[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1106 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1106
To establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote the use
of immersive technology in the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 25, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Warner) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote the use
of immersive technology in the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Leadership in
Immersive Technology Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Immersive technology was included in the initial list
of key technology focus areas in section 10387(c) of the
Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42
U.S.C. 19107(c)) because it is an important part of the
integrated ecosystem of emerging technologies.
(2) Immersive technology has been designated a critical
technology by both the National Science and Technology Council
and the Department of Defense because of its importance to both
economic competitiveness and national security.
(3) Immersive technology, which includes augmented reality,
virtual reality, and mixed reality, is widely expected to
function as the next major computing platform.
(4) Immersive technology will affect all sectors of
society, creating new employment opportunities, new economic
incentives, and new ways of communicating, learning, and
engaging with the world.
(5) Immersive technology was invented in the United States,
and the United States is home to the leading companies in the
industry.
(6) Other countries, including competitors of the United
States, such as the People's Republic of China, have recognized
the transformative nature of immersive technology and are
implementing robust strategies in a race to dominate the
sector.
(7) It is in the best interests of the United States to
lead the world in the use of immersive technology such that the
next computing platform is imbued with the fundamental values
of the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
Immersive Technology Advisory Panel established by section
5(a).
(2) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given that
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
(4) Augmented reality.--The term ``augmented reality''
means a changed version of reality created by overlaying
digital information onto the view of the physical world through
the use of a device.
(5) Immersive technology.--The term ``immersive
technology'' means technology that is deployed into interstate
commerce and that integrates the physical environment with
digital content to support user engagement, including augmented
reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality.
(6) Mixed reality.--The term ``mixed reality'' means an
immersive technology tool that blends augmented and virtual
reality, allowing users to experience simulated content within
their physical worlds and to manipulate and interact with
virtual elements in real time.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(8) Virtual reality.--The term ``virtual reality'' means an
immersive technology tool that occludes the physical
surroundings of a user and replaces it with a simulated virtual
or digital environment.
SEC. 4. PRINCIPAL ADVISOR ON IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
appropriate committees of Congress, shall designate a principal advisor
on immersive technology.
(b) Responsibilities.--The principal advisor on immersive
technology shall--
(1) support and promote the improvement, deployment, and
security of recommendations on the use of immersive technology
in the United States; and
(2) consider policies and programs to encourage and improve
coordination among agencies with respect to immersive
technology.
SEC. 5. IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the Immersive
Technology Advisory Panel to make recommendations on the use of
immersive technology in the United States.
(b) Chairperson.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
appropriate committees of Congress, shall appoint a chairperson of the
Advisory Panel.
(c) Membership.--The Advisory Panel shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The Chairperson, appointed under subsection (b).
(2) A Vice Chair, who shall be selected by the Secretary,
in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress,
from among the members listed in paragraph (3).
(3) Each of the following (or their designee):
(A) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(B) The Secretary of Defense.
(C) The Secretary of Energy.
(D) The Secretary of State.
(E) The Secretary of Labor.
(F) The Secretary of Education.
(G) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(H) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(I) The Secretary of Transportation.
(J) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(4) Not fewer than 6 and not more than 10 experts appointed
by the Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate
committees of Congress, from among the following:
(A) Academic institutions.
(B) Think tanks.
(C) Private sector technology firms.
(D) Civil society, with respect to expertise in the
impact of immersive technology on consumers.
(E) Any other sector as the Secretary, in
consultation with the appropriate committees of
Congress, determines appropriate.
(d) Objectives.--The Advisory Panel shall--
(1) assess the economic impact of immersive technology; and
(2) make recommendations on--
(A) the manner by which immersive technology can be
used to ensure the economic competitiveness of the
United States;
(B) institutional processes that promote
collaboration between the Federal Government and the
private sector on matters relating to immersive
technology, including--
(i) technical standards;
(ii) strategic investments;
(iii) cybersecurity; and
(iv) commercialization;
(C) safeguards that are necessary to ensure that
immersive technology is used ethically to protect
individual data and privacy; and
(D) the manner by which the Federal Government can
provide global leadership in immersive technology and
collaborate with allied nations.
(e) Meetings.--The Advisory Panel shall meet not less frequently
than once every 4 months.
(f) Administrative and Technical Support.--The Secretary shall
provide to the Advisory Panel administrative and technical support.
SEC. 6. STUDY AND REPORT ON IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Panel shall complete a
study on the state of the immersive technology industry and the
effect of such industry on the economic competitiveness and
national security of the United States.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the study required by
paragraph (1), the Advisory Panel shall--
(A) assess the role of immersive technology in the
broader emerging technology ecosystem and the manner in
which the United States can make strategic investments
that support the key technology focus areas identified
in section 10387(c) of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19107(c));
(B) examine the economic impact of the use of
immersive technology across key sectors, including
manufacturing, energy, public safety, health care,
urban planning, construction, automotive, agriculture,
workforce development, retail, education, and
entertainment;
(C) assess the ways in which immersive technology
benefits businesses (including small- and medium-sized
businesses), including--
(i) by facilitating the delivery of
essential human services; and
(ii) by supporting workforce development in
critical sectors;
(D) determine the investment and personnel needed
for the timely and successful deployment of immersive
technology that ensures the global leadership of the
United States;
(E) identify any voluntary standard or best
practice needed to ensure that immersive technology is
designed and deployed in a manner that--
(i) facilitates ease of use; and
(ii) protects individual rights, including
with respect to--
(I) privacy;
(II) accessibility;
(III) digital identity; and
(IV) intellectual property;
(F) assess the national and economic security
benefits and risks associated with immersive technology
and the ways in which the benefits can be maximized and
the risks mitigated; and
(G) address the objectives described in section
5(d).
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the study is completed under subsection (a)(1), the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on--
(A) the findings of the study; and
(B) recommendations based on the findings of the
study for congressional action.
(2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the report
required by paragraph (1) on a publicly accessible website of
the White House.
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