This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish an advisory council within 90 days to advise the FCC on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. The FCC Chair appoints members. To the extent practicable, members should include representatives of communications companies (unless the Chair determines they are "not trusted"), public interest organizations or academic institutions (unless the Chair determines they are "not trusted"), and at least one representative each from Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments. Members must have relevant knowledge and serve 2-year terms. The council must submit reports to the FCC Chair every 2 years and the FCC must make those reports publicly available on its website. The council is exempt from the usual federal advisory committee termination rule. The bill defines "not trusted" to include entities the Chair publicly determines are owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary, or otherwise pose a national security threat, using criteria from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019.
The bill was introduced February 27, 2025, by Representatives Menendez and Joyce and was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The bill creates a new FCC advisory council that will publish recommendations and reports every two years about improving communications network security, reliability, and interoperability. Organizations in the communications sector, public interest groups, academic institutions, and government bodies could be appointed to the council if chosen by the FCC Chair. The Chair can exclude entities the Chair finds "not trusted". The council only provides advice and reports; the bill text does not describe any immediate changes to services, rules, or obligations for the public.
No publicly available information on expected costs or funding is included in the bill text or provided metadata.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.