House E&C subcommittee advances Latta’s NTIA reauthorization bill

Bipartisan legislation sponsored on July 10 by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and update the agency’s mission and functions, is headed to the full U.S. House for consideration.

“While the NTIA plays a role in closing the digital divide for Americans who lack basic broadband Internet access, it’s the responsibility of Congress to re-evaluate these duties and ensure the agency has the tools and guidance to appropriately carry them out,” Rep. Latta said. 

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on July 12 approved the NTIA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 4510, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA).

If enacted, H.R. 4510 would improve the management of spectrum, develop a national strategy to close the digital divide, and update the mission and functions of the agency, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Latta’s office.

“As chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I’m pleased to have advanced the first reauthorization of the NTIA in 30 years,” said Rep. Latta. “This important, bipartisan legislation I’m leading with my colleague, Congresswoman Matsui, will help the agency carry out their mission to connect more Americans while ensuring taxpayer dollars are not wasted.”

Rep. Matsui said that since the NTIA was last reauthorized more than three decades ago, the pace of technological innovation has accelerated exponentially. 

“From spectrum governance to the digital economy, NTIA must be empowered to keep America the vanguard of global tech leadership,” said the congresswoman. “The bipartisan NTIA Reauthorization Act modernizes NTIA’s mission and provides new tools to ensure the agency can keep up with the pace of innovation.”