>Members of the Council shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idfaa25317-c97f-4125-98da-bf5b006f8bfc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial meeting</header><text>The Council shall hold its initial meeting on or before the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id00dff33b-5f8b-4662-99d1-f9a380020999"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings; quorum; vacancies</header><paragraph id="idf9d4f7d9-a08e-4f3e-b90c-02f8dfb2d0cc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>After its initial meeting, the Council shall meet upon the call of the co-chairs of the Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc76ece18-e936-41e5-b25a-a1bbc75979b5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>Nine members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business, except that 2 members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for purposes of receiving testimony.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida9062907-466c-4f12-9189-b6cbd1222291"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4c724308-3117-4e36-b8da-6d79ccc38422"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Quorum with vacancies</header><text>If vacancies in the Council occur on any day after 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a majority of sitting members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. </text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idab07cb13-f1e1-40e6-a44e-5e9f28be8e32"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Actions of Council</header><paragraph id="id8e432110-5ab5-46c2-91d6-6eb9870b4c05"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Council voting and present.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida72b595b-c2cf-47cb-a4de-198bd462119b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Panels</header><text>The Council may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Council for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Council under this section. The actions of any such panel shall be subject to the review and control of the Council. Any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Council unless approved by the Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7598c9f5-1fe2-42eb-8175-2b255221cb2f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text>Any member, agent, or staff of the Council may, if authorized by the co-chairs of the Council, take any action which the Council is authorized to take pursuant to this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id59a4c524-369e-4455-85dc-6fc7d6bcb009"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Duties</header><paragraph id="idCF3039984EF54DE58D8D8BFFB20093A6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The duties of the Council are to—</text><subparagraph id="idC44ED1C14C094C1584E3101411F5E310"><enum>(A)</enum><text>review past processes and procedures used to advance wireless communication deployment, including 5G technology; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id93D01A271FDB49119CF59D277CDF692F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>advise Congress on—</text><clause id="id33FF1CED86624600A09C3816516808D2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>6G advancements;</text></clause><clause id="id6182BFF2B8404CE9BA1D160303C2E8A3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>existing gaps in the standardization and development of 6G; and</text></clause><clause id="id5C712C6CEE224F419D5D4782C01F60AA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idC05EE521D4A34C05A62512E0F4CBC5FF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Solicitation of stakeholder comment</header><text>In carrying out the review required under paragraph (1), the Council shall solicit input and information from non-Federal stakeholders, including new market entrants. </text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idf708b596-9fd7-4e29-8f71-ca3a59128418"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Strategy</header><paragraph id="ida632741d-b228-488d-807b-83a2154804a6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall develop and submit to Congress recommendations for how the Federal Government can support—</text><subparagraph id="id9d6be07b-71a9-4950-a73f-08ad3898f3f9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the development and adoption of 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies, including ensuring digital inclusion and equity in access to such technologies for communities of color, underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and rural and Tribal communities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id721D3D3543AC4406B7648E6709524985"><enum>(B)</enum><text> the coordination of spectrum management functions within the Federal Government to ensure timely decisions and needed actions for the development of 6G applications and advanced wireless communications technologies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id66cb8043-bea7-4434-b5ae-69307019c673"><enum>(C)</enum><text>research and development into, and standards for, 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies, including collaboration with federally funded research and development centers, universities, the private sector, and United States allies; </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id57F6119CD39E41808D444C23EC6EB712"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the development of 6G applications and other end uses, including through test beds and pilot programs; </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id759ba14c-798b-469f-b8fe-bc3d62c49d36"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the promotion of international cooperation, including privacy and security cooperation, with respect to 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id274F45B053F841C7BB79EEA33E165502"><enum>(F)</enum><text>coordination regarding the deployment of 6G technologies among existing (as of the date on which the strategy is developed) and future spectrum users; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id286C6E53FEAA49EE81793BEDE2FB9C70"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the consideration of issues regarding the national security of the United States with respect to the deployment of 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id19e6dfe7-62e5-4153-a03d-942ad724488b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In developing the strategy under this subsection, the Council shall consider the following:</text><subparagraph id="ide0a9ba89-3a42-422f-b49c-78560d439a8e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Access to adequate spectrum resources to support 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies for Federal and non-Federal users.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb86f009b-e0e1-4151-a820-c4f775473017"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Federal Government’s function as regulator of commercial and non-commercial electromagnetic spectrum, including an assessment of the Federal Government's—</text><clause id="id82B5712DD54C4F2FAA11A7EED9D27D9B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>technical engineering capabilities;</text></clause><clause id="id36B24115656B4F758130FD26FAA6C86F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>transparent processes for the resolution of non-routine policy disputes;</text></clause><clause id="id7B4557559840413A9F34301F4AE24E69"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>interagency cooperation; and</text></clause><clause id="idE347AADDD9C54D74B2F581D11E7DB986"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>communication with Federal and commercial license holders, including taking into consideration relevant expert reports from Federal advisory councils and other academic organizations.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf0f647d5-033e-4b1a-8baf-a00cd5158889"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Supply chain resiliency and security, including vendor diversity, for 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbdfed5d6-c5e5-4666-bb53-591c76daae83"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Securing the network for 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3B0E2BB557164015B087F10D4CFB64BE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The role of cloud computing in the development of 6G applications and advanced wireless communications technologies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id59161439F5D84ED993206472D0A74333"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The workforce needs that must be met in order to build, maintain, and utilize 6G applications and advanced wireless communications technologies and networks, along with strategies to conduct the necessary workforce training, which consideration may include consulting the report submitted to Congress by the telecommunications interagency working group established under section 344 of the Communications Act of 1934 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/344">47 U.S.C. 344</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfa70fdcc-2c3a-4dfa-bb19-5be8123d9b24"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The need for greater collaboration and information sharing between the Federal Government and the communications industry to make certain that 6G and advanced wireless communications networks, including those utilized by first responders, remain secure and resilient in the face of cyber intrusions and natural disasters.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0c0b032adc4848a989cd13608855782f"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Facilitation of infrastructure siting, easements, and licenses for the deployment of 6G. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1ac5efaf-ce2e-4108-a5d3-dfa8d314fd5a"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Other factors relevant to the successful development and deployment of 6G and advanced wireless communications technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, satellite and fixed wireless broadband, and open RAN technologies.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8e41d32a-6256-43ae-bf3a-816026bc38d4"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Powers of Council</header><paragraph id="id70b74252-9ccb-4279-8775-a33db8216e5b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council or, on the authorization of the Council, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Council may determine necessary or beneficial to the development of the strategy required under subsection (g). </text></paragraph><paragraph id="id1e04c290-d909-4d14-80ea-d9740145f77c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contracting</header><text>The Council may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Council to discharge its duties under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb6edbfeb-e2c3-473e-ba2e-741c4296ff5f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Information from Federal agencies</header><subparagraph id="id5a8ef435-b7d0-48ac-ac36-61492ce24660"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council may secure directly from any executive department, agency, bureau, board, council, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purposes of this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id54fe4e39-65e6-4cf9-a31e-a5b33ec7af12"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement to share information</header><text>Each such department, agency, bureau, board, council, office, establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Council, upon request of the co-chairs of the Council.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idec38f80c-6c9e-4ff8-bf38-a3e1a6cbb8a6"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Treatment of classified information</header><text>The Council shall handle and protect all classified information provided to it under this section in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idda094900-46ea-4049-b0df-75a43c69aa26"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Assistance from Federal agencies</header><subparagraph id="id55494c3e-ef5e-4b89-bc23-d121053ac0e9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative services, funds, staff, facilities, and other support services as are necessary for the performance of the Council’s duties under this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id035c98a2-eb78-4221-97af-96564fb8c000"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Administrative support</header><text>The Chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission may provide the Council, on a reimbursable basis, with such administrative services, staff, and other support services as the Council may request.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id52dc4c5a-3a91-4dfd-821d-722d3a5e826f"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Additional support</header><text>In addition to the assistance set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B), other departments and agencies of the Federal Government may provide the Council such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support as such departments and agencies consider advisable and as may be authorized by law.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9152895b-424c-48c0-9ccb-b3bf71617860"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Cooperation among agencies</header><text>The Council shall receive the full and timely cooperation of any official, department, or agency of the Federal Government, including from the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, whose assistance is necessary, as jointly determined by the co-chairs selected under subsection (b)(2), for the fulfillment of the duties of the Council, including the provision of full and current briefings and analyses.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9c1782ee-61e0-4625-a8ac-d3d0ccb6fc9a"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Postal services</header><text>The Council may use the United States Postal Service in the same manner and under the same conditions as the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id10b6dbf0-187e-41a5-9f21-ddecd1d2ff2d"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Gifts</header><text>No member or staff of the Council may receive a gift or benefit by reason of the service of such member or staff to the Council.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7550bbff-edf5-480c-a5f3-16ed48ec854c"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Staff of Council</header><paragraph id="id972b04d2-967d-41f1-9fab-f47748e1dcd7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><subparagraph id="id31f892e0-0222-46f6-89f3-edb00a0d6b88"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Appointment of staff director and other personnel</header><text>The co-chairs of the Council, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Council, shall appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Council to carry out its duties, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable to a person occupying a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7fc5295d-61fc-4dd5-84cb-4174758d9886"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Detailees</header><text>Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement from the Council, and such detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide4995a3c-0e90-4d3e-a078-64a16e62be53"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All staff of the Council shall possess a security clearance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations concerning the handling of classified information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idb00b70b7-6bea-4fda-a923-c90ba3ac4f34"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultant services</header><subparagraph id="id7ae85cf0-edbc-4a21-b039-f4bc4277e899"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of such title.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf5cf6bda-2b64-44c6-aa35-591547cfa930"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All experts and consultants employed by the Council shall possess a security clearance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations concerning the handling of classified information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida3034544-25a3-4522-aca8-b9fe22c83e87"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Compensation and travel expenses</header><paragraph id="id310dc9d0-5c2d-4dc8-8f13-0c6d6b270525"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation</header><subparagraph id="id4c3aeb0b-e421-4370-a059-3bd230de070d"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Council may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Council under this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ided7bf3d1-f1d0-4c6d-b1a5-b004124f50da"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Members of the Council who are officers or employees of the Federal Government or Members of Congress shall receive no additional pay by reason of their service on the Council.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id48374079-3528-464e-94a5-e14a91011932"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Council, members of the Council may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Federal Government are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id1efe3ce6-3d6e-4c3e-a8a1-c124716a339c"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Access after termination of Council</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the termination of the Council under subsection (k)(3), only the following individuals shall have access to information related to the national security of the United States that is received, considered, or used by the Council:</text><subparagraph id="idF93D8FFF548F47E4AC41F9115BC8738E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Any member of Congress, and the designated staff of any member of Congress.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9F9B48ACA8644ACDB9465450299BE856"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Such other officials of the executive branch as the President may designate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf717feed-33d5-490f-9ba2-dee866778c6b"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Final report; termination</header><paragraph id="id2aebdf88-53c5-46ea-bd1f-f53955334a11"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Council is established, the Council shall submit to the congressional leaders and the appropriate congressional committees, and to any member of Congress upon request, a final report in compliance with the duties described in subsection (f) and containing the strategy described in subsection (g).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id04ED589BD95A46278519EA3223E7C5F4" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public comment</header><text>The Council shall—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idB477CFE1689A4BECA1FA57443B2025B9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>publish in the Federal Register a draft of the report required under paragraph (1);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id85A7A8DED6394F6D88B230638B90BCB8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>accept public comments on the draft published under subparagraph (A); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id85AF7302C5D34EB6B6882E35A0D55D29"><enum>(C)</enum><text>take into consideration the comments accepted under subparagraph (B) in preparing the final version of the report required under paragraph (1).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8D85BCC26D86423DB501CC1785FC58BB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Termination</header><subparagraph id="id4a69c308-feac-4e5c-9195-251329d6d890"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council, and all the authorities of this section, shall terminate at the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date on which the final report is submitted to the congressional leaders and the appropriate congressional committees under paragraph (1).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id819d01d1-c2ef-4233-9f10-2a1fcfddba55"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Conclusion of activities</header><text>The Council may use the 120-day period referred to in subparagraph (A) for the purposes of concluding its activities, including providing testimony to Congress concerning the final report referred to in that paragraph and disseminating the report.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id171d3360-08d3-498f-9ff7-067a90ac105d"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Assessments of final report</header><text>Not later than 60 days after submission of the final report under subsection (k)(1), the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the congressional leaders and the appropriate congressional committees, and to any member of Congress upon request, an assessment of the final report that includes comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the final report.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1324df6d-be89-46a2-9d62-68c428896fd4"><enum>(m)</enum><header>Inapplicability of certain administrative provisions</header><paragraph id="ida08e93a7-26ad-4640-b632-44b92ca3336d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text>The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the activities of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idea8165ae-9b8a-4182-8104-1aa2401aa5cf"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Freedom of Information Act</header><text>The provisions of section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the <quote>Freedom of Information Act</quote>), shall not apply to the activities, records, and proceedings of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id736cdf5f-6194-4162-ab95-4fa0419e3aff"><enum>(n)</enum><header>Funding</header><paragraph id="id8894471c-aa47-4419-9685-01c598e0eb2e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 to carry out this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7060c81f-1021-46b0-a30a-2672bcd6a43c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability in general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (1), the Secretary of Commerce shall make available to the Council such amounts as the Council may require for purposes of the activities of the Council under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id508ae18b-a237-46d8-890a-4426a6d1cca7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duration of availability</header><text>Amounts made available to the Council under paragraph (2) shall remain available until expended until the date that the Council terminates under subsection (k)(3).</text></paragraph></subsection></section></legis-body><endorsement><action-date date="20221207">December 7, 2022</action-date><action-desc>Reported with an amendment</action-desc></endorsement></bill> 

