What changed between these versions
A complete substitute amendment. v3 fundamentally restructures the approach to addressing geolocation challenges for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, replacing the establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory committee with mandates for the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a notice of inquiry and the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report. This shifts the mechanism from a new, temporary body to leveraging existing federal agencies.
Overview
Extensive changes throughout the bill, effectively replacing its entire framework. · v3 fundamentally restructures the approach, shifting from establishing a new advisory committee to directing existing federal agencies (FCC and GAO) to conduct studies and inquiries.
The most significant change in v3 is the complete replacement of the proposed multi-stakeholder advisory committee, which was the central operative mechanism of v2. Instead of creating a new body, v3 directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a notice of inquiry and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study and report on the same challenges related to geolocation information for the 988 Lifeline. This represents a fundamental shift in how the issue will be addressed, moving from a new, temporary committee to mandates for established federal agencies.
Major additions
This new section mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a notice of inquiry within 270 days of enactment. The inquiry is tasked with addressing challenges in transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, considering legal authorities, consumer privacy, technical standards, costs, and specific challenges for users of the 988 American Sign Language line.
This addition establishes a new primary mechanism for investigating and addressing the geolocation challenges, directly assigning the responsibility to the FCC. It replaces the advisory committee proposed in v2 as the central body for study and recommendations.
This new section mandates the Comptroller General of the United States (GAO) to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The study focuses on opportunities and challenges related to implementing geolocation for the 988 Lifeline, including policy considerations, technical implementation standards, and potential cost recovery. It also specifies a broad range of stakeholders for consultation.
This addition establishes a second primary mechanism for independent study and reporting on the geolocation challenges, providing Congress with a detailed analysis from the GAO. It complements the FCC's notice of inquiry and further replaces the advisory committee's study and recommendation function.
This new definition introduces the term "emergency communications center," defining it as a facility designed to receive a 911 request for emergency assistance or a public safety answering point (PSAP).
This definition is significant because it broadens the scope of entities considered in the context of emergency communications beyond just PSAPs, which were referenced in v2. This term is then used in the new Section 4 (GAO Report) for technical implementation standards and consultation.
Deletions
This entire section detailed the establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory committee by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It specified the timeline for establishment and the committee's composition (15 members appointed by FCC and HHS from various sectors).
The deletion of this section removes the core operative mechanism of v2, which was to create a new advisory body to address geolocation challenges. This fundamentally alters the bill's approach, as no such committee will be established under v3.
This entire section outlined the responsibilities of the advisory committee, including conducting a study on policy considerations, technical standards, and cost recovery, and developing recommendations for potential legislation based on the study's results. It also mandated a report to Congress and the FCC.
The removal of this section eliminates the specific tasks and deliverables assigned to the advisory committee in v2. The functions of studying and recommending are now distributed to the FCC (Notice of Inquiry) and the GAO (Report) in v3.
This section granted the advisory committee powers such as holding hearings, securing information from federal agencies, using postal services, and accepting gifts.
The deletion of this section is a direct consequence of eliminating the advisory committee itself, removing any special powers that would have been granted to it.
This section detailed provisions for the committee's personnel, including travel expenses for members, the appointment and compensation of an executive director and other staff, and the detailing of government employees.
The removal of this section eliminates the administrative and staffing framework for the advisory committee, reflecting its non-establishment in v3.
This section specified that the advisory committee would terminate 30 days after submitting its required report.
The deletion of this section is a direct consequence of the removal of the advisory committee, as there is no committee to terminate under v3.
This section stated that the Act would be carried out using amounts otherwise appropriated, with no additional amounts authorized.
The deletion of this section removes the funding provision specifically tied to the operations of the advisory committee. While v3 still implies funding for FCC and GAO activities, this specific clause related to the committee is gone.
This definition explicitly defined "committee" as the advisory committee established under section 3.
The removal of this definition is a direct consequence of the deletion of Section 3, which established the committee, reinforcing that the advisory committee mechanism is no longer part of the bill.
This definition described an organization serving individuals with mental health conditions and their families in a community setting. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(C)(vi) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member from such an organization. While the GAO report in v3 still consults "community mental health centers," the specific defined term is removed.
This definition described a manufacturer of cellular phones. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(ii) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member from a handset manufacturer. Handset manufacturers are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described a call center intended to receive calls from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(C)(ii) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member from a local crisis center. Local crisis centers are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report and considered in the FCC NOI, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described the government of any political subdivision of a State. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(vi) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included members from local governments. Local governments are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described a State that has no urbanized areas with a population greater than 250,000. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(v) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member representing a low population State. Low population States are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described an organization or association that represents providers of mental health crisis services or crisis respite services. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(C)(v) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member from such an organization. Mental health services organizations are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described a public safety answering point. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(iii) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this specific definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee. While the concept of PSAPs is still relevant, v3 introduces the broader term "emergency communications center" which encompasses PSAPs, and PSAPs are still considered in the FCC NOI.
This definition described a noncore area, a micropolitan area, or a small metropolitan statistical area with a population of not more than 250,000. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(vi) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee, which would have included a member representing small and rural communities. Small and rural communities are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
This definition described any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States. This term was used in v2's Section 3(b)(1)(B)(v) for committee appointments.
The deletion of this definition is due to the removal of the advisory committee. State governments are still listed for consultation in v3's GAO report, but the formal definition is removed.
Modifications
This is a minor, technical update to the bill's official name, reflecting the likely passage year. It has no substantive policy impact.
Before
The bill was titled the "988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2025".
After
The bill is now titled the "988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026".
This modification accurately reflects the fundamental change in the bill's approach, informing readers that the method for addressing the 988 Lifeline geolocation issue has shifted from creating a new committee to directing existing federal agencies.
Before
The bill's original title described its purpose as establishing a multi-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.
After
The bill's amended title describes its purpose as instructing the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a notice of inquiry and instructing the Government Accountability Office to complete a study and report providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.
Scope
Complete substitute — Changes are scattered throughout the bill, with the entire core operative mechanism being replaced, leading to deletions of multiple sections and additions of new ones. — v3 represents a fundamental change in policy direction by shifting from the creation of a new, temporary advisory committee to leveraging the existing regulatory and oversight capabilities of the Federal Communications Commission and the Government Accountability Office. — The changes fundamentally alter the bill's approach, rendering all provisions related to the advisory committee (its establishment, duties, powers, personnel, and termination) obsolete and replacing them with new mandates for federal agencies.
Impact analysis
Stakeholders who would have served on the advisory committee (e.g., telecommunications service providers, handset manufacturers, 911 system service providers, local crisis centers, mental health organizations, state/local governments, deaf/hard of hearing community representatives)
Procedural change; reduced direct formal authority in the process, but maintained consultative role.
These groups would no longer be appointed to a formal advisory committee with specific powers and duties. Instead, they are designated as consultation partners for the Government Accountability Office's study and are implicitly stakeholders in the Federal Communications Commission's notice of inquiry.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Increased responsibility and direct mandate.
In v2, the FCC was tasked with establishing the advisory committee. In v3, the FCC is directly mandated to initiate a notice of inquiry to address geolocation challenges for the 988 Lifeline.
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Increased responsibility and new mandate.
The GAO had no explicit role in v2. In v3, the GAO is mandated to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report to Congress on geolocation challenges for the 988 Lifeline, including policy, technical, and cost considerations, with specific consultation requirements.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line
Procedural change; continued focus on their needs, but through different federal channels.
In v2, these entities would have had representatives on the advisory committee and been subject to its study. In v3, they are explicitly listed as entities whose costs and funding requirements will be assessed by the FCC's notice of inquiry and the GAO's report, and they are also designated for consultation by the GAO.