ITS Codification Act

This legislation formally establishes the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, codifying its role as a dedicated test center for the executive branch. Under the authority of the Assistant Secretary, ITS will perform critical functions such as studying radio frequency emissions, analyzing spectrum propagation characteristics, and conducting tests on technologies that enhance spectrum sharing between Federal and non-Federal users. Its mandate also includes examining the interference tolerance of Federal systems and analyzing activities related to Federal spectrum access. Furthermore, the bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through ITS, to establish an initiative focused on developing emergency communication and tracking technologies . This initiative aims to improve the ability to locate trapped individuals in confined spaces like underground mines or shielded environments such as collapsed structures, where traditional radio communication is often ineffective. ITS will collaborate with private sector entities and other Federal agencies to conduct needs assessments, identify technical specifications, and support the development of robust conformance architectures for these vital technologies, with a report to Congress due within 18 months.