Next Generation Warning System Administration

Summary#

This bill tells the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to run the Next Generation Warning System grant program. FEMA must disburse all fiscal year 2022 funds that are already obligated within 180 days of the bill becoming law. FEMA must also begin awarding grants with funds provided for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology) to carry out communications research and development, in consultation with federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments and critical infrastructure owners and operators. The research should target accessibility, resiliency, and security of emergency warning systems. The Secretary must report on that research within two years to the relevant congressional Homeland Security committees.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a State, local, Tribal, or territorial government or an owner/operator of critical infrastructure, FEMA will be the agency that runs the Next Generation Warning System grant program and will handle awarded funds.
  • The bill requires consultations for communications research, so those groups may be invited to participate in planning or studies.
  • The bill sets deadlines: FEMA must disburse obligated FY2022 funds within 180 days and the Department must complete the R&D report within two years.

Expenses#

  • The bill directs disbursement of funds made available for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024 under specified appropriations headings.
  • The bill text does not list dollar amounts or new spending levels. No publicly available information on specific dollar amounts is included in the provided bill text.

Proponents' View#

Proponents would have FEMA assume responsibility for administering the Next Generation Warning System grant program, ensure obligated FY2022 funds are disbursed quickly, begin awarding grants for FY2023 and FY2024 funds, and support research to improve accessibility, resiliency, and security of emergency warning systems.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.