Public Safety Communications Act
Sponsored By: Representative Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
In Committee
Summary
Creates an Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to centralize oversight of Next Generation 9-1-1, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), grants, and public-safety communications policy. It would place a career Associate Administrator in charge and give that office authority over grant administration, policy analysis, prototyping and deployment oversight, communications with federal and private entities, and audits of FirstNet activities.
Show full summary
- First responders and local public-safety agencies would have a single federal office handling Next Generation 9-1-1 grants and FirstNet oversight, which aims to improve coordination for new communications tools.
- State and local governments that apply for 9-1-1 funding would see centralized grant administration handled by the Office on behalf of the NTIA Assistant Secretary.
- Federal accountability and technology development would be strengthened because the Associate Administrator must conduct an annual audit of FirstNet using generally accepted accounting principles and may run audits through contractors. The Office would also oversee federal studies and prototyping, including test protocols, models, and simulation tools.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New federal office for emergency communications
If enacted, the bill would create the Office of Public Safety Communications inside the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It would create a career Senior Executive Service post, the Associate Administrator for Public Safety Communications, who would report to the Assistant Secretary. The Associate Administrator would administer any federal Next Generation 9-1-1 grant program on behalf of the Assistant Secretary, analyze and advise on public-safety communications policy, and communicate policy when directed by the Assistant Secretary. The office would oversee Federal studies, prototyping, testing, and deployment of advanced emergency communications technologies and tools. The Associate Administrator would manage the First Responder Network Authority and would annually audit the Authority's activities under generally accepted accounting principles; the audit (or parts) could be done by a contractor procured under title 41, United States Code. The Associate Administrator would also carry out duties under Department Organizational Order 25-7 (effective September 17, 2012) and other Assistant Secretary-designated public-safety duties.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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