Part of Budget Reconciliation Act Legislative Process & Stand Alone Senate Legislation
November 19, 2021
Build Back Better Act Heads to Senate
The House passed the Build Back Better (BBB) Act (HR 5376) on a 220-213 nearly party-line vote, with only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (D., Maine), voting against it and no Republicans voting for it.
The vote was delayed by a record-setting overnight “one-minute” speech by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), a privilege accorded him in his role as minority leader.
The measure, which includes provisions aimed at supporting remote learning, protecting data privacy, supporting next-generation 911 (NG-911), boosting broadband adoption, increasing antitrust enforcement, and bolstering cybersecurity, now goes to the Senate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said during a press conference today that the House, Senate, and White House had been working together on the bill as it made its way through the House, and she expressed confidence in Senate passage. However, she also said that “this bill will now be reshaped to their committees, and we’ll see at that point what we have to reconcile.” Objections from moderate Democrats to some of the large social spending commitments in the bill, as well as further limits imposed by the Senate parliamentarian, could lead to changes.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said, “As soon as the necessary technical and procedural work with the Senate Parliamentarian has been completed, the Senate will take up this legislation. We will act as quickly as possible to get this bill to President Biden’s desk and deliver help for middle-class families.”
Speaking to the press pool after a medical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, President Biden said in response to a question about when he expected to see the BBB Act on his desk, “I don't know. It's going to take a while to get through the Senate. I think it will probably be after Thanksgiving.” Asked whether he will sign the bill if it didn’t include provisions to require paid family leave, he said, “I will sign it. Period.”
The BBB Act also includes $470 million for next-generation 911 (NG-911) grants to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and $9 million for NTIA to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center “to coordinate with State, local, and regional partners to share cybersecurity information and strategies for intrusion detection and prevention with respect to Next Generation 9-1-1 networks.”
Some stakeholders indicated they hoped to see further changes in the Senate.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition wrote to the bipartisan leadership of both chambers today to urge more funding for NG-911 and NG-911 cybersecurity.
“While the version of the Build Back Better Act that passed the House of Representatives today includes helpful language regarding NG9-1-1, the funding level is woefully inadequate to achieve meaningful nationwide implementation. Congress has otherwise provided significant broadband funding for nearly everything but emergency communications—the most critical of critical infrastructure. This will only widen the gap between the technology that is available to the public at their homes, businesses, schools, and libraries, and today’s antiquated 9-1-1 system,” the coalition said.
“The Coalition’s funding request has bipartisan support. The amount needed—$15 billion—is based on the results of a federal study required by Congress and to meet the growing cybersecurity threats facing public safety agencies. Further, this funding would go directly to state and local public safety agencies, foster innovation and competition, and accomplish several key public safety objectives including interoperability and cybersecurity,” the coalition added. “Absent adequate federal funding, public safety agencies will be left with overly costly, incomplete, and non-interoperable solutions vulnerable to cyber-attacks.”
—Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com
November 19, 2021
Dear iCERT members –
Minutes ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, also known as the “budget reconciliation bill.” As we informed you previously, the overall bill is a $1.75 trillion proposal, with nearly $500 million dedicated to NG911.
iCERT has been actively lobbying Congress, in cooperation with our partners in the public safety space, to ensure that funding for NG911 was included in the latest version of the bill. Although the proposed NG911 funding is significant compared to any previous federal funding for 911, it is bittersweet and disappointing that the funding included in the bill does not meet widely acknowledged level of funding needed to modernize the 911 network across the country. However, this funding does represent a down payment for the NG911 effort. I have attached the NG911 provisions in the bill as FYI. Note: the NG911 section (Section J) begins at the bottom of the first page.
The U.S. Senate will take up the BBB Act next and deliberate it over the coming weeks, with vote timing uncertain at this time, although Senate leadership has expressed a desire to have a Senate vote on it before Christmas. iCERT will continue to work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT is committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward.
As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
GK
George Kelemen
Executive Director
202-805-0096
Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.
November 8, 2021
Dear iCERT members –
As part of an agreement reached between House Leadership, moderate and progressive Democrats, as well as the White House very late on Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill shortly before midnight on Friday. This action sends the BIF to the President’s desk for his signature.
Additionally, the agreement reached on Friday called for a House vote on the rule issued by the House Rules Committee earlier in the week, regarding the House floor debate procedure for Build Back Better (BBB) Act, also known as the “budget reconciliation bill.” As you know, the BBB Act is a $1.75 trillion proposal with nearly $500 million dedicated to NG911. The House rule on BBB was adopted and per the agreement. As a result, the House will plan to hold the floor vote on the BBB next week, giving time for an official score, or total cost, to be produced by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which was the request of House moderate Democrats as part of the agreement.
In the meantime, iCERT continues to actively lobbying Congress, in cooperation with our partners in the public safety space, to ensure that funding for NG911 remains in the final version of the bill. Once the BBB Act is passed by the House, the U.S. Senate will take it up and deliberate it over the following weeks, with a vote likely taking place in December.
Although the proposed NG911 funding is significant compared to any previous federal funding for 911, it is bittersweet and disappointing that the funding included in the bill does not meet widely acknowledged level of funding needed to modernize the 911 network across the country. However, this funding does represent a down payment for the NG911 effort. Once fully enacted, iCERT will work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT is committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward.
As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT.
Sincerely,
George Kelemen
Executive Director
202-805-0096
November 4, 2021
Hoyer: House Will Vote on BBB Act, Infrastructure Bill Before District Work Period
During a floor colloquy with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R., La.) late this afternoon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) said that the Democratic leadership hopes to have a budget score for the Build Back Better (BBB) Act (HR 5376) from the Congressional Budget Office, but that it plans “to move forward” regardless with votes on HR 5376 and the bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) before leaving for a district work period next week.
Leader Hoyer acknowledged the possibility that the House may not be able to conclude the anticipated legislative business tomorrow and could continue working into the weekend, saying that the plans he laid out for votes tomorrow are “assuming tomorrow is the last day.”
The House was on a dinner break at TR Daily’s news deadline, with the potential for members to be recalled for continued voting.
“We’re trying to get two controversial bills done” before departing for the Veterans Day recess, Leader Hoyer said. He added that the House will convene tomorrow at 9 a.m. “and hope to vote on remaining business.”
The Senate has already approved the infrastructure bill (TR Daily, Aug. 10), and the House has already approved a rule to govern floor consideration of the bill (TR Daily, Aug. 24), which includes about $65 billion for broadband initiatives. However, the House Rules Committee, which has met twice on the BBB Act (TR Daily, Oct. 28 and Nov. 3), has not yet approved a rule to govern floor consideration of the BBB Act.
Among other things, the current version of the BBB Act includes $300 million in additional funding for the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, which supports efforts by schools and libraries to enable remote learning and remote use of library services; $500 million for the Federal Trade Commission to establish a bureau focused on “unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to privacy, data security, identity theft, data abuses, and related matters”; $470 million for next-generation 911 (NG-911) grants to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; $475 million for a connected device distribution grant program to be administered by NTIA, plus $20 million for administration and $5 million for outreach for the program; $280 million for a broadband affordability grant program to be administered by NTIA to support public-private pilot projects “to increase access to affordable covered broadband service in urban communities, including communities of color and for low- and middle-income consumers, through long-term solutions for such affordability”; and $400 million for various cybersecurity programs over 10 years at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders have, at various times and with varying degrees of conviction, called for passing the two bills together. Progressive members of the House Democratic caucus have tied their support for the infrastructure bill to passage or at least agreement on the BBB Act from party moderates—especially Sens. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) and Kyrsten —whose votes are needed to ensure Senate passage of the reconciliation package. —Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com
October 31, 2021
Staying optimistic, even as 911 funding is slashed (again).
When hearing the news that the proposed hashtag#NG911 hashtag#funding amount was slashed from $10B to $480M, the disappointment for many was palpable. I get it. Many of us that have been in the industry awhile feel like this is oddly familiar. That said, I'm staying optimistic about our future and know that future is bright.
John Chiaramonte
President, Consulting Services at Mission Critical Partners, LLC.
Some may remember that the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 (P. Law 108-494) that Congress authorized "...not more than $250,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009..." Although $1.25 billion was originally authorized, only $43.5 million was actually appropriated (3.5%) in 2009. The 30 states and territories had a very limited time to spend the 911 and Next Generation 911 (NG911) grant funds, which was further complicated by some states with a biennial legislative schedule.
Fast forward a few years, with the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P. Law 112-96), that required the FCC to carry out a frequency auction to fund the Public Safety Trust Fund. The legislation funded several initiatives including: $20.4 billion for Federal debt relief, $7 billion to develop the National Public Safety Broadband Network (aka FirstNet Authority), $300 million to NIST for research, $135 million for the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP), and lastly, $115 million for 911/NG911 Implementation Grants.
After completing the auction and setting up the Fund, the Departments of Commerce and Transportation jointly announced the availability of $109 million for 34 states and two tribal nations in August 2019. This grant program period of performance is limited to about 2.5 years, wrapping up in March 2022. (Interestingly, the entire Public Safety Trust Fund must return ALL remaining funds to the Treasury by the end of fiscal year 2022).
Over the past years, legislative efforts have been introduced to finally solve the NG911 funding issue, only to languish in committee. So here we are, "closer than we've ever been" to a a funding strategy that would actually be able to fund the nationwide implementation of NG911.
There have been numerous emotional highs and lows of late with early legislation introduced at $15 billion, more than twice the allocation to build out FirstNet, then dropping $10 billion, which now stands at $480 million in the current version of the Build Back Better Plan.
I liked what George Kelemen, iCERT's brand-new Executive Director said, "the funding does represent a down payment for NG911." While not what we all were hoping for, I remain incredibly optimistic about the future of NG911.
I'm mostly optimistic that with very little Federal grant monies, that many states have taken it upon themselves to prioritize the shift to NG911. Thinking back to the 2018 "Next Generation 911 Cost Estimate. A Report to Congress." our industry has been significant changes and improvements are evident. Some states are on their second (or third) NG911 service provider and continue to enhance connectivity and capabilities across their PSAPs/ECCs.
So while some will focus on the significant drop in funding, I know the kind of people working in the 911 community. You will not find a more resourceful, "MacGyver" group of people than these first, first responders. They are persistent, passionate, and are continuing to do amazing things under incredible strain right now.
Perhaps it's a bit naive, but I'm optimistic that the funding will all work out and we will soon see a future with a nationwide NG911 system, able to improve and enhance emergency response outcomes. I look forward to being a small part of this change that will benefit us all. #911funding #funding #publicsafety #ng911
October 29, 2021
Most proposed NG911 funding slashed from latest reconciliation-bill text
Written byDonny Jackson - 29th October 2021
About 95% of once-proposed federal funding to accelerate next-generation-911 (NG911) deployment nationwide was eliminated from the text of the $1.75 trillion reconciliation bill that was released yesterday (10/28/21), although the $500 million included still would be the largest federal 911 investment in history.
Reconciliation-bill text calls for $470 million to fund a nationwide NG911 grant program that could be used to plan, deploy, implement and maintain IP-based next-generation platforms, as well as fund training of personnel. The proposal also includes $20 million for administrative costs, $9 million to establish a new NG911 cybersecurity center, and $1 million to establish a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 911 Advisory Board to provide recommendations to the NTIA assistant secretary administering the program.
Historically, 911 has been funded almost entirely at the state and local levels. The $500 million proposed in the latest reconciliation bill would more than double the 911 funding previously provided by the federal government for 911 purposes.
But the $500 million figure in the Build Back Better framework supported by President Joe Biden is a far cry from the $10 billion in NG911 funding approved by a House committee in September that was included in a previous version of the reconciliation bill that proposed $3.5 trillion in spending.
Cutting the federal funding in the proposed reconciliation bill by half—to the $1.75 trillion level—was done in an effort to secure support from moderate Democrats whose votes are needed to pass the massive spending package. This requirement resulted in many aspects of the $3.5 trillion proposal being cut entirely—for example, provisions for paid family leave—and other measures, like NG911, receiving reduced funding under the proposed spending package.
Congress is expected to consider the legislation next week and further changes to the reconciliation bill are still possible, multiple media reports noted.
Key NG911 stakeholder organizations like NENA, APCO and the Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition—a group of public-safety organizations that includes APCO that was established last year—did not respond to IWCE’s Urgent Communications requests for statements in time to be included in this article.
There is a consensus that the nation’s emergency communications centers (ECCs)—referenced as public-safety answering points (PSAPs) in the past—should migrate to the IP-based NG911 platform from the legacy technology that largely was developed 50 years ago and does not easily support multimedia communications. There also is agreement that significant federal funding is needed to deploy NG911 nationwide, so there is not a “patchwork quilt” of 911 capabilities throughout the U.S., based on resources and funding priorities.
Beltway and industry sources agreed that the $500 million included in the proposed budget-reconciliation bill would not be nearly enough to provide the kind of one-time federal funding envisioned to ensure that all 911 centers in 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia are using NG911 technology.
In October 2018, a cost study was released that estimated it would cost between $9.5 billion to $12.7 billion in one-time federal funds to deploy solutions that would make NG911 a reality nationwide, but legislative efforts to provide funds for such a grant program garnered little support since the study was released.
NG911 funding language supported by the Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition called for $15 billion for NG911 was proposed in April as part of a House infrastructure proposal, but it is not part of the current $1.25 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that is still pending approval in the House.. Last month, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced a standalone Senate bill to provide federal funding for next-generation 911 (NG911) technology in 911 centers. That bill features the same language used in the $10 billion proposal that was included in the version of the reconciliation bill that totaled $3.5 trillion.
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October 13, 2021
Current NG9-1-1 funding legislation pending in Congress:
The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376), after a hearing, re-introduced in the House of Representatives on September 27, 2021, includes $10 billion of federal funding for NG911. Identical provisions are included in legislation introduced in the Senate co-sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto on September 15, 2021 (S. 2754).
September 16, 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the Senate Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced legislation to accelerate federal efforts to modernize the nation’s 9-1-1 systems (S.2754). This funding will help ensure that states and local governments can deploy next generation 9-1-1 systems across the country.
The upgrades are urgently needed to help move the country’s largely outdated 9-1-1 call centers and related technology into the digital age. The bill will help enable 9-1-1 call centers to handle text messages, pictures, videos, and other information sent by smartphones, tablets, and other devices when faced with an emergency.
“Infrastructure is more than just roads and bridges—it also includes critical technologies. We must bring our 9-1-1 systems into the 21st century by providing state and local governments with the resources they need to update our emergency response networks and keep our communities safe,” said Klobuchar. “In a crisis, no one should be put in danger because of outdated 9-1-1 systems, and first responders, public safety officials, and law enforcement must be able to communicate seamlessly. This legislation will enable them to do just that.”
“Our law enforcement and first responders work tirelessly to respond to emergencies and keep Nevadans safe,” said Cortez Masto. “Yet when a natural disaster or other tragedy occurs, our outdated 9-1-1 system can cause slow response times and burden our crisis response network. Upgrading our emergency call centers with 21st century technology is vital to ensure people calling for help get the assistance they need.”
This legislation is endorsed by The International Association of Fire Chiefs and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association; NENA: The 9-1-1 Association; The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition; iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.; and National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA).
As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus, Klobuchar has been a leader in pushing to expand and improve emergency communications infrastructure.
In 2018, Kari’s Law, bipartisan legislation to make contacting emergency personnel simpler and easier, led by Klobuchar and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), was signed into law. This law was inspired by the story of Kari Rene Hunt of Marshall, Texas, who in 2013 was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room. When Kari’s 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 9-1-1 for help, she could not reach emergency personnel because she did not dial “9” to reach an outside line. Kari’s Law requires the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix. The law requires on-site notification to make it easier for first responders to locate 9-1-1 callers in large buildings. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) were original cosponsors of the legislation.
In February, Klobuchar and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced the Emergency Reporting Act to help ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides resources to state and local governments preparing for and responding to natural disasters. This legislation would also improve communication between mobile carriers experiencing network outages and 911 centers. The current system often leads to situations in which 911 centers are unaware of service outages, placing public safety at risk.
In April, Klobuchar and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced the 9-1-1 Saves Act to update the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to better reflect the life-saving work 9-1-1 telecommunicators and dispatchers perform each day. Currently, the SOC—a tool used by federal agencies to classify the workforce into useful, occupational categories—categorizes 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers as “Office and Administrative Support Occupations,” which also includes secretaries, office clerks, and taxi cab dispatchers. She also introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
“We are happy to join our fellow public safety and 9-1-1 industry organizations in supporting this legislation, and we thank Senator Klobuchar and her staff for their tireless dedication to making Next Generation 9-1-1 a reality for all Americans. We urge Congress to support this essential measure and give our country the modern, secure, resilient, interoperable 9-1-1 service it needs,” said Jennifer White, ENP, President, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association
“On behalf of the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, I am deeply appreciative for the leadership of Senator Amy Klobuchar and her longstanding efforts to improve 9-1-1 capabilities across our nation. Today, I am thankful and encouraged to see Senator Klobuchar and Senator Cortez Masto introduce a Senate companion to the Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation that the House Energy and Commerce Committee included as part of the Build Back Better Act. Introduction of this bill highlights the vital need for supporting state and local first responders and public safety communication officials. We look forward to working with the Senate and House as they advance a historic investment in critical public safety infrastructure that will improve emergency responses and outcomes for all Americans, “ said Captain Mel Maier, The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition.
“iCERT thanks all the public safety organizations and Congressional Leadership and Staffs involved in the legislative process and joins with all of public safety in urging Congress to pass NG911 funding,” said Kim Scovill, Executive Director, iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.
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September 17, 2021
Dear iCERT Members and Friends –
Once again, we have good news to report regarding our efforts to help pass federal NG911 funding legislation. Sen. Klobuchar introduced NG911 funding legislation yesterday (9/16/21) that is consistent with the legislative language recently approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee.
Senator Klobuchar’s Press Release, the new Senate Legislation (S 2754), and other relevant documents are available at: https://www.theindustrycouncil.org/post/10bil-ng911-funding-included-in-house-e-c-build-back-better-act-markup
We expressed our strong support to the Senator for her efforts, and iCERT is recognized by the Senator as one of the organizations that worked with her office and that resoundingly supports the bill.
While Senator Klobuchar’s legislation was introduced as a standalone bill, it is expected to become part of the Build Back Better Act (budget reconciliation) once the Senate considers that legislation. We expect both the House and the Senate to work diligently over the coming weeks to get NG911 funding legislation enacted.
We will continue to update Members as the legislative process moves forward. Thanks, again, for your support.
Stay Safe. Be Kind.
Sincerely,
Kim
Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director
Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697
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September 14, 2021
The House Energy & Commerce Committee has taken the next step (in the legislative process by passing (on 9/13/21) a substitute bill (Subtitle K) regarding $10Bil in funding for NG911 and the full Energy & Commerce Committee has voted to report this final recommendations on the legislation to the Committee on the Budget.
Here is a link to the NEW substitute NG911 Funding Legislation: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/BILLS-117-K-E000215-Amdt-1.pdf
To review the video of the vote and related materials, go to this page and this video link - Livestream Day One (Part Two): https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/markups/markup-of-the-build-back-better-act-full-committee-september-13-2021
1) Discussion of Subtitle K, and various amendments to the substitute legislation begins at approximately minute 44:50 in the video (above).
2) Representative Eshoo discusses the Subtitle K amendment beginning at approximately minute 46:00.
3) Discussion of 13 total amendments to Subtitle K (none were passed) begins at approximately 1:01:10.
4) Discussion of amendment 13, Johnson Amendment, (amendment was not approved) to deny funding to any eligible agency who has ever considered "defunding" the policy begins at approximately 1:01:50.
5) Final voice vote in favor (amendment passed) of the Subtitle K (substitute NG911 Bill - Eshoo) at approximately 3:28:20.
6) Final recorded vote to forward the Committee's recommendation in favor of Subtitle K (the substitute bill for NG911) at approximately 3:30:20 with final tally of 25 Votes Against and 31 Votes For at approximately 3:37:30.
Vote Tally - https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/CRPT-117-IF00-Vote058-20210913.pdf
September 14, 2021
Dear iCERT Members and Friends –
Here is the most recent update regarding the historic NG911 Funding Legislation currently before Congress. Yesterday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held the first day of its legislative Markup Session to address its portion of the Build Back Better Act (budget reconciliation). Subsection K of that bill provides $10B of funding for Next Generation 911, and the Committee voted in favor of that section of the bill, as amended (see below).
The NEW version of the NG911 provisions that passed the Committee is: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/BILLS-117-K-E000215-Amdt-1.pdf
You are encouraged to review the legislation.
More details of the Markup (video links, roll call vote, etc.) are available on the iCERT website at - https://www.theindustrycouncil.org/post/10bil-ng911-funding-included-in-house-e-c-build-back-better-act-markup, and we’ll add new information as it becomes available.
The Committee is expected to complete its Markup today, and the full House will address the entire bill in the coming weeks. iCERT remains optimistic that Congress will pass legislation this year that includes NG911 funding.
We will update Members as the legislative process moves forward. Thanks, again, for your support.
Stay Safe. Be Kind.
Sincerely,
Kim
Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director
Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697
iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
September 14, 2021
Captain Mel Maier
(248) 858-1645
Nation’s Leading Public Safety Associations Applaud Inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation in House Budget Reconciliation Package
Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation in its Budget Reconciliation package. The Public Safety Next
Generation 9- 1-1 Coalition thanks Chairman Frank Pallone, Communications and Technology
Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, and Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Anna Eshoo for championing this once- in-a-generation investment in critical public safety infrastructure. The Coalition is also grateful to the many members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have expressed support for this needed upgrade of 9-1-1 services throughout the country.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition consists of the leadership of the following major
law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical service, and public safety communications
associations: Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International, International
Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Major City Cities Chiefs
Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National
Association of State EMS Officials, National Sheriffs Association. The Coalition is solely
motivated by what is needed by public safety professionals as they carry out their missions to save
and protect the public every day.
The risks confronting our communities are more complicated and dependent upon essential
communications than ever before. Next Generation 9-1-1 technology will lead to faster and improved
emergency response, make first responders and communities safer, and allow public safety
professionals to meet the needs and expectations of the American people in the 21st Century. We now
urge the Senate to fully fund this critical infrastructure. In this regard, the Coalition will
continue its efforts to work with Senate offices to ensure that state and local public safety
agencies receive the resources they need to fully upgrade their 9-1-1 systems in an interoperable,
innovative, and secure manner.
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September 10, 2021
Dear iCERT Members and Friends –
Late last night, the House Energy & Commerce Committee released (see below) its portion of the Budget Reconciliation Act, which will be considered by Congress in the coming weeks as the legislative process moves forward.
As hoped and expected, it includes an appropriation of $10B for Next Generation 911.
iCERT has worked for more than six years to obtain more federal funding for NG911, and these efforts increased substantially in the past year. As a result, we were able to help unify the public safety community on a common set of principles that led to an NG911 bill everyone can support.
This is an incredible milestone for our industry and the public safety community, and iCERT will continue to work with Congress and affected stakeholders to support the bill as it advances. We also look forward to assisting on implementation of the grant program in the next year.
iCERT is grateful to everyone involved in this process and urges iCERT Members to join in enthusiastically supporting this landmark legislation. Thank you.
Stay Safe. Be Kind.
Sincerely,
Kim
Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director
Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697
iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.
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PALLONE ANNOUNCES FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP OF BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Sep 9, 2021
Press Release
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a full Committee markup on Monday, September 13, at 11 a.m. (EDT) in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building, on legislative recommendations for its budget reconciliation instructions, which were passed last month by the House and Senate.
“The American people are facing a public health crisis, a rapidly escalating climate crisis, and long-term economic challenges that demand decisive action by Congress,” Pallone said. “Next week, the Energy and Commerce Committee will take up transformational legislation that invests in the American people, responds to the challenges of our time, and builds back a better future for generations to come. We have a historic opportunity to take bold action that delivers meaningful change for the American people, and I look forward to coming together to take up this urgently needed legislation.”
The Committee will consider the following Committee Prints: Subtitle A: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Air Pollution Subtitle B: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Hazardous Materials Subtitle C: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Drinking Water Subtitle D: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Energy Subtitle E: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Drug Pricing Subtitle F: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to the Affordable Care Act Subtitle G: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Medicaid Subtitle H: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to CHIP Subtitle I: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Medicare Subtitle J: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Public Health Subtitle K: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Next Generation 9-1-1 Subtitle L: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Wireless Connectivity Subtitle M: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Distance Learning Subtitle N: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Manufacturing Supply Chain Subtitle O: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to FTC Privacy Enforcement Subtitle P: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Department of Commerce Inspector General
The Committee’s Memorandum includes a section-by-section for each of the Committee Prints and a fact sheet on key provisions is available here.
This will be a hybrid markup that includes both in person and remote member attendance via Cisco Webex video conferencing. Members of the public may view the hearing via live webcast accessible on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website. Please note the webcast will not be available until the markup begins.
The Committee strongly recommends that members of the media view the proceedings remotely. The Capitol and House Office Buildings currently have restricted access. Seating in the Committee room for credentialed media is very limited. Media must RSVP to their respective press gallery no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 12.
House Radio/TV Gallery: radiotv@mail.house.gov 202-225-5214 House Periodical Gallery: periodical.press@mail.house.gov 202-225-2941 House Daily Press Gallery: dailypressgallery@mail.house.gov 202-225-3945 Photographer Gallery: press_photo@saa.senate.gov 202-224-6548
Additional information for this markup and a link to the live webcast will be posted HERE as it becomes available. ###
Issues: Commerce and Trade, Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection, Environment and Energy, Health, National Security Subcommittees: Energy (117th Congress) Communications and Technology (117th Congress) Consumer Protection and Commerce (117th Congress) Environment and Climate Change (117th Congress) Health (117th Congress)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
National Association of State 911 Administrators
Harriet Rennie-Brown, Executive Director
(517) 243-2075
NASNA Hails $10 Billion in NG911 funding in reconciliation bill
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN – September 10, 2021
The National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) welcomes the $10 billion much-needed NG911 Federal funding for Next Generation 911.
NASNA President Kelli Merriweather lauded Congress’s support of moving 911 into the future, stating:
$10 billion dollars will go a long way in assisting the states with upgrading and modernizing states’ 911 systems nationwide. We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for including Next Generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act. By including critical NG911 funding, Congress has committed to support the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities. The hard work of Chairman Pallone and Committee staff is appreciated by all of us in the 911 community. NASNA and the public safety community are excited and grateful for this commitment to NG911. It is fitting that the announcement of this funding opportunity comes on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Public safety is truly a bipartisan issue and this action by Congress would create a framework that everyone can support. We sincerely hope that Congress will fully support the Committee’s recommendations.
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TR Daily September 10, 2021
House Commerce Committee to Consider NG-911, Spectrum, ECF, FTC Recommendations The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to hold a full committee markup on Monday to consider legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation instructions, including the passage of next-generation 911 (NG-911) legislation, a measure to free up spectrum in the 3.1-3.45 gigahertz band for sharing and exclusive use, a measure to appropriate an additional $40 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, and legislation to create a Federal Trade Commission privacy bureau.
The markup is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
"The American people are facing a public health crisis, a rapidly escalating climate crisis, and long-term economic challenges that demand decisive action by Congress," said committee chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D., N.J.). "Next week, the Energy and Commerce Committee will take up transformational legislation that invests in the American people, responds to the challenges of our time, and builds back a better future for generations to come. We have a historic opportunity to take bold action that delivers meaningful change for the American people, and I look forward to coming together to take up this urgently needed legislation."
Under the NG-911 measure, $10 billion would be allocated for grants to entities that do not divert funds for other purposes. The measure would reserve $80 million to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center and $20 million for a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1- Advisory Board to make recommendations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to administer the grant program.
NENA and the National Association of State 911 Administrators, which had complaints with an earlier $15 billion version of NG-911 legislation, welcomed the measure to be considered by the House Commerce Committee next week.
The groups had complained about NG-911 legislation included in the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America (LIFT America) Act, including the treatment of NENA’s i3 standard, shortcomings concerning interoperability and reliability language, and the need for explicit authorization to use grant funds for cybersecurity (TR Daily, March 24).
"America’s 9-1-1 system is long overdue for an upgrade," NENA President Jennifer White said in a statement today. "This legislation would accelerate progress toward providing every American family and community with the best possible 9-1-1 service. We thank the congressional leaders who have worked with us to make improvements in the NG9-1-1 legislation that was introduced last spring. On behalf of our more than 17,000 members who answer more than 650,000 calls for emergency assistance every day, we are happy to support this language."
"NASNA is excited to see that we may be one step closer to realizing NG911 for the entire nation," said NASNA President Kelli Merriweather. "We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for including Next Generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act as our nation prepares to remember and recognize the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. By including this funding, the Committee has demonstrated its support for the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities. NASNA, along with the entire public safety [community], sincerely hopes that the full Congress will join suit and pass this measure." Capt. Mel Maier of the Oakland County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Office and a spokesman for the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, which had supported the earlier NG-911 legislation, said today that the coalition, which is backed by a number of major public safety groups, "is grateful for the tireless work which has been done on this legislation which will invest in emergency communications across the country. The Coalition will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure this key advancement in critical infrastructure makes it to the finish line to improve emergency response for all Americans."
The House Commerce Committee also will consider a recommendation for a measure that would reserve $50 million to study freeing up 200 megahertz each of federal-non federal shared and auctioned spectrum in the 3100-3450 MHz band. NTIA would be required to develop "a common platform" for spectrum sharing. The measure also would establish a Future of Telecommunications Council to advise Congress on 6G development and adoption.
The FTC measure would appropriate $1 billion "to create and operate a bureau to accomplish the work of the Commission related to unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to privacy, data security, identity theft, data abuses, and related matters."
Another measure would appropriate $10 billion "to support the resilience, diversity, security and strength of critical manufacturing supply chains affecting interstate commerce and related administrative costs." —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com
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August 13, 2021
Legislation Would Create 911 Cybersecurity Center
TR Daily - By Paul Kirby
Legislation being considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today would provide $80 million to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center.
The committee today began marking up legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation instructions that included the next-generation 911 (NG-911) proposal. As previously reported, the legislative package also would establish a Federal Trade Commission privacy bureau (CPR, Sept. 10).
The legislation is part of House Democrats’ proposed $3.5 trillion spending package, known as the "Build Back Better" plan.
Under the NG-911 measure, $10 billion would be allocated for grants to entities that do not divert funds for other purposes. The measure would reserve $80 million for the NG-911 cybersecurity center and $20 million for a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Advisory Board to make recommendations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to administer the grant program.
NENA and the National Association of State 911 Administrators, which had complaints about an earlier $15 billion version of NG-911 legislation, welcomed the measure.
The groups had complained about NG-911 legislation included in the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America (LIFT America) Act, including the treatment of NENA’s i3 standard, shortcomings concerning interoperability and reliability language, and the need for explicit authorization to use grant funds for cybersecurity (CPR, March 25).
"America’s 911 system is long overdue for an upgrade," NENA President Jennifer White said in a statement. "This legislation would accelerate progress toward providing every American family and community with the best possible 911 service. We thank the congressional leaders who have worked with us to make improvements in the NG911 legislation that was introduced last spring. On behalf of our more than 17,000 members who answer more than 650,000 calls for emergency assistance every day, we are happy to support this language."
"NASNA is excited to see that we may be one step closer to realizing NG911 for the entire nation," said NASNA President Kelli Merriweather. "We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including next-generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act."
"By including this funding, the committee has demonstrated its support for the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities," Ms. Merriweather said.
Capt. Mel Maier of the Oakland County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Office and a spokesman for the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, which had supported the earlier NG-911 legislation, said the coalition, which is backed by major public safety groups, was "grateful for the tireless work which has been done on this legislation which will invest in emergency communications across the country. The coalition will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure this key advancement in critical infrastructure makes it to the finish line to improve emergency response for all Americans."