H.R. 1519 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Feb 24, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFormalizes federal oversight of emergency communications
This bill gives legal authority to an office within the federal government to run programs that improve how 9-1-1 systems work and how emergency responders communicate. Specifically, it would let the office manage grant programs that help local communities upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, which use the internet to handle emergency calls more efficiently. The bill also gives the office responsibility for overseeing FirstNet, the nationwide communications network built for firefighters, police, and other emergency responders.
How it affects you
If you call 9-1-1, you may eventually benefit from upgrades to how your call is handled and routed. Emergency responders in your area depend on reliable communications networks, and this bill helps ensure those systems are properly managed and funded. Most people won't notice a direct change, but the bill establishes clearer rules for how the federal government supports the technology that keeps emergency services running.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 24, 2025)
Public Safety Communications Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to support efforts related to public safety communications. The duties of the office include (1) administering federal grant programs for Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, which are interoperable Internet Protocol-based systems for receiving 9-1-1 calls; and (2) managing and auditing the First Responder Network Authority (known as FirstNet), which oversees the communications network for emergency responders and the public safety community.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1519
A BILL
Public Safety Communications Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-3) · Introduced Feb 24, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 15, 2026: “Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.”