,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eibf ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #ah1 #bjbj,mr4 ,pallone 7for himself and ,mr4 ,mc,nerney7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,communications ,act of #aicd to provide for expedient restoration of advanced communications service networks during times of emergency1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,reinforcing and ,evaluating ,service ,integrity1 ,local ,infrastructure1 and ,emergency ,notification for ,today's ,networks ,act or the ,,resilient ,networks ,act4 #b4 ,network resiliency cooperative requirements ,title ,,vii of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #gbc4 ,network resiliency cooperative requirements 7a7 ,required coordinated response in times of emergency 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 shall conduct a proceeding and1 after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 adopt rules to provide for coordination among providers of advanced communications service during times of emergency4 7#b7 ,required aspects of coordination ,in issuing the rules required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall require that1 where technically feasible-- 7,a7 providers of wireless advanced communications service have in place reasonable roaming and peering agreements for times of emergency1 which can be employed without additional negotiation1 as necessary2 and 7,b7 providers of advanced communications service have in place reasonable arrangements for the provision of mutual aid for times of emergency1 as necessary4 7b7 ,required assistance for first responders 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,commission shall1 after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 adopt rules designed to improve coordination for times of emergency between providers of advanced communications service and public safety answering points and covered public safety entities4 7#b7 ,providing detailed timely network outage data to first responders ,in issuing the rules required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall-- 7,a7 make changes to the ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system to facilitate the participation in such ,system by all providers of advanced communications service2 7,b7 require providers of advanced communications service to participate in the ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system during times of emergency2 7,c7 ensure information collected through the ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system is made available to public safety answering points and covered public safety entities in those areas where the ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system is activated in an easily accessible format that-- 7i7 facilitates the provision of such information as soon as possible1 in light of efforts to remedy network disruption and restore services1 with reasonably sufficient granularity and speed to help such public safety answering points and covered public safety entities understand the timing1 nature1 and scope of reported disruptions to the provision of advanced communications service during times of emergency1 including disruptions to the provision of such service to public safety answering points or covered public safety entities2 7ii7 reflects the status of operations of and disruptions affecting the individual reporting provider's network during times of emergency and does not reflect the continued provision of advanced communications service using roaming and peering arrangements2 and 7iii7 allows such information to be accessed through a secure internet website2 and 7,d7 ensure that providers of advanced communications service are not held liable for outage reports based upon reasonable efforts to identify accurately any such outages as soon as reasonably practicable during times of emergency that may later be determined to have contained inaccurate information4 7#c7 ,access and security ,in issuing the rules required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall ensure that-- 7,a7 the information described in paragraph 7#b77;,c7 is secured against access by any person not authorized to access such information and that persons authorized to access such information are trained in reasonable security measures to protect such information2 7,b7 such information will be used by public safety answering points and covered public safety entities exclusively for the purpose of responding to public safety concerns during times of emergency1 and that public safety answering points and covered public safety entities will be required to notify the ,commission and affected providers of advanced communications service as soon as reasonably practicable in the event of any breach or other unauthorized use2 and 7,c7 the public continues to have access to the information published by the ,commission on its websites in times of emergency in a manner that is at least as accessible to the public as before the date of the enactment of this section4 7c7 ,coordinated response master directory 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 shall1 after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 establish a master point-of-contact directory to provide for effective communication between providers of advanced communications service1 tower owner or operators1 and public safety answering points1 covered public safety entities1 and utilities4 7#b7 ,access and security ,in establishing the directory under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall ensure that-- 7,a7 the directory established under paragraph 7#a7 is secured against access by any person not authorized to access such directory information and that persons authorized to access such information are trained in reasonable security measures to protect such information2 7,b7 such information is updated by the ,commission no less frequently than quarterly2 and 7,c7 such information will be used by public safety answering points and covered public safety entities exclusively for the purpose of responding to public safety concerns1 and that public safety answering points and covered public safety entities will be required to notify the ,commission and affected providers of advanced communications service1 tower owner or operators1 and utilities as soon as reasonably practicable in the event of any breach or other unauthorized use4 7d7 ,triennial review of coordinated response policies 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than the date that is #d years after the date of the enactment of this section1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,commission shall1 after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 evaluate whether the rules adopted and directory established under this section1 coupled with any other actions that the ,commission has taken regarding network resiliency1 are substantially improving the resiliency of advanced communications services in times of emergency4 7#b7 ,additional action ,if the ,commission finds in an evaluation under paragraph 7#a7 that the rules issued pursuant to this section and the directory established under this section1 coupled with any other actions that the ,commission has taken regarding network resiliency1 are not substantially improving the resiliency of advanced communications services1 the ,commission shall seek comment and consider amending such rules and directory to take additional action that may be necessary and within its jurisdiction to help ensure those rules more efficiently promote the resiliency of advanced communications services in times of emergency4 7e7 ,exemption from ,paperwork ,reduction ,act ,information collected under this section shall not constitute a collection of information for the purposes of subchapter ,i of chapter #ce of title #dd1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,paperwork ,reduction ,act74 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,advanced communications service ,the term advanced communications service has the meaning given such term in section #c and has the meaning given to the term advanced telecommunications capability in section #gjf of the ,telecommunications ,act of #aiif 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #acjb71 but such term shall not include the network of the ,first ,responder ,network ,authority established by section #fbjd of the ,middle ,class ,tax ,relief and ,job ,creation ,act of #bjab 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #adbd74 7#b7 ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system ,the term ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system means the system described in the public notice released by the ,commission on ,september #aa1 #bjjg 7,,da #jg-chga74 7#c7 ,utility ,the term utility has the meaning given to the term distribution utility in section #bag of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdq74 7#d7 ,public safety answering point ,the term public safety answering point has the meaning given such term in section #bbb4 7#e7 ,covered public safety entity ,the term covered public safety entity is an entity responsible for emergency management functions during times of emergency that is expressly authorized by the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency or ,governor of a ,state as eligible to access outage information pursuant to subsections 7b7 and 7c74 7#f7 ,roaming ,the term roaming means the ability of a subscriber of wireless advanced communications service to originate or terminate a call1 to continue an in-progress call1 or to transmit or receive data1 using the facilities of a provider of wireless advanced communications service different than the one with whom the subscriber has a direct preexisting service or financial relationship4 7#g7 ,time of emergency ,the term time of emergency means-- 7,a7 the time period of an emergency 7as defined in section #ajb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb772 7,b7 the time period that the ,federal ,communications ,commission activates the ,disaster ,information ,reporting ,system2 or 7,c7 the time period of an emergency as declared by the ,governor of a ,state4 7#h7 ,tower owner or operator ,the term tower owner or operator has the meaning given to such term in section #dbg of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahi;e74 7#i7 ,resiliency ,the term resiliency means the ability to withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions4 ,resiliency includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks1 accidents1 or naturally occurring threats or incidents4 4 #c4 ,stopping accidental cuts to communications networks 7a7 ,study ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,transportation1 and after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 complete a study on the feasibility of expanding the one-call notification system programs under chapter #fa and section #fjaad of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 to cover advanced communications service4 7b7 ,considerations ,in conducting the study under subsection 7a71 the ,commission shall consider additional solutions to prevent third-party damage to infrastructure used in the provision of advanced communications service1 including dig-once policies1 and the use of wireless backhaul4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall publish on the website of the ,commission and submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report detailing the findings and recommendations of the study conducted under subsection 7a74 #d4 ,keeping advanced communications service operational 7a7 ,coordination best practices ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 shall adopt1 after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 a set of recommended best practices on how providers of advanced communications service and utilities should coordinate in order to ensure that advanced communications service remains operational during times of emergency and pre-planned power downs4 7b7 ,measures ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy and ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 shall-- 7#a7 establish a process by which providers of advanced communications service and utilities share information regarding what infrastructure1 used in the provision of advanced communications service1 should be prioritized for reenergization to best restore critical parts of such providers' networks necessary for emergency response and restoration efforts1 in a manner that promotes the most efficient and effective use of resources during times of emergency and pre-planned power downs2 7#b7 ensure that providers of advanced communications service take reasonable and technically feasible measures to integrate backup power1 including generators and batteries1 into such providers' networks to continue the provision of advanced communications service during and following times of emergency and during pre-planned power downs with particular focus on consumers' ability to send and receive emergency communications2 7#c7 take all necessary1 reasonable measures to ensure appropriate coordination including at incident command centers established during times of emergency between utilities1 covered public safety entities1 providers of advanced communications service1 and1 where appropriate1 ,federal1 ,state1 and local representatives1 to ensure such utilities1 entities1 and providers-- 7,a7 are aware of where infrastructure used in the provision of advanced communications service is located to avoid inadvertently damaging such infrastructure and thereby delaying restoration of advanced communications service during and following times of emergency and pre-planned power downs2 7,b7 communicate with each other on a regular and ongoing basis regarding the progress of network restoration during and following times of emergency and pre-planned power downs2 and 7,c7 are aware of their respective restoration plans1 priorities1 and critical sites in advance of any emergency1 as well as during and following times of emergency and pre-planned power downs2 and 7#d7 ensure any and all information exchanged pursuant to this section will be subject to reasonable confidentiality protections1 accessed only by authorized users responsible for coordination required by this section1 and used exclusively for the purpose of ensuring advanced communications service remains operational during and following times of emergency and pre-planned power downs4 #e4 ,promoting #e;,g resiliency 7a7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act and after public notice and an opportunity for comment1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 shall publish on the website of the ,commission and submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate1 a report that includes the following3 7#a7 ,an evaluation of any unique 7with respect to other forms of advanced communications service7 challenges or advantages of #e;,g wireless networks with regard to the resiliency of such networks to withstand disruptions during times of emergency4 7#b7 ,an analysis of the following3 7,a7 #e;,g wireless networks using high-band frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum4 7,b7 #e;,g wireless networks using low-band frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum4 7,c7 ,the backhaul requirements of #e;,g wireless networks4 7,d7 ,the power requirements of #e;,g wireless networks4 7,e7 ,the potential uses of #e;,g wireless networks in responding to natural and manmade disasters for public safety officials and the public that are specific to #e;,g wireless networks4 7,f7 ,the uses of #e;,g wireless networks to provide wireless emergency alerts and dispatchable location to public safety answering points4 7,g7 ,the uses of #e;,g wireless networks in responding to natural and manmade disasters in rural areas4 7#c7 ,recommendations regarding regulatory or statutory changes that could address any challenges to1 or better use any advantages of1 #e;,g wireless networks with regard to the deployment and resiliency of such networks4 7b7 ,rules may be required ,not later than #b years after the date the ,commission submits its report1 the ,commission shall consider whether to adopt rules or issue best practices to address any challenges or better use any advantages of #e;,g wireless networks with regard to the resiliency of such networks are needed4 #f4 ,audit of ,,fcc's response to #bjag hurricane season in ,puerto ,rico 7a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a performance audit of the ,commission's efforts to restore advanced communications service1 and other communications services1 in ,puerto ,rico during1 and following1 the #bjag hurricane season4 7b7 ,required considerations ,in conducting the study under subsection 7a71 the ,comptroller ,general shall examine-- 7#a7 the timeliness of the ,commission's actions to restore advanced communications service1 and other communications services1 in ,puerto ,rico during1 and following1 the #bjag hurricane season2 and 7#b7 how the ,commission responded following the #bjag hurricane season in ,puerto ,rico as compared to how the ,commission responded to other natural disasters1 including hurricanes1 previously or subsequently4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report on the findings of the study under subsection 7a71 including any recommendations4 7d7 ,no combination ,such study and report required by subsection 7a71 7b71 or 7c7 may not be combined or associated with any other ongoing1 or subsequently requested1 study by the ,comptroller ,general4 7e7 ,proceeding ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall commence a proceeding regarding what actions are appropriate for the ,commission to take in addressing the findings and recommendations outlined in the report issued under subsection 7c74 #g4 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act or the amendments made by this ,act shall affect the operation or authority of the ,first ,responder ,network ,authority established by section #fbjd of the ,middle ,class ,tax ,relief and ,job ,creation ,act of #bjab 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #adbd74 #h4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,terms defined in section #gbc of ,communications ,act of #aicd1 as amended ,the terms defined in section #gbc of the ,communications ,act of #aicd1 as added by section #b1 have the meanings given such terms in section #gbc4 7#b7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,federal ,communications ,commission4