Next-generation 911 funding omitted from House budget markup

On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held full committee markup on the budget reconciliation bill for fiscal year 2025, reviewing funding for energy, environment, communications and health. Missing from the markup, which aims at reducing the federal deficit by at least $880 billion over the next ten years, is funding for next-generation 911 system upgrades.

The omission is the latest setback in recent years for proponents of emergency services, following repeated attempts by lawmakers to secure funding to modernize the country’s aging emergency response system.

“Like any chain, the public safety system is only as strong as its weakest link, and today, the weakest link is 9-1-1,” Brian Fontes, chief executive of the National Emergency Number Association, said in an emailed statement. “NG9-1-1 is too important to our nation’s security and safety to be left unfunded.”

NENA sent a letter last week to members of the committee reminding them of a commitment to use a portion of Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction revenues to fund next-generation 911. The new system aims to improve communication between citizens and first responders by enhancing call routing, strengthening network resilience and enabling the flow of digital media, such as photos and videos.

“That commitment appears to be absent today, in a move that leaves Americans stuck with antiquated, last-century 9-1-1 technology in their times of greatest need. And the system itself is vulnerable to cyberattacks,” Fontes said.

In 2023, the Senate declined to vote on the House’s Spectrum Innovation Act, a bill that would have provided $10 billion for next-generation 911, a majority of the $12-15 billion estimated cost, according to one 2018 study.

Congress also in 2023 introduced the Next Generation Act, a bill that would have provided $15 billion.

“We call on congressional leaders, in the process of finalizing this bill, to revert to the bipartisan agreement that was approved by this committee unanimously in June 2023,” Fontes said. “If they do not, they must identify another source of revenue for this essential public-safety upgrade that will benefit all Americans.”

Even without federal funding, state and local governments are forging ahead with next-generation 911 adoption, often using revenue from telecommunications service fees.

According to 911.gov, 13 states have fully operational NG911 systems, including North Carolina, which completed its upgrade this year. Other states, such as Ohio, are in various stages of implementation, such as seeking proposals from vendors or adopting governance and funding plans.