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Bill115th CongressFiled Jan 17, 2017Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 588

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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Law

What it doesSummary passed house without amendment (Jan 23, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

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 happenedJan 24, 2017

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
Read on Congress.gov
3committees13actions2related bills9subjects
  1. Jan 24, 2017IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Jan 23, 2017FloorH38310

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

  3. Jan 23, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H579)

  4. Jan 23, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text of measure as passed: CR H579)

  5. Jan 23, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 588.

  6. Jan 23, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H579-581)

  7. Jan 23, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. Jan 18, 2017Committee

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

    Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee
  9. Jan 17, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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
  10. Jan 17, 2017IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

  11. Jan 17, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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
  12. Jan 17, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  13. Jan 17, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House without amendmentJan 23, 201781

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

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 HouseJan 17, 2017

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

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.

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.

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act — Informed