Summary
H.R. 6505, the Next Generation 911 Act, would modernize the nation's emergency response infrastructure. The bill addresses how 911 systems handle contemporary communications methods including internet-based services, digital technologies, and wireless communications. This would potentially allow emergency services to receive and process emergency calls through multiple communication channels beyond traditional voice calls.
If enacted, the bill could affect how first responders receive emergency information and coordinate responses. It may establish performance standards for emergency communications systems and address cybersecurity concerns related to 911 infrastructure. The legislation is currently under committee consideration and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses
Dec 16, 2025 · 10:15
Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States
Summary
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on December 16, 2025, to examine six bipartisan bills aimed at improving public safety communications infrastructure. The bills under consideration were H.R. 6505 (Next Generation 9-1-1 Act), H.R. 5200 (Emergency Reporting Act), H.R. 5201 (Kari's Law Reporting Act), H.R. 2076 (Lulu's Law), H.R. 1094 (Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act), and H.R. 1519 (Public Safety Communications Act). Chairman Richard Hudson emphasized that modernizing emergency communications systems is critical for equipping first responders with reliable tools. Ranking Member Frank Pallone highlighted that many of the nation's 9-1-1 centers still rely on legacy infrastructure installed approximately 60 years ago. Pallone noted that Next Generation 9-1-1 technology would allow the public to send pictures, video, and live feeds to emergency dispatchers, improving response capabilities. A key issue discussed was funding for Next Generation 9-1-1 deployment. APCO International President Captain Jack Varnado testified that the public safety estimate for nationwide NG9-1-1 implementation remains $15 billion, though Chairman Hudson questioned whether this figure was outdated. Varnado emphasized the need to bring smaller, rural, and less-funded 911 centers into the modernization process. The hearing represented the next step in advancing these public safety communications bills, though passage is not guaranteed.
Video
Witnesses(4)
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Jack VarnadoAPCO International | President | |
| Dr. Jeannette SuttonCollege of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity University at Albany | Associate Professor | |
| Mr. Jennifer MannerAST SpaceMobile | Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Strategy | |
| Mr. Matthew GerstWilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP | Partner |
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Dec 29, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 15, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Jan 15, 2026
HearingHouseMarkup
Jan 15, 2026 · 09:00
Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills
Summary
On January 15, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a markup of six bills focused on strengthening public safety communications systems. The bills advanced were H.R. 6505 (Next Generation 9-1-1 Act), H.R. 5200 (Emergency Reporting Act), H.R. 7022 (Mystic Alerts Act), H.R. 5201 (Kari's Law Reporting Act), H.R. 1519 (Public Safety Communications Act), and H.R. 2076 (Lulu's Law). The bills address multiple aspects of emergency communications. H.R. 6505 would establish a grant program to support implementation of next-generation 9-1-1 systems by state, territorial, and tribal governments. H.R. 5200 would require the Federal Communications Commission to hold annual public hearings and issue reports about disasters that activate the Disaster Information Reporting System and network outages. H.R. 5201 would direct the FCC to report on its enforcement of Kari's Law, which requires multi-line telephone systems to allow direct 9-1-1 access without dialing additional digits. H.R. 1519 would provide statutory authority for the Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. H.R. 7022 would integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes. H.R. 2076 would require the FCC to permit wireless emergency alerts for shark attacks. All six bills were forwarded to the full Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote. The markup represents bipartisan effort to modernize emergency communications infrastructure and improve public safety response capabilities. A markup does not guarantee that bills will advance further in the legislative process.
Video
HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses
Dec 16, 2025 · 10:15
Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States
Summary
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on December 16, 2025, to examine six bipartisan bills aimed at improving public safety communications infrastructure. The bills under consideration were H.R. 6505 (Next Generation 9-1-1 Act), H.R. 5200 (Emergency Reporting Act), H.R. 5201 (Kari's Law Reporting Act), H.R. 2076 (Lulu's Law), H.R. 1094 (Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act), and H.R. 1519 (Public Safety Communications Act). Chairman Richard Hudson emphasized that modernizing emergency communications systems is critical for equipping first responders with reliable tools. Ranking Member Frank Pallone highlighted that many of the nation's 9-1-1 centers still rely on legacy infrastructure installed approximately 60 years ago. Pallone noted that Next Generation 9-1-1 technology would allow the public to send pictures, video, and live feeds to emergency dispatchers, improving response capabilities. A key issue discussed was funding for Next Generation 9-1-1 deployment. APCO International President Captain Jack Varnado testified that the public safety estimate for nationwide NG9-1-1 implementation remains $15 billion, though Chairman Hudson questioned whether this figure was outdated. Varnado emphasized the need to bring smaller, rural, and less-funded 911 centers into the modernization process. The hearing represented the next step in advancing these public safety communications bills, though passage is not guaranteed.
Video
Witnesses(4)
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Jack VarnadoAPCO International | President | |
| Dr. Jeannette SuttonCollege of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity University at Albany | Associate Professor | |
| Mr. Jennifer MannerAST SpaceMobile | Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Strategy | |
| Mr. Matthew GerstWilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP | Partner |
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Dec 29, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 15, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Jan 15, 2026
HearingHouseMarkup
Jan 15, 2026 · 09:00
Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills
Summary
On January 15, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a markup of six bills focused on strengthening public safety communications systems. The bills advanced were H.R. 6505 (Next Generation 9-1-1 Act), H.R. 5200 (Emergency Reporting Act), H.R. 7022 (Mystic Alerts Act), H.R. 5201 (Kari's Law Reporting Act), H.R. 1519 (Public Safety Communications Act), and H.R. 2076 (Lulu's Law). The bills address multiple aspects of emergency communications. H.R. 6505 would establish a grant program to support implementation of next-generation 9-1-1 systems by state, territorial, and tribal governments. H.R. 5200 would require the Federal Communications Commission to hold annual public hearings and issue reports about disasters that activate the Disaster Information Reporting System and network outages. H.R. 5201 would direct the FCC to report on its enforcement of Kari's Law, which requires multi-line telephone systems to allow direct 9-1-1 access without dialing additional digits. H.R. 1519 would provide statutory authority for the Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. H.R. 7022 would integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes. H.R. 2076 would require the FCC to permit wireless emergency alerts for shark attacks. All six bills were forwarded to the full Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote. The markup represents bipartisan effort to modernize emergency communications infrastructure and improve public safety response capabilities. A markup does not guarantee that bills will advance further in the legislative process.
Video
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Dec 9, 2025
