H.R. 7386: First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill is known as the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026. It aims to extend the authority of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and make various amendments to improve its operations and oversight. Here are the key provisions of the bill:

1. Reauthorization of First Responder Network Authority

The bill extends the operation of the First Responder Network Authority until September 30, 2037. It also updates certain deadlines concerning the authority's operations to give them more time for implementation.

2. Oversight by NTIA

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will have increased oversight over the First Responder Network Authority. Any actions taken by the First Responder Network Authority must receive approval from the NTIA. The NTIA will also develop a list of actions that do not require prior approval, ensuring the First Responder Network Authority can operate effectively while maintaining necessary oversight.

3. Board Composition Changes

Changes will be made to the Board of the First Responder Network Authority. Starting three years after the bill's enactment, the board must include at least five individuals who have served as public safety professionals to ensure that the perspectives of those with direct experience in emergency services are represented.

4. Establishment of an Associate Administrator

The bill establishes the role of an Associate Administrator for the First Responder Network Authority, who will manage the authority's operations and serve as a liaison with the NTIA. This position is appointed by the Assistant Secretary and will include annual performance reviews by the NTIA.

5. Public Safety Broadband Network Components

The components that make up the nationwide public safety broadband network are defined to be more flexible, allowing for a wider range of technologies and services to support public safety communications.

6. Fee Amount Flexibility

The First Responder Network Authority is granted more flexibility in determining fee amounts associated with its services, which could allow for more responsive financial management.

7. Enhanced Reporting to Congress

Additional reporting requirements are established, including annual audits evaluating the performance of the FirstNet contractor and yearly reports on cybersecurity matters and adoption rates of the network. These reports will be unclassified but may contain classified annexes when necessary.

8. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning

The FirstNet contractor is required to submit a business continuity and disaster recovery plan to the NTIA within a specified timeframe to ensure the network can recover efficiently after any disruptions.

9. Outage Notifications

The bill outlines requirements for notifying the First Responder Network Authority and its users about service outages. The contractor must report outages promptly and provide tools to monitor network status during these events.

10. FirstNet Contract Submission to Congress

Upon request, the First Responder Network Authority must submit contracts related to the FirstNet network's development and maintenance to Congress expediently.

11. Definitions

A new definition for the term "FirstNet contractor" is included in the legislation, clarifying the role of the entity responsible for building and maintaining the public safety network.

Relevant Companies

• CSCO - Cisco Systems is involved in providing networking solutions and might be affected by increased demand for secure broadband solutions for public safety.
• AMZN - Amazon Web Services may be involved in providing cloud services related to the data management and operational needs of FirstNet.
• NEE - NextEra Energy may engage in projects aimed at integrating public safety communications with energy management and resilience solutions.