Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act

Bill: 119-hr-1618
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
Introduced: 2025-02-26
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations

Agricultural research

Congressional oversight

Internet, web applications, social media

Spacecraft and satellites
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-02-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review and recommend changes to its satellite rules to promote precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is a general term describing various crop management tools and practices that leverage technology like Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment&nbsp;and uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones)&nbsp;to optimize production and sustainability.</p><p>In conducting its review, the FCC must consult with the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture, which advises the FCC on methods to assess and advance broadband internet on unserved agricultural land and promote precision agriculture.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1618 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 15, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act . 2. Precision agriculture satellite connectivity (a) Review The Commission shall— (1) review the rules of the Commission relating to fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service to determine if there are rule changes that the Commission could implement under existing authority to promote precision agriculture; and (2) if the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that there are rule changes that the Commission could implement, develop recommendations for how to implement the changes. (b) Report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1618 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act . 2. Precision agriculture satellite connectivity (a) Review The Commission shall— (1) review the rules of the Commission relating to fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service to determine if there are rule changes that the Commission could implement under existing authority to promote precision agriculture; and (2) if the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that there are rule changes that the Commission could implement, develop recommendations for how to implement the changes. (b) Report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 159 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1618 [Report No. 119–195] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 26, 2025 Mr. Latta (for himself and Ms. Kelly of Illinois ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce July 10, 2025 Additional sponsor: Mrs. Houchin July 10, 2025 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 February 26, 2025 A BILL To require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act . 2. Precision agriculture satellite connectivity (a) Review The Commission shall— (1) review the rules of the Commission relating to fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service to determine if there are rule changes that the Commission could implement under existing authority to promote precision agriculture; and (2) if the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that there are rule changes that the Commission could implement, develop recommendations for how to implement the changes. (b) Report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

July 10, 2025 Reported with an amendment, 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. 1618 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 26, 2025 Mr. Latta (for himself and Ms. Kelly of Illinois ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act . 2. Precision agriculture satellite connectivity (a) Review The Commission, in consultation with the Task Force, shall— (1) review the rules of the Commission relating to fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service, and earth exploration satellite service to determine if there are rule changes that the Commission could implement under existing authority to promote precision agriculture; and (2) if the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that there are rule changes that the Commission could implement, develop recommendations for how to implement the changes. (b) Report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Task Force The term Task Force means the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States established under section 12511 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–334 ).