Emergency Warning Systems: Use of Leftover Broadband Funds
Also known as: SIREN Act of 2026
Legislative Progress
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Key Points
This bill allows states to take leftover money from a major federal high-speed internet program and spend it on emergency safety tools. Instead of returning the extra cash, states could use it to build or upgrade warning systems for local communities.
The money could be used for things like loud outdoor sirens, sensors that detect floods or wildfires, and the computer software needed to run these systems. This helps towns get faster warnings when a natural disaster is about to happen.
States would have to create a competition to decide which local projects get the money. Projects where the local government pays for at least 25% of the cost would be moved to the front of the line for funding.
The funds can only be used to buy and install the equipment. They cannot be used for the daily costs of running the sirens or for regular repairs and maintenance once the systems are in place.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2026Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SIREN Act of 2026
Bill NumberS 3858
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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