Connecting the Operations of National Networks of Emergency Communications Technologies for First Responders Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-1251
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2005-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Broadband
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic data interchange
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Emergency medicine
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health
Information technology
Law
Law enforcement officers
Paramedical personnel
Performance measurement
Planning
Police communication systems
Radio
Research and development
Risk
Standards
Technological innovations
Telecommunication systems
Wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: 
Connecting the Operations of National Networks of Emergency Communications Technologies for First Responders Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in cooperation with State and local governments, Federal agencies, public safety agencies, and the private sector, to develop a national strategy to achieve communications interoperability and to report to Congress annually on progress toward achieving such interoperability.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to create an interoperable communications technology grant program for eligible States (those States lacking adequate interoperability that have submitted a communications interoperability plan to the Secretary) and local governments and public safety agencies within such States. Sets forth considerations for awarding grants, including the nature of the threat to the eligible State or local jurisdiction and the location, risk, or vulnerability of critical infrastructure and key national assets.
 
Limits the Federal share of costs associated with grant-funded activities to 75 percent of the total.
 
Prohibits the award of grants to reimburse recipients for past expenditures, except that public safety agencies may be reimbursed for funds expended after September 11, 2001, and before the date of enactment of this Act if such expenditures support an approved agency plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-09-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H8143-8144)
action_date: 2005-03-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Introduced in House