Legis Daily

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-102| Senate 
| Updated: 9/13/2017
Maria Cantwell

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (6)
Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)John Thune (Republican)Bill Nelson (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Marco Rubio (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on April 5, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the 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 times of emergency. The framework is a voluntary initiative announced by wireless providers and the CTIA after receiving recommendations from government-private sector partnerships including the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council and the CTIA's Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Certification Program. (Sec. 3) The bill requires the FCC to publish a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with emergency access to 9-1-1 services, when mobile service is unavailable during certain presidentially declared emergencies or major disasters or during gubernatorially declared emergencies, 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 Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) how executive departments can better ensure that essential communications services remain operational during emergencies, (2) any legislative matters Congress could consider to help promote the resiliency of essential communications services, and (3) whether a nationwide directory of points of contact among providers of essential communications services is needed to facilitate the rapid restoration of such services damaged during times of emergency. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 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.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline
Jan 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-588
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 5, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-24.
Apr 5, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.
Sep 11, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5169-5170)
Sep 11, 2017
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5169-5170)
Sep 12, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Sep 12, 2017
Received in the House.
Sep 13, 2017
Held at the desk.
  • January 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-588
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • April 5, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-24.


  • April 5, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.


  • September 11, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5169-5170)


  • September 11, 2017
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5169-5170)


  • September 12, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • September 12, 2017
    Received in the House.


  • September 13, 2017
    Held at the desk.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-588: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government studies and investigationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaTelephone and wireless communication

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-102| Senate 
| Updated: 9/13/2017
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on April 5, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the 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 times of emergency. The framework is a voluntary initiative announced by wireless providers and the CTIA after receiving recommendations from government-private sector partnerships including the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council and the CTIA's Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Certification Program. (Sec. 3) The bill requires the FCC to publish a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with emergency access to 9-1-1 services, when mobile service is unavailable during certain presidentially declared emergencies or major disasters or during gubernatorially declared emergencies, 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 Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) how executive departments can better ensure that essential communications services remain operational during emergencies, (2) any legislative matters Congress could consider to help promote the resiliency of essential communications services, and (3) whether a nationwide directory of points of contact among providers of essential communications services is needed to facilitate the rapid restoration of such services damaged during times of emergency. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-588
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 5, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-24.
Apr 5, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.
Sep 11, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5169-5170)
Sep 11, 2017
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5169-5170)
Sep 12, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Sep 12, 2017
Received in the House.
Sep 13, 2017
Held at the desk.
  • January 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-588
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • April 5, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-24.


  • April 5, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.


  • September 11, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5169-5170)


  • September 11, 2017
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5169-5170)


  • September 12, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • September 12, 2017
    Received in the House.


  • September 13, 2017
    Held at the desk.
Maria Cantwell

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (6)
Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)John Thune (Republican)Bill Nelson (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Marco Rubio (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-588: Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government studies and investigationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaTelephone and wireless communication