H.R. 4461House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Network Security Information Sharing Act of 2019

Introduced September 24, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:26 AM UTC

The Network Security Information Sharing Act of 2019 directs the Department of Homeland Security to set up a program that shares information about supply‑chain security risks with vetted providers of advanced communications services and suppliers of communications equipment. The goal is to help these trusted companies, especially small businesses and those serving rural areas, protect the nation’s communications networks from foreign‑adversary threats. The bill also requires the FCC to add a public‑consumer representative to its Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.

Key Provisions

  • Within 120 days of enactment, DHS (working with the intelligence community and the FCC) must create a program to share supply‑chain risk information with trusted communications service providers and equipment suppliers.
  • The program will hold regular briefings and events, with special outreach to small businesses and rural‑area providers.
  • Within 180 days, DHS must submit a plan to Congress on how to declassify relevant material and speed up security clearances for participants.
  • Funding of $50 million is authorized for FY 2020 through FY 2025 to run the program.
  • The information sharing is one‑way: the federal government shares risk data with the trusted companies, not the other way around.
  • The FCC must appoint at least one member to the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (or its successor) to represent public and consumer interests, with the appointment due within 180 days.

Legislative Activity

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7 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

November 20, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 24, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

September 24, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

September 25, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

September 27, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

November 14, 2019

HouseCommittee

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

November 14, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

November 20, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

November 20, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 24, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4461

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 24, 2019

Mr. Kinzinger (for himself and Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program to share information regarding supply chain security risks with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Network Security Information Sharing Act of 2019.

2.

Information sharing with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services

(a)

Information sharing program

(1)

Establishment

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, including an opportunity for notice and comment, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Assistant Secretary, and the Commission, shall establish a program to share information regarding supply chain security risks with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services.

(2)

Activities

In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

conduct regular briefings and other events to share information with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services;

(B)

engage with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services, in particular such providers and suppliers that—

(i)

are small businesses; or

(ii)

primarily serve rural areas;

(C)

not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan for—

(i)

declassifying material, when feasible, to help share information regarding supply chain security risks with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services; and

(ii)

expediting and expanding the provision of security clearances to facilitate information sharing regarding supply chain security risks with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services; and

(D)

ensure that the activities carried out through the program are consistent with and, to the extent practicable, integrated with, ongoing activities of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Commerce.

(3)

Scope of program

The program established under paragraph (1) shall involve only the sharing of information regarding supply chain security risks by the Federal Government to trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services, and not the sharing of such information by such providers and suppliers to the Federal Government.

(4)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. Such amounts are authorized to remain available through fiscal year 2025.

(b)

Representation on CSRIC of interests of public and consumers

(1)

In general

The Commission shall appoint to the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (or any successor thereof), and to each subcommittee, workgroup, or other subdivision of the Council (or any such successor), at least one member to represent the interests of the public and consumers.

(2)

Initial appointments

The Commission shall make the initial appointments required by paragraph (1) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Any member so appointed shall be in addition to the members of the Council, or the members of the subdivision of the Council to which the appointment is being made, as the case may be, as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Advanced communications service

The term advanced communications service has the meaning given the term advanced telecommunications capability in section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302).

(2)

Assistant Secretary

The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.

(3)

Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

(4)

Communications equipment or service

The term communications equipment or service means any equipment or service that is essential to the provision of advanced communications service.

(5)

Foreign adversary

The term foreign adversary means any foreign government or foreign nongovernment person engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons.

(6)

Person

The term person means an individual or entity.

(7)

Provider of advanced communications service

The term provider of advanced communications service means a person who provides advanced communications service to United States customers.

(8)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(9)

Supply chain security risk

The term supply chain security risk includes specific risk and vulnerability information related to equipment and software.

(10)

Trusted

The term trusted means, with respect to a provider of advanced communications service or a supplier of communications equipment or service, that the Secretary has determined that such provider or supplier is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a foreign adversary.