First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
Passed House
Summary
Strengthening NTIA oversight and continuity of FirstNet. This bill would extend the First Responder Network Authority's termination to September 30, 2037 and shift most approval authority to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to boost accountability and continuity for the public safety broadband network.
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- Public safety agencies would gain stronger reliability rules and tools. The FirstNet contractor would have to submit a business continuity plan within 180 days and notify outages as soon as practicable but no later than 30 minutes, plus provide a network status tool to users.
- The FirstNet board and management would be reshaped. The board would be required to include at least five State, local, or Tribal public safety professionals within 3 years, adopt staggered terms, and the law would create a career Associate Administrator chosen from board nominees to run operations.
- Contractors and federal overseers would face more scrutiny and transparency. Audits would evaluate contractor performance, Congress would get new annual reports and briefings, and NTIA must act on certain reinvestment recommendations within 60 days.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
NTIA would approve most FirstNet decisions
This bill would require NTIA approval before most FirstNet actions. Exceptions would include emergency deployments, setting strategy, adopting the budget, managing devices and apps, outreach, and reporting to Congress. NTIA would have 60 days to act on written recommendations about reinvestment or task orders.
FirstNet extended to 2037 with planning
This bill would extend the First Responder Network Authority through September 30, 2037. It would move up a required planning report to 7 years after enactment. The report would include recommendations to prepare for the end of any contract between FirstNet and its contractor. This would help avoid service gaps when contracts expire.
Stronger disaster recovery and outage alerts
The FirstNet contractor would need to file a business continuity and disaster recovery plan within 180 days, and update it every 5 years. NTIA would approve it or give written reasons and a resubmission path within 180 days of receipt. The contractor would notify FirstNet of any confirmed unscheduled outage within 30 minutes and provide users a live network‑status tool.
Clearer network scope and contractor definition
The bill would update the law to describe the network by what it must do, like secure, interoperable, resilient, and prioritized communications for public safety. It would also define “FirstNet contractor” as the company that builds, operates, and maintains the network. These changes would clarify roles and technical scope.
More reports to Congress on FirstNet
NTIA would brief two congressional committees each year, starting within one year of enactment. NTIA would send two annual reports: one on cyberattacks, cyber defense, and outages (unclassified with an optional classified annex), and one on adoption rates by job type and location. FirstNet’s audit reports would evaluate the contractor’s performance. If the committee leaders ask in writing, the Assistant Secretary would send them the FirstNet contract within 7 days.
Stronger FirstNet leadership and Board
This bill would create a career Associate Administrator to run FirstNet day to day. The Assistant Secretary would appoint from three Board‑nominated candidates, and NTIA would review performance each year; the current Executive Director could continue in the role. Starting 3 years after enactment, at least five Board members would be State, local, or Tribal public‑safety professionals. New Board appointments could have terms up to 3 years, and the Secretary must stagger terms so no more than four expire at once.
More flexible timing for FirstNet fees
FirstNet would be able to set network fees for each fiscal year or for other periods. Any fee schedule would still need NTIA approval. This would change timing, not set amounts, and could affect when agencies are billed.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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