READI Act

11/1/2022, 4:17 AM

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2019 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked). FEMA must develop and issue guidance for how state, tribal, and local governments can participate in the integrated public alert and warning system.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

Congress
116

Number
HR - 4856

Introduced on
2019-10-24

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

10/24/2019

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2019 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices (currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked). FEMA must develop and issue guidance for how state, tribal, and local governments can participate in the integrated public alert and warning system.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Commission (SECC) and require each SECC to meet at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan.

The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or the Wireless EAS to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of updating the EAS to enable or improve alerts provided through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo improve oversight by the Federal Communications Commission of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures•
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies•
Congressional oversight•
Emergency communications systems•
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)•
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Intergovernmental relations•
Internet and video services•
Internet, web applications, social media•
Public participation and lobbying•
State and local government operations•
Telephone and wireless communication

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/20/2021

Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2019 or READI Act

This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems.

Specifically, the bill includes emerg...


Latest Action2/27/2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.