A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Mystic Alerts Act allows commercial mobile service providers to transmit emergency alerts via satellite to subscribers with compatible devices. Providers must decide if they want to offer this service and notify the Federal Communications Commission of their choice. If they choose to provide these alerts, they cannot charge subscribers an extra fee for the capability. The FCC is tasked with creating the necessary regulations and technical requirements for this system. Additionally, the bill provides liability protections for service providers who implement these satellite alerts.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly benefits those in areas with poor terrestrial coverage via satellite alerts.
- Scored +7
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
Enhances the ability to transmit emergency alerts via satellite for better disaster warnings.
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
Provides critical emergency alerts to rural areas where cell service may be lacking.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
Provides liability protection for providers releasing subscriber data to government agencies for alerts.
- Scored -4
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
Protects providers from liability when sharing user data with law enforcement during alerts.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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No Extra Costs: Service providers cannot charge a separate or additional fee for the satellite transmission of emergency alerts, ensuring users don't pay more for this safety feature. (Section 2(a)(5))
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Expanded Alert Reach: The bill allows emergency alerts to be sent via satellite to subscribers with capable devices, providing another way to receive critical warnings. (Section 2(a)(1))
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Consumer Control: Subscribers who have opted out of receiving emergency alerts can still prevent their devices from receiving these alerts via satellite. (Section 2(a)(4))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Liability for Providers: Service providers, and their employees or agents, cannot be held liable for harm resulting from the transmission or failure to transmit a satellite emergency alert. (Section 2(c)(1)(A))
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Data Privacy: Service providers are protected from liability when they release subscriber information to government agencies, law enforcement, or emergency facilities in connection with delivering a satellite alert. (Section 2(c)(1)(B))
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Provider Choice: Because the bill allows providers to elect not to transmit emergency alerts by satellite, some users may not have access to this feature depending on their service provider. (Section 2(a)(3))
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly benefits those in areas with poor terrestrial coverage via satellite alerts. Would farmers be better off under this? — Provides critical emergency alerts to rural areas where cell service may be lacking. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides significant liability protections for service providers. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Ensures satellite emergency alerts cannot be charged as an additional fee. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Ensures satellite emergency alerts cannot be charged as an additional fee. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Ensures satellite emergency alerts cannot be charged as an additional fee. Would children be better off under this? — Increases safety through better emergency alert reach. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Increases safety through better emergency alert reach. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Increases safety through better emergency alert reach. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increases safety through an additional alert mechanism. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases safety through better emergency alert reach.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Enhances the ability to transmit emergency alerts via satellite for better disaster warnings. Does this invest in rural communities? — Increases emergency alert reach in remote areas via satellite.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Provides liability protection for providers releasing subscriber data to government agencies for alerts.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Prevents providers from charging extra fees for satellite emergency alerts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Tasks the FCC with creating new regulations and technical requirements for satellite alerts. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Protects providers from liability when sharing user data with law enforcement during alerts.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia