ITS Codification Act

Bill: 117-hr-4990
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2021-08-10
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Emergency communications systems

Government studies and investigations

Public-private cooperation

Radio spectrum allocation

Research administration and funding

Technology assessment

Technology transfer and commercialization

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2022-07-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-08-10
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act</b></p> <p>This bill provides statutory authority for the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, which serves as the telecommunications research and engineering arm of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.</p> <p>In addition, the institute must establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces where conventional radio communication is limited. </p>

action_date: 2022-07-26
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><b>Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act</b></p> <p>This bill provides statutory authority for the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, which serves as the telecommunications research and engineering arm of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.</p> <p>In addition, the institute must establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces where conventional radio communication is limited. </p>

action_date: 2022-07-27
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act</b></p> <p>This bill provides statutory authority for the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, which serves as the telecommunications research and engineering arm of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.</p> <p>In addition, the institute must establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces where conventional radio communication is limited.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4990 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 10, 2021 Mr. Carter of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act . 2. Institute for telecommunication sciences (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The test center within National Telecommunications and Information Administration (in this subsection referred to as the NTIA ) represents executive branch agencies on spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Understanding radio frequency propagation characteristics and modeling is a critical component of making spectrum decisions. (3) Federal agencies rely on expert engineering studies, simulations, and analyses to make determinations about system relocations to make spectrum available for commercial use as well as identify spectrum sharing opportunities through the NTIA. (4) Clearing of Federal spectrum, when feasible, is the priority action to make Federal spectrum available for commercial uses. (5) Sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal entities and commercial entities provides access to Federal spectrum for commercial uses in circumstances where clearing is not possible. (6) The test center within NTIA, is the Government’s premier expert laboratory for spectrum research activities, spectrum sharing innovation and testing, spectrum interference studies, and all activities related to advancing next generation wireless technologies. (7) The test center within NTIA is critical for undertaking engineering studies and analyses, identifying clearing or sharing opportunities, and facilitating policy decisions to maximize the efficient use of spectrum resources. (b) Operation of test center Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 106. Institute for telecommunication sciences (a) Establishment (1) In general Under the authority provided to the Assistant Secretary under section 103, the Assistant Secretary shall operate a test center to be known as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (in this section referred to as ITS ). (2) Functions (A) In general In addition to any functions delegated by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall serve as the primary laboratory for the Federal Government to— (i) study radio frequency emissions, including technologies and techniques to control such emissions and interference caused by such emissions; (ii) determine spectrum propagation characteristics; (iii) conduct tests on technology that enhances the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; (iv) improve the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum; (v) promote activities relating to access to Federal spectrum by non-Federal users and the sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; and (vi) conduct such other activities as determined necessary by the Assistant Secretary. (B) Additional functions The Assistant Secretary may delegate to ITS any of the functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1). (3) Agreements and transactions The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, may enter into such agreements, including contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements, as may be necessary. (4) Funds from Federal and non-Federal entities In addition to such other sums as may be made available to carry out this section, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS may accept, hold, administer, and use funds from any Federal entity or non-Federal entity, including a State government, local government, or private sector entity, for ITS to perform analysis or conduct a technical study on behalf of such entity. (5) Federal spectrum defined In this subsection, the term Federal spectrum means frequencies assigned on a primary basis to a Federal entity (as defined in section 113(l) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 923(l) )). (b) Emergency communication and tracking technologies initiative (1) Establishment The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures, where conventional radio communication is limited. (2) Activities In order to carry out this subsection, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall work with private sector entities and the heads of appropriate Federal agencies to— (A) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the measurement, technical specifications, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; and (B) support the development of technical specifications and conformance architecture to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies. (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the assessment performed under paragraph (2)(A). .

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4990 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act . 2. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The test center within National Telecommunications and Information Administration (in this subsection referred to as the NTIA ) represents executive branch agencies on spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Understanding radio frequency propagation characteristics and modeling is a critical component of making spectrum decisions. (3) Federal agencies rely on expert engineering studies, simulations, and analyses to make determinations about how to make spectrum available for commercial use, including through system relocations and identifying spectrum sharing opportunities through the NTIA. (4) Clearing of Federal spectrum, when feasible, is the priority action to take to make Federal spectrum available for commercial uses as required by section 113(j)(1) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 923(j)(1) ). (5) Sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal entities and commercial entities provides access to Federal spectrum for commercial uses in circumstances where clearing is not feasible. (6) The test center within NTIA, is the Government’s premier expert laboratory for spectrum research activities, spectrum sharing innovation and testing, spectrum interference studies, and all activities related to advancing next generation wireless technologies. (7) The test center within NTIA is critical for undertaking engineering studies and analyses that inform clearing or sharing opportunities and facilitate policy decisions to maximize the efficient use of spectrum resources. (b) Operation of test center Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 106. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Establishment (1) In general Under the authority provided to the Assistant Secretary under section 103, the Assistant Secretary shall operate a test center to be known as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (in this section referred to as ITS ). (2) Functions (A) In general In addition to any functions delegated by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government to— (i) study radio frequency emissions, including technologies and techniques to control such emissions and interference caused by such emissions; (ii) determine spectrum propagation characteristics; (iii) conduct tests on technology that enhances the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; (iv) improve the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum; (v) promote activities relating to access to Federal spectrum by non-Federal users and the sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; and (vi) conduct such other activities as determined necessary by the Assistant Secretary. (B) Additional functions The Assistant Secretary may delegate to ITS any of the functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1). (3) Agreements and transactions In carrying out the functions described in paragraph (2), the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, may enter into agreements as provided under the following authorities: (A) Sections 11 and 12 of the Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. (B) Section 1535 of title 31, United States Code. (C) Sections 207 and 209 of title 35, United States Code. (D) Section 103(b)(2) of this Act. (E) Section 113(g) of this Act. (F) The first undesignated section of Public Law 91–412 . (G) As authorized in any other Federal statute. (4) Federal spectrum defined In this subsection, the term Federal spectrum means frequencies assigned on a primary basis to a Federal entity (as defined in section 113(l)). (b) Emergency communication and tracking technologies initiative (1) Establishment The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures, where conventional radio communication is limited. (2) Activities In order to carry out this subsection, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall work with private sector entities and the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, to— (A) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the measurement, technical specifications, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; and (B) support the development of technical specifications and conformance architecture to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies. (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the assessment performed under paragraph (2)(A). .

Passed the House of Representatives July 27, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4990 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 28, 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act . 2. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The test center within National Telecommunications and Information Administration (in this subsection referred to as the NTIA ) represents executive branch agencies on spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Understanding radio frequency propagation characteristics and modeling is a critical component of making spectrum decisions. (3) Federal agencies rely on expert engineering studies, simulations, and analyses to make determinations about how to make spectrum available for commercial use, including through system relocations and identifying spectrum sharing opportunities through the NTIA. (4) Clearing of Federal spectrum, when feasible, is the priority action to take to make Federal spectrum available for commercial uses as required by section 113(j)(1) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 923(j)(1) ). (5) Sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal entities and commercial entities provides access to Federal spectrum for commercial uses in circumstances where clearing is not feasible. (6) The test center within NTIA, is the Government’s premier expert laboratory for spectrum research activities, spectrum sharing innovation and testing, spectrum interference studies, and all activities related to advancing next generation wireless technologies. (7) The test center within NTIA is critical for undertaking engineering studies and analyses that inform clearing or sharing opportunities and facilitate policy decisions to maximize the efficient use of spectrum resources. (b) Operation of test center Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 106. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Establishment (1) In general Under the authority provided to the Assistant Secretary under section 103, the Assistant Secretary shall operate a test center to be known as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (in this section referred to as ITS ). (2) Functions (A) In general In addition to any functions delegated by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government to— (i) study radio frequency emissions, including technologies and techniques to control such emissions and interference caused by such emissions; (ii) determine spectrum propagation characteristics; (iii) conduct tests on technology that enhances the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; (iv) improve the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum; (v) promote activities relating to access to Federal spectrum by non-Federal users and the sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; and (vi) conduct such other activities as determined necessary by the Assistant Secretary. (B) Additional functions The Assistant Secretary may delegate to ITS any of the functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1). (3) Agreements and transactions In carrying out the functions described in paragraph (2), the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, may enter into agreements as provided under the following authorities: (A) Sections 11 and 12 of the Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. (B) Section 1535 of title 31, United States Code. (C) Sections 207 and 209 of title 35, United States Code. (D) Section 103(b)(2) of this Act. (E) Section 113(g) of this Act. (F) The first undesignated section of Public Law 91–412 . (G) As authorized in any other Federal statute. (4) Federal spectrum defined In this subsection, the term Federal spectrum means frequencies assigned on a primary basis to a Federal entity (as defined in section 113(l)). (b) Emergency communication and tracking technologies initiative (1) Establishment The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures, where conventional radio communication is limited. (2) Activities In order to carry out this subsection, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall work with private sector entities and the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, to— (A) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the measurement, technical specifications, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; and (B) support the development of technical specifications and conformance architecture to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies. (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the assessment performed under paragraph (2)(A). .

Passed the House of Representatives July 27, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 341 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4990 [Report No. 117–437] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 10, 2021 Mr. Carter of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce July 26, 2022 Additional sponsor: Mr. O'Halleran July 26, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on August 10, 2021 A BILL To codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act . 2. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The test center within National Telecommunications and Information Administration (in this subsection referred to as the NTIA ) represents executive branch agencies on spectrum issues before the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Understanding radio frequency propagation characteristics and modeling is a critical component of making spectrum decisions. (3) Federal agencies rely on expert engineering studies, simulations, and analyses to make determinations about how to make spectrum available for commercial use, including through system relocations and identifying spectrum sharing opportunities through the NTIA. (4) Clearing of Federal spectrum, when feasible, is the priority action to take to make Federal spectrum available for commercial uses as required by section 113(j)(1) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 923(j)(1) ). (5) Sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal entities and commercial entities provides access to Federal spectrum for commercial uses in circumstances where clearing is not feasible. (6) The test center within NTIA, is the Government’s premier expert laboratory for spectrum research activities, spectrum sharing innovation and testing, spectrum interference studies, and all activities related to advancing next generation wireless technologies. (7) The test center within NTIA is critical for undertaking engineering studies and analyses that inform clearing or sharing opportunities and facilitate policy decisions to maximize the efficient use of spectrum resources. (b) Operation of test center Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 106. Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (a) Establishment (1) In general Under the authority provided to the Assistant Secretary under section 103, the Assistant Secretary shall operate a test center to be known as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (in this section referred to as ITS ). (2) Functions (A) In general In addition to any functions delegated by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government to— (i) study radio frequency emissions, including technologies and techniques to control such emissions and interference caused by such emissions; (ii) determine spectrum propagation characteristics; (iii) conduct tests on technology that enhances the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; (iv) improve the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum; (v) promote activities relating to access to Federal spectrum by non-Federal users and the sharing of Federal spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users; and (vi) conduct such other activities as determined necessary by the Assistant Secretary. (B) Additional functions The Assistant Secretary may delegate to ITS any of the functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1). (3) Agreements and transactions The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, may enter into such agreements, including contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements, as may be necessary to carry out the functions described in paragraph (2). (4) Funds from Federal and non-Federal entities In addition to such other sums as may be made available to carry out this section, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS may accept, hold, administer, and use funds from any Federal entity or non-Federal entity, including a State government, local government, or private sector entity, for ITS to perform analysis or conduct a technical study on behalf of such entity. (5) Federal spectrum defined In this subsection, the term Federal spectrum means frequencies assigned on a primary basis to a Federal entity (as defined in section 113(l) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 923(l) )). (b) Emergency communication and tracking technologies initiative (1) Establishment The Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures, where conventional radio communication is limited. (2) Activities In order to carry out this subsection, the Assistant Secretary, acting through the head of ITS, shall work with private sector entities and the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, to— (A) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the measurement, technical specifications, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; and (B) support the development of technical specifications and conformance architecture to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies. (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the assessment performed under paragraph (2)(A). .

July 26, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed