[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1924-H1925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INSTITUTE FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENCES CODIFICATION ACT

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1343) to codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and 
to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and 
Information to establish an initiative to support the development of 
emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1343

       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 ``Institute for 
     Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act'' or the ``ITS 
     Codification Act''.

     SEC. 2. INSTITUTE FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENCES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The test center within the National Telecommunications 
     and Information Administration (in this subsection referred 
     to as the ``NTIA'') represents executive branch agencies on 
     spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission.
       (2) Understanding radio frequency propagation 
     characteristics and modeling is a critical component of 
     making spectrum decisions.
       (3) Federal agencies rely on expert engineering studies, 
     simulations, and analyses to make determinations about how to 
     make spectrum available for commercial use, including through 
     system relocations and identifying spectrum sharing 
     opportunities through the NTIA.
       (4) Clearing of Federal spectrum, when feasible, is the 
     priority action to take to make Federal spectrum available 
     for commercial uses as required by section 113(j)(1) of the 
     National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
     Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 923(j)(1)).
       (5) Sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal entities 
     and commercial entities provides access to Federal spectrum 
     for commercial uses in circumstances where clearing is not 
     feasible.
       (6) The test center within the NTIA is the Government's 
     premier expert laboratory for spectrum research activities, 
     spectrum sharing innovation and testing, spectrum 
     interference studies, and all activities related to advancing 
     next generation wireless technologies.
       (7) The test center within the NTIA is critical for 
     undertaking engineering studies and analyses that inform 
     clearing or sharing opportunities and facilitate policy 
     decisions to maximize the efficient use of spectrum 
     resources.
       (b) Operation of Test Center.--Part A of the National 
     Telecommunications and Information Administration 
     Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 106. INSTITUTE FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENCES.

       ``(a) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the authority provided to the 
     Assistant Secretary under section 103, the Assistant 
     Secretary shall operate a test center to be known as the 
     Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (in this section 
     referred to as `ITS').
       ``(2) Functions.--
       ``(A) In general.--In addition to any functions delegated 
     by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall 
     serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of 
     the Federal Government to--
       ``(i) study radio frequency emissions, including 
     technologies and techniques to control such emissions and 
     interference caused by such emissions;
       ``(ii) determine spectrum propagation characteristics;
       ``(iii) conduct tests on technology that enhances the 
     sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-
     Federal users;
       ``(iv) improve the interference tolerance of Federal 
     systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum;
       ``(v) promote activities relating to access to Federal 
     spectrum by non-Federal users and the sharing of Federal 
     spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; and
       ``(vi) conduct such other activities as determined 
     necessary by the Assistant Secretary.
       ``(B) Additional functions.--The Assistant Secretary may 
     delegate to ITS any of the functions assigned to the 
     Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1).
       ``(3) Agreements and transactions.--In carrying out the 
     functions described in paragraph (2), the Assistant 
     Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, may enter into 
     agreements as provided under the following authorities:
       ``(A) Sections 11 and 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980.
       ``(B) Section 1535 of title 31, United States Code.
       ``(C) Sections 207 and 209 of title 35, United States Code.
       ``(D) Section 103(b)(2) of this Act.
       ``(E) Section 113(g) of this Act.
       ``(F) The first undesignated section of Public Law 91-412.
       ``(G) As authorized in any other Federal statute.
       ``(4) Federal spectrum defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term `Federal spectrum' means frequencies assigned on a 
     primary basis to a Federal entity (as defined in section 
     113(l)).
       ``(b) Emergency Communication and Tracking Technologies 
     Initiative.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary, acting 
     through the head of ITS, shall establish an initiative to 
     support the development of emergency communication and 
     tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals 
     in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other 
     shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or 
     collapsed structures, where conventional radio communication 
     is limited.
       ``(2) Activities.--In order to carry out this subsection, 
     the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, 
     shall work with private sector entities and the heads of 
     appropriate Federal agencies, to--
       ``(A) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate 
     the measurement, technical specifications, and conformity 
     assessment needs required to improve the operation and 
     reliability of such emergency communication and tracking 
     technologies; and
       ``(B) support the development of technical specifications 
     and conformance architecture to improve the operation and 
     reliability of such emergency communication and tracking 
     technologies.
       ``(3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall 
     submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on 
     the assessment performed under paragraph (2)(A).''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Latta) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) 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

[[Page H1925]]

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 in support of H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification 
Act, led by the gentleman from Georgia's First District and the 
gentlewoman from Colorado's Seventh District.
  The effective and efficient management of our airwaves plays an 
important role in fueling our economy, which increasingly relies on 
communication between digital technologies.
  As demand for wireless technology continues to grow, we must continue 
to focus on identifying potential opportunities to make more spectrum 
available for commercial use, including reallocating and sharing 
spectrum from Federal users.
  Complex, technical engineering testing and analysis underpins these 
important decisions on how best to maximize our airwaves for commercial 
use while preserving our Federal missions.

                              {time}  1615

  Indeed, having a sound technical basis supporting these decisions 
will help restore trust in the process among Federal agencies.
  The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, within NTIA 
plays an essential role in conducting the tests that guide these 
spectrum reallocation or sharing decisions. ITS will also help ensure 
that NTIA, as the Federal spectrum manager, can continue to find 
opportunities to unleash commercial wireless innovation while also 
ensuring military readiness, securing our southern border, and 
advancing scientific discovery and other successful Federal missions.
  The work ITS performs has led to innovative advancements in the way 
we manage our airwaves. These airwaves power faster mobile connectivity 
for Americans, and making more spectrum available in the future is 
critical to beating China and ensuring our continued economic and 
national security.
  The ITS Codification Act will strengthen the statutory authority for 
ITS and ensure the work they do to advance United States technological 
leadership remains a key part of our approach.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the Institute for 
Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, Codification Act.
  The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, is the premier 
engineering laboratory of the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration. Among its many responsibilities, ITS 
manages various technology development programs for NTIA and the 
Department of Commerce and oversees cutting-edge studies concerning the 
use of our country's airwaves. ITS has played a significant role in 
furthering telecommunication advancements for our country's benefit.
  H.R. 1343 recognizes the numerous contributions of ITS by providing 
it with additional statutory authority. Under this legislation, ITS 
will serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the 
Federal Government. It will be charged with studying the use of 
innovative sharing technologies for our airwaves and improving the 
interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, 
Federal spectrum.
  The legislation also will allow the Assistant Secretary of Commerce 
for Communications and Information, acting through the head of the ITS, 
to enter into agreements needed to carry out the functions of the 
laboratory.
  This bill also requires the Assistant Secretary to establish an 
initiative to support the development of emergency communication and 
tracking technologies. These technologies will then be used to locate 
people trapped in areas where mobile connectivity may not be available 
due to natural disasters and other devastating events.
  I commend Representatives Pettersen and Carter for their bipartisan 
work on this bill. It will ensure that one of our Nation's key 
telecommunications facilities has the necessary tools and resources to 
not only continue its work but also expand its activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, 
which unanimously passed the Energy and Commerce Committee last month, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is the bill's sponsor and the vice chairman 
of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1343, the ITS 
Codification Act.
  This legislation would codify the Institute for Telecommunication 
Sciences, which plays a critical role in making spectrum available for 
commercial use.
  As we examine how Federal and commercial spectrum is allocated, it is 
our job as Members to ensure the agencies tasked with managing spectrum 
have the technical resources they need to be successful in their 
missions.
  ITS is an essential part of the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration, and we must strengthen its statutory 
authority to ensure it continues informing important spectrum policy 
decisions.
  This testing center will also play an important role in America's 
ability to stay ahead of international competitors like China on 
spectrum policy. I am confident ITS will continue to contribute to 
innovative advancements that are crucial for our global 
competitiveness.
  This bill also directs ITS to establish an initiative to support the 
development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for 
use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces. This is an 
important initiative that has the potential to protect and save 
American lives.
  Last Congress, this bill went through regular order and enjoyed 
unanimous support on the House floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support this 
bipartisan bill that, as I mentioned, unanimously passed out of the 
Energy and Commerce Committee last month. It is important.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1343 and passage 
by the House, 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. 1343.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________