Communications Security Act
4/12/2025, 8:06 AMSummary of Bill HR 1717
Bill 119 HR 1717, also known as the "Secure and Reliable Communications Networks Act," aims to address the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks in the United States. The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a council that will be responsible for making recommendations on how to improve these aspects of communication networks.The council will consist of representatives from various sectors, including government agencies, industry stakeholders, and cybersecurity experts. Their main goal will be to identify potential vulnerabilities in communication networks and develop strategies to enhance their security and reliability. Additionally, the council will work towards ensuring that different communication networks can effectively work together, or be interoperable, in times of crisis or emergency.
The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and national security by strengthening communication networks. It also recognizes the need for collaboration between government and industry to address these issues effectively. Overall, the Secure and Reliable Communications Networks Act seeks to enhance the overall security and reliability of communication networks in the United States through the establishment of a council that will provide recommendations and guidance on how to achieve these goals.
Congressional Summary of HR 1717
Communications Security Act
This bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)
The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill.
Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC's chair and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security.
Under current law, federal advisory committees must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.
