S. 1790Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Secure Equipment Act of 2021

Introduced May 24, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM UTC

The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create new rules that stop the agency from approving radio‑frequency devices that could threaten national security. Within one year of the law’s enactment, the FCC must adopt rules that prohibit approval of any equipment listed as covered communications equipment under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. The bill mainly affects manufacturers and vendors of radio‑frequency equipment that would fall on that list.

Key Provisions

  • Defines the "Commission" as the FCC for the purposes of the bill.
  • Requires the FCC to issue new rules within one year to update its equipment‑authorization procedures, specifically prohibiting review or approval of any device on the covered communications equipment list.
  • Allows the FCC to consider revoking existing authorizations after the new rules take effect, but it cannot automatically revoke approvals granted before the rules are adopted.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 214.

December 17, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 24, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

May 24, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

August 4, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

December 17, 2021

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 214.

December 17, 2021

Bill Text

2 versions available

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Latest
Reported to SenateIssued December 17, 2021

II

Calendar No. 214

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1790

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 24, 2021

Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Blackburn, and Ms. Hassan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

December 17, 2021

Reported by Ms. Cantwell, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To ensure that the Federal Communications Commission does not approve radio frequency devices that pose a national security risk.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Secure Equipment Act of 2021.

2.

Updates to equipment authorization process of Federal Communications Commission

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

(b)

Rulemaking

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding, in accordance with paragraph (2), to update the equipment authorization procedures of the Commission.

(2)

Updates required

In the rulemaking proceeding conducted under paragraph (1), the Commission shall clarify that the Commission will no longer review or approve any application for equipment authorization for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services published by the Commission under section 2(a) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(a)).

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Secure Equipment Act of 2021.

2.

Updates to equipment authorization process of Federal Communications Commission

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

(b)

Rulemaking

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall adopt rules in the proceeding initiated in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization Program adopted on June 17, 2021 (ET Docket No. 21–232; FCC 21–73), in accordance with paragraph (2), to update the equipment authorization procedures of the Commission.

(2)

Updates required

In the rules adopted under paragraph (1), the Commission shall clarify that the Commission will no longer review or approve any application for equipment authorization for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services published by the Commission under section 2(a) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(a)).

(3)

Applicability

(A)

In general

In the rules adopted under paragraph (1), the Commission may not provide for review or revocation of any equipment authorization granted before the date on which the rules are adopted on the basis of the equipment being on the list described in paragraph (2).

(B)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the Commission, other than in the rules adopted under paragraph (1), from—

(i)

examining the necessity of review or revocation of any equipment authorization on the basis of the equipment being on the list described in paragraph (2); or

(ii)

adopting rules providing for any review or revocation described in clause (i).

December 17, 2021

Reported with an amendment