Bill · S. 4950· Senate(119-S-4950)
ITS Codification Act
- Introduced
- 7/13/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Tammy Duckworth
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "ITS Codification Act," seeks to amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act. It focuses on codifying the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) as a test center operated by the Assistant Secretary. The ITS will serve as a laboratory to study radio frequency emissions, spectrum propagation, and the sharing of spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users. Additionally, the bill directs the establishment of an initiative to support emergency communication and tracking technologies. This initiative aims to help locate individuals in confined or shielded environments where regular radio communication fails.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The initiative to develop emergency communication and tracking technologies improves the ability to locate individuals during disasters.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+4
The bill codifies the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences to research spectrum and communication technologies.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill codifies an institute under the authority of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Emergency Response: The creation of an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies could help locate trapped individuals in places like underground mines, high-rise buildings, or collapsed structures (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Enhanced Spectrum Sharing: The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) will conduct tests on technology intended to enhance the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal users (Section 2(a)(3)(A)(iii)).
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Improved Technology Reliability: Through needs assessments and the development of technical specifications, the bill aims to improve the operation and reliability of emergency communication and tracking technologies (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee