Legis Daily

READI Act

USA115th CongressS-3238| Senate 
| Updated: 12/19/2018
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (2)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Thune (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2018 or READI Act This bill amends the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act to include emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that subscribers of commercial mobile service licensees may not block from their devices (currently, alerts from the President may not be blocked). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and provide that each SECC meets at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan (State EAS Plan). The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan. FEMA shall develop and issue guidance for state, tribal, and local governments relating to emergency alerts. The FCC shall complete: (1) a rulemaking proceeding to establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the emergency alert system (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) a rulemaking proceeding to modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) an inquiry to examine the feasibility of establishing systems and signaling to offer EAS alerts to audio and video streaming services delivered over the Internet.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 18, 2018
Introduced in Senate
Jul 18, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7734-7735)
Dec 18, 2018
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 19, 2018
Received in the House.
Dec 19, 2018
Held at the desk.
  • July 18, 2018
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 18, 2018
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • December 17, 2018
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7734-7735)


  • December 18, 2018
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 19, 2018
    Received in the House.


  • December 19, 2018
    Held at the desk.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-6427: To improve oversight by the Federal Communications Commission of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCongressional oversightEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Government information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication

READI Act

USA115th CongressS-3238| Senate 
| Updated: 12/19/2018
Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2018 or READI Act This bill amends the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act to include emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that subscribers of commercial mobile service licensees may not block from their devices (currently, alerts from the President may not be blocked). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and provide that each SECC meets at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan (State EAS Plan). The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan. FEMA shall develop and issue guidance for state, tribal, and local governments relating to emergency alerts. The FCC shall complete: (1) a rulemaking proceeding to establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the emergency alert system (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) a rulemaking proceeding to modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) an inquiry to examine the feasibility of establishing systems and signaling to offer EAS alerts to audio and video streaming services delivered over the Internet.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 18, 2018
Introduced in Senate
Jul 18, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2018
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7734-7735)
Dec 18, 2018
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 19, 2018
Received in the House.
Dec 19, 2018
Held at the desk.
  • July 18, 2018
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 18, 2018
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • December 17, 2018
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 17, 2018
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7734-7735)


  • December 18, 2018
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 19, 2018
    Received in the House.


  • December 19, 2018
    Held at the desk.
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (2)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Thune (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-6427: To improve oversight by the Federal Communications Commission of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCongressional oversightEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Government information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication