NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1766
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:53:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act (H.R. 1766) aims to strengthen the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce) by creating a dedicated office focused on developing policies for communications technologies, including the internet, and enhancing cybersecurity efforts. It seeks to promote innovation, competition, consumer access, and network security while coordinating with other government entities.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Office: Creates the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within NTIA, headed by an Associate Administrator who reports directly to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
- Core Duties of the Associate Administrator:
- Oversee national policy analysis and development for internet and communications technologies.
- Develop market-based policies to boost innovation, competition, consumer access (e.g., broadband availability), digital inclusion (ensuring underserved groups have tech access), workforce training, and economic growth in communications, media, and tech sectors.
- Conduct studies on how Americans use internet, phone services, media, and digital/video services, as directed by the Assistant Secretary or Congress.
- Coordinate multistakeholder processes (involving industry, experts, and government) to create guidance on cybersecurity and privacy for internet and communications networks.
- Promote collaboration between security researchers and communications/service providers.
- Support programs to prevent vulnerabilities in networks (linking to the 2019 Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act).
- Advocate for policies ensuring secure and resilient communications networks, including secure supply chains for equipment.
- Advise on cybersecurity impacts before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Congress, and other agencies.
- Accelerate innovation and commercialization of communications tech by identifying barriers (e.g., access to funding) and providing public data, research, and assistance.
- Strengthen coordination on innovation policies within the Department of Commerce, with state agencies, the FCC, and other federal bodies, with a focus on small businesses and rural communities.
- Gather feedback from small and rural communications providers.
- Transitional Rules: Redesignates the existing Associate Administrator for Policy Analysis and Development as the new role for Policy Development and Cybersecurity. The current officeholder continues in the position without interruption.
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, which formalizes the Office and expands its scope to explicitly include cybersecurity alongside policy development.
- Builds on prior laws like the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 by integrating vulnerability prevention duties into NTIA's structure, but does not create new enforcement powers—focuses on policy coordination and analysis.
- Shifts the existing policy role to encompass cybersecurity, emphasizing collaboration and innovation without altering NTIA's overall authority.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances NTIA's capacity to advise and coordinate with the FCC, Congress, and other Department of Commerce units on tech policies and cybersecurity, potentially streamlining federal responses to digital threats and reducing silos. It may increase NTIA's influence in regulatory discussions.
- Citizens: Could improve access to reliable internet and services for underserved groups (e.g., rural or low-income communities) through better-targeted policies on inclusion and workforce development. Strengthens overall network security, reducing risks of cyber incidents affecting personal data and communications.
- International Relations: Indirectly supports secure U.S. communications supply chains, which may influence global trade in tech equipment and foster international standards for cybersecurity through multistakeholder processes, but the focus remains domestic.
- No direct fiscal impacts specified, though it may require modest administrative resources for the office.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: NTIA, Department of Commerce, FCC, and Congress (as recipients of advice and studies).
- Industry and Businesses: Communications providers (especially small and rural ones), tech innovators, software developers, and security researchers, who benefit from policy advocacy, collaboration opportunities, and barrier reduction.
- Citizens and Communities: Consumers, particularly in underserved areas, through improved access, privacy protections, and economic growth in digital sectors; also workforce participants in tech training.
- Other: State governments (via coordination) and multistakeholder groups involved in cybersecurity guidance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces NTIA's advisory role under existing statutes without granting new regulatory or enforcement authority, maintaining separation of powers by focusing on policy development rather than rulemaking (which is FCC's domain). Ensures compliance with privacy and classified information protections in data sharing.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate communications; promotes free speech and innovation by emphasizing market-based, non-regulatory policies.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan effort to address evolving digital challenges like cybersecurity threats and digital divides, potentially setting a framework for future tech legislation without controversial mandates. The redesignation minimizes disruption, signaling continuity in federal operations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-07-14: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-07-14: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3214)
- 2025-07-14: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- 2025-07-14: DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 1766.
- 2025-07-14: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1766.
- 2025-07-14: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3214-3215)
- 2025-07-14: Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-06-30: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 141.
- 2025-06-30: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-175.
- 2025-06-30: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-175.
- 2025-03-04: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-03-04: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act — issued 2025-07-14 — PDF (8 pages)
- NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (6 pages)
- NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (7 pages)
- NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act — issued 2025-06-30 — PDF (10 pages)