Latta’s bipartisan bill supports update of government’s spectrum management systems

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) on June 24 introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit a plan to Congress on updating its information technology systems.

Rep. Latta is the lead original cosponsor of the Spectrum IT Modernization Act, H.R. 7310, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), which would assist the federal government in an overall modernization of its spectrum management systems.

“The Spectrum IT Modernization Act recognizes the important role of the federal government to responsibly manage spectrum in order to meet the needs of both the public and commercial sectors,” Rep. Latta said. “With the advancement of our legislation, we will improve the coordination and management of federal spectrum.”

If enacted, H.R. 7310 would direct the NTIA to coordinate with the Policy and Plans Steering Group to establish goals for modernizing the infrastructure used by covered agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, specifically related to managing the use of federal spectrum by those agencies, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Latta’s office.

The subsequent report that would be submitted to Congress must contain NTIA’s plan to update and automate its spectrum management infrastructure, according to the summary.

H.R. 7310 also would direct the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct oversight of the implementation and modernization plans submitted by the NTIA, the summary says.

“The federal government is the largest holder of spectrum, and I believe it has a major responsibility to manage this resource in a way that incentivizes innovation and creates opportunity,” said Rep. Doyle. “I believe this legislation will help the federal government be a better steward of this valuable limited resource, and we need to work diligently to get it passed.”

The measure has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.