Bill
Bill > HR6096
US HR6096
READI Act Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020
summary
Introduced
03/05/2020
03/05/2020
In Committee
07/15/2020
07/15/2020
Crossed Over
11/18/2020
11/18/2020
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
READI Act READI Act Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 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.) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) and provide that each SECC meets at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System (EAS) 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 EAS or the Wireless EAS and 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 offering EAS alerts through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.
AI Summary
This bill, the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 (READI Act), aims to improve the oversight and functionality of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems in the United States. The key provisions of the bill include:
1) Prohibiting mobile subscribers from blocking emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in addition to alerts from the President, which cannot currently be blocked.
2) Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) and provide for annual review and updating of the state's Emergency Alert System (EAS) plan, which the FCC must then approve or disapprove.
3) Directing the FCC to establish a system to receive and record reports of false alerts under the EAS or Wireless EAS, and to examine their causes.
4) Requiring the FCC to modify the EAS to allow for the repeating of emergency alert messages while an alert remains pending, specifically for warnings of national security events.
5) Directing the FCC to examine the feasibility of enabling or improving emergency alerts delivered through the internet, including streaming services.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 596. (on 11/18/2020)
Official Document
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