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HR 3998 114th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Disaster relief and insurance Emergency communications systems Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government studies and investigations Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Telephone and wireless communication

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

Introduced: November 16, 2015 Introduced by: Pallone, Frank Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 24 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 24, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 23, 2016
Mr. Walden moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 23, 2016
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
May 23, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 23, 2016
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)
May 23, 2016
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2930)
May 23, 2016
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.
May 23, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3998.
May 23, 2016
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2890-2891)
May 23, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.
May 23, 2016
Committee on Transportation discharged.
May 23, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-583, Part I.
Apr 28, 2016
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 28, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 27, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 26, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 25, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 19, 2016
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Apr 19, 2016
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 18, 2016
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 20, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Nov 17, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Nov 16, 2015
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.
Nov 16, 2015
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 23, 2016 House · vote #230 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 389–2 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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's happening now May 24, 2016

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

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 2997 Related bill Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016
  • S 253 Related bill Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2015
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Watson Coleman, Bonnie
New Jersey · Jan 12, 2016
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3998: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3998/
MLA
"H.R. 3998: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3998/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3998, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3998/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3998: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-3998/)
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