S. 4950, the ITS Codification Act, advanced out of committee on September 16, 2026.
S. 4950 — ITS Codification Act
What it does
This bill formally establishes the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) as a permanent federal laboratory within the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It directs ITS to study radio frequency emissions, spectrum sharing between federal and non-federal users, and interference issues, and creates a new initiative to develop emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in confined spaces like mines and collapsed buildings.
Quorum's transparency scan gave ITS Codification Act a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
S. 4950 advanced out of committee. Next stop: a floor vote.
Who is behind it
Filed by Tammy Duckworth. Cosponsored by Marsha Blackburn.
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