Communications Security Act

Bill: 119-hr-1717
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
Introduced: 2025-02-27
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies

Computer security and identity theft

Congressional oversight

Executive agency funding and structure

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Government studies and investigations

Internet, web applications, social media

Public-private cooperation

State and local government operations

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-16
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-02-27
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Communications Security Act</strong></p><p>This bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)</p><p>The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill.&nbsp;</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC's chair&nbsp;and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security.&nbsp;</p><p>Under current law, federal advisory committees&nbsp;must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1717 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 16, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Security Act . 2. Council on communications security, reliability, and interoperability (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (1) establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks; or (2) designate for purposes of this section an advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of the enactment of this Act under a charter for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) and, if the membership of such committee does not comply with subsection (b), modify such membership to comply with such subsection. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition To the extent practicable, the membership of the council shall be composed of the following: (A) Representatives of companies in the communications industry, except companies that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (B) Representatives of public interest organizations or academic institutions, except public interest organizations or academic institutions that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (C) Representatives of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, or Tribal Governments, with at least one member representing each such type of government. (3) Knowledge and experience Each member of the council shall have knowledge and experience relevant to the purpose and goals of the council. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, except as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office. (c) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the council is established or designated (as the case may be) under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the council shall submit to the Chair each report adopted by the council during the preceding 2-year period, and any report adopted by any working group of the council during such period, including any such report of the council or a working group containing recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and on other relevant issues as appropriate. (2) Availability on Commission website The Commission shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Commission. (d) Duration Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the council. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Chair The term Chair means the Chair of the Commission. (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (3) Council The term council means the council established under subsection (a)(1) or the advisory committee designated under subsection (a)(2), as the case may be. (4) Not trusted (A) In general The term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that— (i) the Chair has made a public determination that such entity is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary; or (ii) the Chair otherwise determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States. (B) Criteria for determination In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chair shall use the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1601(c) ), as appropriate. (5) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 ).

Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1717 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Security Act . 2. Council on communications security, reliability, and interoperability (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (1) establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks; or (2) designate for purposes of this section an advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of the enactment of this Act under a charter for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) and, if the membership of such committee does not comply with subsection (b), modify such membership to comply with such subsection. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition To the extent practicable, the membership of the council shall be composed of the following: (A) Representatives of companies in the communications industry, except companies that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (B) Representatives of public interest organizations or academic institutions, except public interest organizations or academic institutions that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (C) Representatives of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, or Tribal Governments, with at least one member representing each such type of government. (3) Knowledge and experience Each member of the council shall have knowledge and experience relevant to the purpose and goals of the council. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, except as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office. (c) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the council is established or designated (as the case may be) under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the council shall submit to the Chair each report adopted by the council during the preceding 2-year period, and any report adopted by any working group of the council during such period, including any such report of the council or a working group containing recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and on other relevant issues as appropriate. (2) Availability on Commission website The Commission shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Commission. (d) Duration Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the council. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Chair The term Chair means the Chair of the Commission. (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (3) Council The term council means the council established under subsection (a)(1) or the advisory committee designated under subsection (a)(2), as the case may be. (4) Not trusted (A) In general The term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that— (i) the Chair has made a public determination that such entity is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary; or (ii) the Chair otherwise determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States. (B) Criteria for determination In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chair shall use the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1601(c) ), as appropriate. (5) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 ).

Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 158 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1717 [Report No. 119–194] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 27, 2025 Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce July 10, 2025 Additional sponsor: Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania July 10, 2025 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Security Act . 2. Council on communications security, reliability, and interoperability (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (1) establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks; or (2) designate for purposes of this section an advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of the enactment of this Act under a charter for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) and, if the membership of such committee does not comply with subsection (b), modify such membership to comply with such subsection. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition To the extent practicable, the membership of the council shall be composed of the following: (A) Representatives of companies in the communications industry, except companies that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (B) Representatives of public interest organizations or academic institutions, except public interest organizations or academic institutions that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (C) Representatives of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, or Tribal Governments, with at least one member representing each such type of government. (3) Knowledge and experience Each member of the council shall have knowledge and experience relevant to the purpose and goals of the council. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, except as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office. (c) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the council is established or designated (as the case may be) under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the council shall submit to the Chair each report adopted by the council during the preceding 2-year period, and any report adopted by any working group of the council during such period, including any such report of the council or a working group containing recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and on other relevant issues as appropriate. (2) Availability on Commission website The Commission shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Commission. (d) Duration Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the council. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Chair The term Chair means the Chair of the Commission. (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (3) Council The term council means the council established under subsection (a)(1) or the advisory committee designated under subsection (a)(2), as the case may be. (4) Not trusted (A) In general The term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that— (i) the Chair has made a public determination that such entity is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary; or (ii) the Chair otherwise determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States. (B) Criteria for determination In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chair shall use the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1601(c) ), as appropriate. (5) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 ).

July 10, 2025 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1717 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 27, 2025 Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communications Security Act . 2. Council on communications security, reliability, and interoperability (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (1) establish a council to advise the Commission on issues including the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks; or (2) designate for purposes of this section an advisory committee of the Commission that is operating on the date of the enactment of this Act under a charter for the purpose of addressing the issues described in paragraph (1) and, if the membership of such committee does not comply with subsection (b), modify such membership to comply with such subsection. (b) Membership (1) Appointment The members of the council shall be appointed by the Chair. (2) Composition To the extent practicable, the membership of the council shall be composed of the following: (A) Representatives of companies in the communications industry, except companies that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (B) Representatives of public interest organizations or academic institutions, except public interest organizations or academic institutions that are determined by the Chair to be not trusted. (C) Representatives of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, or Tribal Governments, with at least one member representing each such type of government. (3) Knowledge and experience Each member of the council shall have knowledge and experience relevant to the purpose and goals of the council. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, except as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office. (c) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the council is established or designated (as the case may be) under subsection (a), and every 2 years thereafter, the council shall submit to the Chair each report adopted by the council during the preceding 2-year period, and any report adopted by any working group of the council during such period, including any such report of the council or a working group containing recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and on other relevant issues as appropriate. (2) Availability on Commission website The Commission shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Commission. (d) Duration Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code (relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the council. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Chair The term Chair means the Chair of the Commission. (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (3) Council The term council means the council established under subsection (a)(1) or the advisory committee designated under subsection (a)(2), as the case may be. (4) Not trusted (A) In general The term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that— (i) the Chair has made a public determination that such entity is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary; or (ii) the Chair otherwise determines that such entity poses a threat to the national security of the United States. (B) Criteria for determination In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chair shall use the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 ( 47 U.S.C. 1601(c) ), as appropriate. (5) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 ).