[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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