U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, this week unveiled legislation to ensure America’s first responders have the resources to respond to 9-1-1 calls and to clarify acceptable 9-1-1 obligations or expenditures.
“Americans pay fees every month on their phone bills to support 9-1-1 infrastructure, but in many cases their state politicians divert these resources to spend the money on pet projects unrelated to public safety,” Rep. Walden said. “This leads to outdated and failing public safety communications networks that put the safety of Americans at risk.”
The congressman on Feb. 18 sponsored the Fee Integrity and Responsibilities and To Regain Essential Spectrum for Public-safety Operators Needed to Deploy Equipment Reliably Act of 2020, H.R. 5928, also known as the FIRST RESPONDER Act.
If enacted, H.R. 5928 would repeal the requirement to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, and amend current law to clarify acceptable 9-1-1 responsibilities and costs, according to the text of the bill.
Rep. Walden pointed out that public safety officials have advocated for years to repeal the federal mandate to auction off their T-Band spectrum. “Those same people should be knocking down the doors of their state governments to make sure that 9-1-1 fees are used to support their failing infrastructure,” he said.
To prevent diversion of 9-1-1 fees or charges, the Federal Communications Commission under H.R. 5928 would be required to issue final rules designating purposes and functions for which the obligation or expenditure of 9-1-1 fees or charges is acceptable by any state or taxing jurisdiction authorized to impose such a fee or charge, according to the bill’s text.
“Our first responders deserve to have the tools they need to respond effectively when called for help, including a reliable emergency communications infrastructure,” said Rep. Walden, who noted that in 2012, Congress authorized spectrum and funding to launch FirstNet, the national public safety broadband network.
“While that network is being built out and operated today, it will not be living up to its full potential without a reliable 9-1-1 infrastructure to deliver those calls for help,” he said.
Rep. Walden added that he will continue to work with stakeholders to address public safety issues, and remains committed to ensure wireless spectrum and funds raised for the 9-1-1 system are being used efficiently and effectively.
H.R. 5928 is under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.