Next Generation 9–1–1 Act

This bill, known as the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act, amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to enhance the deployment and coordination of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems. It tasks the Assistant Secretary with improving coordination, disseminating information, and providing technical assistance for NG9-1-1 implementation. The Assistant Secretary will also develop a management plan for the grant program, including organizational structure and funding profiles, and submit it to Congress. The core of the bill is a grant program providing funds to eligible entities, primarily States and Tribes, for implementing, maintaining, and operating NG9-1-1. These grants can cover costs for training, public outreach, administrative planning, and crucially, implementing cybersecurity measures for emergency communications centers. Applicants must submit a detailed plan ensuring interoperability, reliability, multimedia processing, and robust cybersecurity, while also coordinating with local and Tribal authorities. Grant applications require certifications that 9-1-1 fees are not misused and that funds will support reliable and interoperable NG9-1-1. Eligible entities must commit to establishing a sustainable funding mechanism and effective cybersecurity resources within three years of receiving funds. They must also promote interoperability with emergency response providers and coordinate with adjoining States and Tribes. Failure to comply with certifications, including providing false information, can result in the return of grant funds and ineligibility for future grants. Grant funds are specifically prohibited from supporting the First Responder Network Authority or payments to entities with national security prohibitions. The Assistant Secretary will issue rules for selecting grant recipients, including performance requirements and allowing regional applications. The bill further mandates the establishment of a Nationwide Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center to coordinate cybersecurity information sharing and threat analysis. It also creates a Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Advisory Board , composed of public safety professionals, to provide recommendations on NG9-1-1 deployment, flexibility, efficiencies, and cybersecurity integration. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these provisions, with a cap on administrative costs.