The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7386 on April 20 2026 to extend the authority of the nationwide public safety broadband network through September 30 2037.
The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 amends the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to continue operations.
The legislation replaces the previous 15-year term with a fixed end date for the statutory sunset of the First Responder Network Authority.
The Act places the Authority under closer oversight by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Most actions taken by the Authority will require NTIA approval under the new legislation.
Defined operational activities – such as emergency deployment, planning and budgeting – may proceed without prior approval.
Board composition requirements must ensure that at least five members represent state, local or Tribal public safety professionals within three years.
These representatives must cover fire, emergency medical, emergency management, law enforcement or 9-1-1 services.
The Act establishes a new Associate Administrator role to manage day-to-day operations and act as a liaison with NTIA.
This position will be subject to an annual performance review by NTIA in consultation with the Board.
Expanded reporting requirements to Congress now include information on cyberattacks and cyber defense activity.
Annual reports will also include unscheduled service outages and adoption rates by profession and geographic area.
The legislation introduces new requirements for business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
The FirstNet contractor must submit a recovery plan within 180 days of enactment and every five years thereafter.
NTIA is responsible for approval or resubmission requests within a further 180 days of the plan submission.
New outage notification rules mandate the contractor inform the Authority of any confirmed service outage within 30 minutes.
Users must be provided with a network status tool delivering timely updates regarding service issues.
Additional provisions require an evaluation of contractor performance in building, operating and maintaining the network.
The bill establishes specific timelines for NTIA action on network reinvestment decisions following House consideration under suspension of the rules.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announced its endorsement of H.R. 7386 following the House vote.
The organization stated that the legislation would extend the life of the program and increase the representation of active public safety officers on the FirstNet Board.
According to the IAFC, the Act reinforces the ability of the FirstNet Authority to deploy emergency response capabilities and resources to disasters.
The association noted the bill allows the Authority to set strategic priorities and manage the device ecosystem without bureaucratic interference.
IAFC leadership expressed approval of the swift bipartisan action taken by the House of Representatives.
The organization explained that first responders require confidence in communications because lives are on the line during chaotic times.
The IAFC thanked House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for their leadership on the legislation.
It also recognized Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson, Vice Chairman Rick Allen, and Ranking Member Doris Matsui.
The association further acknowledged Representatives Neal Dunn and Jennifer McClellan for introducing the bill.
The U.S. Senate is expected to consider and vote on the legislation as the next step in the process.
