[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1925-H1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRECISION AGRICULTURE SATELLITE CONNECTIVITY ACT
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1339) to require the Federal Communications Commission to review
certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule
changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1339
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 ``Precision Agriculture
Satellite Connectivity Act''.
SEC. 2. PRECISION AGRICULTURE SATELLITE CONNECTIVITY.
(a) Review.--The Commission, in consultation with the Task
Force, shall--
(1) review the rules of the Commission relating to fixed
satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth
exploration satellite service to determine if there are rule
changes that the Commission could implement under existing
authority to promote precision agriculture; and
[[Page H1926]]
(2) if the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that
there are rule changes that the Commission could implement,
develop recommendations for how to implement the changes.
(b) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commission 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 on the results of the
review conducted under subsection (a), including any
recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such
subsection.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
(2) Task force.--The term ``Task Force'' means the Task
Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of
Precision Agriculture in the United States established under
section 12511 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-334).
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
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill, including an
exchange of letters with the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
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 my legislation, H.R. 1339, the
Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, that I was pleased to
introduce with the gentlewoman from Illinois' Second District.
For years, large parts of my district and rural areas across America
have lacked access to fast broadband connections. Reliable internet
access is more than just being able to stream your favorite TV shows
and movies, Mr. Speaker. It is the crucial link connecting us all.
Whether it is helping seniors access telehealth services or allowing
students to complete homework assignments or enabling small businesses
to reach global markets, our people, country, and economy run on a
reliable internet connection.
Farmers in rural Ohio also know that reliable broadband connections
are essential to their operations. After all, it helps deploy
technologies that increase their productivity, produce higher yields,
and minimize operating costs.
Today's smart agriculture technology, from autonomous tractors to
distributed soil sensors, rely on internet connections to share data.
In fact, farmers use information in real time to make smarter decisions
on how to optimize inputs and whether and when to plant or harvest.
When terrestrial or cellular networks are not available, satellite
broadband steps in to make these technologies work.
However, it is not just advanced satellite broadband capabilities
that improve precision agriculture. Earth imaging satellites also
provide important information that can help farmers and ranchers
identify visual trends that may require immediate attention. As we
heard in hearings before the Energy and Commerce Committee, satellite
communications technologies can offer an array of services that may
promote precision agriculture.
In order to ensure our regulations maximize these opportunities, our
legislation directs the FCC to evaluate its rules and identify
potential changes that could further promote precision agriculture.
I am committed to ensuring our farmers have the tools needed at their
disposal to help increase productivity while minimizing costs. This
legislation is a good step forward in that mission.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, April 24, 2023.
Hon. Cathy McMorris Rodgers,
Chair, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Chair: I am writing concerning H.R. 1339, the
``Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act'', which
your committee reported on April 24, 2023.
H.R. 1339 contains provisions within the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology's Rule Xjurisdiction. As a
result of your having consulted with the Committee and in
order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego
action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our
mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or
alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees,
or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject
matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.
I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming
this understanding, and would request that you include a copy
of this letter and your response in in the Congressional
Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you
in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Frank D. Lucas,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC, April 25, 2023.
Hon. Frank D. Lucas,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Lucas: Thank you for your letter concerning
H.R. 1339, the ``Precision Agricultun Connectivity Act,''
which was referred solely to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
I understand that the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology (Committee on Science) has requested a sequential
referral on the bill based on its jurisdiction over
``[a]stronautical research and development, including
resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities,''
``[e]nvironmental research and development,'' ``National
Aeronautic sand Space Administration,'' and ``[o]uter Space,
including exploration and control thereof.''
While I am not prepared to concede that point, I recognize
the request for a sequential referral is not frivolous. I
therefore thank the Committee on Science for not insist
sequential referral request so that H.R. 1339 can be promptly
scheduled for Floor consid the Majority Leader.
As a fellow committee chair, I understand it is your duty
to protect the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, and
I agree that foregoing action on this bill will in no way
diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology with respect to the
appointment of conferees, or to any future jurisdictional
claim over the subject matters contained in this bill or
similar legislation.
I will place a copy of your letter and this response into
the Congressional Record during the Floor consideration of
this bill.
Sincerely,
Cathy McMorris Rodgers,
Chair.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1339, the Precision
Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act.
The innovations we are seeing in the commercial satellite industry
have the potential to transform so many aspects of daily life,
especially for those in more rural and remote areas.
For years, Americans have relied on satellites for a variety of
services, including the Global Positioning System, radio, and
television. However, now satellites are helping deliver faster
broadband speeds, providing critical communications services and
enabling scientists and nonprofits to monitor challenges like the
climate crisis and deforestation.
This satellite evolution is also touching American farms by
facilitating advancements in precision agriculture. H.R. 1339 promotes
the innovation of satellite technology for precision agriculture, which
uses satellite images to help farmers yield better crops and maximize
their yield profitability.
The legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission to
review its satellite service rules to assess whether there are any rule
changes that could better enable satellites to deliver precision
agriculture solutions. If the FCC finds that such rule changes exist,
then this legislation requires the FCC to develop recommendations for
implementing them. It also instructs the FCC to report its findings to
Congress, including any recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Kelly and Latta for their
bipartisan work on this bill, which unanimously passed out of the
Energy and Commerce Committee last month. With this legislation, we
ensure that the FCC and its satellite service rules are enabling
technological advances in the important area of precision agriculture
as much as possible.
[[Page H1927]]
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, this bill is bipartisan and passed out
of our committee unanimously last month.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R. 1339, the
Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, 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. 1339.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________