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HR 2331 110th Congress House Emergency Management Disaster relief Economics and Public Finance Emergency communication systems Grants-in-aid Radio broadcasting Radio stations Science, Technology, Communications Telecommunication systems

First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007

Introduced: May 15, 2007 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 16, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
May 15, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 15, 2007
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal share, and termination of grant authority.

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include specified assistance to first response broadcasters among the essential assistance that federal agencies may provide to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) prohibit a federal officer or employee from confiscating fuel, water, or food from such a broadcaster during a disaster if that broadcaster documents that such supplies will be used to enable the broadcast of essential disaster-related public information in the affected area; and (3) direct the head of a federal agency to allow access to the area affected by a major disaster for technical personnel, broadcast engineers, and equipment needed to restore, repair, or resupply any facility or equipment critical to such a broadcaster's ability to continue to acquire, produce, and transmit essential disaster-related public information, subject to specified limitations. Establishes guidelines for press access to a disaster area.

What's happening now May 16, 2007

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 2