[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9675-H9676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATE OF MODERN APPLICATION, RESEARCH, AND TRENDS OF IOT ACT
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 6032) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study and
submit to Congress a report on the state of the internet-connected
devices industry in the United States, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6032
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``State of Modern Application,
Research, and Trends of IoT Act'' or the ``SMART IoT Act''.
SEC. 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON INTERNET OF THINGS.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study
on the state of the internet-connected devices industry
(commonly known as the ``Internet of Things'') in the United
States. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop and conduct a survey of the internet-connected
devices industry through outreach to participating entities
as appropriate, including--
(A) a list of the industry sectors that develop internet-
connected devices;
(B) a list of public-private partnerships focused on
promoting the adoption and use of internet-connected devices,
as well as industry-based bodies, including international
bodies, which have developed, or are developing, mandatory or
voluntary standards for internet-connected devices;
(C) the status of the industry-based mandatory or voluntary
standards identified in subparagraph (B); and
(D) a description of the ways entities or industry sectors
develop, use, or promote the use of internet-connected
devices;
(2) develop a comprehensive list of Federal agencies with
jurisdiction over the entities and industry sectors
identified under paragraph (1);
(3) identify which Federal agency or agencies listed under
paragraph (2) each entity or industry sector interacts with;
(4) identify all interagency activities that are taking
place among the Federal agencies listed under paragraph (2),
such as working groups or other coordinated efforts;
(5) develop a brief description of the jurisdiction and
expertise of the Federal agencies listed under paragraph (2)
with regard to such entities and industry sectors;
(6) identify all regulations, guidelines, mandatory
standards, voluntary standards, and other policies
implemented by each of the Federal agencies identified under
paragraph (2), as well as all guidelines, mandatory
standards, voluntary standards, and other policies
implemented by industry-based bodies; and
(7) identify Federal Government resources that exist for
consumers and small businesses to evaluate internet-connected
devices.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report that contains--
(1) the results of the study conducted under subsection
(a); and
(2) recommendations of the Secretary for growth of the
United States economy through the secure advancement of
internet-connected devices.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' means an
agency, as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States
Code.
(2) Internet-connected device.--The term ``internet-
connected device'' means a physical object that--
(A) is capable of connecting to the internet, either
directly or indirectly through a network, to communicate
information at the direction of an individual; and
(B) has computer processing capabilities for collecting,
sending, receiving, or analyzing data.
SEC. 3. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act. This Act shall be carried out using
amounts otherwise authorized.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Latta) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6032, the State
of Modern Application, Research, and Trends of IoT Act, or the SMART
IoT Act.
Earlier this year, the SMART IoT Act was unanimously approved by the
Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee and the full
Energy and Commerce Committee.
I would like to thank Chairman Walden for his support of this
bipartisan legislation. I also want to thank Representative Welch for
his leadership as the original cosponsor of the SMART IoT Act and the
many bipartisan members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for
cosponsoring this bill.
Representative Welch and I have been working together on these issues
for years, including as co-founders of the Internet of Things Working
Group in the 114th Congress.
Today marks an important step towards maximizing the full potential
of Internet-connected devices, more commonly known as smart devices.
Almost any physical object can be transformed into a smart device
with microchips, sensors, and wireless communications. Once
transformed, these smart devices connect through a network to share,
exchange, and analyze data to gather insights used to solve problems or
enable new capabilities.
IoT solutions will benefit consumers and businesses by improving
productivity, efficiency, and much more. Whether we are talking about
advancements to automobiles that will improve roadway safety and save
lives or smart-city applications that will improve services for
residents, one thing is clear: We have the chance to benefit from a
more connected world.
Because of the vast benefits of IoT, we are seeing significant
economic impacts across a number of industries. By 2025, it is
projected that the total economic impact of IoT could reach $11.1
trillion. This includes value increases annually of up to $2.5 trillion
in the healthcare sector, $2.3 trillion in manufacturing, $300 billion
in infrastructure, $100 billion in agriculture, and $50 billion in
vehicle use.
To realize these benefits, we must ensure the Government does not get
in the way. Throughout numerous meetings over the years, we heard from
many stakeholders. What became clear is that it is difficult to know
who is doing what, both in the Federal Government and also in the
private sector.
A lack of collaboration and dialogue presents the problem of creating
unnecessary barriers to innovation and commonsense policy, something we
cannot afford to do if we want to unleash the power of IoT in the
United States. We must equip ourselves and industry with information
about what Federal, public-private, and self-regulatory efforts are in
place or under way.
This is why we developed the SMART IoT Act. The SMART IoT Act directs
the Secretary of Commerce to create a compendium to answer that very
question: Who is doing what? At the Federal level, this is what will
help promote interagency discussions and avoid conflicting or
duplicative obligations or regulations that may slow innovation and
progress.
At the industry level, this will help innovators and businesses know
how entities are developing, using, and promoting use of IoT solutions.
It will also highlight industry-based efforts to self-regulate and
provide all stakeholders with a resource to facilitate communication
and information sharing.
The SMART IoT Act is a critical first step to future IoT policy
efforts. It provides important information that will foster Federal
collaboration and streamline private industry efforts.
We have an obligation to do what we can to promote American
competitiveness and technological advancements that benefit Americans
in an environment where other countries are trying to overtake the
United States in technical innovation.
Mr. Speaker, again I thank Chairman Walden, Representative Welch, and
[[Page H9676]]
all of the bipartisan cosponsors of H.R. 6032, the SMART IoT Act. I
urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 6032, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to
the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), and I ask unanimous
consent that she may control that time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague
from Ohio for introducing this legislation and shepherding it through
committee and onto the floor.
The SMART IoT, Internet of Things, Act is a product of bipartisan
cooperation. As I did during subcommittee markup, I want to thank
Chairman Latta and Congressman Welch for their leadership on this
issue, going back to the IoT Working Group in the 114th Congress.
This bill will require the Commerce Department to survey the
varieties of connected devices available and examine the Federal role
in this space. The study conducted under this bill should serve as the
foundation for future legislative efforts as we work to ensure that
Internet-connected devices are deployed to the benefit of the American
consumer.
The SMART IoT Act is being considered under suspension of the rules
after committee consideration under regular order. After a series of
hearings on the Internet of things, Republican and Democratic
staff worked together on a discussion draft of the bill.
Earlier this year, we held a legislative hearing where we heard
testimony from the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Chamber of
Commerce, and Intel. That hearing raised several issues that we should
continue to examine; including privacy, security, and safety. We are
leaving major consumer protection issues unresolved in this area and
other areas.
Earlier this month, in Chicago, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of
the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which
included provisions that I worked on to include and improve the safety
of children's toys. Advocates there discussed how more work needs to be
done to ensure that children's toys are safe.
Someone mentioned how smart toys are becoming more and more
available, and questions were raised: Are these smart toys able now to
track our kids and where they are? So, the technologies have changed
the safety of toys, and we have to be sure that we are looking at that.
Our anger over misuse of consumer data has been bipartisan, but we
have not yet come together on solutions. I am hopeful that we will be
able to change that in the coming months.
As many Members of this body are aware, I have introduced the Secure
and Protect America's Data Act, which I believe is a good starting
point to begin discussion.
{time} 1700
I continue to urge my Republican colleagues to bring their ideas to
the table so we can work together to find common ground. American
consumers deserve action.
For now, I am pleased to move forward on legislation where we have
reached consensus like this. I look forward to continuing our
cooperation on this legislation as it moves to full committee in the
weeks ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge support of H.R. 6032, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 6032, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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