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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 24, 2019Science, Technology, Communications
S. 2693

READI Act

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What it doesSummary passed senate (Sep 24, 2020)

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked).

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

What just happenedSep 29, 2020

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI](D-HI)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors1committees12actions1amendments3related bills14subjects
  1. Sep 29, 2020FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Sep 29, 2020FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Sep 29, 2020Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Sep 24, 2020Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5881-5882)

  5. Sep 24, 2020Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5881-5882)

  6. Sep 24, 2020Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5881-5882)

  7. Jul 21, 2020Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 492.

  8. Jul 21, 2020Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-240.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  9. Jul 21, 2020Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-240.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  10. Nov 13, 2019Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  11. Oct 24, 2019IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  12. Oct 24, 2019IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed SenateSep 24, 202055

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked).

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

Reported to SenateJul 21, 202025

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2019 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked). FEMA must develop and issue guidance for how state, tribal, and local governments can participate in the integrated public alert and warning system.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

Introduced in SenateOct 24, 2019

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2019 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked). FEMA must develop and issue guidance for how state, tribal, and local governments can participate in the integrated public alert and warning system.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

READI Act — Informed