Bill
HR 6505
The bill creates a centralized federal framework with grants, standards, and a national cybersecurity center to accelerate and standardize interoperable, secure NG9‑1‑1 nationwide.
Title: Next Generation 9–1–1 Act
Purpose and intent
- The bill aims to accelerate and coordinate the deployment of Next Generation 9–1–1 (NG9‑1‑1) nationwide, with an emphasis on interoperability, cybersecurity, and statewide/tribal coordination.
- It amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Act to establish a more centralized federal role in NG9‑1‑1 planning, funding, and governance.
Key provisions and changes
1) Coordination and duties of the Assistant Secretary (Sec. 159)
- Adds a new NG9‑1‑1 coordination role for the Assistant Secretary (within NTIA) who, after consulting with the NTIA Administrator, shall:
- Improve coordination and communication with State points of contact for NG9‑1‑1.
- Develop, collect, and disseminate best practices, procedures, and technology for NG9‑1‑1 implementation.
- Advise and assist eligible entities in preparing NG9‑1‑1 implementation plans.
- Provide technical assistance for efficiency efforts related to NG9‑1‑1.
- Review and approve/disapprove grant applications and oversee grant fund usage.
- Annual reporting to Congress starting October 1, 2026, on the prior year’s activities.
- The Assistant Secretary may seek assistance from the NTIA Administrator as needed.
2) Management plan for the grant program (Sec. 159, Subsection (b))
- Requires development of a comprehensive management plan for the NG9‑1‑1 grant program, detailing organizational structure and annual funding profiles.
- Within 180 days of enactment: submit the initial management plan to specified Congressional committees, publish it on NTIA’s site, and provide it to the Administrator for publication on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
- Allows for modification of the plan, with timely submission and publication of modified plans.
3) NG9‑1‑1 Implementation Grants (Sec. 159, Subsection (c))
- eligible entities may receive grants to:
- Implement NG9‑1‑1, maintain NG9‑1‑1, and fund related training (subject to training cost caps).
- Conduct public outreach and education about NG9‑1‑1.
- Cover administrative costs for NG9‑1‑1 planning (within specified cost caps).
- Implement cybersecurity measures at EM centers or related to NG9‑1‑1.
- Application requirements:
- Each applicant must coordinate with relevant emergency communications centers.
- States must designate a single State point of contact for NG9‑1‑1 coordination (not necessarily with direct legal authority).
- Applicants must provide a plan ensuring interoperability (common standards), reliability, data handling, cybersecurity tools, open procurement processes, stakeholder input, governance structures, efficient procurement, and cross-jurisdiction coordination.
- Tribes must meet coordination requirements; open standards and competitive procurement are emphasized.
- Grant criteria (Sec. 159, Subsection (4)):
- Rules for selecting eligible entities within 1 year of enactment, with performance milestones and allowance for multi-State applications.
- Plans may be updated as needed.
- Grant certifications (Sec. 159, Subsection (5)):
- Annual certifications by grant recipients detailing compliance with funding rules, interoperability goals, sustainable funding and cybersecurity readiness, coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, and public outreach plans.
- Certification requires compliance with Wireless 9‑1‑1 funding rules (47 U.S.C. 615a‑1) and openness to changes.
- Conditions and penalties:
- If a State or jurisdiction fails to comply with certifications, grant funds may be withdrawn.
- False certifications result in ineligibility for grants, require return of funds, and possible ineligibility for future grants.
- Prohibitions:
- Grant funds may not be used to support the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) or to pay individuals barred from bidding or contracting for national security reasons.
Definitions (Sec. 159 and Sec. 160–161)
- NG9‑1‑1: An IP-based system enabling interoperability, security, standard-based connectivity, and multimedia/data integration for 9‑1‑1 requests.
- 9‑1‑1 fee, 9‑1‑1 request for emergency assistance, emergency communications center, emergency response provider, and other terms defined for consistency.
- Commonly accepted standards: industry standards open to public input, developed by standards organizations, and publicly available.
- Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network: As defined in related law (for interoperability with NG9‑1‑1).
- NG9‑1‑1 Cybersecurity Center (Sec. 160): A center to coordinate cybersecurity information sharing and guidelines with state/local/regional entities.
4) NG9‑1‑1 Cybersecurity Center (Sec. 160)
- Establishes a nationwide cyber center to coordinate sharing and guidance on cybersecurity threats and response related to NG9‑1‑1, in collaboration with DHS’s CISA.
5) Advisory Board (Sec. 161)
- Creates a Public Safety NG9‑1‑1 Advisory Board to advise the Assistant Secretary.
- 16 voting members split across: local law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, and 9‑1‑1 professionals.
- Geographic and discipline diversity, with terms of 3 years, and a governance framework including a chair and vice chair.
- Board duties include providing recommendations on deployment, flexibility in guidance and funding, efficiency enhancements (cybersecurity, virtualization), and coordination among jurisdictions.
- The Board must submit initial recommendations within 120 days after all members are appointed and can provide additional recommendations upon request.
- The Board terminates when NG9‑1‑1 grant funds are exhausted.
6) Appropriations (Sec. 162)
- Authorization for appropriations to NTIA to carry out sections 159–161 for fiscal years 2026–2030, with funds remaining available until expended.
- Administrative costs capped at 4% of the amounts appropriated.
Who is affected
- States, Tribes, and other eligible entities establishing public safety communications programs.
- Emergency communications centers (9‑1‑1 centers) and regional authorities.
- Local, state, tribal, and territorial emergency response providers and public safety professionals.
- Public and private entities applying for NG9‑1‑1 grants.
- Federal agencies coordinating on cybersecurity (NTIA, NHTSA, DHS/CISA).
Timeline and procedural aspects
- Enactment triggers plan development and rulemaking timelines:
- Within 1 year: NTIA to issue grant criteria rules and allow multi-State applications.
- Within 180 days: initial NG9‑1‑1 grant management plan submitted for Congressional review and published.
- 150 days after enactment: Advisory Board appointments to begin; 16 voting members to be appointed.
- Ongoing annual reporting to Congress starting 2026 and annual reports on program activities until grant funds expire.
- Authorization of appropriations through 2030, with ongoing availability of funds and a 4% administrative cap.
Bottom line
H.R. 6505 would formalize a federal framework to accelerate NG9‑1‑1 deployment, standardize interoperability, improve cybersecurity readiness, and provide targeted grants and oversight to states, Tribes, and local entities. It creates a dedicated advisory board and a national cybersecurity center to support a more resilient, IP-based 9‑1‑1 system nationwide.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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