This bill would add new sections to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to help deploy and coordinate Next Generation 9-1-1 (an Internet Protocol-based emergency call and data system). It directs the Assistant Secretary to coordinate with States, Tribes, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to: collect and share information, provide technical assistance, review and oversee grant applications, and report to Congress each year while grant funds remain available. The bill requires a management plan for the program and allows the Assistant Secretary to modify that plan.
The bill creates a grant program to help eligible entities (States, Tribes, or multi-jurisdiction entities) implement and maintain Next Generation 9-1-1. Grants may fund implementation, maintenance, cybersecurity measures, public outreach, and limited training and planning costs (training capped at 3% of a grant for non‑Tribes and 5% for Tribes; administrative planning costs capped at 1% for non‑Tribes and 2% for Tribes if documented). Applicants must certify coordination with emergency communications centers and submit implementation plans that require commonly accepted standards, reliability, multimedia handling, cybersecurity measures, information sharing strategies, open and competitive procurement, stakeholder input, governance structures, and plans for authentication and credentialing.
The bill also establishes a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center to coordinate cybersecurity information and guidance with State, local, and regional partners and requires the Assistant Secretary to create a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Advisory Board made up of local law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, and 9-1-1 professionals. The Board must submit recommendations on deployment, flexibility, efficiencies, coordination, and cybersecurity soon after members are appointed.
The bill sets application rules, selection criteria to be issued within one year, certification and reporting requirements for grantees, penalties for false certifications, and conditions requiring return of funds if required certifications are not met. It prohibits grant funds from being used to support the First Responder Network Authority or to pay entities barred for national security reasons. The bill defines key terms such as Next Generation 9-1-1, interoperability, reliability, and eligible entity.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.