[Senate Report 107-127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 297
107th Congress Report
SENATE
1st Session 107-127
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NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL
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December 17, 2001.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Jeffords, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[to accompany S. 1631]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred a bill (S. 1631), to amend the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct
a study to determine the resources that are needed for the
development of an effective nationwide communications system
for emergency response personnel, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that
the bill, as amended, do pass.
Background
Over the past several years the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has consistently provided testimony
about the importance of an effective nationwide communications
system to respond to disasters and other national emergencies.
Emergency responders have experienced difficulties in
coordinating their rescue and response efforts because of the
lack of a dedicated wireless communications system.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Study of Emergency Response Communications System
Summary
Section 1 directs FEMA to conduct a study to determine the
resources necessary to develop an effective nationwide
communications system for emergency response personnel.
Discussion
Section 1 amends title VII of the Stafford Act by adding a
new section 706. The new section directs the FEMA Director to
conduct a study to determine the resources needed to develop an
effective nationwide communications system for emergency
response personnel. The Director will conduct the study in
consultation with the Federal Communications Commission, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the
Secretary of Defense. The study will include a review of the
use of the digital and analog spectrum to create a effective
emergency communication system.
The Director will submit a report on the study to the
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Legislative History
Senator James M. Jeffords introduced S. 1631 on November 5,
2001. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
reported the bill, with an amendment, by voice vote on November
8, 2001.
Hearings
On November 1, 2001, the committee held a hearing to
consider several legislative proposals including a proposal to
conduct a study of the resources necessary to establish a
nationwide emergency communications system for emergency
response personnel. Testifying at the hearing were the
following individuals: Michael Brown, Deputy Director, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC; Joe Moravec,
Commissioner, Public Building Service, General Services
Administration, Washington, DC; Dr. David Sampson, Assistant
Secretary for Economic Development, Economic Development
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC;
Richard Meserve, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Rockville, MD; Herbert Mitchell, Associate Administrator for
Disaster Assistance, Small Business Administration, Washington,
DC; and Marianne L. Horinko, Assistant Administrator Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, DC.
Rollcall Votes
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider S. 1631 on November 8, 2001. The committee agreed to
an amendment in the nature of a substitute by Senator Jeffords
by voice vote. The committee then reported S. 1631, as amended,
by voice vote.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee makes evaluation of
the regulatory impact of the reported bill.
The bill does not create any additional regulatory burdens,
nor will it cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
Mandates Assessment
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the committee finds that S. 1631 would
impose no unfunded mandates on local, State, or tribal
governments.
Cost of Legislation
Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the
reported bill, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be
included in the report. That statement follows:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, December 13, 2001.
Hon. James Jeffords, Chairman,
Committee on Environment and Public Works,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared
the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1631, a bill to amend the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
to direct the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to conduct a study to determine the resources that are
needed for development of an effective nationwide
communications system for emergency response personnel.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Julie
Middleton, who can be reached at 226-2860.
Sincerely,
Dan L. Crippen
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S. 1631, a bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to conduct a study to determine the
resources that are needed for development of an effective
nationwide communications system for emergency response
personnel, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works on November 8, 2001
S. 1631 would authorize the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) to conduct a study in cooperation with the
Federal Communications Commission, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and the Department of Defense, to
determine a plan for developing a nationwide communications
system for emergency response. This plan would need to include
a review of the use of digital and analog spectrum. The bill
would require FEMA to submit a report no later than 90 days
after enactment to the appropriate congressional committees.
Based on information from the affected agencies and costs
of similar reports, CBO estimates that implementing this bill
would cost less than $500,000 in 2002, assuming the
availability of appropriated funds. S. 1631 would not affect
direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go
procedures would not apply. S. 1631 contains no
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on the
budgets of State, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Julie Middleton.
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill
as reported are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in [black brackets], new matter is printed
in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown
in roman:
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THE ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT
[As Amended Through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000]
AN ACT Entitled the ``Disaster Relief Act Amendments of 1974''.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act''.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 706. STUDY OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--In consultation with the Federal
Communications Commission, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, and the Secretary of Defense, the Director
shall conduct a study to determine the resources that are
needed for development of an effective nationwide
communications system for emergency response personnel.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Director shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
on the study.
(2) Review of use of spectrum.--The study and
report shall include a review of use of the digital
spectrum or the analog spectrum as a key component to
meeting the urgent communications needs of the
emergency response personnel of the United States.
* * * * * * *