Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

To direct the Federal Communications Commission to commence proceedings related to the resiliency of critical telecommunications networks during times of emergency, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act 2. Study on network resiliency Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress, and make publically available on the Commission’s website, a study on— (1) making telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points, and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, available to the general public for access to 911 services, without requiring any login credentials, during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable; and (2) whether non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points can provide public access to 911 services during times of emergency. 3. Access to essential service providers during federally declared emergencies Section 427(a)(1)(A) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5189e(a)(1)(A) telecommunications service wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service 4. Definitions As used in this Act and for purposes of the rules required by this Act— (1) the term Commission (2) the term mobile service 47 U.S.C. 332 47 U.S.C. 1401 (3) the term WiFi access point (4) the term times of emergency 42 U.S.C. 5122 Amend the title so as to read: A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a study on network resiliency during times of emergency, and for other purposes. May 23, 2016 Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce May 23, 2016 The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Summary: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, through: telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, without requiring any login credentials; non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points; and other alternative means. The types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory. (Sec. 3) The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Services to be considered essential are wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service.