DIGIT Act

Bill: 116-s-1611
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2019-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
Digital media
Economic performance and conditions
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Health technology, devices, supplies
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public transit
Radio spectrum allocation
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-22
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 regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), and it establishes a steering committee composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group. The IoT is a system of interrelated devices connected to a network and each other that exchange data without requiring human interaction (e.g., smart home devices, medical monitoring devices, and wearable fitness trackers).
 
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 relevant responsibilities; (3) consider implementing 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. 
 
Lastly, 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: 2019-12-17
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 regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), and it establishes a steering committee composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group. The IoT is a system of interrelated devices connected to a network and each other that exchange data without requiring human interaction (e.g., smart home devices, medical monitoring devices, and wearable fitness trackers).
 
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 relevant responsibilities; (3) consider implementing 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. 
 
Lastly, 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: 2020-01-08
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 regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), and it establishes a steering committee composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group. The IoT is a system of interrelated devices connected to a network and each other that exchange data without requiring human interaction (e.g., smart home devices, medical monitoring devices, and wearable fitness trackers).
 
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 relevant responsibilities; (3) consider implementing 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. 
 
Lastly, 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: 2020-01-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2020-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2020-01-09
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-01-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-01-08
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S81-84; text: CR S83-84)
action_date: 2020-01-08
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S81-84; text: CR S83-84)
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. With written report No. 116-179.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. With written report No. 116-179.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate