TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending November 26, 2004

HR 5419 Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 Act of 2004 (ENHANCE 911)

BRIEF

   The bill would attempt to support Congress’ findings that an enhanced, national emergency number (911) should be available to all citizens and any funds collected from fees consumers pay for 911 access go only to the purpose for which the funds are collected.

   The bill would aim to coordinate 911 and E-911 services between Federal, State and local levels

   Grants are authorized with a 50 / 50 match required   

   The bill would also provide for Federal entities assigned band frequencies the possibility of reallocating those frequencies to non-federal entities. Those available frequencies are the 216-220 megahertz band, the 1432-1435 megahertz band, the 1710-1755 megahertz band and the 2385-2390 megahertz band.

   The cost to federal agencies that must relocate their frequencies is covered under the bill. There is no provision requiring the recipient of the frequencies to pay for relocation although those private entities must bid on the frequency. The government would reject any bid that is less than 110 percent of the cost the government will spend on the relocation.

Sponsor: Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI-6^th)

Vote: Passed House without objection (Nov. 20, 2004), Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (Dec. 8, 2004); Signed by President Bush as Public law 108-494 (Dec. 23, 2004)

Cost to the taxpayers:  For grants is authorized $250 million yearly through 2009. ## All Rights Reserved. No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.