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Chair adds Mystic Alert Act to markup to enable satellite emergency alerts
Summary
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce chair said the markup includes the Mystic Alert Act, led by Rep. Pfluger, to facilitate satellite alerts where traditional cell service may be unavailable, citing members' recent firsthand emergency experiences.
The chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce said the committee’s markup also includes the Mystic Alert Act, legislation led by Representative Pfluger intended to facilitate use of satellite alerts to convey information about potential threats in areas where traditional cell service may not be available.
The chair described the measure as designed to reach areas where cell coverage is limited so that alert authorities can transmit warnings via satellite pathways. The opening remarks noted committee members’ firsthand experience with recent catastrophic events — the chair referenced Representative Buddy Carter by name — as part of the rationale for pursuing better alert options.
The opening remarks did not include legislative text, funding details, or a vote on the Mystic Alert Act; committee staff and members were said to be working together in a bipartisan manner to advance the bill. The chair framed the committee as a venue for ‘‘common sense legislation’’ and thanked staff and the ranking member for their collaboration.
Next steps for the Mystic Alert Act — including specific operational details, funding, and which agencies would implement the satellite-alert capability — were not specified in the opening remarks.
