Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015
PL 114-143 (S.1180), enacted 04/11/2016

130 STAT. 327 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
Public Law 114–143 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize the integrated public alert 
and warning system of the United States, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 SYSTEM MOD-
ERNIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 526. INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MOD-
ERNIZATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—To provide timely and effective warnings 
regarding natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
disasters or threats to public safety, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) 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 help ensure that 
under all conditions the President and, except to the extent 
the public alert and warning system is in use by the President, 
Federal agencies and State, tribal, and local governments can 
alert and warn the civilian population in areas endangered 
by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
disasters or threats to public safety; and 
‘‘(2) implement the public alert and warning system to 
disseminate timely and effective warnings regarding natural 
disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters or 
threats to public safety. 
‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) establish or adopt, as appropriate, common alerting 
and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating 
procedures for the public alert and warning system; 
‘‘(2) include in the public alert and warning system the 
capability to adapt the distribution and content of communica-
tions on the basis of geographic location, risks, and multiple 
communication systems and technologies, as appropriate and 
to the extent technically feasible; 
Disasters. 
Terrorism. 
6 USC 3210. 
Integrated Public 
Alert and 
Warning System 
Modernization 
Act of 2015. 
6 USC 101 note. 
Apr. 11, 2016 
[S. 1180] 
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130 STAT. 328 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
‘‘(3) include in the public alert and warning system the 
capability to alert, warn, and provide equivalent information 
to individuals with disabilities, individuals with access and 
functional needs, and individuals with limited-English pro-
ficiency, to the extent technically feasible; 
‘‘(4) ensure that training, tests, and exercises are conducted 
for the public alert and warning system, including by— 
‘‘(A) incorporating the public alert and warning system 
into other training and exercise programs of the Depart-
ment, as appropriate; 
‘‘(B) establishing and integrating into the National 
Incident Management System a comprehensive and peri-
odic training program to instruct and educate Federal, 
State, tribal, and local government officials in the use 
of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert 
System; and 
‘‘(C) conducting, not less than once every 3 years, peri-
odic nationwide tests of the public alert and warning 
system; 
‘‘(5) to the extent practicable, ensure that the public alert 
and warning system is resilient and secure and can withstand 
acts of terrorism and other external attacks; 
‘‘(6) conduct public education efforts so that State, tribal, 
and local governments, private entities, and the people of the 
United States reasonably understand the functions of the public 
alert and warning system and how to access, use, and respond 
to information from the public alert and warning system 
through a general market awareness campaign; 
‘‘(7) consult, coordinate, and cooperate with the appropriate 
private sector entities and Federal, State, tribal, and local 
governmental authorities, including the Regional Administra-
tors and emergency response providers; 
‘‘(8) consult and coordinate with the Federal Communica-
tions Commission, taking into account rules and regulations 
promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission; and 
‘‘(9) coordinate with and consider the recommendations of 
the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee 
established under section 2(b) of the Integrated Public Alert 
and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015. 
‘‘(c) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.—The public alert and warning 
system shall— 
‘‘(1) to the extent determined appropriate by the Adminis-
trator, incorporate multiple communications technologies; 
‘‘(2) be designed to adapt to, and incorporate, future tech-
nologies for communicating directly with the public; 
‘‘(3) to the extent technically feasible, be designed— 
‘‘(A) to provide alerts to the largest portion of the 
affected population feasible, including nonresident visitors 
and tourists, individuals with disabilities, individuals with 
access and functional needs, and individuals with limited- 
English proficiency; and 
‘‘(B) to improve the ability of remote areas to receive 
alerts; 
‘‘(4) promote local and regional public and private partner-
ships to enhance community preparedness and response; 
‘‘(5) provide redundant alert mechanisms where practicable 
so as to reach the greatest number of people; and 
Coordination. 
Consultation. 
Coordination. 
Consultation. 
Coordination. 
Time period. 
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130 STAT. 329 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
‘‘(6) to the extent feasible, include a mechanism to ensure 
the protection of individual privacy. 
‘‘(d) USE OF SYSTEM.—Except to the extent necessary for testing 
the public alert and warning system, the public alert and warning 
system shall not be used to transmit a message that does not 
relate to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made 
disaster or threat to public safety. 
‘‘(e) PERFORMANCE REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning 
System Modernization Act of 2015, and annually thereafter 
through 2018, the Administrator shall make available on the 
public website of the Agency a performance report, which 
shall— 
‘‘(A) establish performance goals for the implementa-
tion of the public alert and warning system by the Agency; 
‘‘(B) describe the performance of the public alert and 
warning system, including— 
‘‘(i) the type of technology used for alerts and 
warnings issued under the system; 
‘‘(ii) the measures taken to alert, warn, and provide 
equivalent information to individuals with disabilities, 
individuals with access and function needs, and 
individuals with limited-English proficiency; and 
‘‘(iii) the training, tests, and exercises performed 
and the outcomes obtained by the Agency; 
‘‘(C) identify significant challenges to the effective oper-
ation of the public alert and warning system and any 
plans to address these challenges; 
‘‘(D) identify other necessary improvements to the 
system; and 
‘‘(E) provide an analysis comparing the performance 
of the public alert and warning system with the perform-
ance goals established under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(2) CONGRESS.—The Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives each report required under paragraph 
(1).’’. 
(b) INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT
AND WARNING SYSTEM SUB-
COMMITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (in this subsection referred 
to as the ‘‘Administrator’’) shall establish a subcommittee to 
the National Advisory Council established under section 508 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318) to be 
known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System 
Subcommittee (in this subsection referred to as the ‘‘Sub-
committee’’). 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—Notwithstanding section 508(c) of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318(c)), the Sub-
committee shall be composed of the following members (or 
their designees): 
Deadline. 
Analysis. 
Public 
information. 
Web posting. 
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130 STAT. 330 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
(A) The Deputy Administrator for Protection and 
National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency. 
(B) The Chairman of the Federal Communications 
Commission. 
(C) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Com-
merce. 
(D) The Assistant Secretary for Communications and 
Information of the Department of Commerce. 
(E) The Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
of the Department of Homeland Security. 
(F) The Under Secretary for the National Protection 
and Programs Directorate. 
(G) The Director of Disability Integration and 
Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency. 
(H) The Chairperson of the National Council on Dis-
ability. 
(I) Qualified individuals appointed by the Adminis-
trator as soon as practicable after the date of enactment 
of this Act from among the following: 
(i) Representatives of State and local governments, 
representatives of emergency management agencies, 
and representatives of emergency response providers. 
(ii) Representatives from federally recognized 
Indian tribes and national Indian organizations. 
(iii) Individuals who have the requisite technical 
knowledge and expertise to serve on the Subcommittee, 
including representatives of— 
(I) communications service providers; 
(II) vendors, developers, and manufacturers 
of systems, facilities, equipment, and capabilities 
for the provision of communications services; 
(III) third-party service bureaus; 
(IV) the broadcasting industry, including 
public broadcasting; 
(V) the commercial mobile radio service 
industry; 
(VI) the cable industry; 
(VII) the satellite industry; 
(VIII) national organizations representing 
individuals with disabilities, the blind, deaf, and 
hearing-loss communities, individuals with access 
and functional needs, and the elderly; 
(IX) consumer or privacy advocates; and 
(X) organizations representing individuals 
with limited-English proficiency. 
(iv) Qualified representatives of such other stake-
holders and interested and affected parties as the 
Administrator considers appropriate. 
(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Deputy Administrator for Protec-
tion and National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall serve as the Chairperson of the 
Subcommittee. 
(4) MEETINGS.— 
Deadlines. 
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130 STAT. 331 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
(A) INITIAL MEETING.—The initial meeting of the Sub-
committee shall take place not later than 120 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) OTHER MEETINGS.—After the initial meeting, the 
Subcommittee shall meet, at least annually, at the call 
of the Chairperson. 
(5) CONSULTATION WITH NONMEMBERS.—The Subcommittee 
and the program offices for the integrated public alert and 
warning system for the United States shall consult with individ-
uals and entities that are not represented on the Subcommittee 
to consider new and developing technologies that may be bene-
ficial to the public alert and warning system, including— 
(A) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; 
(B) entities engaged in federally funded research; and 
(C) academic institutions engaged in relevant work 
and research. 
(6) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Subcommittee shall— 
(A) develop recommendations for an integrated public 
alert and warning system; and 
(B) in developing the recommendations under subpara-
graph (A), consider— 
(i) recommendations for common alerting and 
warning protocols, standards, terminology, and oper-
ating procedures for the public alert and warning 
system; and 
(ii) recommendations to provide for a public alert 
and warning system that— 
(I) has the capability to adapt the distribution 
and content of communications on the basis of 
geographic location, risks, or personal user pref-
erences, as appropriate; 
(II) has the capability to alert and warn 
individuals with disabilities and individuals with 
limited-English proficiency; 
(III) to the extent appropriate, incorporates 
multiple communications technologies; 
(IV) is designed to adapt to, and incorporate, 
future technologies for communicating 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 
community 
preparedness and response; and 
(VII) provides redundant alert mechanisms, 
if practicable, to reach the greatest number of 
people regardless of whether they have access to, 
or use, any specific medium of communication or 
any particular device. 
(7) REPORT.— 
(A) SUBCOMMITTEE SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee 
shall submit to the National Advisory Council a report 
containing any recommendations required to be developed 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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130 STAT. 332 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
under paragraph (6) for approval by the National Advisory 
Council. 
(B) SUBMISSION BY NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.—If 
the National Advisory Council approves the recommenda-
tions contained in the report submitted under subpara-
graph (A), the National Advisory Council shall submit the 
report to— 
(i) the head of each agency represented on the 
Subcommittee; 
(ii) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and 
(iii) the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives. 
(8) TERMINATION.—The Subcommittee shall terminate not 
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of 
fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018. 
(d) LIMITATIONS ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘participating 
commercial mobile service provider’’ has the meaning given 
that term under section 10.10(f) of title 47, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this Act, including an amend-
ment made by this Act, shall be construed— 
(A) to affect any authority— 
(i) of the Department of Commerce; 
(ii) of the Federal Communications Commission; 
or 
(iii) provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 
et seq.); 
(B) to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with 
authority to require any action by the Department of Com-
merce, the Federal Communications Commission, or any 
nongovernmental entity; 
(C) to apply to, or to provide the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency with authority 
over, any participating commercial mobile service provider; 
(D) to alter in any way the wireless emergency alerts 
service established under the Warning, Alert, and Response 
Network Act (47 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) or any related orders 
issued by the Federal Communications Commission after 
October 13, 2006; or 
6 USC 3210 note. 
Deadline. 
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130 STAT. 333 
PUBLIC LAW 114–143—APR. 11, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1180 (H.R. 1472) (H.R. 1738): 
HOUSE REPORTS: Nos. 114–900 (Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure) 
accompanying H.R. 1472; and 114–854, Pt. 1 (Comm. on 
Homeland Security) accompanying H.R. 1738. 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–73 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 161 (2015): July 9, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 162 (2016): Mar. 21, considered and passed House. 
(E) to provide the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency with authority to require a State or local jurisdic-
tion to use the integrated public alert and warning system 
of the United States. 
Approved April 11, 2016. 
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