Committee approves Mystic Alerts Act to allow satellite delivery of wireless emergency alerts, 52–0
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Summary
The committee adopted an amendment and passed HR 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act, directing the FCC to enable satellite transmission of wireless emergency alerts so messages can reach areas without terrestrial service; the bill passed the committee by a 52–0 roll-call vote.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously approved HR 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act, advancing a proposal to permit wireless emergency alerts to be delivered via satellite connectivity when terrestrial networks are damaged, overwhelmed, or unavailable.
Representative Pflueger (TX), who offered the amendment in the nature of a substitute, recounted personal experience after July 4 flooding that affected Camp Mystic and said the legislation “ensures that during natural disasters that the wireless emergency alerts can still be delivered via satellite when traditional networks go down.” The substitute incorporates technical assistance to align implementation with existing alerting law and prohibits providers that transmit emergency alerts from imposing a fee for that service, according to sponsors.
Supporters described large-scale failures of traditional networks during disasters and said satellite-capable alerting would add redundancy for rural, remote, and disaster-affected areas. A committee member from Texas said the bill is a bipartisan means of responding to the unprecedented Camp Mystic flooding and urged colleagues to support the measure.
The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote; members then proceeded to a roll-call on HR 7022 as amended. The clerk reported 52 ayes and 0 nays and the chair announced the bill adopted. The committee authorized staff to make technical and conforming changes before final committee reporting.
The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to establish standards and requirements to allow emergency alerts to be delivered via satellite connectivity and encourages mobile service providers to adopt satellite alerting capabilities while protecting consumers from provider fees for alert transmission.
The markup record shows broad bipartisan support; committee action sends the bills to the next stage of House consideration.
