119-HR-6505 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A bipartisan plan to fund and coordinate nationwide upgrades to 9‑1‑1 so callers can send texts, photos, and video—and so call centers are more secure, reliable, and able to share data across jurisdictions.

What It Does

The bill directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to run grants that help states and Tribes deploy and maintain “Next Generation 9‑1‑1” (an Internet Protocol–based system). To receive funds, applicants must file an implementation plan that uses open standards, ensures interoperability and reliability, and includes cybersecurity measures and public outreach. The measure also stands up a Next Generation 9‑1‑1 Cybersecurity Center to share threat information and best practices, and creates a public‑safety Advisory Board to inform program rules. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026–2030, with limits on administrative and training costs and penalties for diverting 9‑1‑1 fee revenue to unrelated purposes.

• Creates and manages a federal grant program for planning, deployment, maintenance, training, and public education related to NG9‑1‑1.
• Requires state/Tribal implementation plans that use commonly accepted, non‑proprietary standards; promote cross‑border interoperability; and build in cybersecurity and reliability.
• Establishes a national NG9‑1‑1 Cybersecurity Center (with input from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) to coordinate threat information and defenses.
• Forms a 16‑member public‑safety Advisory Board (law enforcement, fire/rescue, EMS, and 9‑1‑1 professionals) to recommend program guidance.
• Includes guardrails: anti‑“fee diversion” certifications, claw‑backs for noncompliance, penalties for false statements, and a ban on spending on FirstNet or on entities barred for national‑security reasons.

Who’s For It

• Primary sponsors: Rep. Richard Hudson (North Carolina) and Rep. Troy Carter (Louisiana). The pairing signals bipartisan intent to modernize 9‑1‑1 infrastructure.
• Supportive arguments (from provisions in the bill): upgrading to IP‑based 9‑1‑1 enables text, photo, and video; improves data‑sharing across agencies; strengthens cybersecurity; and reduces outages through redundant, standards‑based networks.
• Likely stakeholders in favor (based on roles named in the bill): state 9‑1‑1 offices, public‑safety agencies (law enforcement, fire, EMS), and regional authorities seeking interoperable systems and funding.

Who’s Against It

• No formal opposition is listed in the bill text. Common concerns with similar proposals include:
• Cost and federal spending levels, including ongoing maintenance obligations after grants end.
• Implementation complexity for small or rural call centers and the risk of uneven rollouts.
• Data‑security and privacy management as call centers handle more multimedia and location data.
• Fear of vendor lock‑in or single points of failure—although the bill emphasizes open standards and diversification to mitigate this.

What’s Next

Status as of January 15, 2026: the bill was marked up and forwarded by the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to the full Energy & Commerce Committee. Next steps would be a full‑committee vote, potential House floor consideration, then Senate action. If both chambers pass it, it would go to the President for signature or veto.