H.R. 5200: Emergency Reporting Act

This bill, known as the Emergency Reporting Act, aims to enhance the response to and reporting of communication outages during emergencies. Its main provisions are as follows:

Annual Public Hearings

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required to hold public hearings at least once a year. These hearings will discuss events during which the Disaster Information Reporting System was activated for seven days or longer. The hearings are intended to include input from:

• Representatives of State, local, or Indian tribal governments.
• Residents or consumer advocates from the affected areas.
• Providers of communications services impacted by the events.
• Academics from higher education institutions.
• Representatives from other Federal agencies.
• Electric utility providers.
• Communications infrastructure companies.
• First responders and emergency management personnel.

Reporting Requirements

After each public hearing, the FCC must produce a report within 120 days. The report will include data such as:

• The number and duration of outages for broadband internet, VoIP services, commercial mobile services, and commercial mobile data services.
• The estimated number of users affected by these outages.
• The number and duration of outages that hinder emergency communications centers from receiving emergency calls or providing caller location information.
• Recommendations for improving the resiliency of communication services and networks.

Improving Network Outage Reporting

The FCC must conduct an investigation within one year of the Act's enactment to analyze the value of including visual information in notifications about outages for public safety agencies. This investigation will also address:

• The volume and nature of 9-1-1 outages that are not reported.
• The feasibility of including visual information in outage notifications as it pertains to the burden on service providers.
• Recommended changes to FCC rules based on findings from the investigation.

Limitations of Authority

The Act clarifies that it does not grant the FCC any authority over broadband internet access service providers beyond what is explicitly stated in this bill.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as:

• Broadband Internet Access Service: As defined by current regulations.
• Commercial Mobile Data Service: As defined in existing legislation.
• Commercial Mobile Service: Also defined in the Communications Act of 1934.
• Commission: Refers to the Federal Communications Commission.
• Emergency Communications Center: Facilities designated to receive emergency calls and assist in public safety.

Relevant Companies

• T - AT&T Inc.: A major provider of broadband and mobile services that would be subject to reporting under this legislation.
• VZ - Verizon Communications Inc.: Another leading telecommunications company that would need to comply with new reporting requirements.
• SBUX - Starbucks Corporation: While not primarily a telecom company, Starbucks' operations rely on communications infrastructure for its storefront and customer service operations.