Subcommittee forwards Public Safety Communications Act to clarify NTIA role over FirstNet and NextGen 9‑1‑1

The subcommittee advanced HR 1519, the Public Safety Communications Act, which supporters said would establish a single dedicated office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to coordinate federal public-safety communications policy and clarify NTIA’s existing responsibilities related to FirstNet and Next Generation 9‑1‑1.

The bill’s sponsor, identified in the transcript as the gentlewoman from Florida, said the measure "does not change any FirstNet governance or authorities" and does not diminish the role of the FirstNet board or the public safety advisory committee. She said the new office would be led by a career, nonpolitical official to ensure continuity, expertise and transparency and that NTIA already has related responsibilities that were not clearly defined in statute.

Supporters said the bill would improve federal coordination for NextGen 9‑1‑1 and provide states with a more clearly defined federal partner as they modernize systems. The chair called for a voice vote; members replied "aye," the chair announced the ayes have it, and HR 1519 was adopted and forwarded to the full committee. The transcript records the adoption as a voice vote and does not include a roll-call tally.