Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1611
116th Congress(2019-2020)
DIGIT Act
Active
Active
Passed Senate on Jan 8, 2020
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 22, 2019
Latest Action
Jan 10, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1611
Congress
116
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Primary focus of measure is natural sciences, space exploration, research policy and funding, research and development, STEM education, scientific cooperation and communication; technology policies, telecommunication, information technology; digital media, journalism. Measures concerning scientific education may fall under Education policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Nebraska
Republican
Colorado
Democrat
New Jersey
Senate Votes (1)
House Votes (0)
checkPassed on January 8, 2020
Status
Passed
Type
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous Consent
A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S81-84; text: CR S83-84)
Summary

Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), and it establishes a steering committee composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group. The IoT is a system of interrelated devices connected to a network and each other that exchange data without requiring human interaction (e.g., smart home devices, medical monitoring devices, and wearable fitness trackers).

The working group must (1) identify federal laws and regulations, grant practices, budgetary or jurisdictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that inhibit IoT development; (2) consider policies or programs that encourage and improve coordination among federal agencies with relevant responsibilities; (3) consider implementing recommendations from the steering committee; (4) examine how federal agencies can benefit from, use, prepare for, and secure the IoT; and (5) consult with nongovernmental stakeholders.

The steering committee must advise the working group about laws, budgets, spectrum needs, individual privacy, security, small business challenges, and any international proceedings or negotiations affecting the IoT.

Lastly, the Federal Communications Commission must (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.

Text (4)
January 9, 2020
January 8, 2020
December 17, 2019
Actions (11)
01/10/2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
01/09/2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
01/09/2020
Received in the House.
01/09/2020
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
01/08/2020
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S81-84; text: CR S83-84)
01/08/2020
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S81-84; text: CR S83-84)
12/17/2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
12/17/2019
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. With written report No. 116-179.
07/10/2019
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
05/22/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
05/22/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Nov 1, 2022 5:47:42 AM