To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to administer the Next Generation Warning System grant program and disburse obligated funds under such program, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6201
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:06:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, H.R. 6201, aims to strengthen the nation's emergency warning capabilities by directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take full control of a grant program for next-generation warning systems. It also promotes research to make these systems more accessible, secure, and reliable, ultimately improving how emergencies are communicated to the public.
Key Provisions
- Administration of Grant Program: FEMA's Administrator must assume responsibility for running the Next Generation Warning System grant program. This includes:
- Disbursing (releasing) all funds obligated for fiscal year 2022 within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- Starting to award grants using funds allocated for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
- Research and Development (R&D): The Secretary of Homeland Security, working through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, must conduct R&D activities within one year of enactment. These focus on:
- Improving accessibility (e.g., ensuring warnings reach people with disabilities or in remote areas).
- Enhancing resiliency and security (e.g., making systems harder to disrupt or hack).
- Other related improvements as determined necessary.
- The Secretary must consult with federal agencies, state/local/tribal/territorial governments, and owners of critical infrastructure (like power grids or communication networks).
- Reporting Requirement: Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to relevant congressional committees (House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) detailing the R&D efforts.
- Definitions: The bill defines the "Next Generation Warning System grant program" as the one authorized in the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The "Secretary" refers to the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting through its science and technology office.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts administrative responsibility for the grant program explicitly to FEMA, which may clarify or consolidate oversight previously handled by other parts of DHS.
- Mandates the use of previously appropriated funds (from 2022, 2023, and 2024 fiscal years) specifically for grant awards and disbursements, ensuring these resources are not delayed or redirected.
- Introduces a new R&D mandate under DHS's science and technology arm, which was not previously specified in the original 2022 appropriations language for this program.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FEMA and DHS will face new administrative and research duties, potentially streamlining emergency preparedness efforts but requiring additional coordination and resources.
- On Citizens: Could lead to faster and more effective emergency alerts (e.g., via modern tech like apps or integrated systems), improving public safety during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. warning systems might indirectly support cross-border disaster response with neighboring countries.
- Overall, the bill could accelerate upgrades to outdated warning infrastructure, reducing risks from emergencies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily FEMA (for grant administration) and DHS's Science and Technology Directorate (for R&D).
- State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Eligible recipients of grants to implement warning systems at the community level.
- Critical Infrastructure Owners/Operators: Involved in consultations and benefiting from more secure, resilient systems (e.g., telecom companies or utilities).
- General Public: End-users who rely on timely warnings for safety.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds directly on existing appropriations laws without creating new funding, avoiding potential budget disputes. It enforces timely use of obligated funds, which could prevent legal challenges over delays in federal spending.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 9) and oversight of executive agencies, with no apparent conflicts to federalism principles since it involves voluntary grants to states and localities.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan emergency preparedness (introduced with cosponsors from both parties), potentially reducing political divides on disaster response. It emphasizes accountability through reporting, which could influence future appropriations debates on homeland security.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 2025-11-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to administer the Next Generation Warning System grant program and disburse obligated funds under such program, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (4 pages)