Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2997
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2016-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: 

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a master point of contact directory for effective communications between public safety answering points and telecommunications service providers.
 
The FCC must submit 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.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) how federal agencies can ensure critical telecommunications networks remain operational during emergencies, and (2) whether to add points of contact for local utilities to the master directory.
 
The Stafford Act is amended to include all categories of communications service providers (currently, only telecommunications service providers) among the 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. Communications services include wireline and mobile telephone, Internet, radio and television broadcasting, cable, and direct broadcast satellite services.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must encourage the adoption of mutual aid agreements recognizing the credentials of essential service providers issued by all parties to such an agreement.
 
At the direction of the President, federal agencies may provide assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster by establishing temporary, or restoring, communications service.

action_date: 2016-12-06
text: 

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that voluntary policies outlined in the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework should be adhered to by all parties to aid consumers, 9-1-1 professionals, first responders, and local governments in accessing communication services during emergencies.
 
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must publish 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.
 
The FCC's study must consider communications network provider liability, network operational security, and any existing actions or authorities among the states.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) how executive departments can better ensure that essential communications services remain operational during emergencies, and (2) whether a nationwide directory of points of contact among providers of essential communications services is needed to facilitate the rapid restoration of services damaged during emergencies.
 
The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential communications 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.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must encourage the adoption of mutual aid agreements recognizing the credentials of essential service providers issued by all parties to such an agreement.
 
At the direction of the President, federal agencies may provide assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster by allowing access to essential service providers for establishing temporary, or restoring, communications services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-06
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 702.
action_date: 2016-12-06
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-392.
action_date: 2016-12-06
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-392.
action_date: 2016-06-29
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3294)
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate