Mystic Alerts Act

Last action on Mar 25, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 52...

Summary

The bill would strengthen the emergency alerting framework by directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish standards and requirements that allow alerts to be delivered via satellite connectivity, ensuring redundancy when traditional networks are down. This legislation ensures that during natural disasters, Wireless Emergency Alerts can still be delivered via satellite when traditional networks go down or service is unavailable. The FCC must establish this new technical infrastructure, and within six months of enactment, it must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking. Within twelve months, it must issue the final rules in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the FEMA Administrator. The bill was inspired by catastrophic floods in Texas on July 4, 2025 that killed 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic, which did not have a specialized emergency alert system in place. The bipartisan legislation was passed unanimously by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and now awaits a vote on the U.S. House Floor.

Lifecycle of the Bill

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Summary

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup on March 25, 2026, to examine two bills related to emergency communications. The first bill, H.R. 7022 (Mystic Alerts Act), would integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes so that emergency alerts can be delivered via satellite when traditional cellular networks are down or unavailable. The bill was inspired by devastating floods in Texas on July 4, 2025, that killed 27 people at Camp Mystic, a private summer camp. The second bill, H.R. 7386 (First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026), would reauthorize the FirstNet Authority through September 2037, preventing it from sunsetting in February 2027 under current law. FirstNet is a nationwide public safety broadband network that provides dedicated communications for police, fire, and emergency medical personnel. Both bills received strong bipartisan support. The Mystic Alerts Act passed unanimously out of committee, with lawmakers including Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Mark Veasey (D-TX) supporting the measure. The FirstNet reauthorization bill also passed with overwhelming support, advancing on a 50-0 or 51-0 vote. The FirstNet bill includes provisions to strengthen oversight and accountability, including increased NTIA authority over the FirstNet Authority and requirements for public safety professionals on the board. Both bills now advance to the full House for consideration. A committee markup does not guarantee passage, but the unanimous or near-unanimous votes indicate broad support for both measures among committee members.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Jan 12, 2026

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 15, 2026

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Jan 15, 2026

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Jan 15, 2026 · 09:00

Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

Committee

Communications and Technology

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Summary

On January 15, 2026, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a markup session to consider six bipartisan bills focused on enhancing the nation's emergency communication infrastructure. The legislative package includes the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act (H.R. 6505), which seeks to establish a federal grant program to help local agencies upgrade from aging legacy systems to modern, internet-based 9-1-1 technology capable of receiving texts and video. Other measures, such as the Public Safety Communications Act (H.R. 1519), propose centralizing oversight of these systems and the FirstNet responder network within a new federal office. Additional bills addressed specific gaps in public safety alerts. The Mystic Alerts Act (H.R. 7022) and Lulu’s Law (H.R. 2076) aim to expand the reach of wireless emergency alerts by enabling satellite-based transmissions and adding shark attacks to the list of authorized alert events. The subcommittee also reviewed the Emergency Reporting Act (H.R. 5200) and Kari’s Law Reporting Act (H.R. 5201), which focus on improving Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversight of network outages and ensuring multi-line phone systems in buildings like hotels allow direct 9-1-1 dialing. While no witnesses testified during this specific markup, Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson and other members emphasized the need to balance modernization with fiscal responsibility, particularly regarding the funding levels for 9-1-1 grants. All six bills were forwarded to the full Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote. This subcommittee approval is a preliminary step; the legislation must still be approved by the full committee and the House of Representatives before it can move to the Senate.

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Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Mar 25, 2026

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 52 - 0.

Mar 25, 2026

Mystic Alerts Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

Committee

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Video

Cosponsors (4)

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

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Mystic Alerts Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Summary

Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

Committee

Summary

Video

Lifecycle of the Bill

Summary

Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

Committee

Summary

Video

Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (5)

Cosponsors (4)

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Legislative Subjects (3)

Committees (1)

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

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Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills

Committee

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