H.R. 2482: National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a bill that aims to renew and update the operations and funding of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a federal agency responsible for advising on telecommunications and information policy. Below are the key components of the bill:

Authorization of Funding

The bill proposes to increase the authorized funding for the NTIA to $57 million for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This is a significant increase from previous funding levels established in the early 1990s.

Change in Leadership Titles

The bill changes the title of the leader of the NTIA from "Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information" to "Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information." This also entails the creation of a Deputy Under Secretary position. These changes are intended to enhance the agency's authority and responsibilities.

Establishment of New Offices

The bill establishes two new offices within the NTIA:

• Office of Spectrum Management: This office will manage frequency allocations for the U.S. government and work to ensure efficient use of electromagnetic spectrum resources.
• Office of International Affairs: This office will coordinate international telecommunications and information policy, working closely with the Secretary of State and other federal agencies to advance U.S. interests in global telecommunications.

Reporting Requirements

The bill streamlines certain reporting requirements by eliminating outdated reports and consolidating others. The Under Secretary will be required to publish a consolidated annual report that includes various specified reports related to telecommunications.

Technical Amendments

The bill includes technical amendments to update language in existing laws that reference the NTIA and its leadership, ensuring consistency with the new titles and roles established by this legislation.

Continuity of Government Functions

The legislation ensures continuity by allowing current NTIA personnel serving in the assistant secretary role to transition into the new under secretary position without needing to be re-nominated or reappointed.

General Provisions and Authority

The bill reiterates that nothing within it shall expand or restrict the existing authority of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) or the NTIA. The changes made are intended to enhance the structure and effectiveness of the NTIA in managing telecommunications and information policy.

Relevant Companies

• AMZN (Amazon.com, Inc.): As a major player in telecommunications and cloud services, changes in regulations and funding could impact Amazon's operations and compliance requirements.
• T (AT&T Inc.): As a telecommunications provider, changes in spectrum management and telecommunications policies may directly affect AT&T's business operations.
• VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.): Similar to AT&T, Verizon may be impacted by new spectrum allocations and regulatory changes introduced by the NTIA.