Uniform School Mapping Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3113
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-14T08:06:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Uniform School Mapping Act (H.R. 3113) aims to standardize and improve the quality, accessibility, and security of emergency response maps used by public safety agencies during crises at critical sites, such as federal buildings or campuses. It prevents federal funding for substandard maps while requiring the development of a strategy to procure and distribute compliant maps, focusing on usability for first responders.
Key Provisions
- Funding Prohibition: Starting in fiscal year 2026, federal funds cannot be used to buy emergency response maps unless they meet strict requirements. These maps must:
- Be in a digital format viewable on common devices like laptops, tablets, or smartphones using standard or free software.
- Be stored only in U.S.-based data centers (no overseas storage).
- Integrate with software used by local public safety agencies serving the site.
- Be printable and shareable electronically.
- Show true north orientation and a coordinate grid for navigation.
- Display all floors using overlaid aerial images.
- Label key features, including access points, utility controls, doors, hallways, hazards, key boxes (for emergency keys), parking areas, roads, rooms, stairwells, and trauma kits.
- Be verified for accuracy through an on-site walkthrough inspection.
- Be updatable as needed.
- Be provided for free (no subscriptions or restrictions) to the buyer and all relevant public safety agencies after purchase.
- Strategy Development: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security (acting through the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA) must consult with other federal agencies and submit a strategy to Congress. This strategy outlines how the federal government will:
- Procure compliant maps for any critical federal-owned or leased sites (determined by the Secretary).
- Distribute these maps to public safety agencies serving those sites.
- Briefing Requirement: Within 180 days of submitting the strategy, the Secretary must brief specified congressional committees on its implementation.
- Definitions:
- Emergency response map: A map of a site (e.g., building, campus, or facility) used by responders during emergencies.
- Covered public safety agency: Federal agencies or state, local, tribal, or territorial (SLTT) public safety entities.
- Appropriate congressional committees: House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Appropriations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a new federal funding restriction on procuring emergency response maps, which previously had no such standardized requirements or prohibitions.
- It mandates a proactive federal strategy for map procurement and distribution, shifting from optional to required actions for critical sites.
- No direct amendments to prior laws are specified, but it builds on the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by defining terms like SLTT entities and involving CISA in coordination.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS and CISA will face new responsibilities for strategy development and oversight, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving emergency preparedness at federal sites. Other federal agencies owning critical sites may need to update procurement processes to comply with the funding rules.
- On Citizens and Public Safety: Enhances first responders' ability to navigate emergencies (e.g., active shooter events or disasters) at critical locations like schools or federal facilities, potentially saving lives through better maps. Free access could benefit local communities served by SLTT agencies.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the U.S.-only data storage requirement may affect partnerships with foreign vendors, promoting domestic data security.
- Overall, it could lead to more uniform, secure mapping nationwide, but initial compliance might raise costs for map procurement until standards are met.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: DHS/CISA (leads implementation), other agencies with critical sites (e.g., Department of Education for schools), and congressional oversight committees.
- Public Safety Agencies: Federal and SLTT entities (e.g., local police, fire departments) that respond to emergencies, gaining free access to improved maps.
- Site Owners and Operators: Federal entities leasing or owning buildings/campuses deemed critical, required to use compliant maps.
- Vendors and Procurees: Map providers must meet technical and security standards to receive federal funds, potentially favoring U.S.-based or compliant companies.
- Citizens: Indirectly affected through safer emergency responses at public sites like schools.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable standards for federal spending under appropriations laws, with potential for audits or challenges if non-compliant maps are procured. The walkthrough verification and update requirements ensure ongoing accuracy but may raise privacy concerns for site inspections (though not explicitly addressed).
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 9) to control federal funds and promote public safety, without apparent First Amendment or due process issues. The focus on critical infrastructure supports national security interests under the Commerce Clause.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., by Reps. Mast, Green, Whitesides, and Gonzales) suggests broad support for enhancing school and site safety post-incidents like shootings. It could spark debates on federal overreach into local mapping or vendor competition, but emphasizes domestic security amid concerns over foreign data risks. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Uniform School Mapping Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (6 pages)