Congress·Reported·S. 290

Senate Committee Advances Making National Parks Safer Act to Upgrade 911 Systems Across Parks

Making National Parks Safer Act

about 2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Congress Moves to Modernize Emergency 911 Systems in National Parks

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Directs the Interior Department to review emergency call centers in national parks and see which ones have modern 911 capability.
Within 1 year of the law taking effect, Interior must estimate what it would cost to buy, run, and maintain upgraded 911 systems across parks.
Interior must publish a public report online explaining the findings and any problems that could slow upgrades, like tech or jurisdiction issues.
Within the next year after that report, Interior must make a plan to install upgraded 911 systems in parks that still need them.
The plan must be coordinated with state/local emergency officials and key federal agencies so calls, locations, and info can be shared across systems.

InfrastructureTelecommunicationsConsumer Protection

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Military Active

Neutral

Positive Impacts(1)

Federal Employee

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones4 actions

Feb 4, 2026Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Dec 9, 2025Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

Jan 29, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S481-482)

Jan 29, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year after the bill becomes law

Interior Department completes an assessment of park emergency communications centers

Creates an inventory of which park call centers already have modern 911 capability and what it would cost to upgrade the rest, including ongoing operating costs.

Shortly after the assessment is finished (within the same 1-year window after enactment)

Interior Department publishes a public report on the assessment

The public and Congress can see where gaps are (for example, technology limits or jurisdiction issues that slow down responses) and what upgrades may cost.

Within 1 year after the report is submitted (about 2 years after the bill becomes law)

Interior Department develops a plan to install Next Generation 9-1-1 in identified park call centers

Sets a practical roadmap for upgrades, including coordination so park 911 information can be shared with local EMS/fire/sheriff departments during real emergencies.

During plan development and before/while systems are installed

Consultation and agreement-building with state/local 911 and responder agencies

Could lead to new data-sharing and dispatch agreements that reduce delays when an incident crosses park and county lines, but may also take time to negotiate.

Related News

2 articles

National Parks Traveler·about 2 months ago

“Making National Parks Safer Act” Passes Committee Vote

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the act to update 911 capabilities in the National Park System. It directs the Interior Department to plan upgrades to Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology, enabling text, image, and video submissions to emergency dispatchers.

National Parks Traveler·about 1 year ago

Senators Barrasso and King Introduce 'Making National Parks Safer Act'

Senators introduced an act directing the Interior Department to modernize emergency communication systems in national parks with Next Generation 911 technology, allowing for photos, videos, and text messages to be sent to operators to improve response speed and accuracy.