ITS Codification Act

Tammy Duckworth

Democrat · IL · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

2026-07-13

Source: Congress.gov

The bill would officially establish the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences as part of the Commerce Department and require the government to create a program supporting the development of new emergency communication and tracking technologies. This would affect telecommunications companies, technology developers, and emergency responders who rely on communication systems during disasters and crises. The measure aims to strengthen the nation's ability to communicate during emergencies by investing in better technology solutions.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

119 S4950 IS: Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act U.S. Senate 2026-07-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4950IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 13, 2026Ms. Duckworth introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, 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 titleThis Act may be cited as the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act or the ITS Codification Act.2.Institute for Telecommunication SciencesPart 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)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term Federal spectrum means frequencies assigned on a primary basis to a Federal entity, as defined in section 113(l).(2)OperationUnder 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 (referred to in this section as ITS).(3)Functions(A)In generalIn addition to any functions delegated by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (B), ITS shall serve as a laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government to—(i)study radio frequency emissions, including technologies and techniques to control those emissions and interference caused by those emissions;(ii)study spectrum propagation characteristics;(iii)conduct tests on technology that enhances the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users;(iv)examine the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum, in collaboration with other Federal laboratories examining such issues;(v)analyze 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 determined necessary by the Assistant Secretary.(B)Additional functionsThe Assistant Secretary may delegate to ITS the specific functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary under section 103(b)(1), as they relate to the responsibility for the performance of the communications and information functions of the Secretary, pursuant to that section.(4)Agreements and transactionsIn carrying out the functions described in paragraph (3), 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 (15 U.S.C. 3710, 3710a). (B)Section 1535 of title 31, United States Code.(C)Sections 207 and 209 of title 35, United States Code.(D)The first undesignated section of the Act entitled An Act to authorize the Department of Commerce to make special studies, to provide services, and to engage in joint projects, and for other purposes, approved September 25, 1970 (Public Law 91–412).(b)Emergency communication and tracking technologies initiative(1)EstablishmentThe 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)ActivitiesIn 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 emergency communication and tracking technologies described in paragraph (1); and(B)support the development of technical…

specifications and conformance architecture to improve the operation and reliability of emergency communication and tracking technologies described in paragraph (1).(3)ReportNot later than 18 months after the date of 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)..

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