Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act

Bill: 115-s-88
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2017-01-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
Digital media
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-10
text: 

Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and a report to Congress regarding the growing number of connected and interconnected devices known as the Internet of Things (IoT). The bill establishes a steering committee to be composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group.
 
The Federal Communications Commission must: (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.

action_date: 2017-06-05
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that policies governing the Internet of Things (IoT) should maximize the potential and development of the growing number of connected and interconnected devices to benefit businesses, governments, and consumers.
 
(Sec. 4) The Department of Commerce must convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and a report to Congress regarding the IoT. The bill establishes a steering committee to be composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group.
 
The working group must: (1) identify federal laws and regulations, grant practices, budgetary or jurisdictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that inhibit IoT development; (2) consider policies or programs that encourage and improve coordination among federal agencies with IoT jurisdiction; (3) implement recommendations from the steering committee; (4) examine how federal agencies can benefit from, use, prepare for, and secure the IoT; and (5) consult with nongovernmental stakeholders. 
 
The steering committee must advise the working group about laws, budgets, spectrum needs, individual privacy, security, small business challenges, and any international proceedings or negotiations affecting the IoT. 
 
Within 18 months after enactment of this bill, the working group must report its findings and recommendations, its reasons for inaction on steering committee recommendations, and an accounting of any progress by federal agencies to implement recommendations. 
 
(Sec. 5) The Federal Communications Commission must: (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.

action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that policies governing the Internet of Things (IoT) should maximize the potential and development of the growing number of connected and interconnected devices to benefit businesses, governments, and consumers.
 
(Sec. 4) The Department of Commerce must convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and a report to Congress regarding the IoT. The bill establishes a steering committee to be composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group.
 
The working group must: (1) identify federal laws and regulations, grant practices, budgetary or jurisdictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that inhibit IoT development; (2) consider policies or programs that encourage and improve coordination among federal agencies with IoT jurisdiction; (3) implement recommendations from the steering committee; (4) examine how federal agencies can benefit from, use, prepare for, and secure the IoT; and (5) consult with nongovernmental stakeholders. 
 
The steering committee must advise the working group about laws, budgets, spectrum needs, individual privacy, security, small business challenges, and any international proceedings or negotiations affecting the IoT. 
 
Within 18 months after enactment of this bill, the working group must report its findings and recommendations, its reasons for inaction on steering committee recommendations, and an accounting of any progress by federal agencies to implement recommendations. 
 
(Sec. 5) The Federal Communications Commission must: (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2017-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-08-04
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-08-04
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4819)
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 113.
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-90.
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-90.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-10
text: Introduced in Senate