Mystic Alerts Act

Summary#

This bill lets commercial mobile service providers choose to send emergency alerts to their users by satellite. Providers who already send alerts under the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act must file with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) whether they will also send those alerts by satellite. If a provider chooses satellite alerting, it must tell the FCC and follow FCC technical standards, protocols, and procedures. If a provider chooses not to use satellite alerting, it must notify new and existing subscribers as required under the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act. Providers must prevent devices of users who have opted out from receiving satellite alerts. The FCC must publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking within 6 months of the law and issue a final rule within 12 months, working with the Secretary of Homeland Security and FEMA, to set technical and interoperability standards and training requirements.

What it means for you#

  • Some mobile providers may start sending emergency alerts by satellite if they choose to do so.
  • If your mobile provider opts out of satellite alerting, you will be notified as required now under existing alert rules.
  • If you previously opted out of receiving certain alerts, your device must also be prevented from getting those alerts by satellite.
  • The FCC will make technical rules within the timelines in the bill (NPRM in 6 months, final rule in 12 months).

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or federal budget effects is included in the bill text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.