Making National Parks Safer Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7031
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T12:10:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" (H.R. 7031) aims to improve emergency response capabilities in units of the National Park System by directing the Secretary of the Interior to assess and plan upgrades to existing emergency communications centers, ensuring they adopt modern Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) systems. NG911 refers to an advanced emergency calling system that handles calls from various devices, provides location data, and allows better sharing of information among responders.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes clear terms, including:
- Emergency communications center: A facility that receives 9-1-1 calls, processes requests, dispatches responders, and supports coordination (similar to a public safety answering point, or PSAP, which is a local hub for handling emergency calls).
- Interoperability: The ability of systems to share 9-1-1 data across different centers and providers without compatibility issues.
- Next Generation 9-1-1 system: Defined by federal regulations as an upgraded 9-1-1 infrastructure for multimedia calls and data sharing.
- Secretary: The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service (NPS) Director.
- Assessment (Section 3): Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must evaluate all NPS emergency communications centers to determine:
- Current NG911 implementation status.
- Estimated costs to acquire NG911 for centers without it.
- Ongoing costs to maintain and operate NG911 across all centers.
- A report on findings and potential barriers (e.g., jurisdictional overlaps, technology challenges, legal authorities, or agreements) must be submitted to relevant congressional committees and posted online.
- Installation Plan (Section 4): Within one year after the report, the Secretary must create a plan to install NG911 systems, based on the assessment. The plan:
- Consults with state and local emergency officials, park-specific stakeholders, and federal agencies (e.g., Departments of Commerce and Transportation, Federal Communications Commission) to ensure system compatibility.
- Excludes parks where NG911 is already installed or in progress, as determined by the park superintendent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for the NPS to conduct a formal assessment and develop an upgrade plan for NG911 systems, which were not previously required by law. It builds on existing federal frameworks for 9-1-1 services (e.g., under the Communications Act of 1934) but specifically targets national parks, requiring coordination across government levels without altering broader emergency communication laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The NPS and Department of the Interior will face new administrative tasks, including assessments, planning, and potential budget requests for installation and maintenance costs. This could strain resources but improve operational efficiency in remote park areas.
- Citizens: Park visitors, employees, and nearby communities may benefit from faster, more accurate emergency responses, especially in areas with poor cell coverage, reducing risks during incidents like injuries or lost hikers.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic national parks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Department of the Interior: Responsible for implementation, assessments, and funding needs.
- Congressional Committees: The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and House Committee on Natural Resources, which receive reports and oversee progress.
- State and Local Governments: Emergency operations officials and stakeholders involved in consultations to ensure system integration.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of Commerce and Transportation, and the Federal Communications Commission, providing expertise on technology and standards.
- Park Users and Staff: Rangers, visitors, and volunteers who rely on emergency services in parks.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes interoperability and coordination, potentially requiring new agreements between federal, state, and local entities to address jurisdictional or technological barriers; no funding is appropriated, so implementation may depend on future budgets.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal authority over national parks (under Article IV's property clause) and promotes public safety without infringing on state powers, as it mandates consultation rather than unilateral action.
- Political: Could spark discussions on federal spending for park infrastructure amid broader debates on environmental protection and emergency preparedness; the bill's focus on safety may garner bipartisan support in rural or tourism-heavy districts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Making National Parks Safer Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (7 pages)