S290-119

What This Bill Does

Within one year, Interior must assess every emergency communications center in the National Park System for Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation status, purchase costs at centers that have not begun implementation, and systemwide operating and maintenance costs. Interior must report the results publicly and to the Senate and House natural-resources committees, identifying jurisdictional, technological, legal, and authority barriers. Within another year, the National Park Service must develop an installation plan in consultation with state and local emergency officials, local stakeholders, Commerce, Transportation, and the FCC. Parks already equipped or in the process of installing sufficient systems may be omitted. The bill requires assessment and planning, but not procurement, installation, or an appropriation.

Who Benefits and How

Park visitors, rangers, and rescue personnel may benefit from a coordinated path toward interoperable 9-1-1 voice, location, callback, and data handling. Congressional committees and park superintendents gain a systemwide cost and readiness picture. State and local dispatch centers gain a formal role in interoperability planning.

Who Bears the Burden and How

National Park Service communications staff must inventory centers, estimate costs, publish findings, identify barriers, consult multiple governments, and write the installation plan. State, local, and federal communications officials must contribute technical information. Federal taxpayers would bear costs only if later appropriations fund implementation.

Key Provisions

• Requires a one-year assessment of park emergency communications centers and Next Generation 9-1-1 costs.
• Requires a public and congressional report on readiness and implementation barriers.
• Requires a follow-on installation plan developed with state, local, and federal partners.
• Exempts parks where sufficient systems are installed or already being installed.