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iCERT’s Board of Directors recently approved the 2022 Policy Platform, renewing the association’s commitment to advance State and Federal policies that promote widespread adoption of advanced technologies and standards that improve emergency response and increase the public’s safety. Critical to achieving this goal is iCERT’s strong support for open standards and interoperability of all components of the emergency response ecosystem. This commitment to interoperability was a principal theme of iCERT’s Annual Members Meeting held in December 2021. At the meeting, representatives from iCERT’s Public Safety Communications Interoperability Work Group (PSCIWG) described the group’s efforts in 2021 to promote interoperability between Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems and between NG911 systems and broadband networks used by first responders. To advance NG911 interoperability, iCERT and its company representatives worked with the NENA Industry Collaboration Events Steering Committee and the NG911 Interoperability Oversight Commission (NIOC) to advance initiatives that will promote interoperability. The PSCIWG also worked closely this year with the Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate, and a variety of Public Safety stakeholders, to advance an NG911 testing program that would promote interoperability across emergency response systems. iCERT made various recommendations to DHS during the program’s design phase, and it looks forward to supporting the implementation of a program consistent with the recommendations. Any program should address conformance to applicable standards, be cost-effective, and ensure small companies, as well as large companies, are able to participate equitably. In 2022, the PSCIWG will again lead iCERT’s efforts in this area, while also expanding its focus to address interoperability in other areas including CAD-to-CAD and integration of LMR and LTE. iCERT’s overarching goal is to increase the adoption of technologies that improve emergency response and public safety communications, and interoperability is critical to achieving that goal.

NHTSA will receive input directly from iCERT January 8, 2022 iCERT Representatives on NG9-1-1 GIS Project: Hello iCERT Members. We wanted to circle back with everyone and provide you an update regarding iCERT’s participation in the GIS project being led by the National 911 Program office. In early December 2021, we asked iCERT member companies to submit names of individuals who would be willing to represent iCERT on a new GIS project team being led by the National 911 Program office. Thank you to all those individuals that responded. We received nominations from a number of very qualified candidates, and it is good to know that iCERT is supported by so many GIS and NG911 experts. After careful consideration, we have selected Jeff Ledbetter (DataMark) to fill iCERT’s GIS seat and Sam Bard (Motorola Solutions) to fill iCERT’s NGCS seat. I am confident that these two individuals will do an excellent job in representing the industry’s interests on this important project. In order to provide Jeff and Sam with support and to facilitate their coordination with the broader iCERT membership, iCERT will be establishing a new GIS Working Group under the Policy Committee. Jeff and Sam will co-chair that WG. If you, or others in your organization (an iCERT Member), would like to participate in that WG, please reach out to Jeff and Sam by January 14, 2022. They can be reached via email at Jeff.Ledbetter@mbakerintl.com and Sam.Bard@motorolasolutions.com. Thank you in advance for your support of this important initiative.

iCERT has multiple member companies on all six CSRIC VIII Working Groups December 30, 2021 FCC ANNOUNCES WORKING GROUP MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL VIII By this Public Notice the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces the members who will serve on the six working groups of the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council VIII (CSRIC VIII). CSRIC VIII is organized under, and operates in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). CSRIC’s mission is to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission to improve the security, reliability, and interoperability of the nation’s communications systems. At the meeting on December 15, 2019, the CSRIC VIII working groups chairs announced their membership. More information about CSRIC VIII can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/advisorycommittees/communications-security-reliability-and-interoperability-council-1. You may also contact Suzon Cameron, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for CSRIC, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-1916, or Kurian Jacob, Deputy DFO, at (202) 418-2040, or via the CSRIC e-mail account at CSRIC@fcc.gov.

CC docket 94-102 and PS dockets 18-64, 18-261, 11-153, and 10-255 December 27, 2021 Last week, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the National Association of State 911 Administrators Association’s (“NASNA”) Petition requesting Commission action to facilitate Next Generation 911 (“NG911) (Vol. XVIII, Issue 43). Specifically, NASNA asks the Commission to: (1) establish authority over originating service providers’ (“OSPs”) delivery of 911 services through IP-based emergency services networks; (2) amend its rules as needed to advance the transition to—and implementation of—NG911 services; and (3) require the cost of compliance to be the responsibility of OSPs, except where cost-recovery is provided by state law or regulation. Comments and reply comments are due by January 19, 2022, and February 3, 2022, respectively. October 19, 2021 The National Association of State 911 Administrators has filed a petition for rulemaking or, in the alternative, petition for notice of inquiry to facilitate the deployment of next-generation 911 (NG-911) services. In the filing in CC docket 94-102 and PS dockets 18-64, 18-261, 11-153, and 10-255, NASNA asked the FCC to launch a rulemaking or notice of inquiry to: “1) Establish Commission authority over originating service providers’ (OSPs) (i.e., wireless, landline, and interconnected VoIP) delivery of 911 services through IP-based emergency services networks (ESInets). 2) Amend 47 C.F.R §§ 9.4 and 9.5 as needed to advance the transition to and implementation of NG911 services. 3) Require the cost of compliance, as it was with the implementation of wireless enhanced 911 service, text-to-911, and real-time text (RTT), is the responsibility of the OSPs, except where cost-recovery is provided by state law or regulation. “Specifically, and comparable to the FCC’s King County decision, that the FCC establish a NG911 cost demarcation point or points, for allocating costs when the parties cannot agree on the appropriate demarcation point(s),” NASNA added. “Additionally, NASNA urges the Commission to consider adding a NG911 Readiness Registry (NG911 Registry) to its existing text-to-911 or public safety answering point (PSAP) registries—or combine the two and add a NG911 Registry,” it said. “While the aforementioned registries are voluntary, we believe having a NG911 Registry would be a meaningful tool for state and local 911 authorities and OSPs to use to advance the implementation of NG911. Alternatively, that the FCC establish NG911 Readiness stages or phases to be utilized by both state/local 911 authorities and OSPs in transitioning to NG911 services.” Link to Filing -https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1019188969473/Final%20NG911%20Cost%20Clarification%20Filing.pdf “Over the years, the Commission has been instrumental in creating processes for the orderly but timely implementation of new 911 technologies, including wireless enhanced 911 service, delivery of 911 calls originating from Voice-over-Internet-Protocol providers, and text-to-911 service. NASNA believes the Commission should play a similar role in the implementation of Next Generation 911 services,” the petition concluded. “Without action from the Commission, it is difficult to envision how full, nationwide implementation of NG911 can be achieved. With the Commission’s support and direction, however, NG911 can be implemented in a timely and coordinated manner that will provide a better result for the citizens who call 911 every day and rely on 911 to provide them with the emergency services they require.” —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Outlook for Congressional Action in 2022 Monday, December 20, 2021 12:39 PM Subject: NG911 Legislative Funding - Year End Update Dear iCERT members – This past weekend the U.S. Senate concluded their work for the year. Since returning from the Thanksgiving break, the Senate had been negotiating between members of the Democratic majority and with the White House on the Build Back Better Act (BBB Act), which as we informed you previously, includes nearly $500 million dedicated to NG911. Although Senate leadership had expressed a desire to have a Senate vote on the BBB Act before Christmas, an agreement to do so was not reached prior to the Senate recessing for the year. At this time the situation regarding the BBB Act continues to be very fluid and uncertain. iCERT has and will continue to actively lobby the Congress, in cooperation with our partners in the public safety space, to ensure that funding for NG911 included in the BBB Act remains intact during this critical stage in the process. Although the proposed NG911 funding is a significant investment compared to any previous federal funding for 911, it does not meet the widely acknowledged level of funding needed to modernize the 911 network across the country. However, this funding does represent a down payment for the NG911 effort. To be clear, iCERT is committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward. As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT. Happy Holidays. GK George Kelemen Executive Director

25 years of providing Mission Critical Services to organizations nationwide December 16, 2021 Dear iCERT Members: Please join in welcoming Pamela and Anthony LaPine, and HipLink Software to iCERT. As an introduction, "HipLink Software was founded in 1995 is a global software company that provides enterprise applications to automate and accelerate organizations’ ability to respond to urgent, important and time sensitive situations in order to better ensure human safety and business continuity. When public safety is threatened with active shooters, terrorists, or severe weather, rapid and reliable alerts are critical in saving lives and protecting property. When corporations must respond to IT outages, cyber-attacks and critical supply chain interruptions, both speed and guaranteed delivery are critical to prevent revenue interruptions and productivity losses. HipLink Software has provided these Mission Critical services for over 25 years and its customers include some of the largest and most prestigious organizations in the world. HipLink Software’s technological excellence is spearheaded by a broad portfolio of patents enabling an intelligent AI-bases communications platform with extensive Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities. HipLink Software’s platform rapidly and securely responds to Critical Events using integrated algorithms that quickly locate affected people, and orchestrate intelligently automated communication processes to any device on a multitude of networks. Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley CA, HipLink Software is dedicated to providing superior solutions with unparalleled technology and always puts customer service first and foremost. Founded by Pamela LaPine, HipLink Software is an WBENC certified WOB." Through iCERT Membership, HipLink hopes to, "gain and share knowledge, build personal and professional relationships, and continue to contribute professionally to the public safety / disaster services ecosystem."

Public safety and mission critical consulting services, and RFP management December 16, 2021 Dear iCERT Members: Please join in welcoming Cheryl Giggetts and CTA Consultants LLC to the iCERT Family. By way of an introduction, "CTA Consultants, LLC (CTA) is based in Virginia with a national reputation for responsiveness, commitment, and service excellence. Our core services include providing mission critical radio system assessments and design, specification and RFP development, vendor selection and negotiations, and implementation and acceptance testing oversight. We offer comprehensive consulting services in all aspects of communications engineering for public safety. Our experience spans the US and its vast range of topography and includes projects of many sizes from single city/county systems, multi-jurisdiction regional systems, statewide systems, and federal systems. CTA team members are privileged to have provided services to over 200 separate clients and close to 600 localities/jurisdictions. We provide excellent services to each of our clients which builds lasting relationships; our team members have worked with many clients for over 20 years. CTA’s primary mission is Communications Technology Advancement in public safety and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Each CTA team member executes this mission by giving their time personally and professionally to the public safety community and STEM initiatives. CTA executes this mission by investing 100% of our net profits, over the life of the firm, to first responder essential training and STEM education initiatives that encourage future innovation." By joining iCERT, CTA hopes to: "Contribute to public safety thru innovation. We recognize first responders are the backbone of the community, providing security and support to our neighbors in their time of need. These professionals put their lives on the line every day to protect the lives of others, and CTA is committed to assist with funding to meet their training needs. We also support the next generation of innovators by strengthening local STEM education initiatives. The designer of the next lifesaving technological advancement is sitting in a nearby classroom! We are dedicated to providing resources and funding to meet their challenges and encourage their growth."

The iCERT Board Acknowledged Their Significant Contributions to the Organization's Success December 7, 2021 The Board of Directors has issued awards "in recognition of dedicated service and leadership" to Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director - Emeritus, and Kathi Scovill - Business Manager, for their roles in the past and continuing success of iCERT, the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. The Scovills responded with "sincerest gratitude" for the unexpected statement, and expressed how honored they were to be of service to iCERT, and to the public safety industry. The Board also provided a generous contribution to Renne's Rescue, a pet sanctuary and adoption program in Delaware, an organization supported extensively by the Scovills. Kim and Kathleen served in their respective roles at iCERT from 2018 until October 2021 when George Kelemen was selected as the next Executive Director. In November 2021, Drew Preston joined iCERT as the new Membership & Public Affairs Manager. Mr. Scovill has continued supporting iCERT and its membership through the leadership transition. "Wishing Everyone a Safe and Joyous Holiday, and a Prosperous 2022!"

VIRTUAL EVENT - Speakers, Member 1-to-1 Meetings, and Member Panels and Discussions December 9, 2021 The books are closed on another successful iCERT Members Meeting - this session with record registration and attendance. Many thanks to all our guest speakers and presenters, supporting organizations, panelists, and all of our Member Attendees for taking the time from their very busy schedules to make this a great member meeting. The date and location for our Spring 2022 iCERT Members Meeting will be available soon - so watch for an announcement and plan to join us in-person (we hope!) at our Spring 2022 iCERT Member Event. As always, thank you for your support of iCERT. October 29, 2021 Dear iCERT Members, Friends, and Invited Guests Registration closing soon for our December 7-8-9, 2021 FREE Virtual Members Annual Meeting. See Tentative Agenda, below. NOTE: our optional "1-to-1" networking meetings have maxed out and are closed. Unfortunately, due to personnel availability and scheduling, not every 1-to-1 request can be accommodate; however, we will work to secure as many meetings as we can. Thanks for your patience and understanding. To Register: Use our Google Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJa6jlwXnsd-oMkQ5S8IeYogeEKi76BzBPRWR1pAmp_42xBA/viewform?usp=sf_link Download / Complete our PDF Form - https://b8d2ce42-eb7a-49c5-841f-9c5e2ad23b13.usrfiles.com/ugd/b8d2ce_7142954227744cbc8ec71e3faafe27a5.pdf Complete the form, print to a NEW file, and email this new file to executivedirector@theindustrycouncil.org FREE ZOOM TICKET LINKS will be sent after registration. TENTATIVE AGENDA Tuesday Dec 7, 2021 All times EST - Total approx. 4.5 hours today 10:45am to 11:00am Pre-Meeting – OPEN ZOOM (test settings) 11:00am to 11:30am Opening Session / Welcome 11:30am – 12:00pm Keynote: Motorola Systems “Technology & Public Safety in a Pandemic” 12:00pm – 12:30pm FCC Update – David Furth, Deputy Chief -PSHSB 12:30pm – 1:00pm Update 911.org – NHSTA – Laurie Flaherty Break 10:min 1:10pm – 1:40pm T-Mobile – Public Safety Services - Cell Phone Body Cam 1:40pm – 2:10pm Meet New iCERT Members (Joined in 2021) 2:10pm to 3:40pm “How Industry and Customers are working together to achieve LMR & Broadband Interoperability” [Presentation & Discussion] Wednesday Dec 8 Total approx. 4.0 hours 11:45am to 12:00pm Pre-Meeting – OPEN ZOOM (test settings) 12:00pm – 12:30pm Keynote: “Indoor Mapping” - GeoComm 12:30pm – 1:00pm Update – California NG911 i3 – Budge Currier 1:00pm – 1:30pm Deltek – Public Safety / 911 Marketplace for 2022 – Shelby Eng, Break :10min 1:40pm – 2:10pm iCERT Working Group and Committee Reports (not PSCI and NIOC) 2:10pm – 3:10pm? PSCI Update to iCERT Membership and Interoperability Discussion (open discussion for iCERT Members Only)– Ray Paddock / Al Brisard 3:10pm – 4:00pm NIOC Update Thursday Dec 9 Total approx. 3 hours 11:45am to 12:00pm Pre-Meeting – OPEN ZOOM (test settings) 12:00pm – 1:00pm Policy Committee / NG911 Legislation – Update – Don Brittingham \ and Harriet Rennie-Brown, NASNA - presentation from Hill Staffer Matt McMurray, Office of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, (Invited) 1:00pm – 2:30pm Two Panel Discussions - 1) "How Dispatchers are Leveraging new technology" 2) The Future of Dispatching: How new technology is allowing direct flow of critical information to First Responders [Ellen O'Hara, Past iCERT Chair - Moderator -Various iCERT Members / Panel Discussions] Break: 10min 2:40pm – ?? “1-to-1” Member to Member Private Networking Meetings Questions? - executivedirector@theindustrycouncil.org Looking forward to "seeing" you at our event. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 8, 2021 Dear iCERT Members and Friends: APOLOGIES TO ALL MEMBERS FOR THE DELAY AND CHANGES IN OUR PLANS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE AT THE MERCY OF NATIONAL HEALTH AND MARKETPLACE CIRCUMSTANCES. IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY, CONCERNING RECENT COVID-19 EVENTS AND WESTERN WILDFIRES, WE ARE RE-SCHEDULING OUR FALL MEMBERS MEETING AS VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 7-8-9, 2021 - Schedule, Content, and Additional Information, TBD. We had hoped and planned to have an in-person event, but AWS has pushed their office opening until 2022, and Covid-19 continues to make travel and in-person meetings difficult. Attendees will include iCERT Members (and invitation-only prospective members), national and local public safety decision makers, invited industry and technology representatives, national market intelligence experts, relevant vendors, and friends of iCERT. We'll provide more details in the coming days. iCERT Members and Invitees attend at no charge. 1) Pre-Event Topic Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfapzRSiUKWN0Rsiu9YoyhzMwsumwbJKZjn9N4x09ltDxj4SQ/viewform?usp=sf_link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yZeJgS4D54F4qcYdkCzJXsLVPxIRmxKOHftEbuimgHk/edit?usp=sharing 2) Schedule - more info soon..... 3) Members and invitees (Google Form) FORM SOON 4) PDF Registration Form, FORM SOON if you cannot use Google Forms link, above (complete the PDF, print as PDF to new file name, and email new file to; excutivedirector@theindustrycouncil.org). 5) Event - Virtual - Via ZOOM

Rosenworcel & Sohn for FCC: Davidson to NTIA December 7, 2021 Senate vote on Rosenworcel renomination and confirmation as FCC Chair to occur today at 11:30am. October 28, 2021 FCC, NTIA Nominations Sent to Senate The White House today (10/28/21) sent to the Senate the nominations of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and FCC Commissioner nominee Gigi Sohn and the nomination of Alan Davidson to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (TR Daily, Oct. 26). Ms. Rosenworcel was renominated for a term of five years from July 1, 2020. Ms. Sohn was nominated for a term of five years from July 1, 2021, to the seat that had been held by former Chairman Ajit Pai. October 26, 2021 Biden Names Rosenworcel Permanent Chair, Will Fill FCC, NTIA Vacancies President Biden today designated acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel the permanent head of the agency, making her the first woman to get the job not on an acting basis, and also announced his intention to renominate her for another term. He also announced his intent to nominate former FCC official and public interest advocate Gigi Sohn for the vacant seat. Mr. Biden also plans to nominate Alan Davidson, a senior adviser for the Mozilla Foundation and a former Google, Inc., lobbyist, to be administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “I am deeply humbled to be designated as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” Ms. Rosenworcel said in a statement. “It is an honor to work with my colleagues on the Commission and the agency’s talented staff to ensure that no matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the connections they need to live, work, and learn in the digital age. I also want to congratulate Gigi Sohn on her nomination to serve as a Commissioner at the agency and Alan Davidson on his nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.” Ms. Rosenworcel will have to step down from her position if the Senate does not confirm her to another term before it completes its current session, as her term expired last year. If the nominations are approved by the Senate this year, it will give Democrats a 3-2 majority. Since January, Democrats and Republicans have been deadlocked at two members each. If no Democratic nominees are confirmed this year, Republicans would have a 2-1 majority at the Commission, with Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks serving as acting Chairman. Ms. Rosenworcel has been acting Chairwoman since January. Today’s announcement came after months of speculation about whether she would get the post on a permanent basis and when the announcement would be made. It likely will result in her moving items that she was not able to without a majority, including the reclassification of broadband Internet access under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, as amended. Ms. Sohn is a distinguished fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy and a Benton Foundation senior fellow and public advocate. She was a counselor to former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and former chief executive officer of Public Knowledge and executive director of the Media Access Project. If confirmed, she would be the first openly LGBTIQ+ FCC Commissioner. Mr. Davidson previously was vice president-global policy, trust and security for Mozilla; director-digital economy at the Commerce Department during the Obama administration; director of New America’s Open Technology Institute; director-public policy/Americas for Google; and associate director of the Center for Democracy and Technology. During today’s monthly meeting, Commissioner Brendan Carr was the first to congratulate Ms. Rosenworcel on being named permanent FCC Chairwoman after the White House announced it in a news release. “I want to extend my congratulations to Chairwoman Rosenworcel on her designation as Chair of the FCC and on her nomination by the White House to serve another five-year term. I also want to extend my congratulations to Gigi Sohn on her nomination to serve on the Commission,” Mr. Carr said in a statement released later. “During the past ten months, under the leadership of Chairwoman Rosenworcel, I have enjoyed the chance to work in a bipartisan manner to advance the public interest, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue this important work with my FCC colleagues.” Asked during a conference call with reporters this afternoon how he expects the shift to a Democratic majority on the Commission to affect policymaking, Mr. Carr said, “I think we’ve had a really good run [on bipartisan decisions] the last nine or 10 months” and “I’m hoping for more of that.” He noted that some parties hope to see the Commission return broadband services to a regulatory classification under Title II of the Communications Act. “I don’t begrudge people their policy preferences,” he said, but he argued that in 2021, “the threats to the free and open Internet” are coming from edge providers, and any impetus to return to Title II regulation should take that into account. More generally, he said that “there’s certainly a path forward where we can continue to get bipartisan things done.” He acknowledged that the current situation on a politically tied Commission, in which he could start “at the 50-yard line” will not persist on a 3-2 Commission. He said that he will still be willing work from the other side of the 50-yard line to try to reach agreements. “I have a desire to work with my colleagues,” he said, adding, “I think we can still work together and get things done.” “I congratulate my friend and colleague Jessica Rosenworcel on her nomination and her designation as Chairwoman of the FCC,” said Geoffrey Starks. “For many years, the Commission and the American people have benefitted from Jessica’s tireless advocacy for bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans—particularly our children. I am excited to collaborate on the important work ahead for our agency. “In Gigi Sohn, President Biden has identified an accomplished leader whose talent, expertise, and experience will invigorate our work at the FCC,” Mr. Starks added in a statement. “Protecting consumers, advancing national security, promoting diverse media, and making modern communications networks accessible and affordable for every American are enormous tasks that require a full-strength FCC. I look forward to working with Gigi.” Mr. Starks also welcomed the planned nomination of Mr. Davidson, saying, “Alan’s deep experience and commitment to advancing the public interest make him an outstanding choice. The FCC’s longstanding collaboration with NTIA is essential to our nation’s efforts to connect every American to high-quality, affordable communications networks. I look forward to continuing that partnership under Alan’s leadership.” “I extend a heartfelt congratulations to Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel on her designation aspermanent chair and look forward to continuing to work with her,” said Commissioner Nathan Simington. “I also congratulate Gigi Sohn on her nomination. The FCC has much important work to do and I am eager to continue to implement sound policy on a bipartisan basis.” “Today’s announcement by the White House of its slate of nominees for the Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration comes at just the right time, with more work to do to improve our broadband deployment, spectrum management, and consumer protections,” said Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.). She added that she looks “forward to swiftly considering these nominations before the end of the year.” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D., N.J.) said, “I commend President Biden for nominating these outstanding leaders for the FCC and NTIA. With these selections, the FCC will be fully equipped to reinstate Title II oversight and net neutrality for broadband providers, continue its work to close the digital divide, and ensure broadband is affordable for all. Today’s announcement will also ensure leadership is in place at the NTIA for the important issues that agency faces, including spectrum management and implementation of the historic broadband infrastructure investment included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” Rep. Pallone called Ms. Rosenworcel “an exceptional choice to continue leading the FCC. The Acting Chair has been a consummate public servant with a deep understanding of the challenges before the Commission and a passion for solving them. Gigi Sohn is also a devoted public advocate whose career has centered around ensuring that the public interest is at the core of the FCC’s thinking. Together, and with current Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, they will make an excellent team.” “Jessica Rosenworcel is a star—supremely expert and experienced, steadfast and committed as an advocate for consumers and competitors,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.). “Having worked with her over many years, I know first-hand her energetic dedication to cracking down on robocalls and other abuses, and expanding broadband access. She knows better than anyone else the vital role the Commission plays in protecting consumers and closing the digital divide by connecting Americans to essential services. I am especially proud of her deep Connecticut roots as a native of West Hartford and graduate of Wesleyan University. I look forward to working with soon-to-be Chair Rosenworcel as she continues her bold leadership of the FCC.” Sen. Blumenthal added that he also looks “forward to working with Gigi Sohn, whose decades of experience and commitment to privacy, competition, and access will greatly benefit the FCC and consumers across the country.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s competition policy, antitrust, and consumer rights subcommittee, said, “During this vitally important time at the Federal Communications Commission, I strongly support both Jessica Rosenworcel’s nomination to lead the FCC as Chair and Gigi Sohn’s nomination to be an FCC Commissioner. As Congress works to move forward a historic investment in broadband infrastructure, strong leadership at the FCC is essential to deliver on the connectivity goals our 21-century economy demands. With more than two decades of experience at the FCC and the Senate Commerce Committee, I am confident that both Rosenworcel and Sohn have the expertise needed to close the digital divide and strengthen our nation for generations to come.” “Today’s appointment of Gigi Sohn sends the clear message that President Biden is following through on his promises to make high-speed broadband more open, available, and affordable for all Americans. Gigi is a leading public interest advocate and has dedicated her career to increasing access to communications services that enable everyone to fully participate in our economy, society, and democracy,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) and antitrust, commercial and administrative law subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline (D., R.I.) said in a joint statement. “We applaud Gigi’s nomination to the Federal Communications Commission and look forward to working with her on critical issues such as competition, privacy, diversity, and affordability in the communications and media marketplace. The Senate should move quickly to confirm her to the FCC.” Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) called Ms. Rosenworcel “an excellent choice to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Her qualifications and competency make her the best person to lead the FCC, at a time when we need it most. I am pleased President Biden has nominated her to lead this vital organization and have full faith in her ability to bring affordable, reliable broadband access to every West Virginian and American. Her leadership and experiences show how dedicated she is to ensuring the FCC helps everyone compete in the 21st Century. I look forward to voting for her confirmation.” “Today President Biden announced historic telecom nominations, including Jessica Rosenworcel as the first woman to serve as permanent chair of the FCC and Gigi Sohn as the first openly LGBTIQ+ Commissioner of the FCC. Rosenworcel and Sohn are brilliant champions for innovation, public safety, national security, universal broadband, net neutrality, and social justice,” said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D., Calif.). “I also applaud the President for naming Alan Davidson as [administrator] of NTIA, and I look forward to continue working together in his new capacity. Bravo to all of today’s nominees.” “President Biden’s nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel, Gigi Sohn, and Alan Davidson demonstrate a clear commitment to reinforcing American leadership in the global telecommunications marketplace—and I applaud his choices of these three proven leaders,” said Rep. Doris Matsui (D., Calif.). “With their experience at the helm, we can work to deliver policies that support broadband equity, inclusion, and more affordable, reliable internet connections for American families. … I look forward to working with these leaders and the entire Biden Administration to meet the needs of the modern economy and build a stronger future for the American people.” “None of these nominations are surprising, as these names have been seen as likely nominees for many months. Further, the nominations do not affect our broader thinking about investment themes or investment relevant government policies,” Blair Levin, an adviser to New Street Research LLP and a former FCC chief of staff, said in a research note today. Mr. Levin said that the Democratic majority will (1) “likely adopt an order reclassifying carriers under Title II, and the order is likely to resemble the 2015 order that did the same in forbearing from price regulation and mandatory unbundling”; (2) “likely be friendlier to unlicensed and shared spectrum regimes, but it may be a while before there are any large spectrum blocks for which that preference can become manifest”; (3) “be more willing than their Republican predecessors to block or heavily condition mergers but we don’t see any large deals requiring FCC approval on the horizon” and will “likely follow the more aggressive antitrust policies of the new leadership at the [Federal Trade Commission] and [Department of Justice]”; (4) “be in the driver’s seat for framing a reform of universal service, but ultimately that reform will require either explicit or implicit Congressional support for any large changes”; (5) “write the rules for distributing new funding coming from Congress to provide subsidies for low-income persons to purchase broadband, but that is more in its nature an operational and administrative challenge, rather than one where policy preferences determine outcomes”; and (6) “be more aggressive on consumer protection issues.” Mr. Levin also said that Ms. Sohn “may affect [the agency’s] digital discrimination inquiry and allegations of paid prioritization. There are several issues where Ms. Sohn may move the FCC to be more aggressive than it might have been otherwise, but we think these will have limited relevance to investors.” Mr. Levin also said that “Mr. Davidson will have his hands full with traditional NTIA tasks in terms of spectrum, cybersecurity, and other policy efforts, particularly in his core expertise of privacy and other tech related issues. But in addition, he is likely to be the key point person for overseeing the $42.5 billion program allocating funds to states for closing the access digital divide,” which is proposed in the broadband infrastructure bill that has passed the Senate but not the House. “While Congress has defined the parameters of the program, he will have significant flexibility in granting waivers, particularly as the law limits court challenges to NTIA’s decisions. But we think the larger truth is that Congress has moved the power to the states. While NTIA can provide advice to the state and encourage states to act in certain ways, it is the Governors who will be the most critical decision makers for where and how the money will, or will not, be spent,” he added. —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com; Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com October 25, 2021 11:42 PM EDT EXCLUSIVE - Politico By JOHN HENDEL Biden expected to name 2 FCC picks in race to avert Republican majority The president could name his choices of Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn as early as Tuesday, people familiar with the moves said. The White House’s expected endorsement of acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel is likely to give more momentum to her efforts to close the digital “homework gap” and expand broadband using new subsidy programs created during the pandemic. President Joe Biden is expected to name acting Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the agency permanently, three people familiar with the decision said late Monday — giving her a key perch to shape Democrats’ broadband and net neutrality agenda. Biden is also expected to nominate progressive net neutrality advocate Gigi Sohn, a former FCC official, to the open Democratic seat on the commission, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision is not yet public. The people said the White House has begun telling lawmakers about the imminent announcements. The moves, which could be announced as soon as Tuesday (November 2, 2021), would give Democrats a majority on the five-person panel for the first time during Biden’s presidency, ending a 2-2 partisan stalemate that has stymied much of the progressive agenda for the FCC. That includes a restoration of the agency’s Obama-era net neutrality rules, which prohibited internet providers from blocking and throttling consumers’ internet traffic. But the decisions come relatively late in Biden’s term: Of his predecessors, only Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon waited as late as September of their first year to tap their FCC chair. And unless the Senate confirms Rosenworcel and Sohn by the end of December, Republicans are poised to gain a 2-1 majority on the commission come January. Biden is also expected to nominate longtime tech lawyer Alan Davidson to head the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a key post for setting the executive branch’s policies on issues like wireless spectrum use and 5G, the people said. Key context: The White House’s expected endorsement of Rosenworcel is likely to give more momentum to her efforts to close the digital “homework gap” and expand broadband using new subsidy programs created during the pandemic. A nod to progressives: Biden’s choice of Sohn for the open Democratic seat would be the latest prominent gesture toward progressives. He had previously placed antitrust advocate Lina Khan in charge of the Federal Trade Commission and hired fellow anti-monopolist Tim Wu for a top economic advising role in the White House. Sohn staked out a robust defense of net neutrality during the Obama years and was a top adviser to former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler. She previously co-founded and led the left-leaning Washington advocacy group Public Knowledge. Rosenworcel and Sohn have previously been at odds in some key fights, despite having many policy views in common. One of Sohn’s Obama-era causes was a controversial attempt to open the cable set-top box marketplace to more competition. Rosenworcel, who opposed that plan, used her tie-breaking vote on the commission to spike the effort. Rosenworcel’s recent supporters include education and public safety groups as well as union workers, along with lawmakers including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). In September, 25 members of the Senate Democratic caucus told Biden that he should pick Rosenworcel to avoid risking the success of his broadband expansion ambitions. Now the clock starts: Confirming these nominees would mean a mad dash for Senate Democratic leadership over the next two months. Although Rosenworcel can immediately assume the permanent chair role, her term on the FCC lapsed in 2020, which means she must leave at the end of this year unless the Senate confirms her to a new five-year term. Republicans would probably use the confirmation process to discourage any revival of net neutrality. They argue that that the GOP repeal of the policy in 2017 has not led to any of the horror stories that net neutrality advocates warned about, such as ISPs manipulating or blocking their customers’ internet traffic. And the telecom lead at the Commerce Department: For the NTIA role, the people familiar with the decisions said, Biden picked Davidson — a veteran tech lawyer who has worked since 2018 at Mozilla, the company that launched the Firefox browser. There, Davidson helped handle the company’s data privacy and open internet portfolio. He also spent years at other top tech posts — including at Google, whose former CEO Eric Schmidt is a strong Biden supporter and is active on a bevy of tech issues from 5G to artificial intelligence. He was Google’s first emissary to Washington, opening its D.C. office in 2005 and holding the title of director of public policy for a half-dozen years, which included lobbying for the search giant. NTIA is likely to play a central role in shaping Biden’s agenda around broadband connectivity and 5G wireless technology, including on questions of security involving the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, as well as tech issues like data privacy. Under the bipartisan infrastructure plan that passed the Senate in August, the Commerce Department would also be in charge of giving out $42 billion in grants to states to support the build-out of broadband infrastructure. Another Article : https://www.axios.com/biden-telecom-appointments-ntia-fcc-rosenworcel-61b5d844-12f2-499c-bcce-b57de9e4ff9c.html?mkt_tok=ODUwLVRBQS01MTEAAAGAW2WQLGZNoxv-ndy8_UOUYhgcR2kCvgDduSg6Ay6Z54BnZKqnPFJt2KlSmdTTbG8htQ7Owj6d7AxuuWEQsBjeoQTtYTq_FacnPVZhkfXGkZYA

iCERT Sends Letter to Senate Leadership and Key Senators November 24, 2021 Yesterday (11/23/21) iCERT sent Senate Leadership and key Senators involved in this process a letter expressing appreciation for recognizing the need for NG911 funding, but highlighting that the funding passed by the House represents a down payment and is not enough to fully meet the need to implement NG911 nationwide. iCERT will continue to work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT remains committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward. November 24, 2021 Dear iCERT members - First, Happy Thanksgiving to each of you, and I hope you all have the opportunity to spend the holiday with family and friends. As the lobbying effort on the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, also known as the “budget reconciliation bill,” now shifts to the U.S. Senate, yesterday iCERT sent the attached letter to Senate Leadership and key Senators involved in this process. We expect the Senate will take up the BBB Act in early December and deliberate it over the following few weeks. Although vote timing is uncertain at this time, Senate leadership has expressed a desire to have a Senate vote on it before the end of the year. iCERT will continue to work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT remains committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward. As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT, and Happy Thanksgiving. Sincerely, GK George Kelemen Executive Director 202-805-0096 Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. www.theindustrycouncil.org

Part of Budget Reconciliation Act Legislative Process & Stand Alone Senate Legislation November 19, 2021 Build Back Better Act Heads to Senate The House passed the Build Back Better (BBB) Act (HR 5376) on a 220-213 nearly party-line vote, with only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (D., Maine), voting against it and no Republicans voting for it. The vote was delayed by a record-setting overnight “one-minute” speech by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), a privilege accorded him in his role as minority leader. The measure, which includes provisions aimed at supporting remote learning, protecting data privacy, supporting next-generation 911 (NG-911), boosting broadband adoption, increasing antitrust enforcement, and bolstering cybersecurity, now goes to the Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said during a press conference today that the House, Senate, and White House had been working together on the bill as it made its way through the House, and she expressed confidence in Senate passage. However, she also said that “this bill will now be reshaped to their committees, and we’ll see at that point what we have to reconcile.” Objections from moderate Democrats to some of the large social spending commitments in the bill, as well as further limits imposed by the Senate parliamentarian, could lead to changes. In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said, “As soon as the necessary technical and procedural work with the Senate Parliamentarian has been completed, the Senate will take up this legislation. We will act as quickly as possible to get this bill to President Biden’s desk and deliver help for middle-class families.” Speaking to the press pool after a medical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, President Biden said in response to a question about when he expected to see the BBB Act on his desk, “I don't know. It's going to take a while to get through the Senate. I think it will probably be after Thanksgiving.” Asked whether he will sign the bill if it didn’t include provisions to require paid family leave, he said, “I will sign it. Period.” The BBB Act also includes $470 million for next-generation 911 (NG-911) grants to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and $9 million for NTIA to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center “to coordinate with State, local, and regional partners to share cybersecurity information and strategies for intrusion detection and prevention with respect to Next Generation 9-1-1 networks.” Some stakeholders indicated they hoped to see further changes in the Senate. The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition wrote to the bipartisan leadership of both chambers today to urge more funding for NG-911 and NG-911 cybersecurity. “While the version of the Build Back Better Act that passed the House of Representatives today includes helpful language regarding NG9-1-1, the funding level is woefully inadequate to achieve meaningful nationwide implementation. Congress has otherwise provided significant broadband funding for nearly everything but emergency communications—the most critical of critical infrastructure. This will only widen the gap between the technology that is available to the public at their homes, businesses, schools, and libraries, and today’s antiquated 9-1-1 system,” the coalition said. “The Coalition’s funding request has bipartisan support. The amount needed—$15 billion—is based on the results of a federal study required by Congress and to meet the growing cybersecurity threats facing public safety agencies. Further, this funding would go directly to state and local public safety agencies, foster innovation and competition, and accomplish several key public safety objectives including interoperability and cybersecurity,” the coalition added. “Absent adequate federal funding, public safety agencies will be left with overly costly, incomplete, and non-interoperable solutions vulnerable to cyber-attacks.” —Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com November 19, 2021 Dear iCERT members – Minutes ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, also known as the “budget reconciliation bill.” As we informed you previously, the overall bill is a $1.75 trillion proposal, with nearly $500 million dedicated to NG911. iCERT has been actively lobbying Congress, in cooperation with our partners in the public safety space, to ensure that funding for NG911 was included in the latest version of the bill. Although the proposed NG911 funding is significant compared to any previous federal funding for 911, it is bittersweet and disappointing that the funding included in the bill does not meet widely acknowledged level of funding needed to modernize the 911 network across the country. However, this funding does represent a down payment for the NG911 effort. I have attached the NG911 provisions in the bill as FYI. Note: the NG911 section (Section J) begins at the bottom of the first page. The U.S. Senate will take up the BBB Act next and deliberate it over the coming weeks, with vote timing uncertain at this time, although Senate leadership has expressed a desire to have a Senate vote on it before Christmas. iCERT will continue to work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT is committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward. As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT, and Happy Thanksgiving. Sincerely, GK George Kelemen Executive Director 202-805-0096 Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. www.theindustrycouncil.org November 8, 2021 Dear iCERT members – As part of an agreement reached between House Leadership, moderate and progressive Democrats, as well as the White House very late on Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill shortly before midnight on Friday. This action sends the BIF to the President’s desk for his signature. Additionally, the agreement reached on Friday called for a House vote on the rule issued by the House Rules Committee earlier in the week, regarding the House floor debate procedure for Build Back Better (BBB) Act, also known as the “budget reconciliation bill.” As you know, the BBB Act is a $1.75 trillion proposal with nearly $500 million dedicated to NG911. The House rule on BBB was adopted and per the agreement. As a result, the House will plan to hold the floor vote on the BBB next week, giving time for an official score, or total cost, to be produced by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which was the request of House moderate Democrats as part of the agreement. In the meantime, iCERT continues to actively lobbying Congress, in cooperation with our partners in the public safety space, to ensure that funding for NG911 remains in the final version of the bill. Once the BBB Act is passed by the House, the U.S. Senate will take it up and deliberate it over the following weeks, with a vote likely taking place in December. Although the proposed NG911 funding is significant compared to any previous federal funding for 911, it is bittersweet and disappointing that the funding included in the bill does not meet widely acknowledged level of funding needed to modernize the 911 network across the country. However, this funding does represent a down payment for the NG911 effort. Once fully enacted, iCERT will work with all parties within the public safety community to ensure that the NG911 funding included in the BBB Act is used to achieve the most impact in the NG911 effort, which is a goal we all share. Additionally, iCERT is committed to continuing to actively work with Congress and public safety stakeholders to secure additional funding for NG911 going forward. As always, thanks for your participation in and support of iCERT. Sincerely, George Kelemen Executive Director 202-805-0096 November 4, 2021 Hoyer: House Will Vote on BBB Act, Infrastructure Bill Before District Work Period During a floor colloquy with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R., La.) late this afternoon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) said that the Democratic leadership hopes to have a budget score for the Build Back Better (BBB) Act (HR 5376) from the Congressional Budget Office, but that it plans “to move forward” regardless with votes on HR 5376 and the bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) before leaving for a district work period next week. Leader Hoyer acknowledged the possibility that the House may not be able to conclude the anticipated legislative business tomorrow and could continue working into the weekend, saying that the plans he laid out for votes tomorrow are “assuming tomorrow is the last day.” The House was on a dinner break at TR Daily’s news deadline, with the potential for members to be recalled for continued voting. “We’re trying to get two controversial bills done” before departing for the Veterans Day recess, Leader Hoyer said. He added that the House will convene tomorrow at 9 a.m. “and hope to vote on remaining business.” The Senate has already approved the infrastructure bill (TR Daily, Aug. 10), and the House has already approved a rule to govern floor consideration of the bill (TR Daily, Aug. 24), which includes about $65 billion for broadband initiatives. However, the House Rules Committee, which has met twice on the BBB Act (TR Daily, Oct. 28 and Nov. 3), has not yet approved a rule to govern floor consideration of the BBB Act. Among other things, the current version of the BBB Act includes $300 million in additional funding for the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, which supports efforts by schools and libraries to enable remote learning and remote use of library services; $500 million for the Federal Trade Commission to establish a bureau focused on “unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to privacy, data security, identity theft, data abuses, and related matters”; $470 million for next-generation 911 (NG-911) grants to be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; $475 million for a connected device distribution grant program to be administered by NTIA, plus $20 million for administration and $5 million for outreach for the program; $280 million for a broadband affordability grant program to be administered by NTIA to support public-private pilot projects “to increase access to affordable covered broadband service in urban communities, including communities of color and for low- and middle-income consumers, through long-term solutions for such affordability”; and $400 million for various cybersecurity programs over 10 years at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders have, at various times and with varying degrees of conviction, called for passing the two bills together. Progressive members of the House Democratic caucus have tied their support for the infrastructure bill to passage or at least agreement on the BBB Act from party moderates—especially Sens. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) and Kyrsten —whose votes are needed to ensure Senate passage of the reconciliation package. —Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com October 31, 2021 Staying optimistic, even as 911 funding is slashed (again). When hearing the news that the proposed hashtag#NG911 hashtag#funding amount was slashed from $10B to $480M, the disappointment for many was palpable. I get it. Many of us that have been in the industry awhile feel like this is oddly familiar. That said, I'm staying optimistic about our future and know that future is bright. John Chiaramonte President, Consulting Services at Mission Critical Partners, LLC. Some may remember that the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 (P. Law 108-494) that Congress authorized "...not more than $250,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009..." Although $1.25 billion was originally authorized, only $43.5 million was actually appropriated (3.5%) in 2009. The 30 states and territories had a very limited time to spend the 911 and Next Generation 911 (NG911) grant funds, which was further complicated by some states with a biennial legislative schedule. Fast forward a few years, with the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P. Law 112-96), that required the FCC to carry out a frequency auction to fund the Public Safety Trust Fund. The legislation funded several initiatives including: $20.4 billion for Federal debt relief, $7 billion to develop the National Public Safety Broadband Network (aka FirstNet Authority), $300 million to NIST for research, $135 million for the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP), and lastly, $115 million for 911/NG911 Implementation Grants. After completing the auction and setting up the Fund, the Departments of Commerce and Transportation jointly announced the availability of $109 million for 34 states and two tribal nations in August 2019. This grant program period of performance is limited to about 2.5 years, wrapping up in March 2022. (Interestingly, the entire Public Safety Trust Fund must return ALL remaining funds to the Treasury by the end of fiscal year 2022). Over the past years, legislative efforts have been introduced to finally solve the NG911 funding issue, only to languish in committee. So here we are, "closer than we've ever been" to a a funding strategy that would actually be able to fund the nationwide implementation of NG911. There have been numerous emotional highs and lows of late with early legislation introduced at $15 billion, more than twice the allocation to build out FirstNet, then dropping $10 billion, which now stands at $480 million in the current version of the Build Back Better Plan. I liked what George Kelemen, iCERT's brand-new Executive Director said, "the funding does represent a down payment for NG911." While not what we all were hoping for, I remain incredibly optimistic about the future of NG911. I'm mostly optimistic that with very little Federal grant monies, that many states have taken it upon themselves to prioritize the shift to NG911. Thinking back to the 2018 "Next Generation 911 Cost Estimate. A Report to Congress." our industry has been significant changes and improvements are evident. Some states are on their second (or third) NG911 service provider and continue to enhance connectivity and capabilities across their PSAPs/ECCs. So while some will focus on the significant drop in funding, I know the kind of people working in the 911 community. You will not find a more resourceful, "MacGyver" group of people than these first, first responders. They are persistent, passionate, and are continuing to do amazing things under incredible strain right now. Perhaps it's a bit naive, but I'm optimistic that the funding will all work out and we will soon see a future with a nationwide NG911 system, able to improve and enhance emergency response outcomes. I look forward to being a small part of this change that will benefit us all. #911funding #funding #publicsafety #ng911 October 29, 2021 Most proposed NG911 funding slashed from latest reconciliation-bill text Written byDonny Jackson - 29th October 2021 About 95% of once-proposed federal funding to accelerate next-generation-911 (NG911) deployment nationwide was eliminated from the text of the $1.75 trillion reconciliation bill that was released yesterday (10/28/21), although the $500 million included still would be the largest federal 911 investment in history. Reconciliation-bill text calls for $470 million to fund a nationwide NG911 grant program that could be used to plan, deploy, implement and maintain IP-based next-generation platforms, as well as fund training of personnel. The proposal also includes $20 million for administrative costs, $9 million to establish a new NG911 cybersecurity center, and $1 million to establish a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 911 Advisory Board to provide recommendations to the NTIA assistant secretary administering the program. Historically, 911 has been funded almost entirely at the state and local levels. The $500 million proposed in the latest reconciliation bill would more than double the 911 funding previously provided by the federal government for 911 purposes. But the $500 million figure in the Build Back Better framework supported by President Joe Biden is a far cry from the $10 billion in NG911 funding approved by a House committee in September that was included in a previous version of the reconciliation bill that proposed $3.5 trillion in spending. Cutting the federal funding in the proposed reconciliation bill by half—to the $1.75 trillion level—was done in an effort to secure support from moderate Democrats whose votes are needed to pass the massive spending package. This requirement resulted in many aspects of the $3.5 trillion proposal being cut entirely—for example, provisions for paid family leave—and other measures, like NG911, receiving reduced funding under the proposed spending package. Congress is expected to consider the legislation next week and further changes to the reconciliation bill are still possible, multiple media reports noted. Key NG911 stakeholder organizations like NENA, APCO and the Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition—a group of public-safety organizations that includes APCO that was established last year—did not respond to IWCE’s Urgent Communications requests for statements in time to be included in this article. There is a consensus that the nation’s emergency communications centers (ECCs)—referenced as public-safety answering points (PSAPs) in the past—should migrate to the IP-based NG911 platform from the legacy technology that largely was developed 50 years ago and does not easily support multimedia communications. There also is agreement that significant federal funding is needed to deploy NG911 nationwide, so there is not a “patchwork quilt” of 911 capabilities throughout the U.S., based on resources and funding priorities. Beltway and industry sources agreed that the $500 million included in the proposed budget-reconciliation bill would not be nearly enough to provide the kind of one-time federal funding envisioned to ensure that all 911 centers in 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia are using NG911 technology. In October 2018, a cost study was released that estimated it would cost between $9.5 billion to $12.7 billion in one-time federal funds to deploy solutions that would make NG911 a reality nationwide, but legislative efforts to provide funds for such a grant program garnered little support since the study was released. NG911 funding language supported by the Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition called for $15 billion for NG911 was proposed in April as part of a House infrastructure proposal, but it is not part of the current $1.25 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that is still pending approval in the House.. Last month, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced a standalone Senate bill to provide federal funding for next-generation 911 (NG911) technology in 911 centers. That bill features the same language used in the $10 billion proposal that was included in the version of the reconciliation bill that totaled $3.5 trillion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 13, 2021 Current NG9-1-1 funding legislation pending in Congress: The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376), after a hearing, re-introduced in the House of Representatives on September 27, 2021, includes $10 billion of federal funding for NG911. Identical provisions are included in legislation introduced in the Senate co-sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto on September 15, 2021 (S. 2754). September 16, 2021 Klobuchar, Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation to Deploy Next Generation 9-1-1 Systems WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the Senate Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced legislation to accelerate federal efforts to modernize the nation’s 9-1-1 systems (S.2754). This funding will help ensure that states and local governments can deploy next generation 9-1-1 systems across the country. The upgrades are urgently needed to help move the country’s largely outdated 9-1-1 call centers and related technology into the digital age. The bill will help enable 9-1-1 call centers to handle text messages, pictures, videos, and other information sent by smartphones, tablets, and other devices when faced with an emergency. READ SENATE BILL 2754 HERE - CONGRESS.GOV “Infrastructure is more than just roads and bridges—it also includes critical technologies. We must bring our 9-1-1 systems into the 21st century by providing state and local governments with the resources they need to update our emergency response networks and keep our communities safe,” said Klobuchar. “In a crisis, no one should be put in danger because of outdated 9-1-1 systems, and first responders, public safety officials, and law enforcement must be able to communicate seamlessly. This legislation will enable them to do just that.” “Our law enforcement and first responders work tirelessly to respond to emergencies and keep Nevadans safe,” said Cortez Masto. “Yet when a natural disaster or other tragedy occurs, our outdated 9-1-1 system can cause slow response times and burden our crisis response network. Upgrading our emergency call centers with 21st century technology is vital to ensure people calling for help get the assistance they need.” This legislation is endorsed by The International Association of Fire Chiefs and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association; NENA: The 9-1-1 Association; The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition; iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc.; and National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA). As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus, Klobuchar has been a leader in pushing to expand and improve emergency communications infrastructure. In 2018, Kari’s Law, bipartisan legislation to make contacting emergency personnel simpler and easier, led by Klobuchar and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), was signed into law. This law was inspired by the story of Kari Rene Hunt of Marshall, Texas, who in 2013 was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room. When Kari’s 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 9-1-1 for help, she could not reach emergency personnel because she did not dial “9” to reach an outside line. Kari’s Law requires the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix. The law requires on-site notification to make it easier for first responders to locate 9-1-1 callers in large buildings. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) were original cosponsors of the legislation. In February, Klobuchar and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced the Emergency Reporting Act to help ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides resources to state and local governments preparing for and responding to natural disasters. This legislation would also improve communication between mobile carriers experiencing network outages and 911 centers. The current system often leads to situations in which 911 centers are unaware of service outages, placing public safety at risk. In April, Klobuchar and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced the 9-1-1 Saves Act to update the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to better reflect the life-saving work 9-1-1 telecommunicators and dispatchers perform each day. Currently, the SOC—a tool used by federal agencies to classify the workforce into useful, occupational categories—categorizes 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers as “Office and Administrative Support Occupations,” which also includes secretaries, office clerks, and taxi cab dispatchers. She also introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. “We are happy to join our fellow public safety and 9-1-1 industry organizations in supporting this legislation, and we thank Senator Klobuchar and her staff for their tireless dedication to making Next Generation 9-1-1 a reality for all Americans. We urge Congress to support this essential measure and give our country the modern, secure, resilient, interoperable 9-1-1 service it needs,” said Jennifer White, ENP, President, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association “On behalf of the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, I am deeply appreciative for the leadership of Senator Amy Klobuchar and her longstanding efforts to improve 9-1-1 capabilities across our nation. Today, I am thankful and encouraged to see Senator Klobuchar and Senator Cortez Masto introduce a Senate companion to the Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation that the House Energy and Commerce Committee included as part of the Build Back Better Act. Introduction of this bill highlights the vital need for supporting state and local first responders and public safety communication officials. We look forward to working with the Senate and House as they advance a historic investment in critical public safety infrastructure that will improve emergency responses and outcomes for all Americans, “ said Captain Mel Maier, The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition. “iCERT thanks all the public safety organizations and Congressional Leadership and Staffs involved in the legislative process and joins with all of public safety in urging Congress to pass NG911 funding,” said Kim Scovill, Executive Director, iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. --------------------------------------------- September 17, 2021 Dear iCERT Members and Friends – Once again, we have good news to report regarding our efforts to help pass federal NG911 funding legislation. Sen. Klobuchar introduced NG911 funding legislation yesterday (9/16/21) that is consistent with the legislative language recently approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Senator Klobuchar’s Press Release, the new Senate Legislation (S 2754), and other relevant documents are available at: https://www.theindustrycouncil.org/post/10bil-ng911-funding-included-in-house-e-c-build-back-better-act-markup We expressed our strong support to the Senator for her efforts, and iCERT is recognized by the Senator as one of the organizations that worked with her office and that resoundingly supports the bill. While Senator Klobuchar’s legislation was introduced as a standalone bill, it is expected to become part of the Build Back Better Act (budget reconciliation) once the Senate considers that legislation. We expect both the House and the Senate to work diligently over the coming weeks to get NG911 funding legislation enacted. We will continue to update Members as the legislative process moves forward. Thanks, again, for your support. Stay Safe. Be Kind. Sincerely, Kim Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697 ------------------------------------- September 14, 2021 The House Energy & Commerce Committee has taken the next step (in the legislative process by passing (on 9/13/21) a substitute bill (Subtitle K) regarding $10Bil in funding for NG911 and the full Energy & Commerce Committee has voted to report this final recommendations on the legislation to the Committee on the Budget. Here is a link to the NEW substitute NG911 Funding Legislation: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/BILLS-117-K-E000215-Amdt-1.pdf To review the video of the vote and related materials, go to this page and this video link - Livestream Day One (Part Two): https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/markups/markup-of-the-build-back-better-act-full-committee-september-13-2021 1) Discussion of Subtitle K, and various amendments to the substitute legislation begins at approximately minute 44:50 in the video (above). 2) Representative Eshoo discusses the Subtitle K amendment beginning at approximately minute 46:00. 3) Discussion of 13 total amendments to Subtitle K (none were passed) begins at approximately 1:01:10. 4) Discussion of amendment 13, Johnson Amendment, (amendment was not approved) to deny funding to any eligible agency who has ever considered "defunding" the policy begins at approximately 1:01:50. 5) Final voice vote in favor (amendment passed) of the Subtitle K (substitute NG911 Bill - Eshoo) at approximately 3:28:20. 6) Final recorded vote to forward the Committee's recommendation in favor of Subtitle K (the substitute bill for NG911) at approximately 3:30:20 with final tally of 25 Votes Against and 31 Votes For at approximately 3:37:30. Vote Tally - https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/CRPT-117-IF00-Vote058-20210913.pdf September 14, 2021 Dear iCERT Members and Friends – Here is the most recent update regarding the historic NG911 Funding Legislation currently before Congress. Yesterday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held the first day of its legislative Markup Session to address its portion of the Build Back Better Act (budget reconciliation). Subsection K of that bill provides $10B of funding for Next Generation 911, and the Committee voted in favor of that section of the bill, as amended (see below). The NEW version of the NG911 provisions that passed the Committee is: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20210913/114039/BILLS-117-K-E000215-Amdt-1.pdf You are encouraged to review the legislation. More details of the Markup (video links, roll call vote, etc.) are available on the iCERT website at - https://www.theindustrycouncil.org/post/10bil-ng911-funding-included-in-house-e-c-build-back-better-act-markup, and we’ll add new information as it becomes available. The Committee is expected to complete its Markup today, and the full House will address the entire bill in the coming weeks. iCERT remains optimistic that Congress will pass legislation this year that includes NG911 funding. We will update Members as the legislative process moves forward. Thanks, again, for your support. Stay Safe. Be Kind. Sincerely, Kim Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697 www.theindustrycouncil.org iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. ------------------------------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT September 14, 2021 Captain Mel Maier (248) 858-1645 Nation’s Leading Public Safety Associations Applaud Inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation in House Budget Reconciliation Package Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation in its Budget Reconciliation package. The Public Safety Next Generation 9- 1-1 Coalition thanks Chairman Frank Pallone, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, and Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Anna Eshoo for championing this once- in-a-generation investment in critical public safety infrastructure. The Coalition is also grateful to the many members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have expressed support for this needed upgrade of 9-1-1 services throughout the country. The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition consists of the leadership of the following major law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical service, and public safety communications associations: Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Major City Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Sheriffs Association. The Coalition is solely motivated by what is needed by public safety professionals as they carry out their missions to save and protect the public every day. The risks confronting our communities are more complicated and dependent upon essential communications than ever before. Next Generation 9-1-1 technology will lead to faster and improved emergency response, make first responders and communities safer, and allow public safety professionals to meet the needs and expectations of the American people in the 21st Century. We now urge the Senate to fully fund this critical infrastructure. In this regard, the Coalition will continue its efforts to work with Senate offices to ensure that state and local public safety agencies receive the resources they need to fully upgrade their 9-1-1 systems in an interoperable, innovative, and secure manner. ### ------------------------------- September 10, 2021 Dear iCERT Members and Friends – Late last night, the House Energy & Commerce Committee released (see below) its portion of the Budget Reconciliation Act, which will be considered by Congress in the coming weeks as the legislative process moves forward. https://energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pallone-announces-full-committee-markup-of-build-back-better-act As hoped and expected, it includes an appropriation of $10B for Next Generation 911. https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/E%26C_Subtitle%20K_Next%20Generation%209-1-1.pdf iCERT has worked for more than six years to obtain more federal funding for NG911, and these efforts increased substantially in the past year. As a result, we were able to help unify the public safety community on a common set of principles that led to an NG911 bill everyone can support. This is an incredible milestone for our industry and the public safety community, and iCERT will continue to work with Congress and affected stakeholders to support the bill as it advances. We also look forward to assisting on implementation of the grant program in the next year. iCERT is grateful to everyone involved in this process and urges iCERT Members to join in enthusiastically supporting this landmark legislation. Thank you. Stay Safe. Be Kind. Sincerely, Kim Kim Robert Scovill, Executive Director Office 202-503-9998 Cell 302-932-9697 www.theindustrycouncil.org iCERT – Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PALLONE ANNOUNCES FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP OF BUILD BACK BETTER ACT Sep 9, 2021 Press Release Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a full Committee markup on Monday, September 13, at 11 a.m. (EDT) in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building, on legislative recommendations for its budget reconciliation instructions, which were passed last month by the House and Senate. “The American people are facing a public health crisis, a rapidly escalating climate crisis, and long-term economic challenges that demand decisive action by Congress,” Pallone said. “Next week, the Energy and Commerce Committee will take up transformational legislation that invests in the American people, responds to the challenges of our time, and builds back a better future for generations to come. We have a historic opportunity to take bold action that delivers meaningful change for the American people, and I look forward to coming together to take up this urgently needed legislation.” The Committee will consider the following Committee Prints: Subtitle A: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Air Pollution Subtitle B: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Hazardous Materials Subtitle C: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Drinking Water Subtitle D: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Energy Subtitle E: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Drug Pricing Subtitle F: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to the Affordable Care Act Subtitle G: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Medicaid Subtitle H: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to CHIP Subtitle I: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Medicare Subtitle J: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Public Health Subtitle K: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Next Generation 9-1-1 Subtitle L: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Wireless Connectivity Subtitle M: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Distance Learning Subtitle N: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Manufacturing Supply Chain Subtitle O: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to FTC Privacy Enforcement Subtitle P: Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to Department of Commerce Inspector General The Committee’s Memorandum includes a section-by-section for each of the Committee Prints and a fact sheet on key provisions is available here. This will be a hybrid markup that includes both in person and remote member attendance via Cisco Webex video conferencing. Members of the public may view the hearing via live webcast accessible on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website. Please note the webcast will not be available until the markup begins. The Committee strongly recommends that members of the media view the proceedings remotely. The Capitol and House Office Buildings currently have restricted access. Seating in the Committee room for credentialed media is very limited. Media must RSVP to their respective press gallery no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 12. House Radio/TV Gallery: radiotv@mail.house.gov 202-225-5214 House Periodical Gallery: periodical.press@mail.house.gov 202-225-2941 House Daily Press Gallery: dailypressgallery@mail.house.gov 202-225-3945 Photographer Gallery: press_photo@saa.senate.gov 202-224-6548 Additional information for this markup and a link to the live webcast will be posted HERE as it becomes available. ### Issues: Commerce and Trade, Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection, Environment and Energy, Health, National Security Subcommittees: Energy (117th Congress) Communications and Technology (117th Congress) Consumer Protection and Commerce (117th Congress) Environment and Climate Change (117th Congress) Health (117th Congress) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: National Association of State 911 Administrators Harriet Rennie-Brown, Executive Director (517) 243-2075 Harriet.Rennie-Brown@nasna911.org NASNA Hails $10 Billion in NG911 funding in reconciliation bill TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN – September 10, 2021 The National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) welcomes the $10 billion much-needed NG911 Federal funding for Next Generation 911. NASNA President Kelli Merriweather lauded Congress’s support of moving 911 into the future, stating: $10 billion dollars will go a long way in assisting the states with upgrading and modernizing states’ 911 systems nationwide. We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for including Next Generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act. By including critical NG911 funding, Congress has committed to support the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities. The hard work of Chairman Pallone and Committee staff is appreciated by all of us in the 911 community. NASNA and the public safety community are excited and grateful for this commitment to NG911. It is fitting that the announcement of this funding opportunity comes on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Public safety is truly a bipartisan issue and this action by Congress would create a framework that everyone can support. We sincerely hope that Congress will fully support the Committee’s recommendations. --------------------------------------------------------- TR Daily September 10, 2021 House Commerce Committee to Consider NG-911, Spectrum, ECF, FTC Recommendations The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to hold a full committee markup on Monday to consider legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation instructions, including the passage of next-generation 911 (NG-911) legislation, a measure to free up spectrum in the 3.1-3.45 gigahertz band for sharing and exclusive use, a measure to appropriate an additional $40 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, and legislation to create a Federal Trade Commission privacy bureau. The markup is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. "The American people are facing a public health crisis, a rapidly escalating climate crisis, and long-term economic challenges that demand decisive action by Congress," said committee chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D., N.J.). "Next week, the Energy and Commerce Committee will take up transformational legislation that invests in the American people, responds to the challenges of our time, and builds back a better future for generations to come. We have a historic opportunity to take bold action that delivers meaningful change for the American people, and I look forward to coming together to take up this urgently needed legislation." Under the NG-911 measure, $10 billion would be allocated for grants to entities that do not divert funds for other purposes. The measure would reserve $80 million to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center and $20 million for a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1- Advisory Board to make recommendations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to administer the grant program. NENA and the National Association of State 911 Administrators, which had complaints with an earlier $15 billion version of NG-911 legislation, welcomed the measure to be considered by the House Commerce Committee next week. The groups had complained about NG-911 legislation included in the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America (LIFT America) Act, including the treatment of NENA’s i3 standard, shortcomings concerning interoperability and reliability language, and the need for explicit authorization to use grant funds for cybersecurity (TR Daily, March 24). "America’s 9-1-1 system is long overdue for an upgrade," NENA President Jennifer White said in a statement today. "This legislation would accelerate progress toward providing every American family and community with the best possible 9-1-1 service. We thank the congressional leaders who have worked with us to make improvements in the NG9-1-1 legislation that was introduced last spring. On behalf of our more than 17,000 members who answer more than 650,000 calls for emergency assistance every day, we are happy to support this language." "NASNA is excited to see that we may be one step closer to realizing NG911 for the entire nation," said NASNA President Kelli Merriweather. "We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for including Next Generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act as our nation prepares to remember and recognize the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. By including this funding, the Committee has demonstrated its support for the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities. NASNA, along with the entire public safety [community], sincerely hopes that the full Congress will join suit and pass this measure." Capt. Mel Maier of the Oakland County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Office and a spokesman for the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, which had supported the earlier NG-911 legislation, said today that the coalition, which is backed by a number of major public safety groups, "is grateful for the tireless work which has been done on this legislation which will invest in emergency communications across the country. The Coalition will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure this key advancement in critical infrastructure makes it to the finish line to improve emergency response for all Americans." The House Commerce Committee also will consider a recommendation for a measure that would reserve $50 million to study freeing up 200 megahertz each of federal-non federal shared and auctioned spectrum in the 3100-3450 MHz band. NTIA would be required to develop "a common platform" for spectrum sharing. The measure also would establish a Future of Telecommunications Council to advise Congress on 6G development and adoption. The FTC measure would appropriate $1 billion "to create and operate a bureau to accomplish the work of the Commission related to unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to privacy, data security, identity theft, data abuses, and related matters." Another measure would appropriate $10 billion "to support the resilience, diversity, security and strength of critical manufacturing supply chains affecting interstate commerce and related administrative costs." —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com ------------------------------------ August 13, 2021 Legislation Would Create 911 Cybersecurity Center TR Daily - By Paul Kirby Legislation being considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today would provide $80 million to establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 Cybersecurity Center. The committee today began marking up legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation instructions that included the next-generation 911 (NG-911) proposal. As previously reported, the legislative package also would establish a Federal Trade Commission privacy bureau (CPR, Sept. 10). The legislation is part of House Democrats’ proposed $3.5 trillion spending package, known as the "Build Back Better" plan. Under the NG-911 measure, $10 billion would be allocated for grants to entities that do not divert funds for other purposes. The measure would reserve $80 million for the NG-911 cybersecurity center and $20 million for a 16-member Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Advisory Board to make recommendations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to administer the grant program. NENA and the National Association of State 911 Administrators, which had complaints about an earlier $15 billion version of NG-911 legislation, welcomed the measure. The groups had complained about NG-911 legislation included in the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America (LIFT America) Act, including the treatment of NENA’s i3 standard, shortcomings concerning interoperability and reliability language, and the need for explicit authorization to use grant funds for cybersecurity (CPR, March 25). "America’s 911 system is long overdue for an upgrade," NENA President Jennifer White said in a statement. "This legislation would accelerate progress toward providing every American family and community with the best possible 911 service. We thank the congressional leaders who have worked with us to make improvements in the NG911 legislation that was introduced last spring. On behalf of our more than 17,000 members who answer more than 650,000 calls for emergency assistance every day, we are happy to support this language." "NASNA is excited to see that we may be one step closer to realizing NG911 for the entire nation," said NASNA President Kelli Merriweather. "We commend Chairman Pallone and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including next-generation 911 (NG911) funding in the Build Back Better Act." "By including this funding, the committee has demonstrated its support for the nationwide deployment of advanced 911 emergency response systems that will protect the public and secure our communities," Ms. Merriweather said. Capt. Mel Maier of the Oakland County (Mich.) Sheriff’s Office and a spokesman for the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, which had supported the earlier NG-911 legislation, said the coalition, which is backed by major public safety groups, was "grateful for the tireless work which has been done on this legislation which will invest in emergency communications across the country. The coalition will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure this key advancement in critical infrastructure makes it to the finish line to improve emergency response for all Americans." Back to Top ^ ON