Congressional Panel Approves NG911 Bill

A House of Representatives sub-committee has approved an amendment to provide matching grants to local agencies for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) systems, and upgrades to Phase II 911 equipment. The Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act (H.R. 2629) would authorize up to $250 million in funding through 2017. It was introduced last July by Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.). The bill would also reauthorized funding for a federal NG911 coordination office, limit state-collected 911 surcharges to 911 projects, and require studies on multi-line telephone systems, liability protection for 911 agencies, long-term 911 system funding, and establishing a “do not call” registry for public safety answering points (PSAP). The bill was approved by the House sub-committee on Communications and Technology on an The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) praised passage of the bill out of committee, saying it was as important as other legislation now being considered to create a nationwide public safety wireless network. In a press release, NENA president Rick Galway said, “Alongside the other public safety measures included in both the majority and minority bills, now is clearly the right time for Congress to take up NG9-1-1 legislation.” He noted that NG911 would be particularly useful to those with hearing or speech disabilities. Download (pdf) a copy of the proposed amendment here.

The Public Safety Alliance issued the following press release in reaction to the committee vote. The headline and opening sentence are slightly misleading, since no spectrum was allocated by the committee’s vote. Instead, the committee approved an amendment to existing legislation that—if approved by Congress and signed by the President–would allocate the spectrum. — Editor

Walden Subcommittee Allocates D Block, Provides $6.5 Billion For Public Safety Broadband Network, And Includes NG 9-1-1 Funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 2, 2011 – The Public Safety Alliance (PSA) announced that it is pleased that the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology subcommittee took action to allocate 10 MHz of spectrum within the 700 MHz band, or D block, to public safety while providing up to $6.5 billion for construction of a 20 MHz nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network for our nation’s first responders.

“Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Eshoo and all Members of the subcommittee and their staffs on both sides of the aisle have done yeoman’s work to move comprehensive spectrum legislation forward in the past year that attempts to strike a balance between the needs of commercial wireless, public safety, broadcast and other interests, and in very difficult economic times,” stated PSA spokesman Chris Moore, Chief of Police for the San Jose, CA Police Department, “On behalf of the more than 2 million first responders nationwide, the Public Safety Alliance greatly appreciates and applauds their tireless efforts, countless hours of study, analysis, negotiation and results.”

“As the public safety community met in New York City in December, 2009, few believed that we would be able to convince lawmakers in Washington, DC to support D block allocation at all, let alone secure legislation that provides up to $6.5 billion in funding for a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network,” added Charles Dowd, Deputy Chief of New York City Police Department, “so we are very thankful that our lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate have all come together in the committees of jurisdiction to provide funding and spectrum necessary to begin to realize this unmet and long overdue 9/11 Commission Recommendation. Clearly, Congress is listening to our nation’s law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other first responders, as well as our nation’s Governors, Mayors, technologists and other state and local government officials, and are acting on behalf of our citizens’ safety by moving this legislation forward.”

There are clear indications that negotiations will go on among committee members, their staff and with stakeholders as the JOBS bill moves to rapid mark-up in the full committee as soon as next week.

“The Public Safety Alliance is committed to working closely with Congress on the legislation to ensure that it addresses the concerns of all involved who have worked so tirelessly to make this network a reality,” stated Chief Jeff Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Fire Chiefs Association and former President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

For more information on a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, visit www.psafirst.org.