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H.R. 588 115th Congress House

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

Official title: To direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a study on network resiliency during times of emergency, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 17, 2017 Introduced by: Frank Pallone, Jr. Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency communications systems
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Government studies and investigationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaTelephone and wireless communication
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 24, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 23, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 23, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H579)
Jan 23, 2017
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)
Jan 23, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 588.
Jan 23, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H579-581)
Jan 23, 2017
Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 18, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Jan 17, 2017
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.
Jan 17, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 24, 2017

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(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.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 4986 RAY BAUM'S Act of 2018
  • S 102 Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2017
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 588: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-588/
MLA
"H.R. 588: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-588/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 588, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-588/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 588: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-588/)
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