Federal 9-1-1 Legislation

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Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999

An Act to promote and enhance public safety through use of 9-1-1 as the universal emergency assistance number, further deployment of wireless 9-1-1 service, support of States in upgrading 9-1-1 capabilities and related functions, encouragement of construction and operation of seamless, ubiquitous, and reliable networks for personal wireless services, and for other purposes.

Pub. Law 106-81 (PDF)

ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004

An Act establishing a National E9-1-1 Implementation and Coordication Office (ICO) charged with coordinating the implementation of 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 at the Federal, State, and local levels and administering a Federal PSAP grant program authorized to provide up to $250 million in grants per year; also includes language to ensure that funds collected on telecommunications bills for enhancing emergency 9-1-1 services are used only for the purposes for which the funds are being collected.

Pub. Law 108-494 (PDF)

New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act of 2008

An act to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E–911 services, encourage the Nation’s transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and E–911 access to those with disabilities.

Pub. Law 110-283 (PDF)

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (“Farm Bill”)

Section 6107 of the 2008 Farm Bill, contained in Public Law 110-246 enables the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to improve 9-1-1 access to entities eligible to borrow from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).  Such eligible entities include state or local governments or other public entities, Indian tribes and emergency communications equipment providers. The loans could be used for facilities and equipment to expand or improve 9-1-1 access and interoperable emergency communications. Government imposed fees, including state or local 9-1-1 fees, can be used as security for a loan.
 
Pub. Law 110-246 (PDF)

Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007

Makes $43.5 million available for PSAP grants authorized by the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 after 180 day rulemaking to determine criteria to receive grants (Title XXIII)

  • Authorizes $950 million per year for fiscal years 2008-2012 for a State Homeland Security Grant Program (Title I, Sec. 2004) and makes clear that such funds can be utilized for “supporting Public Safety Answering Points” (Title I, Sec. 2008)
  • Authorizes nearly $3.5 billion in Emergency Management Performance Grants which can be used for the construction of Emergency Operations Centers (Title II)
  • Establishes an Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program and authorizes $1.6 billion in grant funding for fiscal years 2009-2012 (Title III)

Pub. Law 110-53 (PDF)