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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 5852 (109th)

21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

20 July 2006

Last action

26 July 2006 · Introduced

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsors

David Reichert, Bill Pascrell, PETER KING, Bennie Thompson, Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], NITA LOWEY, Rep. Weldon, Curt [R-PA-7], Rep. Etheridge, Bob [D-NC-2], Rep. Simmons, Rob [R-CT-2], Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large], PETER DEFAZIO

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office of Emergency Communications, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary for Emergency Communications. Includes among the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities: (1) assisting the Secretary of DHS in developing and implementing the program to enhance public safety interoperable communications at all levels of government; (2) administering DHS authorities for the SAFECOM Program, the Integrated Wireless Network program, and the Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program; (3) coordinating administration of the National Communications System; (4) facilitating creation of Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Groups; (5) establishing requirements for total and nonproprietary interoperable emergency communications capabilities for all public safety radio and data communications systems and equipment purchased using DHS assistance; and (6) coordinating with the Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility with respect to specified functions. Directs the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary, to: (1) assess the range of emergency communications capabilities needed, the current capabilities, and the gap between the two; (2) develop a National Emergency Communications Report to provide recommendations regarding how the United States can accelerate the deployment of interoperable emergency communications nationwide; and (3) report annually on the degree to which such communications have been achieved and on the feasibility developing a mobile communications capability. Requires the Secretary to: (1) support the development of national voluntary consensus standards for interoperable emergency communications; and (2) prohibit a governmental jurisdiction from using DHS homeland security assistance for new equipment or systems that do not meet such standards. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center to serve as the focal point for interagency efforts to address operable and interoperable communications.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 20 July 2006

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 20 July 2006

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 20 July 2006

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 20 July 2006

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 24 July 2006

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

    Source: Committee

  6. 25 July 2006

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 2 (Roll no. 397). (text: CR H5696-5698)

    Source: Floor

  7. 25 July 2006

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  8. 25 July 2006

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 2 (Roll no. 397).(text: CR H5696-5698)

    Source: Floor

  9. 25 July 2006

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5696-5705)

    Source: Floor

  10. 25 July 2006

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    Source: Floor

  11. 25 July 2006

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5852.

    Source: Floor

  12. 25 July 2006

    Floor

    Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  13. 26 July 2006

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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