U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) have introduced two bipartisan bills designed to improve the nation’s emergency communications systems. The Emergency Reporting Act and the Kari’s Law Reporting Act aim to strengthen 9-1-1 infrastructure and ensure more reliable responses during disasters.
“It is vital that we review the communication infrastructure in place after a major weather event to maximize coordinated public safety information during a future crisis,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “These systems must be reliable and standardized to allow for an effective response from local, state and federal leaders as they recover. Our legislation helps to ensure we are ready to achieve that paramount goal.”
“Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time – and in those moments, every second counts,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “That’s why we are introducing these bipartisan bills to make sure Americans can always rely on our 9-1-1 system. The Emergency Reporting Act will strengthen the resiliency of our networks during disasters like California’s wildfires and better equip first responders to protect our communities. The Kari’s Law Reporting Act will ensure that critical protections Congress already enacted are working as intended, and that no American is ever prevented from reaching 9-1-1 in their time of need. Taken together, these bills are a strong step forward to modernize our emergency communications system, improve public safety, and save lives.”
The Emergency Reporting Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue reports following major natural disasters about cases where individuals could not reach 9-1-1 services. The bill also asks for recommendations on improving outage reporting and network resiliency, along with steps for better coordination with state and local officials.
Additionally, the act directs the FCC to look into unreported outages and advise mobile carriers on notifying 9-1-1 centers about service disruptions so first responders receive timely information.
The Kari’s Law Reporting Act expands upon Kari’s Law of 2018 by mandating that the FCC report on compliance within industries using multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), such as hotels or offices. This ensures users can dial 9-1-1 directly without extra digits, following issues highlighted by a high-profile incident in 2013 when a child was unable to contact emergency services due to phone system limitations.
Both measures have support from APCO International, an organization representing public safety communications professionals worldwide. “The public deserves reliable access to 9-1-1 during emergencies,” said Mel Maier, CEO and Executive Director of APCO International. “APCO applauds Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for leading efforts to strengthen our nation’s 9-1-1 systems. The Emergency Reporting Act and the Kari’s Law Reporting Act lay the groundwork to improve communications during crises and help first responders protect their communities. Together these bipartisan, zero-cost bills will ensure emergency communications centers have the information they need to perform their lifesaving work.”
Bilirakis has represented Florida’s 12th district in Congress since replacing Michael Bilirakis in 2007 https://www.congress.gov/member/gus-bilirakis/B001257; he previously served in Florida’s House of Representatives from 1998 until 2006 https://bilirakis.house.gov/about/full-biography.htm.
Born in Gainesville in 1963, Bilirakis resides in Palm Harbor https://bilirakis.house.gov/about/full-biography.htm after earning degrees from the University of Florida in 1986 and Stetson University College of Law in 1989 https://bilirakis.house.gov/about/full-biography.htm.
Both bills are expected to move through Congress with broad bipartisan backing.
