H.R. 2321

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2321 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2321

To establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote the use 
of immersive technology in the United States, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 25, 2025

Ms. DelBene (for herself and Mr. Pfluger) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

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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