4 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Apr 20, 2026)

Technical corrections only. The diff reflects the bill's progression from being engrossed in the House (v3) to being received and placed on the calendar in the Senate (v4), including updated legislative metadata. There are no substantive policy changes between v3 and v4.

H.R. 5200119th CongressIntroduced Sep 8, 2025

Emergency Reporting Act

Passed HouseScience, Technology, CommunicationsSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
Committees: Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
Last action: Apr 21, 2026

Bottom line

The Emergency Reporting Act aims to improve transparency and accountability in communication network resilience and 9-1-1 outage reporting during and after disasters by mandating FCC hearings, reports, and investigations.

What it actually does

This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enhance its disaster response and network outage reporting. Specifically, it mandates annual public hearings and subsequent reports following significant activations of the FCC's Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). These reports must detail communication outages, affected users, 9-1-1 service disruptions, and recommendations for network resiliency. The bill also requires the FCC to investigate and report on improvements to 9-1-1 outage notifications, including the value of visual information and the scope of unreported outages.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this bill will significantly improve the FCC's ability to understand and address communication network failures during emergencies. By requiring public hearings and detailed reports, it fosters transparency, gathers crucial stakeholder input, and drives actionable recommendations to enhance network resiliency, ultimately protecting public safety and ensuring reliable emergency communications when they are most needed.

Opponents contend

Critics might contend that the bill imposes additional bureaucratic burdens on the FCC and communication service providers without guaranteeing substantial improvements. They might argue that existing reporting mechanisms are sufficient, and mandating more hearings and reports could divert resources from direct infrastructure improvements or real-time disaster response efforts, potentially leading to redundant data collection rather than effective solutions.

The bill is concise and can be read and understood within a few minutes, making it accessible for a quick evaluation.

Section 2(a)

Enhanced Post-Disaster Reporting and Public Engagement

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision requires the FCC to hold at least one public hearing annually for events where its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) was active for seven or more days. These hearings must include diverse stakeholders like government representatives, residents, service providers, and first responders. Following each hearing, the FCC must issue a report detailing communication outages (broadband, VoIP, mobile), affected users, 9-1-1 disruptions, and recommendations for improving network resilience.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupFederal Communications Commission (FCC)ImpactIncreased workload and reporting requirements.MechanismMandated annual hearings and subsequent reports.ScaleOngoing, annual.

GroupState, local, and Indian tribal governments; residents and consumer advocates; communications service providers; first responders.ImpactIncreased opportunity for input and transparency regarding disaster communication outages.MechanismParticipation in public hearings and access to detailed FCC reports.ScaleDirect impact on those affected by significant DIRS activations.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this provision ensures accountability and transparency from the FCC and service providers following major disasters. It provides a crucial forum for affected communities and experts to share experiences and insights, leading to more informed policy decisions and tangible improvements in communication network resilience.

Critics contend

Opponents might argue that these mandates could create an overly burdensome bureaucratic process, potentially delaying the release of critical information or diverting FCC resources from more immediate technical analyses or enforcement actions. They might also suggest that gathering information through hearings could be less efficient than direct data collection.

Tradeoffs

The provision balances the need for public transparency and stakeholder input with the administrative burden on the FCC and the potential for delays in analysis. It also seeks to balance the desire for comprehensive data with the practical limitations of collecting information without requiring additional, potentially costly, data collection.

Section 2(b)

Enhancing 9-1-1 Outage Notification and Reporting Thresholds

prominently featuredstraightforward

This section directs the FCC to conduct an investigation and publish a report within one year. The report must assess the value of including visual information in outage notifications sent by originating service providers to emergency communications centers (9-1-1 centers). It also requires an examination of the volume and nature of 9-1-1 outages that currently go unreported due to existing FCC notification thresholds, and recommendations for rule changes to address these issues.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.

CosmeticWhat changed in PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Apr 20, 2026)

H.R. 5200119th CongressIntroduced Sep 8, 2025

Emergency Reporting Act

Passed HouseScience, Technology, CommunicationsSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
Committees: Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
Last action: Apr 21, 2026

Bottom line

What it actually does

Proponents argue

Opponents contend

The bill is concise and can be read and understood within a few minutes, making it accessible for a quick evaluation.

Section 2(a)

Enhanced Post-Disaster Reporting and Public Engagement

prominently featuredstraightforward

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupFederal Communications Commission (FCC)ImpactIncreased workload and reporting requirements.MechanismMandated annual hearings and subsequent reports.ScaleOngoing, annual.

Supporters argue

Critics contend

Tradeoffs

Section 2(b)

Enhancing 9-1-1 Outage Notification and Reporting Thresholds

prominently featuredstraightforward