Bill would force FCC to report publicly on disaster-related outages
Passed one chamberH.R. 5200Latest action
Sponsor: Doris O. Matsui · Representative · CA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Emergency Reporting Act
119th Congress
Topics: AI & technology
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Emergency Reporting Act requires FCC hearings and reports on phone, internet, and 911 outages after major disasters.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill requires the FCC to hold at least one public hearing each year and issue a report within 120 days whenever its Disaster Information Reporting System is activated for a week or more due to a disaster. These reports must detail how many people lost service, how long outages lasted, and whether 911 centers were affected. The FCC must also study ways to improve outage reporting to 911 centers, including using visual information and addressing possible reporting gaps.
Who does it affect?
The bill mainly affects the FCC, telecommunications and internet providers, and state, local, and tribal emergency response agencies. Residents would be indirectly affected through improved public information and potentially more reliable 911 systems.
Why does it matter?
The bill increases reporting and coordination requirements on the FCC and telecom providers after disasters, without creating new regulations on internet providers beyond these reporting and study requirements.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 8, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Apr 21, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 126
As recorded
- Question
- On Motion to and Pass
- Result:
- Passed
- 386
- Nay
- 7
- 0
- 38
Republicans 187 yes, 7 no, 22 not voting · Democrats 198 yes, 16 not voting · Independent 1 yes
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record