HR2321-119

What This Bill Does

The United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act creates federal coordination for augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. The findings frame immersive technology as a CHIPS and Science Act key technology area, a critical technology recognized by the National Science and Technology Council and Defense Department, a likely next computing platform, and a field where the United States faces competition from countries including China. Commerce must designate a principal advisor on immersive technology, in consultation with House and Senate commerce committees, to support recommendations on improvement, deployment, security, and interagency coordination. Within 180 days, Commerce must establish an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel with federal officials from OSTP, Defense, Energy, State, Labor, Education, HHS, VA, Transportation, Agriculture, and 6 to 10 outside experts from academia, think tanks, private technology firms, civil society, or other sectors. The panel must meet at least every four months, assess economic impact, and recommend policies on competitiveness, standards, strategic investment, cybersecurity, commercialization, privacy, data, allied collaboration, and ethical safeguards. Within two years, the panel must study industry conditions and effects on competitiveness and national security, including sector impacts in manufacturing, energy, public safety, health care, urban planning, construction, automotive, agriculture, workforce development, retail, education, and entertainment, then Commerce must submit recommendations to Congress and publish the report on a White House website.

Who Benefits and How

Immersive technology companies benefit from a federal advisory structure focused on commercialization, standards, cybersecurity, and global leadership. Small and medium-sized businesses benefit if the study identifies ways immersive technology can support essential services and workforce development. National security agencies benefit from a coordinated assessment of immersive technology risks, benefits, and competition with China. Privacy and accessibility advocates benefit because the advisory panel must address safeguards for data, privacy, accessibility, digital identity, and intellectual property. Congressional commerce committees benefit from a public report with recommendations for congressional action.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Commerce Secretary must designate the principal advisor, appoint advisory panel leadership and experts, and provide technical and administrative support. Immersive Technology Advisory Panel members must meet at least every four months and complete the two-year study. Federal agency designees must coordinate across Commerce, OSTP, Defense, Energy, State, Labor, Education, HHS, VA, Transportation, and Agriculture. Technology firms may face future standards, privacy, cybersecurity, or commercialization recommendations shaped by the panel.

Key Provisions

• Requires Commerce to designate a principal advisor on immersive technology.
• Creates an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel within 180 days with federal officials and outside experts.
• Directs the panel to recommend policies on competitiveness, standards, investment, cybersecurity, privacy, commercialization, and allied collaboration.
• Requires a two-year study of immersive technology's economic competitiveness and national security effects.
• Requires Commerce to report recommendations to Congress and publish the report on a White House website.