Earlier this week, the House Homeland Security committee passed a bill (HR 5351) aimed at improving public safety communications interoperability. The "National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006" would mandate the creation of a national strategy for emergency communications and require the development of statewide interoperability plans and standards.

HR 5351 also tasks the Department of Homeland Security with setting up a clearinghouse of information about first responders' efforts to achieve interoperability, the technology they use, training and best practices, and creates the new position of emergency communications chief to develop and implement the bill's provisions.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its own communications-related bill, HR 5316. The RESPOND Act of 2006 would establish a communications interoperability grant program, authorize $200 million per year for each fiscal year through 2008, and mandate that FEMA has interoperable equipment for its own use (assuming FEMA's still around, of course... see Slate blog for more info).

The introduction of emergency communications-related legislation is a promising development in the campaign to "fix the radios." While the fate of each of these bills remains to be determined, it's nonetheless encouraging to see that the communications crisis is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Stay tuned!