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Making National Parks Safer Act

USA119th CongressS-290| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
John Barrasso

John Barrasso

Republican Senator

Wyoming

Cosponsors (3)
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, National Parks Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" mandates the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, to enhance emergency communications within units of the National Park System. The primary goal is to upgrade existing emergency communications centers to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems , improving the ability to receive, process, and share emergency requests and data. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must complete an assessment of these centers. This assessment will identify the current implementation status of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, estimate the costs for purchasing new systems, and project the ongoing maintenance and operational expenses across all park units. Following this, a detailed report describing the assessment results and potential implementation issues, such as jurisdictional or technological challenges, must be submitted to Congress and made publicly available. Subsequently, within one year of the report's submission, the Secretary is directed to develop a comprehensive plan for installing Next Generation 9-1-1 systems at identified centers. This plan requires consultation with State and local emergency officials, relevant stakeholders, and Federal agencies like the Departments of Commerce and Transportation, and the Federal Communications Commission, to ensure seamless interoperability . However, units where sufficient Next Generation 9-1-1 systems are already in place or being installed are exempt from this planning requirement.
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Timeline
Jan 29, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)
Dec 9, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
Feb 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 18, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7031
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • January 29, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)


  • December 9, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.


  • February 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • March 18, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7031
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Congressional oversightEmergency communications systemsGovernment studies and investigationsParks, recreation areas, trails

Making National Parks Safer Act

USA119th CongressS-290| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" mandates the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, to enhance emergency communications within units of the National Park System. The primary goal is to upgrade existing emergency communications centers to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems , improving the ability to receive, process, and share emergency requests and data. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must complete an assessment of these centers. This assessment will identify the current implementation status of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, estimate the costs for purchasing new systems, and project the ongoing maintenance and operational expenses across all park units. Following this, a detailed report describing the assessment results and potential implementation issues, such as jurisdictional or technological challenges, must be submitted to Congress and made publicly available. Subsequently, within one year of the report's submission, the Secretary is directed to develop a comprehensive plan for installing Next Generation 9-1-1 systems at identified centers. This plan requires consultation with State and local emergency officials, relevant stakeholders, and Federal agencies like the Departments of Commerce and Transportation, and the Federal Communications Commission, to ensure seamless interoperability . However, units where sufficient Next Generation 9-1-1 systems are already in place or being installed are exempt from this planning requirement.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jan 29, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)
Dec 9, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
Feb 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 18, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7031
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • January 29, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)


  • December 9, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.


  • February 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • March 18, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7031
    Subcommittee Hearings Held
John Barrasso

John Barrasso

Republican Senator

Wyoming

Cosponsors (3)
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, National Parks Subcommittee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightEmergency communications systemsGovernment studies and investigationsParks, recreation areas, trails