Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2012

Summary

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2012 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize and implement the integrated U.S. public alert and warning system to ensure that under all conditions the President, federal agencies, and state, tribal, and local governments can alert and warn the civilian population in areas endangered by a natural disaster, war, act of terrorism, other man-made disaster, or other hazard to public safety. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for the system; (2) include in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, and multiple communication systems and technologies and to alert, warn, and provide equivalent information to individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency; (3) ensure that specified training, tests, and exercises for such system are conducted; (4) conduct public education efforts and a general market awareness campaign about the system; and (5) ensure system coordination with the National Terrorism Advisory System. Requires the system to: (1) incorporate multiple communications technologies; (2) be designed to adapt to and incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public, to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible, and to improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts; and (3) provide redundant alert mechanisms. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct pilot programs for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of using a variety of methods for achieving system requirements. Directs the Administrator to establish a subcommittee to the National Advisory Council to be known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee to develop and submit recommendations for the continuation and improvement of the system.

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Timeline

1. 19 April 2012

   Introduced

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

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 19 April 2012

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 19 April 2012 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 19 April 2012

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 19 April 2012

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 19 April 2012

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Susan Collins · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] · ID · Sponsor
• Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE-At Large] · D · Sponsor
• Richard Durbin · D · Cosponsor
• · ssga00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2011