First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
Passed House
Summary
Strengthens federal oversight and reauthorizes FirstNet through 2037. This bill would expand the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's role in approving key FirstNet actions, tighten governance of the First Responder Network Authority, and add new reporting, resilience, and outage rules for the nationwide public safety broadband network.
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- Public safety agencies: Improves secure, prioritized, and interoperable broadband for fire, EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, and 9-1-1. It requires outage notifications within 30 minutes of confirmation and a network status tool for agencies.
- Governance and staffing: Requires that, three years after enactment, the Board include at least five public safety professionals and staggers member terms to avoid large turnover. It creates an Associate Administrator as a career Senior Executive Service role with annual NTIA performance reviews.
- Oversight, audits, and transparency: Gives NTIA approval authority for many FirstNet actions while preserving limited permitted activities. It adds contractor performance evaluations to audits, mandates annual reports to Congress on outages and cyber incidents, and sets deadlines for NTIA responses and contract submissions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster outage alerts and backup plans
The FirstNet contractor would have to file a business continuity and disaster recovery plan within 180 days. NTIA would have 180 days to approve it or explain why and set resubmission steps, after consulting the Board. The plan would be updated at least every five years. For any unplanned outage, the contractor would have to alert FirstNet as soon as possible and no later than 30 minutes after confirming it. The contractor would also give agencies a status tool to see current network issues.
More FirstNet reports and contract transparency
NTIA would brief two House and Senate committees within one year and every year after. NTIA would send yearly reports on who uses the network by job and place, and on cyberattacks and outages. Annual audits would have to evaluate the contractor that builds and runs the network. The Assistant Secretary would have to give committee leaders any FirstNet contract within 7 days of a written request. A required long-term report would focus on preparing for contract expiration and would be due 7 years after enactment.
NTIA approval and new FirstNet fee timing
This bill would require NTIA approval for most FirstNet actions. FirstNet would not need prior approval for set tasks like emergency deployments, planning, budgets, and reporting. NTIA would have 60 days to act on written reinvestment or task order recommendations received after enactment. FirstNet fees could be charged only if NTIA approves them. The Authority would be able to set fee and accounting periods that are not limited to a fiscal year.
FirstNet authority extended through 2037
This bill would keep the First Responder Network Authority authorized through September 30, 2037. That would give long-term certainty for building and running the public safety network.
More public-safety voices on FirstNet board
Starting three years after enactment, the Board would need at least five State, local, or Tribal public safety professionals. These could come from fire, EMS, emergency management, law enforcement, or 9-1-1. The Commerce Secretary would stagger terms so no more than four end at once. Terms would be "not more than 3 years," and the "independent authority" label would be removed. These changes would apply to appointments made on or after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
FL • R
Cosponsors
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov