H.R. 7386

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7386 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7386

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 21, 2026

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to 
reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``First Responder 
Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reauthorization of First Responder Network Authority.
Sec. 3. Authority of NTIA over First Responder Network Authority.
Sec. 4. Board of First Responder Network Authority.
Sec. 5. Associate Administrator.
Sec. 6. Components of nationwide public safety broadband network.
Sec. 7. Flexibility in establishing fee amounts.
Sec. 8. Reports to Congress on First Responder Network Authority.
Sec. 9. Business continuity and disaster recovery plan.
Sec. 10. Outage notifications.
Sec. 11. Submission to Congress of FirstNet contract.
Sec. 12. Definitions.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

Section 6206 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 
2012 (47 U.S.C. 1426) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f), by striking ``the date that is 15 
years after the date of enactment of this title'' and inserting 
``September 30, 2037''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``Not later than 10 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``Not 
later than 7 years after the date of the enactment of 
the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization 
Act of 2026'';
(B) by striking ``15-year sunset'' and inserting 
``termination''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ``Such 
report shall also contain recommendations for Congress 
and the NTIA regarding preparations for the expiration 
of any contract between the First Responder Network 
Authority and the FirstNet contractor with respect to 
building, operating, or maintaining the nationwide 
public safety broadband network.''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY OF NTIA OVER FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

(a) In General.--Subtitle B of title VI of the Middle Class Tax 
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.) is 
amended--
(1) in section 6204(a), by striking ``as an independent 
authority'';
(2) in section 6206--
(A) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and 
(g) as subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), 
respectively;
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
following:
``(d) Actions Subject to Approval of NTIA.--
``(1) In general.--Any action taken by the First Responder 
Network Authority shall be subject to the approval of the NTIA.
``(2) Manner of approval.--
``(A) Prior approval.--Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the First Responder Network Authority 
may not take an action unless the NTIA has provided 
prior approval for such action.
``(B) Actions for which prior approval not 
required.--The First Responder Network Authority may 
take any of the following actions without prior 
approval by the NTIA:
``(i) Deploying emergency response 
capabilities and resources to emergencies and 
disasters.
``(ii) Setting strategic priorities and 
conducting planning activities with respect to 
the nationwide public safety broadband network.
``(iii) Maintaining and updating the First 
Responder Network Authority Strategic Plan and 
Roadmap or a similar document with respect to 
the growth, evolution, and advancement of the 
nationwide public safety broadband network.
``(iv) Establishing performance 
expectations and investment priorities with 
respect to the nationwide public safety 
broadband network.
``(v) Developing and adopting the annual 
budget of the First Responder Network Authority 
and outlining all network reinvestment 
decisions and task orders with respect to the 
nationwide public safety broadband network.
``(vi) Making written recommendations to 
the NTIA for action upon network reinvestment 
decisions and task orders with respect to the 
nationwide public safety broadband network.
``(vii) Managing the device and application 
ecosystem with respect to the nationwide public 
safety broadband network.
``(viii) Receiving reports from the Public 
Safety Advisory Committee or other advisory 
committees established by the First Responder 
Network Authority.
``(ix) Communicating with and conducting 
outreach to public safety entities and public 
safety professionals.
``(x) Reporting to and briefing Congress, 
in accordance with this subtitle.
``(xi) Such other actions as the NTIA may 
specify.
``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
paragraph may be construed to alter the requirement of 
subsection (c) of section 6208 that fees may only be 
assessed under such section if approved by the NTIA.''; 
and
(C) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ``subsection (f)'' and inserting ``subsection 
(g)''; and
(3) in section 6208(d)--
(A) by striking ``The First Responder Network 
Authority'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The First Responder Network Authority''; 
and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) NTIA action on network reinvestment decisions and 
task orders.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which 
the NTIA receives a written recommendation from the First 
Responder Network Authority for action upon a network 
reinvestment decision or task order with respect to the 
nationwide public safety broadband network, the NTIA shall take 
action upon such network reinvestment decision or task 
order.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 6205(b)(2) of the Middle Class 
Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1425(b)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``If'' and inserting ``Subject to section 6206(d), 
if''.
(c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
with respect to--
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, 
actions taken by the First Responder Network Authority on or 
after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) in the case of paragraph (2) of section 6208(d) of the 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 
1428(d)), as added by this section, written recommendations 
received by the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 4. BOARD OF FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

(a) Public Safety Professionals.--Section 6204(b)(2)(A) of the 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 
1424(b)(2)(A)) is amended by amending clause (iv) to read as follows:
``(iv) ensure that, on and after the date 
that is 3 years after the date of the enactment 
of the First Responder Network Authority 
Reauthorization Act of 2026, the Board includes 
not fewer than 5 individuals serving as State, 
local, or Tribal public safety professionals in 
the fields of fire response services, emergency 
medical services, emergency management 
services, law enforcement, or 9-1-1 
services.''.
(b) Staggered Terms.--
(1) In general.--Section 6204(c)(2) of the Middle Class Tax 
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)) is 
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``3 
years'' and inserting ``not more than 3 years''; and
(B) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as 
follows:
``(D) Staggered terms.--In making appointments 
under subsection (b)(1)(D), the Secretary of Commerce 
shall ensure that the terms of office of individuals so 
appointed are staggered, as the Secretary considers 
appropriate to reduce the likelihood that the terms of 
office of more than 4 such individuals will expire at 
the same time.''.
(2) Applicability.--The amendments made by this subsection 
shall apply with respect to appointments made on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR.

(a) In General.--Section 6204 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and 
Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1424) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
``(h) Associate Administrator.--
``(1) In general.--The First Responder Network Authority 
shall have an Associate Administrator, who shall be a career 
appointee (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United 
States Code) in the Senior Executive Service and who shall be 
appointed by the Assistant Secretary from among 3 individuals 
nominated by the Board. The Assistant Secretary shall make such 
appointment under the merit procedures applicable to appointing 
such career appointees under subchapter II of chapter 31 of 
such title 5.
``(2) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall do the 
following:
``(A) Subject to the direction of the Board and 
approval by the Assistant Secretary under section 
6206(d), manage the staff and operations of the First 
Responder Network Authority in order to ensure that the 
duties and responsibilities of the First Responder 
Network Authority are carried out.
``(B) Serve as a liaison between the Board and the 
Assistant Secretary, including with respect to ensuring 
compliance by the First Responder Network Authority 
with section 6206(d).
``(3) Annual performance reviews.--The NTIA, in 
consultation with the Chair of the Board and any committee of 
the Board relating to governance and risk, shall conduct an 
annual performance review of the Associate Administrator.''.
(b) Continuation in Office.--The individual serving as the 
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the First Responder 
Network Authority on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act may serve as the Associate Administrator under subsection (h) of 
section 6204 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 
2012 (47 U.S.C. 1424), as added by subsection (a), on and after such 
date of enactment without the need for appointment under such 
subsection (h).

SEC. 6. COMPONENTS OF NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND NETWORK.

Section 6202(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act 
of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1422(b)) is amended, in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ``and initially consists of'' and inserting 
``and consists of such technologies and services as necessary to enable 
secure, interoperable, resilient, and prioritized broadband 
communications for public safety entities, including''.

SEC. 7. FLEXIBILITY IN ESTABLISHING FEE AMOUNTS.

Section 6208(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act 
of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1428(b)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(or other period specified by the First 
Responder Network Authority)'' after ``for each fiscal year''; 
and
(2) by striking ``the fiscal year involved'' and inserting 
``such fiscal year (or other period)''.

SEC. 8. REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

(a) Additional Matters to Be Included in First Responder Network 
Authority Audit Report.--Section 6209(b)(2) of the Middle Class Tax 
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1429(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and 
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) an evaluation of the performance of the 
FirstNet contractor under the contract in building, 
operating, and maintaining the nationwide public safety 
broadband network.''.
(b) Annual Reports to Congress.--Subtitle B of title VI of the 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et 
seq.), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 6214. ANNUAL REPORTS ON FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

``(a) Report on Network Matters.--The NTIA shall submit to Congress 
an annual report that includes information on cyberattacks, cyber 
defense efforts, and unscheduled service outages of all causes with 
respect to the nationwide public safety broadband network. Each such 
annual report--
``(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may 
contain a classified annex; and
``(2) at the request of the Board, shall include a 
statement from the Board with respect to such information.
``(b) Report on Adoption Rates.--The NTIA shall submit to Congress 
an annual report on adoption rates, by profession and geographic area, 
with respect to the nationwide public safety broadband network that, at 
the request of the Board, shall include a statement from the Board with 
respect to such adoption rates.''.
(c) Annual Briefing.--Subtitle B of title VI of the Middle Class 
Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), as 
amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 6215. ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

``Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
section, and annually thereafter, the NTIA shall provide to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
briefing on activities with respect to the First Responder Network 
Authority that, at the request of the Board, shall include the 
participation of the Chair of the Board (or a designee thereof).''.

SEC. 9. BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN.

Subtitle B of title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job 
Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 6216. BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the FirstNet 
contractor shall submit to the NTIA for approval, and to the Board for 
review, a business continuity and disaster recovery plan to ensure 
rapid restoration of the nationwide public safety broadband network 
following an outage resulting from a natural disaster or other 
emergency.
``(b) Timing of Approval or Request for Resubmission.--Not later 
than 180 days after the date on which the NTIA receives a plan 
submitted under this section, the NTIA, in consultation with the Board, 
shall--
``(1) approve such plan; or
``(2) provide to the FirstNet contractor a written notice 
of--
``(A) the reasoning for not approving such plan; 
and
``(B) the timeframe and process, as determined by 
the NTIA, for resubmitting such plan for approval.''.

SEC. 10. OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS.

Subtitle B of title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job 
Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 6217. OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS.

``In the case of any unscheduled service outage with respect to the 
nationwide public safety broadband network--
``(1) as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 
minutes, after the FirstNet contractor has confirmed such 
outage, the FirstNet contractor shall notify the First 
Responder Network Authority of such outage; and
``(2) the FirstNet contractor shall provide to the 
departments and agencies that use such network a network status 
tool that provides timely information on such outage.''.

SEC. 11. SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS OF FIRSTNET CONTRACT.

Subtitle B of title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job 
Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 6218. SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS OF FIRSTNET CONTRACT.

``Not later than 7 days after receiving a request, in writing, from 
the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives, or from the Chair and Ranking Member of 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
the Assistant Secretary shall submit to such Committee any contract 
between the First Responder Network Authority and the FirstNet 
contractor with respect to building, operating, or maintaining the 
nationwide public safety broadband network.''.

SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.

Section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 
2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (33) as 
paragraphs (16) through (34), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
``(15) Firstnet contractor.--The term `FirstNet contractor' 
means the entity that, under contract with the First Responder 
Network Authority, builds, operates, and maintains the 
nationwide public safety broadband network.''.

Passed the House of Representatives April 20, 2026.

Attest:

KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,

Clerk.