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HR 588 115th 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: January 17, 2017 Introduced by: Pallone, Frank Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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 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
 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.

What's happening now January 24, 2017

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 4