Next Generation 9–1–1 Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6505
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-13T08:06:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to support the nationwide deployment, coordination, and maintenance of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) systems. It establishes federal mechanisms for grants, planning, cybersecurity, and technical assistance to improve emergency response capabilities.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Grant Program (Section 159): Authorizes the Assistant Secretary of NTIA to award grants to eligible entities (States, Tribes, or entities created by them) for NG911 implementation, maintenance, limited training (up to 3-5% of award), public outreach, administrative costs (up to 1-2%), and cybersecurity measures.
- Application and Certification Requirements: Eligible entities must coordinate with local emergency centers, designate a state point of contact, submit implementation plans ensuring interoperability, reliability, multimedia processing, and cybersecurity. Annual certifications are required on proper use of 9-1-1 fees, sustainable funding, and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
- Management and Oversight: Requires a management plan submitted to Congress and published online; annual reports on activities; rules for grant selection with performance standards; penalties for false certifications, including ineligibility and repayment.
- Cybersecurity Center (Section 160): Directs establishment of a nationwide NG911 Cybersecurity Center to share information and guidelines with state, local, and regional governments.
- Advisory Board (Section 161): Creates a Public Safety NG911 Advisory Board with 16 voting members from law enforcement, fire/rescue, EMS, and 9-1-1 professionals to provide recommendations on deployment, efficiencies, and rural/urban needs.
- Funding (Section 162): Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026–2030, with up to 4% for administrative costs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced This legislation adds new sections (159–162) to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, creating a structured federal grant program and coordination framework for NG911. It builds on prior laws such as the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 by imposing specific standards for interoperability, cybersecurity, and fee usage, while introducing requirements for sustainable funding mechanisms and competitive procurement processes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for NTIA (grant oversight and coordination) and NHTSA (consultation role); may affect DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency through collaboration on the new cybersecurity center.
- Citizens: Aims to enhance emergency response through more reliable, interoperable systems capable of handling voice, text, and multimedia requests.
- International Relations: No direct provisions address international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Tribal governments (as primary grant recipients and coordinators).
- Local emergency communications centers and public safety officials (law enforcement, fire, EMS).
- Federal agencies including NTIA, NHTSA, and DHS.
- Regional or multi-state entities involved in NG911 deployment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill imposes conditions on grant recipients, including return of funds for noncompliance with fee-use rules or certifications, and excludes entities failing to meet eligibility criteria. It emphasizes open standards, competitive processes, and cybersecurity without creating new regulatory authorities beyond the grant program. No constitutional issues are addressed in the text; the focus remains on public safety infrastructure funding and coordination.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-01-15: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-12-29: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Next Generation 9–1–1 Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (27 pages)