[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.

                          ____________________