A bipartisan bill supported by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) to speed the adoption of modern technologies by federal executive agencies on Dec. 3 became law with the president’s signature.
“I was pleased to attend the White House ceremony where President Trump signed the bipartisan Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act into law,” Sen. Portman said. “I applaud President Trump for signing this legislation into law to ensure our government agencies have the insight and resources they need to better understand this technology.”
Sen. Portman on July 2 sponsored the bill, S. 4200. The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 30 approved the legislation and the U.S. Senate passed it on Nov. 17.
Specifically, the measure requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish an Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program to facilitate the adoption of modern technologies by government agencies, according to the congressional record bill summary.
The GSA also must coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to establish the program and ensure that the technology, tools and frameworks of the program provide sufficient cybersecurity and maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of federal information. In addition, the GSA must provide a report to Congress, the summary says.
“As technology continues to change and advance, it’s important that the federal government understands the significant impacts it will have on our country, economy and society,” said Sen. Portman, co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus. “This measure will help ensure that our government has the capabilities and expertise to help navigate the impacts of the latest technology in the coming years and decades.”