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A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies on Monday passed the U.S. House of Representatives and advanced to the U.S. Senate for action.

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) Codification Act, H.R. 1455, which Rep. Carter introduced on Feb. 21 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), aims to bolster the statutory authority of the ITS testing center, which is essential for informing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) spectrum policy decisions. 

“The ITS is critical to achieving our goal of beating China by having effective, workable, and innovative spectrum policies and practices,” Rep. Carter said. “I’m proud to co-lead this effort with Rep. Pettersen and am thrilled that the House unanimously voted to send this important, life-saving bill to the Senate.”

If enacted, H.R. 1455 would direct ITS to establish an initiative to develop emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating people trapped in areas where mobile connectivity may not be available due to natural disasters and other devastating events, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Carter’s staff.

“Ensuring rescuers can effectively communicate can make all the difference in successfully saving lives,” said Rep. Pettersen.

The Senate received H.R. 1455 on Tuesday and has referred it to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.

“I’m calling on my Senate colleagues to quickly get this bill to President Trump’s desk so we can ensure mobile connectivity during natural disasters and other devastating events,” said Rep. Carter.