Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3283
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Introduced: 2013-10-10 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Emergency communications systems
Government information and archives
Homeland security
Intergovernmental relations
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Right of privacy
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-10
text: 
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2013 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to modernize and implement the national integrated public alert and warning system, including by: (1) establishing or adapting common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures; (2) including the capability to adapt the dissemination of information and the content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences and the capability to alert, warn, and provide the equivalent amount of information to individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs; (3) ensuring the conduct of training, tests, and exercises for the system that are incorporated into other training and exercise programs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (4) ensuring that ongoing training, integrated into the National Incident Management System, for receiving and disseminating public alert and warning system messages utilizing advanced technologies is provided to state, local, tribal, and other homeland security stakeholders; (5) ensuring that the system uses the National Terrorism Advisory System; (6) conducting periodic nationwide tests of the system at least once every three years; and (7) consulting, coordinating, and cooperating with other federal agencies and with state, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and other key stakeholders to leverage existing alert and warning capabilities.
 
Requires the Secretary to ensure that the system: (1) incorporates redundant and diverse modes to disseminate warning messages to reach the greatest number of individuals; (2) can be adapted to incorporate future technologies; (3) is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks; (4) promotes state, local, tribal, and regional partnerships to enhance coordination; (5) is designed to provide alerts that are accessible to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and to improve the ability of remote areas and areas with underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure to receive alerts; and (6) includes mechanisms to ensure the protection of individual privacy.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee, which shall submit annual recommendations for the continuation and improvement of such system.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to permit the use of homeland security grant funds to improve public alert and warning capabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2014-04-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-10-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
action_date: 2013-10-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2013-10-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2013-10-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2013-10-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-10-10
text: Introduced in House