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Click here to read the article on the American Ag Network website.

Precision agriculture is getting a boost from the U.S. House this week. The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act is one of a series of bills the House is advancing to improve satellite services.

Communications and Technology subcommittee Chair Bob Latta of Ohio; “It’s essential we bring our satellite laws and regulations into the 21st Century, especially as we compete against other countries like China, who seek to dominate the United States.”

Latta and Democrat Robin Kelly of Illinois, a member of the Health, C&T, and IDC subcommittees, are honing in on satellites to boost precision agriculture. Latta; “Our bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to look at its rules and submit recommendations, if any, on how it could update its rules to promote precision agriculture to help our farmers increase productivity and improve efficiency in their operations.”

The FCC would have 15 months from the date of the bill’s enactment to report its findings to the relevant House and Senate committees.

Separate legislation advancing to the Senate would require the FCC to streamline licensing of commercial satellite communications–also key Latta says to boosting U.S. innovation and securing its networks