House Energy and Commerce committee reauthorizes FirstNet with increased oversight, 50–0

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday passed HR 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, adopting an amendment in the nature of a substitute that increases public-safety representation on the FirstNet Authority board and strengthens congressional and NTIA oversight.

The chair, identified in the record as Chairman Guthrie, opened the markup saying the measures would “strengthen our ever important public safety communications infrastructure” and singled out HR 7386 as a bipartisan priority. Representative Pallone, the committee’s ranking member, described the approaching February 2027 sunset as among “the most urgent communications issues” and urged reauthorization for 10 years.

The substitute amendment (ANS_04), offered by a representative from Virginia, raised the minimum number of public-safety professionals on the FirstNet Authority board, staggered board terms, and formalized the board’s role in providing a list of qualified director candidates to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The amendment also requires the board to review and consult on FirstNet’s business continuity and disaster recovery plan and instructs NTIA to respond within 60 days to FirstNet’s reinvestment recommendations.

Supporters said the changes strike a balance between operational flexibility and accountability. “We have worked tirelessly with first responders and public safety officials to incorporate wide ranging edits and technical assistance to make this bill as strong as possible,” the chair said during opening remarks. Representative Joyce described local benefits in his district, saying that since a FirstNet tower was installed in 2022 “firefighters have not had 1 single dropped 911 call since 2022,” and urged transparency of the AT&T contract and the contractor’s rural build-out.

Committee members on both sides cited past inspector general reports documenting structural deficiencies in the original FirstNet law and said the substitute addresses those concerns by improving reporting, clarifying the board’s responsibilities, and expanding FirstNet users’ representation.

The committee adopted the substitute amendment by voice vote, with the chair declaring “the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to.” A roll-call vote followed on adopting HR 7386 as amended; the clerk recorded 50 ayes and 0 nays and the chair announced the bill was adopted.

The committee authorized staff to make technical and conforming changes to the legislation before final transmission. The committee adjourned without objection after passage.

The bill as recorded in committee will proceed to the next steps in the House legislative process.