Washington, D.C. Representative Jane Harman (CA-36), a Member of the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee, today introduced legislation to authorize a nationwide, public safety broadband licensee and to fund the administrative and management costs of establishing an interoperable, public safety broadband network using 700 MHz spectrum. The legislation provides critical funding and good government reforms essential to a successful second D block auction. Harman’s statement of introduction is below:
Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that takes a modest but essential step toward solving our nation’s emergency communications crisis.
For over six years, I have worked passionately to prevent a tragic repetition of the communications problems that led to the deaths of hundreds of first responders on 9/11 – namely, the lack of an interoperable network that would have allowed police and firefighters in the Twin Towers to communicate with each other. This issue has been one of my highest priorities as a policymaker.
In recent years, Congress has appropriated grant funds for first responder communications and freed 24 MHz of new spectrum for public safety use. But our efforts have fallen short. Police, fire, and emergency medical service agencies across the country still rely on a balkanized patchwork of aging radio systems that hampers interagency coordination and puts lives at risk.
This year is our best chance, and maybe our last chance for years, to change our emergency communications landscape with a single, interoperable network for all of our nation’s brave first responders.
Next February, the DTV transition will free valuable broadcast spectrum in the 700 MHz band. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission designed an innovative auction for a block of this spectrum. The winner of the so-called “D” block would be required to build a nationwide, wireless broadband network to serve both commercial and public safety users.
This sensible, market-based approach recognized that public safety agencies are cut off from the advances of the 21st century, plagued by the lack of a national communications platform and chronically short of funding. The FCC envisioned a public-private partnership to provide state-of-the-art technology to public safety users and fund a multi-billion dollar public safety network with private capital.
Unfortunately, the D block failed to attract a winning bid. In the aftermath of that failure, we have learned much about the flaws of the first auction and what we must do to get it right the second time. The FCC is now laying the groundwork for a new auction that I fervently hope will lead to a successful shared network.
Congress should be involved in this process and ensure that the Public Safety Broadband Licensee, the not-for-profit entity representing public safety in this partnership, is an independent and effective voice for first responders.
The legislation I introduce today will start a conversation about how to achieve that goal. It authorizes $4 million – a modest, interim funding stream – to help the FCC establish this new interoperable network and allows the FCC to grant part of these funds to the Public Safety Broadband Licensee to cover its administrative and operational costs.
My legislation includes requirements to ensure transparency and promote vigorous oversight by both Congress and the FCC. It prohibits the Public Safety Broadband Licensee from accepting third-party funds after receiving FCC grants and from using government funding to repay outstanding debts. The bill also mandates strict reporting requirements to the FCC and Congress.
On 9/11, hundreds of firefighters and police officers died at the World Trade Center, in part because of their hopelessly impaired communications systems. Sadly, nearly seven years later, public safety agencies still struggle with the exact same problem.
The D block auction is our best chance to solve the interoperability crisis that will plague our response to the next natural disaster or terrorist attack. Congress should act now to ensure its success.
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