Communications Security Act

To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish 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) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (1) establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks; or (2) designate for purposes of this section an advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of the enactment of this Act under a charter for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) and, if the membership of such committee does not comply with subsection (b), modify such membership to comply with such subsection. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition To the extent practicable, the membership of the council shall be composed of the following: (A) Representatives of companies in the communications industry, except companies that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (B) 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. (C) Representatives of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, or Tribal Governments, with at least one member representing each such type of government. (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) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the council is established or designated (as the case may be) under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the council shall submit to the Chair each report adopted by the council during the preceding 2-year period, and any report adopted by any working group of the council during such period, including any such report of the council or a working group containing recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and on other relevant issues as appropriate. (2) Availability on Commission website The Commission shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Commission. (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 (A) In general The term not trusted (i) 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 (ii) the Chair otherwise determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States. (B) Criteria for determination In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chair shall use 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 (FCC) regarding ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. The bill specifies that the council must include representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). The FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to serve as the council, provided that the committee's membership is modified (if necessary) to comply with the requirements specified in the bill.