The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7386) passed the House of Representatives on April 20th by voice vote. CFSI and our partner organizations have worked diligently to ensure the FirstNet Authority is reauthorized during the 119th Congress so it can continue providing mission-critical communications for our nation’s first responders.
Beyond extending the FirstNet Authority through fiscal year 2037, the legislation changes how the Authority is governed by increasing the authority of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) over the FirstNet Authority, including creating an associate administrator role within NTIA to support oversight of its operations. H.R. 7386 also expands the presence of public safety professionals on the FirstNet Board. Additionally, the bill strengthens the Authority’s capacity to establish strategic priorities for the network and to efficiently oversee the devices and applications operating within the FirstNet ecosystem.
The next step for this legislation is for the bill to move through the Senate. CFSI continues to work with its partners and Congress to finish the task of securing FirstNet reauthorization in this Congress.