The bill, titled the "Enhancing First Response Act," directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve its response to communication outages during disasters. Specifically, after the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) is activated for seven or more days, the FCC must hold annual public hearings. These hearings will gather input from various stakeholders, including state and local governments, residents, service providers, and first responders, to assess the impact of outages. Following these hearings, the FCC is required to issue a report detailing the number and duration of outages for services like broadband internet access and commercial mobile service , including their impact on 911 services. The report must also include recommendations to enhance communications resiliency and recovery efforts. Furthermore, the FCC must investigate and report on ways to improve network outage reporting, such as the value of visual information for public safety answering points and addressing unreported 911 outages. A significant provision of the bill mandates the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification system within 30 days, acknowledging their critical role in emergency response. Finally, the bill requires the FCC to publish a report on the implementation and enforcement of Kari's Law , assessing compliance by multi-line telephone system manufacturers and vendors, identifying challenges, and recommending improvements or further legislation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-59.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555-6556: 1; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555-6556: 1)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-59.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555-6556: 1; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555-6556: 1)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Science, Technology, Communications
Congressional oversightEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsTelephone and wireless communication
Enhancing First Response Act
USA119th CongressS-725| Senate
| Updated: 9/11/2025
The bill, titled the "Enhancing First Response Act," directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve its response to communication outages during disasters. Specifically, after the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) is activated for seven or more days, the FCC must hold annual public hearings. These hearings will gather input from various stakeholders, including state and local governments, residents, service providers, and first responders, to assess the impact of outages. Following these hearings, the FCC is required to issue a report detailing the number and duration of outages for services like broadband internet access and commercial mobile service , including their impact on 911 services. The report must also include recommendations to enhance communications resiliency and recovery efforts. Furthermore, the FCC must investigate and report on ways to improve network outage reporting, such as the value of visual information for public safety answering points and addressing unreported 911 outages. A significant provision of the bill mandates the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification system within 30 days, acknowledging their critical role in emergency response. Finally, the bill requires the FCC to publish a report on the implementation and enforcement of Kari's Law , assessing compliance by multi-line telephone system manufacturers and vendors, identifying challenges, and recommending improvements or further legislation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-59.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555-6556: 1; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555-6556: 1)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-59.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6555-6556: 1; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6555-6556: 1)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congressional oversightEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsTelephone and wireless communication