NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act

Bill: 118-hr-369
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
Introduced: 2023-01-17 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Emergency communications systems
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-01-17
text: 

NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act

 
This bill requires research on public safety communication coordination standards related to wildland firefighting.
 
The Public Safety and Communications Research Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) must carry out research on such standards among wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and specified federal agencies responsible for coordinating and mobilizing for wildland fire and other incidents. The research must also focus on improving and integrating existing communications systems to allow for secure, real-time transmission of data, alerts, and advisories to fire management officials and wildland firefighters. In carrying out the research, the division must (1) conduct live and virtual field tests of equipment, software, and other technologies; and (2) consult with NIST's Fire Research Division and communication technology manufacturers.
 
Informed by the research, NIST must publish recommendations for specified federal agencies to improve public safety communication coordination standards among wildland first responders and fire management officials. In addition, NIST must advise the Office of Management and Budget and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy concerning the agencies' implementation of the recommendations.
 
Within one year of the publication of NIST's recommendations, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the agencies have implemented the recommendations.

action_date: 2023-09-01
text: 

NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act

 
This bill requires research on public safety communication coordination standards related to wildland firefighting.
 
The Public Safety and Communications Research Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) must carry out research on such standards among wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and specified federal agencies responsible for coordinating and mobilizing for wildland fire and other incidents. The research must also focus on improving and integrating existing communications systems to allow for secure, real-time transmission of data, alerts, and advisories to fire management officials and wildland firefighters. In carrying out the research, the division must (1) conduct live and virtual field tests of equipment, software, and other technologies; and (2) consult with NIST's Fire Research Division and communication technology manufacturers.
 
NIST must also publish recommendations to improve public safety communication coordination standards among wildland first responders and fire management officials. In addition, NIST must provide the recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for relevant agencies to implement.
 
Within one year of the publication of NIST's recommendations, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the agencies have implemented the recommendations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-09-01
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 142.
action_date: 2023-09-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-178.
action_date: 2023-09-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-178.
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
action_date: 2023-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2023-01-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-01-17
text: Introduced in House