On April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7386) by voice vote. This legislation would prevent the termination of the federal First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority in February 2027.
The FirstNet network was created as a response to the 9/11 Commission report, which highlighted communications interoperability problems during the responses in New York City and at the Pentagon. The FirstNet network is the nation’s broadband network that is dedicated for use by fire, EMS, and law enforcement officers and telecommunicators. Created by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96), FirstNet provides priority and preemption to ensure that public safety officers from various agencies can communicate with each other during an incident.
The IAFC endorsed H.R. 7386, which would:
- Extend the life of the program to September 30, 2037.
- Increase the representation of active public safety officers on the FirstNet Board.
- Reinforce the FirstNet Authority’s ability to deploy emergency response capabilities and resources to emergencies and disasters; set strategic priorities for the network; develop an annual budget and outline reinvestment decisions; and manage the device and application ecosystem within the FirstNet network in a timely manner without bureaucratic interference.
The IAFC was pleased to see the House of Representatives swiftly approve H.R. 7386, the First Responder Reauthorization Act of 2026. The FirstNet Authority ensures that first responders stay connected during the most chaotic times. First responders need to be able to have confidence in their communications, because at the end of the day, lives are on the line. FirstNet provides a nationwide broadband network that allows fire, EMS, and law enforcement to stay connected within and across jurisdictions. The IAFC thanks the House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) -- along with Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Vice Chairman Rick Allen (R-GA), and Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA) -- for their bipartisan leadership on this legislation, along with Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) for introducing this bill.
The next step is for the U.S. Senate to consider and vote on H.R. 7386.