Us Congress House Bill HB1354

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/23
• Refer: 3/3/23
• Report Pass: 3/24/23

Caption

Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act

Impact

If enacted, this legislation is expected to result in significant changes to how the federal government interacts with the ICT sector. Through the establishment of a whole-of-government strategy, the bill seeks to strengthen the federal structure for supporting ICT vendors and mitigating risks associated with non-trusted sources, which may enhance national security and improve market efficiencies. This strategic approach is seen as a response to growing concerns about foreign dependencies and the security of communication technologies.

Summary

House Bill 1354, known as the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act, aims to bolster the economic competitiveness of the United States regarding its information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain. The bill mandates the Secretary of Commerce to report on the state of this supply chain and develop a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the competitiveness of trusted ICT vendors. A major focus is placed on identifying critical technology, evaluating industrial capacity, and assessing dependencies on non-trusted vendors.

Contention

A potential point of contention surrounding HB1354 lies in its definitions and classifications of trusted versus non-trusted vendors. Critics may argue that the criteria for determining 'trustworthiness' could result in favoritism or discrimination against specific vendors, which may inhibit competition. Furthermore, there may be debates on how the federal resources will be allocated to implement the bill’s initiatives effectively and whether the government's intervention could lead to unintended market distortions.