[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.
____________________