Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 692.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act. It directs the Federal Communications Commission to review and update its procedures for sending notices about the activation and deactivation of the Disaster Information Reporting System. The bill also requires the Commission to evaluate the feasibility of improving its public safety liaison functions to better assist State, local, Tribal, and territorial officials during emergencies. Additionally, the Commission must develop and make publicly available plain-language awareness materials regarding Federal communications and emergency coordination mechanisms. The legislation involves consulting with communications providers and emergency management authorities during these reviews and evaluations. Finally, the bill clarifies that it does not require the Commission to adopt new regulations or modify existing ones.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances disaster communication coordination, improves emergency alert notices, and supports emergency managers during crises.
- Scored +3
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill improves disaster communication coordination and plain-language materials which benefits rural and tribal emergency management and public safety.
- Scored +3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly includes Tribal authorities in its consultation and coordination improvement measures.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3 could improve usability for recipients of disaster notices because it requires the Commission to review and update procedures and practices for providing notices regarding the activation and deactivation of DIRS, while consulting with service providers and public safety authorities.
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Section 4 may benefit State, local, Tribal, and territorial officials by evaluating the feasibility of enhancing public safety liaison functions to serve as a clear point of entry for information on communications status and to facilitate coordination with service providers before, during, and after emergencies.
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Section 5 could help emergency management and public safety authorities understand Federal communications and emergency coordination mechanisms because it requires the Commission to develop and publicly release plain-language materials explaining the purpose and operation of DIRS, how to access status reports, and available Commission resources.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances disaster communication coordination, improves emergency alert notices, and supports emergency managers during crises. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill improves disaster communication coordination and plain-language materials which benefits rural and tribal emergency management and public safety.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Tribal authorities in its consultation and coordination improvement measures. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents benefit from improved emergency communications coordination and robust disaster preparedness reporting.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the creation of plain-language educational materials regarding federal communications and emergency tools. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill aids state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials by facilitating better emergency communication and coordination.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill focuses on communications resilience and emergency reporting systems to support telecommunications during disasters.
A committee approved it and sent it to the floor
What changed from Introduced in Senate: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- 11/9/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-159.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 692.
- 7/22/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 6/4/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota