Advancing IoT for Precision Agriculture Act of 2021
Bill: S.1395 | Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb (R-NE)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Advancing IoT for Precision Agriculture Act of 2021
This bill supports research and development for connected technologies that advance precision agriculture.
In awarding grants under its sensor systems and networked systems programs, the National Science Foundation (NSF) shall consider certain research and development on sensor connectivity in environments of intermittent connectivity and intermittent computation.
The NSF must prioritize applications that incorporate distance learning tools and approaches in awarding grants under the Advanced Technological Education Program to (1) junior or community colleges to develop or improve associate degree or certificate programs in an in-demand industry sector or occupation; or (2) institutions of higher education partnering with private sector employers, industry partnerships, or sector partnerships that commit to offering apprenticeships, internships, research opportunities, or applied learning experiences to enrolled students.
The Government Accountability Office shall provide (1) a technology assessment of precision agriculture technologies; and (2) a review of federal programs that provide support for precision agriculture research, development, adoption, education, or training.

To promote scientific research and development opportunities for 
connected technologies that advance precision agriculture capabilities.

    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 ``Advancing IoT for Precision 
Agriculture Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to promote scientific research and 
development opportunities for connected technologies that advance 
precision agriculture capabilities.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DIRECTIVE ON AGRICULTURAL SENSOR 
              RESEARCH.

    In awarding grants under its sensor systems and networked systems 
programs, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall include 
in consideration of portfolio balance research and development on 
sensor connectivity in environments of intermittent connectivity and 
intermittent computation--
            (1) to improve the reliable use of advance sensing systems 
        in rural and agricultural areas; and
            (2) that considers--
                    (A) direct gateway access for locally stored data;
                    (B) attenuation of signal transmission;
                    (C) loss of signal transmission; and
                    (D) at-scale performance for wireless power.

SEC. 4. UPDATING CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY 
              WITHIN THE NSF ADVANCED TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    Section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 
U.S.C. 1862i) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) applications that incorporate distance 
                learning tools and approaches.'';
            (2) in subsection (e)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) applications that incorporate distance 
                learning tools and approaches.''; and
            (3) in subsection (j)(1), by inserting ``agricultural,'' 
        after ``commercial,''.

SEC. 5. GAO REVIEW.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall provide--
            (1) a technology assessment of precision agriculture 
        technologies, such as the existing use of--
                    (A) sensors, scanners, radio-frequency 
                identification, and related technologies that can 
                monitor soil properties, irrigation conditions, and 
                plant physiology;
                    (B) sensors, scanners, radio-frequency 
                identification, and related technologies that can 
                monitor livestock activity and health;
                    (C) network connectivity and wireless 
                communications that can securely support digital 
                agriculture technologies in rural and remote areas;
                    (D) aerial imagery generated by satellites or 
                unmanned aerial vehicles;
                    (E) ground-based robotics;
                    (F) control systems design and connectivity, such 
                as smart irrigation control systems; and
                    (G) data management software and advanced analytics 
                that can assist decision making and improve 
                agricultural outcomes; and
            (2) a review of Federal programs that provide support for 
        precision agriculture research, development, adoption, 
        education, or training, in existence on the date of enactment 
        of this Act.
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