Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023

• Authority: United States Congress
• Parent authority: Federal government
• Jurisdiction: United States
• Collections: U.S. federal laws
• Most recent activity: Defunct
• Most recent activity date: 2025-01-03

Risk subdomain coverage

Minimal coverage — Brief mention but no specific mitigations, recommendations or governance measures relating to the risk subdomain are described.

• Lack of capability or robustness

All other risk subdomains had no coverage in this document.

Risk Coverage Summary

This document has minimal risk domain coverage, with only subdomain 7.3 (Lack of robustness) receiving a coverage score of 2. The document primarily focuses on improving forest data collection systems rather than addressing AI-specific risks. The mention of machine learning is limited to a technical implementation detail for improved modeling in remote sensing applications.

Sector coverage

Good coverage — Comprehensive governance measures or mitigations with clear procedures relating to the sector are explicitly described.

• Scientific Research & Development Services
• Public Administration (excl. National Security)

Minimal coverage — Brief mention but no specific mitigations, recommendations or governance measures relating to the sector are described.

• Agriculture, Mining, Construction & Manufacturing
• Information
• Professional & Technical Services

All other sectors had no coverage in this document.

Sectors Summary

This legislation primarily governs the Public Administration sector, specifically federal agencies responsible for natural resource management and environmental monitoring. It also has implications for the Scientific Research and Development Services sector through its requirements for data collection, analysis, and research methodologies.

Legislative Status

Hard Law

Legislative Status Summary

This is a binding legislative act introduced in the U.S. Senate that amends existing federal law (Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978). It contains mandatory language throughout and establishes legally enforceable obligations on the Secretary to implement specific programs and reporting requirements.

Actors

Proposer

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Entities: U.S. Senate; Senator Ossoff; Senator Cassidy; Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Summary: The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Ossoff and Senator Cassidy, as indicated in the header. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.

Target

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Entities: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Secretary of Agriculture; Forest Service
• Summary: The legislation targets the Secretary (of Agriculture) who is responsible for implementing the forest inventory and analysis program. The Secretary must carry out data collection, prepare strategic plans, ensure data accessibility, and submit reports to Congress.

Enforcer

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Entities: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; U.S. Congress
• Summary: Congressional committees serve as the enforcement mechanism through oversight. The Secretary must submit strategic plan updates and annual reports to these committees, establishing accountability through legislative oversight rather than judicial enforcement.

Monitor

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Entities: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; Forest Inventory and Analysis National User Group
• Summary: Monitoring is conducted through required annual business reports, biennial compilations, and strategic plan updates submitted to congressional committees. The Forest Inventory and Analysis National User Group also provides recommendations for strategic plan updates.

AI Lifecycle Stages

Lifecycle stages covered by the documents, as defined in the OECD Framework for the Classification of AI Systems

• Plan and Design
• Collect and Process Data
• Build and Use Model
• Verify and Validate
• Operate and Monitor

AI Lifecycle Summary

The document primarily addresses the Plan and Design stage through strategic planning requirements, and the Operate and Monitor stage through ongoing data collection, reporting, and evaluation requirements. It also touches on Build and Use Model through the integration of machine learning for improved modeling in remote sensing applications.

Technical Scope

Terms relating to technical scope that are mentioned or implicitly referenced in the document

No technical scope terms identified.

Technical Scope Summary

The document mentions machine learning as a technology for improved modeling in remote sensing applications but does not explicitly define or discuss AI models, AI systems, or any specific categories of AI such as frontier AI, general purpose AI, or foundation models. The focus is on integrating advanced technologies into forest data collection rather than governing AI systems themselves.