H.R. 7386 Passed the House Emergency Management

First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026

To amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2] Introduced February 5, 2026 Cosponsors 1 (1 D) Latest action April 21, 2026

Summary

First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026
This bill extends through FY2037 and modifies the management of the First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority. (The FirstNet Authority oversees the development and operation of FirstNet, a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for first responders.) The bill also requires certain actions of the entity operating FirstNet. 
Currently, the FirstNet Authority is an independent agency within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The bill removes the FirstNet Authority’s independent status and establishes an associate administrator in the NTIA to manage the FirstNet Authority’s operations. The FirstNet Authority’s actions must be subject to NTIA approval, with exceptions established by the NTIA. The FirstNet Authority’s Board must include at least five (currently, three) individuals who have served as public safety professionals.
The entity contracted to develop and operate FirstNet (currently AT&T) must notify the FirstNet Authority within 30 minutes of any network outage and provide users with a network status tool to monitor outages. Every five years, such entity must submit to the NTIA for approval a business continuity and disaster recovery plan to ensure rapid restoration of the network following disaster-caused outages. Annual audits of the FirstNet Authority must include an evaluation of such entity’s performance.
The NTIA must brief Congress annually regarding FirstNet and provide annual reports relating to cybersecurity and network adoption rates. 
Within seven years after the bill’s enactment, the Government Accountability Office must report on what action Congress should take regarding the termination of the FirstNet Authority in 2037.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Apr 21, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Apr 20, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Apr 20, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2967-2968)
  4. Apr 20, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7386.
  5. Apr 20, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2967-2970)
  6. Apr 20, 2026 Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  7. Apr 15, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 533.
  8. Apr 15, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-615.
  9. Mar 25, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
  10. Mar 25, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  11. Feb 10, 2026 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
  12. Feb 10, 2026 Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

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