Congress 114 - HR 3998 - Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

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Topics

Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Disaster relief and insurance Emergency communications systems Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government studies and investigations Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Science, Technology, Communications Telephone and wireless communication

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Summary

Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, 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 types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

(Sec. 3) The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential 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.

Actions

May 24, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 23, 2016

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
May 23, 2016

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 23, 2016

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 2 (Roll no. 230). (text: CR H2890)
May 23, 2016

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 2 (Roll no. 230).(text: CR H2890)
May 23, 2016

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2930)
May 23, 2016

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 23, 2016

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3998.
May 23, 2016

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2890-2891)
May 23, 2016

Mr. Walden moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 23, 2016

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 453.
May 23, 2016

Committee on Transportation discharged.
May 23, 2016

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-583, Part I.
Apr 28, 2016

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 28, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 27, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 26, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 25, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 19, 2016

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Apr 19, 2016

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 18, 2016

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 20, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Nov 17, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Nov 16, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 16, 2015

Introduced in House

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