Fast-track passage of the “ANCHOR Act” (HR 1223)

The bill

ANCHOR Act

Topic: Science, Technology, Communications

What the bill does

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF). ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. The bill requires the plan to include assessments of - telecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions; - cybersecurity needs appropriate for the operation of ARF vessels and their specific research functions; - the costs necessary to meet these needs; - the time required to implement necessary upgrades; and - opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility. The plan must also include a spending plan for the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, nonfederal owners of ARF vessels, and users of the vessels to cover identified costs.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary

Bill on congress.gov(opens in a new tab)