The SIREN Act of 2026 lets eligible entities use leftover allocations from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program for projects that support emergency warnings and connectivity. The bill adds a new option to section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It defines "eligible projects" to include audible warning sirens or similar rapid notification technologies, sensors for wind, flood, fire, earthquake, or other disaster detection and monitoring, and related information technology equipment and software. An eligible entity must submit a proposal to the Assistant Secretary to use any remaining BEAD amounts. If approved, the entity may create a competitive subgrant program to fund one or more eligible projects. The bill requires that subgrants prioritize projects where the state or a political subdivision provides at least 25 percent of the project cost, prohibits subgrant funds from being used for operating or maintenance costs, and allows interstate projects through memoranda of agreement. The bill also contains a small technical wording change in an existing provision.
If your state or local government receives BEAD funding, it could offer competitive subgrants to buy or upgrade sirens, sensors, and related IT for faster emergency notifications. Local governments or other applicants that provide at least 25 percent of project costs would be prioritized. Subgrant money cannot be used to pay ongoing operation or maintenance costs.
The bill directs the use of "remaining amounts" from BEAD allocations as the funding source. No publicly available information on the total cost, projected spending, or federal budget impact is included in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.