Talks Ongoing on NG-911 in Lift America Act

Public safety communications leaders haven’t reached agreement with the House Commerce Committee on changes to next-generation 911 language in panel Democrats’ Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s (Lift) America Act infrastructure bill (HR-1848), the advocates said. Infrastructure discussions between President Joe Biden and Senate Republicans were to extend into Monday. Friday's conversation between Biden and Senate Public Works Committee ranking member Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia didn’t yield a deal.

National Emergency Number Association Government Affairs Director Dan Henry, APCO Government Relations Manager Mark Reddish and National Association of State 911 Administrators Executive Director Harriet Rennie-Brown told an FCBA event Friday that discussions were ongoing with House Commerce on HR-1848’s NG-911 language. The measure would allocate $15 billion for NG-911, along with $80 billion for broadband (see 2103110060).

“We’re making progress in these discussions,” Henry said. “I feel positive.” NASNA and NENA asked House Commerce to modify HR-1848’s definition of “commonly accepted standards,” clarify its interoperability requirement and limit the scope of a proposed NG-911 NTIA advisory board. The groups claim existing language could impinge NG-911 rollout; APCO backs the bill as is (see 2104080003). “We are working together as organizations to meet a common goal,” Rennie-Brown said.

APCO, NASNA and NENA share “a lot more in common than we could ever be separated on in terms of” HR-1848 and NG-911, Reddish said. “I'm feeling optimistic that Congress is ready to provide funding.” All three groups back the proposed $15 billion. “Systems supporting 911 communications across the country are based on decades-old technology,” Reddish said. “We need federal funding to change that.” Public safety answering points also need better location data from “the vast majority of calls” that come from cellphones, he said.

APCO emphasizes obtaining dispatchable location information for calls, Reddish said. The z-axis consent decrees released by the FCC Thursday allow dispatchable location (see 2106030086).

NENA’s top focus is the group’s i3 standard for NG-911 systems, Henry said. Work “has essentially been completed” and is “on track” for summer publication and certification. Work is starting on the next revision, he said.

“There’s runway left” for infrastructure talks to continue, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. “We’re going to keep a range of pathways open.” Biden touted his plan Friday as a means to extend the "momentum" of the economic recovery.

Senate Republicans rejected the latest version of Biden’s infrastructure plan, which seeks at least $1 trillion in new spending (see 2106030079), aides said. A Capito spokesperson said the phone conversation with Biden happened and more talks will happen Monday. The White House agrees with the GOP on $65 billion for broadband (see 2105270072).

Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.; David McKinley, R-W.Va.; and Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., refiled the Nationwide Dig Once Act Thursday. The measure would mandate construction of broadband conduit pipes during the construction of any road receiving federal funding in areas that lack broadband infrastructure.