This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously (50-0) to advance H.R. 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026, clearing the way for a full House vote. The bill, led by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), would reauthorize the FirstNet Authority through September 2037, preventing it from sunsetting under current law in February 2027.
During the markup, Rep. Dunn stated, “FirstNet is not just a network. It is the backbone of public safety communications in this country.”
FirstNet was created following the September 11, 2001 attacks to address critical communications failures experienced by first responders during the tragedy.
The network provides dedicated broadband communications for police, fire, and emergency medical personnel across the country, with the goal of ensuring every community has access to reliable emergency communications. The program operates through a public-private partnership with AT&T, which has invested billions of dollars in network infrastructure since the partnership began.
Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) praised the bill's development and the work that was done with first responders to ensure the legislation reflects the real needs of public safety professionals. Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) also voiced strong support, citing the network's active use by emergency agencies across Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties in Central Florida.
“During hurricanes, flooding, fires, even freezes in Central Florida, reliable communication is critical for our brave first responders to be able to save lives. Congress stepped up after 9/11 to create the FirstNet system with spectrum sale proceeds, with an audacious goal that every community, no matter how rural or urban, has access to dependable communications… This is a key public-private partnership, and I'm proud to support this 10-year reauthorization,” Rep. Soto stated.
Rep. Soto also noted that Osceola County Emergency Manager Bill Litton had mentioned in a conversation that his county has had a positive experience with FirstNet and that the program recently added two additional towers to the area.
Overall sentiment from the hearing matched Rep. Dunn, Rep. Soto and Chairman Guthrie's tone, echoing proud support for the reauthorization and emphasizing just how important this key public-private partnership is.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
