Facilitating interoperability has been a policy concern of public safety officials for a number of years. Acting on recommendations made by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission), Congress included several sections regarding improvements in communications capacity—including clarifications to the Homeland Security Act—in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ( P.L. 108-458 ). Despite indications of progress, much remains to be done. The federal government is an important component, however, of any network that might be put in place to provide interoperable communications. H.R. 5252 as amended in committee by the Senate ( S. 2686 ) includes detailed language on the dispersal of funds designated for interoperable communications and 911. Emergency Communications: Recent Legislation

Congress responded to recommendations for improvements in programs to support communications and foster interoperability with language in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act that raises the bar for performance and accountability, as well as easing some of the obstacles to performance. New Legislation for Emergency Communications

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2007 ( H.R. 5441 , Representative Rogers) included provisions from S. 3595 (Senator Collins) that were accepted by the Senate as S.Amdt. Many of the provisions incorporated in S.Amdt. 4560 are based on provisions in H.R. 5351 (Representative Reichert). The House passed H.R. 5351 , the National Emergency Reform and Enhancement Act, on July 25, 2006. The appropriations bill was agreed in conference and signed by the President on October 4, 2006 ( P.L. 109-295 ). The sections that deal with emergency communications (Title VI, Subtitle D) add substantive language for improving emergency communications to the Homeland Security Act, building on provisions included in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act ( P.L. Specific provisions are included covering urban and other high risk communications capabilities. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 ( P.L. The Advanced Telecommunications And Opportunity Reform Act, ( H.R. Interoperability of communications among first responders and public safety agencies. MSRC has been active in evaluating the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System. Subsequently, the program was assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), following FEMA when it moved to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Since September 11, 2001, the effectiveness of America's communications capabilities in support of the information needs of first responders and other public safety workers has been a matter of concern to Congress. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) included sections that responded to recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, in its report of July 2004, and by others in recent years, regarding public safety communications. Most public safety advocates consider that the communications failures following the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina demonstrate that there is much still to be done to provide the United States with adequate communications capabilities in emergencies.
Senator Susan M. Collins introduced a bill (S. 3595), to reinforce the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including planning and organizational responsibilities for emergency communications. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2007 (H.R. 5441, Representative Rogers) incorporated provisions from S. 3595 that were accepted by the Senate as S.Amdt. 4560. Many of the provisions in the agreed version of S.Amdt. 4560 were based on provisions in H.R. 5351 (Representative Reichert). The House passed H.R. 5351, the National Emergency Reform and Enhancement Act, on July 25, 2006. The appropriations bill was agreed in conference and signed by the President on October 4, 2006 (P.L. 109-295). The sections that deal with emergency communications (Title VI, Subtitle D) add substantive language for improving emergency communications to the Homeland Security Act, building on provisions included in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act.
Many of the proposed bills introduced in the 109th Congress that would have aided public safety and emergency communications were written to strengthen the federal government's capabilities in responding to emergencies. Bills introduced include S. 3721 (Senator Collins); H.R. 5852 (Representative Reichert ); S. 3172 (Senator Clinton); H.R. 5759 (Representative Harris); S. 1725 (Senator Lieberman) and S. 1703 (Senator Kerry).
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) includes provisions for up to $1 billion for interoperable communications, as well as for improvements in 911 and emergency alert systems. H.R. 5252 as amended in committee by the Senate, re-titled the Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunities Reform Act, includes detailed language on the dispersal of funds designated for interoperable communications, including 911.
This report has been updated to cover key events through December 31, 2006. It is a reference document, only.