Next Generation 9–1–1 Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4062
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T15:55:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Next Generation 9-1-1 Act (S. 4062) aims to modernize and expand the U.S. emergency response system by promoting the deployment, coordination, and maintenance of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911). NG911 is an internet-based upgrade to the traditional 911 system that allows emergency centers to handle voice calls, texts, videos, and other data more effectively, improving response times and accuracy.
Key Provisions
- Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (NTIA): The Assistant Secretary must coordinate NG911 implementation with states and tribes, share best practices on technology and procedures, assist in creating implementation plans, provide technical help, review grant applications, and oversee fund use. Annual reports to Congress are required starting in 2027 until grant funds are exhausted. Collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator is mandated.
- Management Plan for Grants: NTIA must develop and submit a detailed plan within 180 days of enactment, covering program structure and funding needs. The plan will be shared with congressional committees, published online, and updated as needed with similar notifications.
- NG911 Implementation Grants:
- Grants are available to states, tribes, or entities they create (eligible entities) for deploying and maintaining NG911 systems, limited training (up to 3-5% of grant amount), public education on NG911 use, administrative planning costs (up to 1-2% of grant), and cybersecurity enhancements.
- Applications require certifications on coordination with local emergency centers, designating a state point of contact, and submitting a comprehensive implementation plan focusing on interoperability (ability of systems to work together), reliability (backup routes to prevent failures), multimedia handling, cybersecurity (e.g., intrusion detection), open procurement processes, stakeholder input, governance, efficiencies like shared infrastructure, and secure access standards.
- Grant criteria, including performance goals and timelines, must be set via public rulemaking within one year. Regional or multi-state applications are allowed.
- Recipients must certify proper use of 911 fees (local charges funding emergency services), commit to sustainable funding and cybersecurity within three years, promote interoperability with response teams, coordinate with neighbors, and plan public outreach. Non-compliance leads to fund repayment. False certifications result in ineligibility and repayment. Funds cannot support certain federal networks or go to security-prohibited entities.
- NG911 Cybersecurity Center: NTIA must establish a center, in consultation with NHTSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to share threat information, analyze risks, and provide detection/prevention guidelines with state, local, and regional governments.
- Public Safety NG911 Advisory Board: A 16-member board of public safety experts (from law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, and 911 professionals) will advise NTIA on grant rules, rural/urban deployment, flexibility for tech advances, efficiencies, coordination, and cybersecurity integration. The board submits initial recommendations within 120 days of appointment and dissolves when grant funds end.
- Funding Authorization: Authorizes necessary funds for NTIA from fiscal years 2027-2031, available until spent, with up to 4% for administrative costs (including the cybersecurity center and board).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds new sections (159-162) to Part C of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (15 U.S.C. 771 et seq.), building on prior laws like the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999. It expands federal coordination and grant programs beyond basic 911 upgrades, introducing specific requirements for NG911 plans, cybersecurity focus, and an advisory board. It also ties grants to stricter certifications on 911 fee usage and sustainable funding, which were not previously mandated at this level.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NTIA gains expanded oversight and reporting duties, collaborating more with NHTSA and CISA, potentially increasing workload but streamlining federal emergency tech support. State and local agencies must designate coordinators and develop plans, fostering better nationwide consistency.
- Citizens: Improves emergency access by enabling faster, data-rich responses (e.g., location sharing via text/video), especially in rural or tribal areas, potentially saving lives through quicker aid. Public outreach provisions aim to educate users on NG911 benefits.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic U.S. systems and standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States, Tribes, and Local Governments: Primary recipients of grants and planning responsibilities; must coordinate implementations and ensure interoperability.
- Emergency Communications Centers (e.g., 911 Call Centers): Benefit from upgrades for handling multimedia and cybersecurity but face new certification and coordination requirements.
- Public Safety Officials (Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, 911 Professionals): Represented on the advisory board; gain tools for better response but must adapt to new standards.
- Citizens and Emergency Responders: Indirect beneficiaries through enhanced reliability and efficiency in crisis situations.
- Telecommunications Industry: Involved in providing interoperable tech and standards, with emphasis on open procurement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement via penalties for false certifications and fund repayment, ensuring accountability in public fund use. Emphasizes "commonly accepted standards" (industry-agreed technical rules for compatibility) and cybersecurity best practices from bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology, potentially reducing litigation over system failures. No explicit constitutional challenges, but it respects tribal sovereignty by including tribes as eligible entities with tailored grant limits.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Sens. Klobuchar, Budd, and Cortez Masto) signals broad support for public safety infrastructure. It promotes federalism by requiring state/local coordination without overriding authority, while authorizing multi-year funding to address long-term needs amid evolving tech threats like cyberattacks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-03-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Next Generation 9–1–1 Act — issued 2026-03-11 — PDF (27 pages)