Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1495

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-06-23T13:31:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025 aims to create an advisory board within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to provide expert recommendations on enhancing cybersecurity for information and communications networks while promoting economic growth, innovation, and secure supply chains in the digital economy.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Board: Creates the Digital Economy and Cybersecurity Board of Advisors (the "Board") within the NTIA, housed under the Department of Commerce.
• Duties of the Board:
• Advise the NTIA Assistant Secretary on technical cybersecurity best practices that balance economic growth with network security, including securing the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP—a system for routing internet traffic between networks).
• Recommend policies to develop and implement cybersecurity for the internet and communications networks.
• Suggest policies to improve network resilience against cyber threats while encouraging innovation, such as securing supply chains for network equipment and software.
• Propose ways to reduce obstacles to trust, security, innovation, and commercialization in these networks.
• Membership:
• Composed of 5 to 25 members appointed by the NTIA Assistant Secretary, selected for expertise in cybersecurity, supply chain security, or related business operations.
• Ensures balanced representation from public and private sectors, including chief cybersecurity officers, network operators, hardware/software vendors, and internet application maintainers.
• Excludes registered lobbyists (under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995).
• Members serve without pay, with terms up to 2 years (reappointable); the Chair is the NTIA's Associate Administrator for Policy Analysis and Development.
• Vacancies filled by the Assistant Secretary; members can be removed at the Assistant Secretary's discretion.
• Subcommittees: The Board may form subgroups (e.g., working groups or task forces) with Assistant Secretary approval, but these must report only to the Board, not directly to the Assistant Secretary.
• Termination: The Board dissolves 4 years after the law's enactment.
• Definitions:
• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): A protocol for exchanging routing information across the internet.
• Information and communications network: A network providing advanced telecommunications services, as defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) by adding a new Section 106.
• Introduces a temporary advisory body focused on cybersecurity and digital economy issues, which did not previously exist within NTIA's structure. This expands NTIA's advisory framework without altering its core operations or authority.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Enhances NTIA's ability to develop informed policies on cybersecurity, potentially influencing recommendations to other federal entities (e.g., for securing federal networks). Could lead to coordinated efforts across agencies like the Department of Commerce or Homeland Security on network resilience.
• Citizens: May indirectly improve online security and privacy by promoting resilient networks, reducing cyber risks to everyday internet use, though effects depend on implementation of recommendations.
• International Relations: Recommendations on secure supply chains and BGP could affect U.S. standards for global internet infrastructure, potentially influencing trade policies or partnerships with foreign vendors, but the board's role is advisory and domestic-focused.
• No direct fiscal impact specified, as members serve without compensation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• NTIA and Federal Government: Primary beneficiary, receiving expert advice to shape policies.
• Private Sector Businesses: Telecom operators, hardware/software vendors, and internet service providers, who provide members and may benefit from innovation-friendly cybersecurity guidelines.
• Cybersecurity Experts and Professionals: Public and private sector individuals with relevant expertise, involved in board membership and policy development.
• Broader Economy: Industries reliant on secure digital networks, including tech, finance, and e-commerce, potentially gaining from reduced cyber threats and barriers to growth.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The board's advisory nature limits it to non-binding recommendations, avoiding conflicts with existing laws like the Lobbying Disclosure Act (by excluding lobbyists) or federal advisory committee rules under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (though not explicitly referenced). Its 4-year sunset clause ensures it is temporary, reducing long-term administrative burden.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate communications; no apparent First Amendment issues, as it promotes open policy input without restricting speech.
• Political: Could foster bipartisan support for cybersecurity by drawing on diverse expertise, but its short lifespan and lack of enforcement power might limit influence. Politically neutral in design, emphasizing balance across sectors to avoid industry capture.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (7 pages)