Making National Parks Safer Act
- Bill Number
- S. 290
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T23:28:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" (S. 290) aims to enhance emergency response capabilities in National Park System units by directing the Secretary of the Interior (through the National Park Service) to assess and plan upgrades to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) systems. NG911 refers to advanced emergency communication technology that improves how 9-1-1 calls are received, processed, and shared, including location data and better coordination with responders.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including:
- Emergency communications center: A facility that handles 9-1-1 calls, processes requests, dispatches responders, and supports incident management (or a public safety answering point under federal communications law).
- Interoperability: The ability of systems to share 9-1-1 data across different centers and responders without compatibility issues, regardless of location or technology.
- Next Generation 9-1-1 system: Advanced 9-1-1 technology as defined in federal regulations, enabling multimedia calls and real-time data sharing.
- Secretary: The Secretary of the Interior, acting via the National Park Service Director.
- Appropriate committees of Congress: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House Natural Resources Committee.
- Assessment of Current Systems (Section 3): Within 1 year of enactment, the Secretary must evaluate emergency communications centers in National Park units to determine:
- The status of NG911 implementation.
- Estimated costs to acquire NG911 for centers without it.
- Estimated ongoing costs for maintenance and operation across all centers.
- A report on the assessment must be submitted to Congress and posted online, highlighting barriers to implementation, such as jurisdictional overlaps, technology challenges, legal authorities, and agreements.
- Plan for Installation (Section 4): Within 1 year after the report, the Secretary must create a plan to install NG911 systems based on the assessment. The plan requires consultation with:
- State and local emergency officials for system compatibility.
- Relevant local stakeholders identified by park superintendents.
- Federal agencies like the Departments of Commerce and Transportation, and the Federal Communications Commission.
- Exception: No plan needed for parks where NG911 is already sufficiently installed or in progress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for the National Park Service to systematically assess and plan NG911 upgrades, which were not previously required under current law. It builds on existing federal communications regulations (e.g., the Communications Act of 1934) by applying them specifically to national parks, emphasizing cost estimates and multi-level consultations to address gaps in emergency infrastructure.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service will face new administrative duties, including assessments, reporting, and planning, potentially requiring additional funding for technology purchases, maintenance, and staff training. It promotes better coordination between federal, state, and local entities, reducing silos in emergency responses.
- On Citizens: Park visitors, staff, and nearby communities could benefit from faster, more accurate emergency responses, such as precise location tracking during incidents like injuries or lost hikers, improving overall safety in remote areas.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced systems could indirectly support cross-border emergency coordination near parks on international boundaries (e.g., with Canada or Mexico).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Department of the Interior: Primary implementers responsible for assessments, planning, and upgrades.
- Congressional Committees: Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) and Natural Resources (House), which receive reports and oversee progress.
- State and Local Governments: Emergency officials and stakeholders involved in consultations to ensure system compatibility.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of Commerce and Transportation, and the Federal Communications Commission, providing expertise on technology and standards.
- Park Visitors and Staff: Direct beneficiaries through improved emergency services.
- Telecommunications Providers: Potentially involved in supplying and integrating NG911 technology.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill reinforces federal authority over national parks under the Department of the Interior's management (per the National Park Service Organic Act) while requiring interoperability with state/local systems, which could necessitate new legal agreements to resolve jurisdictional issues. It aligns with broader federal NG911 initiatives but mandates park-specific action.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it supports the federal government's role in public lands and safety without infringing on states' rights, as consultations ensure collaborative implementation.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., Senators Barrasso, King, Hickenlooper, Hyde-Smith) highlights consensus on public safety. It may spur debates on federal spending for park infrastructure, potentially influencing future appropriations bills, and underscores priorities for modernizing outdated emergency tech in federal lands.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)
- 2025-01-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Making National Parks Safer Act — issued 2025-01-29 — PDF (7 pages)