I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1472 
To establish a modernized national Integrated Public Alert and Warning 
System, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 19, 2015 
Mr. BARLETTA (for himself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SHUSTER, and Mr. 
DEFAZIO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To establish a modernized national Integrated Public Alert 
and Warning System, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Integrated Public Alert 
and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYS-
TEM MODERNIZATION. 
(a) INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYS-
TEM MODERNIZATION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—To provide timely and effec-
tive disaster warnings under this section, the Presi-
dent, acting through the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency, shall, except 
as provided in paragraph (4)— 
(A) modernize the integrated public alert 
and warning system of the United States (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘public alert and 
warning system’’) to ensure that the President 
under all conditions is able to alert and warn 
governmental authorities and the civilian popu-
lation in areas endangered by disasters; and 
(B) implement the public alert and warn-
ing system. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, 
consistent with the recommendations in the final re-
port of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning 
System Advisory Committee (established under sub-
section (b))— 
(A) establish or adopt, as appropriate, 
common alerting and warning protocols, stand-
ards, terminology, and operating procedures for 
the public alert and warning system; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) include in the public alert and warning 
system the capability to adapt the distribution 
and content of communications on the basis of 
geographic location, risks, or personal user 
preferences, as appropriate; 
(C) include in the public alert and warning 
system the capability to alert, warn, and pro-
vide the equivalent amount of information to in-
dividuals with disabilities and individuals with 
access and functional needs; 
(D) ensure that training, tests, and exer-
cises are conducted for the public alert and 
warning system and that the system is incor-
porated into other training and exercise pro-
grams of the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity, as appropriate; 
(E) establish and integrate into the Na-
tional Incident Management System a com-
prehensive and periodic training program to in-
struct and educate Federal, State, tribal, and 
local government officials in the use of the 
Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency 
Alert System; and 
(F) ensure that the public alert and warn-
ing system is resilient, secure, and can with-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
stand acts of terrorism and other external at-
tacks. 
(3) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.—Consistent with 
paragraph (1), the public alert and warning system 
shall— 
(A) incorporate multiple communications 
technologies; 
(B) be designed to adapt to, and incor-
porate, future technologies for communicating 
directly with the public; 
(C) to the extent technically feasible, be 
designed to provide alerts to the largest portion 
of the affected population, including non-
resident visitors and tourists and individuals 
with disabilities and access and functional 
needs, and improve the ability of remote areas 
to receive alerts; 
(D) promote local and regional public and 
private partnerships to enhance community pre-
paredness and response; 
(E) provide redundant alert mechanisms if 
practicable so as to reach the greatest number 
of people regardless of whether they have access 
to, or utilize, any specific medium of commu-
nication or any particular device; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(F) include a mechanism to ensure the 
protection of individual privacy. 
(4) LIMITATION
ON
AUTHORITY.—Nothing in 
this subsection authorizes or requires the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency or any other gov-
ernment entity to require any action on the part of 
the Federal Communications Commission, the De-
partment of Commerce, the Office of Emergency 
Communications, or any nongovernmental entity, 
nor impact any existing obligations of such entities. 
(5) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of submission of the report 
of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System 
Advisory Committee, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a detailed plan to implement the public alert 
and warning system. The plan shall include a 
timeline for implementation, a spending plan, and 
recommendations for any additional authority that 
may be necessary to fully implement this subsection. 
(6) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated $12,824,000 of the amount made avail-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
able pursuant to section 699 of the Post Katrina 
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (Pub-
lic Law 109–295; 6 U.S.C. 811) for each of fiscal 
years 2016, 2017, and 2018 to carry out the provi-
sions of this section. 
(b) INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYS-
TEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy shall establish an advisory committee to be known 
as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System 
Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred to 
as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee 
shall be composed of the following members (or their 
designees) to be appointed by the Administrator as 
soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
this Act: 
(A) The Chairman of the Federal Commu-
nications Commission. 
(B) The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the 
Department of Commerce. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(C) The Assistant Secretary for Commu-
nications and Information of the Department of 
Commerce. 
(D) The Director of the Office of Dis-
ability Integration and Coordination of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency. 
(E) Representatives of State and local gov-
ernments, representatives of emergency man-
agement agencies, and representatives of emer-
gency response providers, selected from among 
individuals nominated by national organizations 
representing governments and personnel. 
(F) Representatives from federally recog-
nized Indian tribes and national Indian organi-
zations. 
(G) Individuals who have the requisite 
technical knowledge and expertise to serve on 
the Advisory Committee, including representa-
tives of— 
(i) communications service providers; 
(ii) vendors, developers, and manufac-
turers of systems, facilities, equipment, 
and capabilities for the provision of com-
munications services; 
(iii) third-party service bureaus; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(iv) the broadcasting industry, includ-
ing commercial and noncommercial radio 
and television stations; 
(v) the commercial mobile radio serv-
ice industry; 
(vi) the cable industry; 
(vii) the satellite industry; and 
(viii) 
national 
organizations 
rep-
resenting individuals with disabilities and 
access and functional needs and national 
organizations representing the elderly. 
(H) Qualified representatives of such other 
stakeholders and interested and affected parties 
as the Administrator considers appropriate. 
(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Administrator shall 
serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. 
(4) MEETINGS.— 
(A) INITIAL MEETING.—The initial meet-
ing of the Advisory Committee shall take place 
not later than 120 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(B) OTHER MEETINGS.—After the initial 
meeting, the Advisory Committee shall meet, at 
least annually, at the call of the Chairperson. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(C) NOTICE; OPEN MEETINGS.—Meetings 
held by the Advisory Committee shall be duly 
noticed at least 14 days in advance and shall be 
open to the public. 
(D) INTERESTED
PERSONS.—Interested 
persons shall be permitted to attend, appear be-
fore, or file statements with the Advisory Com-
mittee, in accordance with subsection (c) of sec-
tion 552b of title 5, United States Code. 
(E) MEETING
MINUTES.—The Advisory 
Committee shall keep detailed minutes of each 
meeting, which shall contain a record of the 
persons present, a complete and accurate de-
scription of matters discussed and conclusions 
reached, and copies of all reports received, 
issued, or approved by the Advisory Committee. 
(F) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.—The 
records, reports, transcripts, minutes, appen-
dixes, working papers, drafts, studies, agenda, 
or other documents which were made available 
to or prepared for or by the Advisory Com-
mittee shall be available for public inspection 
and copying, subject to section 552 of title 5, 
United States Code, at a single location in the 
office of the Federal Emergency Management 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
Agency until the Advisory Committee ceases to 
exist. 
(5) RULES.— 
(A) QUORUM.—One-third of the members 
of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a 
quorum for conducting business of the Advisory 
Committee. 
(B) SUBCOMMITTEES.—To assist the Advi-
sory Committee in carrying out its functions, 
the Chairperson may establish appropriate sub-
committees composed of members of the Advi-
sory Committee and other subject matter ex-
perts as the Chairperson considers necessary. 
(C) ADDITIONAL
RULES.—The Advisory 
Committee may adopt such other rules as are 
necessary to carry out its duties. 
(6) CONSULTATION WITH NONMEMBERS.—The 
Advisory Committee and the program offices for the 
integrated public alert and warning system for the 
United States shall regularly meet with groups that 
are not represented on the Advisory Committee to 
consider new and developing technologies that may 
be beneficial to the public alert and warning system. 
Such groups may include— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) 
the 
Defense 
Advanced 
Research 
Projects Agency; 
(B) entities engaged in federally funded re-
search; and 
(C) academic institutions engaged in rel-
evant work and research. 
(7) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall develop recommendations for an inte-
grated public alert and warning system, including— 
(A) recommendations for common alerting 
and warning protocols, standards, terminology, 
and operating procedures for the public alert 
and warning system; and 
(B) recommendations to provide for a pub-
lic alert and warning system that— 
(i) has the capability to adapt the dis-
tribution and content of communications 
on the basis of geographic location, risks, 
or personal user preferences, as appro-
priate; 
(ii) has the capability to alert and 
warn individuals with disabilities and indi-
viduals with limited English proficiency; 
(iii) incorporates multiple communica-
tions technologies; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(iv) is designed to adapt to, and incor-
porate, future technologies for commu-
nicating directly with the public; 
(v) is designed to provide alerts to the 
largest portion of the affected population 
feasible, including nonresident visitors and 
tourists, and improve the ability of remote 
areas to receive alerts; 
(vi) promotes local and regional public 
and private partnerships to enhance com-
munity preparedness and response; 
(vii) provides redundant alert mecha-
nisms if practicable in order to reach the 
greatest number of people regardless of 
whether they have access to, or utilize, any 
specific medium of communication or any 
particular device; and 
(viii) promotes the participation of 
representatives from traditionally under-
served and underrepresented communities, 
to ensure that alerts and warnings reach 
such populations. 
(8) INITIAL AND ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Admin-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
istrator, the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives, and the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs of the Senate a report containing the rec-
ommendations of the Advisory Committee. 
(9) FEDERAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
ACT.— 
Neither the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) nor any rule, order, or regulation 
issued under that Act shall apply to the Advisory 
Committee. 
(10) TERMINATION.—The Advisory Committee 
shall terminate not later than 6 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(c) LIMITATION ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency with regulatory 
authority with respect to any nongovernment entity. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:07 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1472.IH
H1472
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS