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Bill114th CongressFiled Nov 16, 2015Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 3998

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (May 23, 2016)

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, through:

  • telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, without requiring any login credentials;
  • non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points; and
  • other alternative means.

The types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

(Sec. 3) The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Services to be considered essential are wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service.

What just happenedMay 24, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6](D-NJ)Sponsor
4 cosponsors4 D
Read on Congress.gov
4cosponsors3committees30actions2related bills9subjects
  1. May 24, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. May 23, 2016FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. May 23, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. May 23, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 2 (Roll no. 230). (text: CR H2890)

  5. May 23, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 2 (Roll no. 230).(text: CR H2890)

  6. May 23, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2930)

  7. May 23, 2016FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  8. May 23, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3998.

  9. May 23, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2890-2891)

  10. May 23, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Walden moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  11. May 23, 2016CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.

  12. May 23, 2016DischargeH12300

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  13. May 23, 2016Committee5500

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  14. May 23, 2016CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-583, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  15. May 23, 2016Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-583, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. Apr 28, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  17. Apr 28, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  18. Apr 27, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  19. Apr 26, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  20. Apr 25, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Apr 19, 2016Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  22. Apr 19, 2016Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  23. Apr 18, 2016Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  24. Nov 20, 2015Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  25. Nov 17, 2015Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

    Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee
  26. Nov 16, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  27. Nov 16, 2015IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  28. Nov 16, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  29. Nov 16, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  30. Nov 16, 2015IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMay 23, 201636

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, through:

  • telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, without requiring any login credentials;
  • non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points; and
  • other alternative means.

The types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

(Sec. 3) The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Services to be considered essential are wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service.

Introduced in HouseNov 16, 2015

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to commence proceedings on the provision of roaming agreements between mobile service providers to: (1) allow for mobile service at reasonable rates during emergencies when there is a mobile service outage lasting longer than 24 hours, and (2) provide for roaming agreements at no charge for communications during emergencies to or from 911 services.

The types of emergencies subject to this Act are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

The FCC must create a master point of contact directory for communications between public safety answering points and telecommunications service providers.

The FCC must also submit a study on mobile service providers supplying outage data to public safety answering points and on making WiFi access points available to the public for 911 services during emergencies.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the resiliency of telecommunications networks power utility during emergencies.

The Stafford Act is amended to include all categories of communications service providers (currently, only telecommunications service providers) among the essential service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Communications services include wireline and mobile telephone, Internet, radio and television broadcasting, cable, and direct broadcast satellite services.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must: (1) ensure that essential service providers have escorts to relevant locations and priority access to relevant resources, and (2) establish a program to provide credentials to essential service providers to facilitate such access.

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act — Informed