ANCHOR Act

Bill: 118-hr-7630
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Mike [R-CA-27]
Introduced: 2024-03-12 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
National Science Foundation
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2024-03-12
text: 

Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF). The plan must be provided to Congress within one year after the bill is enacted.

ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. 

The bill requires a plan to include assessments of (1) telecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions; (2) cybersecurity needs appropriate for the ownership of ARF vessels and their typical functions; (3) the costs necessary to meet these needs; and (4) the time required to implement necessary upgrades. The plan must also include a spending plan and a proposal for adopting common solutions, consortial licensing agreements, or a solution for centralizing cybersecurity, telecommunications, and data systems at a single facility.

Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider approaches to align with international standards for encryption of sensitive information, requirements for controlled classified or unclassified information, and the network capabilities necessary to meet particular mission needs (such as to upload data to shoreside servers or to enable video communications with K-12 classrooms).

The NSF must provide Congress with a report on the plan's implementation within two years after the plan is provided to Congress. 
 
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: 

Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF). The plan must be provided to Congress within one year after the bill is enacted.

ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. 

The bill requires a plan to include assessments of (1) telecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions; (2) cybersecurity needs appropriate for the ownership of ARF vessels and their typical functions; (3) the costs necessary to meet these needs; and (4) the time required to implement necessary upgrades. The plan must also include a spending plan and a proposal for adopting common solutions, consortial licensing agreements, or a solution for centralizing cybersecurity, telecommunications, and data systems at a single facility.

Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider approaches to align with international standards for encryption of sensitive information, requirements for controlled classified or unclassified information, and the network capabilities necessary to meet particular mission needs (such as to upload data to shoreside servers or to enable video communications with K-12 classrooms).

The NSF must provide Congress with a report on the plan's implementation within two years after the plan is provided to Congress. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 526.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5629-5630)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5629-5630)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7630.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5629-5631)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-05-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 433.
action_date: 2024-05-23
text: Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-521.
action_date: 2024-05-23
text: Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-521.
action_date: 2024-03-20
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
action_date: 2024-03-20
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-03-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2024-03-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-03-12
text: Introduced in House