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119-hr-7022119th CongressWALLET

Mystic Alerts Act

Sponsored By: Representative Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Became Law

Summary

Satellite-delivered emergency alerts let commercial mobile providers send official emergency messages by satellite to subscribers, while preserving consumer opt-outs and banning extra fees.

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  • Families and households: If a provider opts in, subscribers on capable devices can receive satellite alerts. Subscribers can opt out of satellite alerts or classes of alerts and will be notified if their provider chooses not to participate.
  • Service providers: Covered commercial mobile service providers must file a binding election within 60 days after the FCC's final rule becomes effective and must follow FCC technical standards to participate. Providers that comply are protected from liability for harms from sending or failing to send satellite alerts and for releasing subscriber information to authorities.
  • Emergency management and timeline: The FCC must publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking within 6 months and a final rule within 18 months, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The rule's effective date is the later of 36 months after publication or 12 months after DHS and FEMA implement the needed standards.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Fewer legal remedies for satellite subscribers

Providers sending satellite alerts and meeting the Act's duties receive protection from liability to subscribers and users. This also protects their officers, directors, employees, vendors, and agents. Protection covers alert-related actions or failures, including missed alerts and resulting harm. It also covers subscriber information shared to deliver alerts with government, public-safety entities, law enforcement, or emergency facilities. A provider's choice not to send satellite alerts does not, by itself, create liability.

Satellite alerts without extra subscriber fees

Mobile providers offering satellite voice and data service can choose to send federally originated emergency alerts to capable devices. Covered providers must file their choice with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) within 60 days after its final rule takes effect. Participating providers must follow FCC technical requirements and cannot charge extra for satellite alert capability or delivery. They must honor subscribers' existing alert opt-outs, including opt-outs for alert types. Providers choosing not to send satellite alerts must notify new and existing subscribers under existing emergency-alert notice rules.

New satellite alert rules start later

The FCC must propose satellite emergency-alert rules within 6 months after enactment and adopt final rules within 18 months. It must consult the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the final rules. Requirements must account for satellite transmission and devices' ability to receive and display alerts. They must also minimize disruption to other voice and data services, including 9-1-1. The rules take effect on the later of two dates: 36 months after publication in the Federal Register, or 12 months after DHS and FEMA implement needed alert-delivery standards. Those standards support delivery from alert originators to providers; DHS and FEMA must notify the FCC when they are implemented.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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