Communications Security Act

To codify and authorize the Federal Communications Commission’s establishment of a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Security Act 2. Council on Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability (a) Codification and establishment (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (2) Existing advisory committee Any Federal advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of enactment of this Act under a charter filed in accordance with section 1008(c) of title 5, United States Code, for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall satisfy the requirement under that paragraph if, not later than 90 days after that date, the membership of the Federal advisory committee is modified, as necessary, to comply with subsection (b) of this section. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the Council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition The Chair shall appoint as members of the Council the following: (A) Representatives of companies or relevant trade associations in the communications industry with facilities in the United States, except entities that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted, including, at minimum— (i) 1 representative of a national wireless provider; (ii) 1 representative of a national wireline provider; (iii) 1 representative of a national cable provider; (iv) 1 representative of a national satellite provider; and (v) 1 representative of an equipment manufacturer. (B) Representatives of government, including, at minimum— (i) 1 representative of the Federal Government, including not less than 1 representative of the Department of Homeland Security; and (ii) 1 representative of a State government, local government, or Tribal government, including not less than 1 representative from each type of government, if feasible. (C) Representatives of public interest organizations or academic institutions, except public interest organizations or academic institutions that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted, provided that not more than 1/3 (3) Knowledge and experience Each member of the Council shall have knowledge and experience relevant to the purpose and goals of the Council. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the Council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, except as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. (c) Consultation The Chair may consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security as the Chair determines appropriate to enable coordination on matters pertaining to the Council. (d) Duration Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Council. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Chair The term Chair (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Council The term Council (4) Not trusted The term not trusted (A) the Chair has made a public determination that such entity is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary; or (B) the Chair determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States, using solely the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1601(c) (5) State The term State 47 U.S.C. 153

Summary: Communications Security Act This bill provides statutory authority and sets forth membership requirements for a council that provides advice and recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission regarding ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. The bill further stipulates that an existing advisory committee may constitute the council if, within 90 days, the committee's membership aligns with the membership requirements for the council.