Klobuchar, Budd Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Deploy Next Generation 9-1-1 Systems

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ted Budd (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced bipartisan legislation to accelerate federal efforts to modernize the nation's 9-1-1 systems. This funding will help ensure that states and local governments can deploy next generation 9-1-1 systems across the country. In the House, this legislation is led by Representatives Hudson (R-NC) and Carter (D-LA).

The upgrades are urgently needed to help move the country's largely outdated 9-1-1 call centers and related technology into the digital age. The bill will help enable 9-1-1 call centers to handle text messages, pictures, videos, and other information sent by smartphones, tablets, and other devices when faced with an emergency.

"Infrastructure is more than just roads and bridges-it also includes critical technologies. We must bring our 9-1-1 systems into the 21st century by providing state and local governments with the resources they need to update our emergency response networks and keep our communities safe," said Klobuchar. "In a crisis, no one should be put in danger because of outdated 9-1-1 systems, and first responders, public safety officials, and law enforcement must be able to communicate seamlessly. This legislation will enable them to do just that."

"Our nation's 9-1-1 call centers are on the front lines of emergency response, but outdated technologies have limited the ability of operators to best assist callers in crisis and support first responders in the field. It's time to bring 9-1-1 systems into the digital age so emergency personnel can respond faster and more effectively to medical emergencies, crimes, and natural disasters in our communities. I am proud to join Senators Klobuchar and Cortez Masto in introducing practical legislation to modernize our 9-1-1 systems to meet the demands of the 21st Century and help save lives," said Budd.

"Recent communications technology advancements have helped us stay connected and support our first responders. Unfortunately, our 9-1-1 systems haven't kept up," said Cortez Masto. "This bipartisan legislation will support updated networks that improve safe and efficient responses to Nevadans facing emergencies."

The legislation is endorsed by the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (APCO) International; the National Emergency Number Association (NENA); the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA); the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition; and Intrado.

"Modernizing our nation's decades-old 9-1-1 systems to NG9-1-1 is a national security and public safety imperative. True, end-to-end, nationwide NG9-1-1 implementation will ensure that all communities have access to modern, reliable emergency communications services. The Coalition thanks Senators Klobuchar, Budd and Cortez Masto for their leadership in introducing this important legislation and advancing a framework to support nationwide NG9-1-1 deployment that aligns with the needs of the public safety community," said Mel Maier, Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition

"NG9-1-1 is more than an upgrade in technology; it is a commitment to saving lives and strengthening public safety. Senators Klobuchar, Budd and Cortez Masto's leadership in introducing the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act moves the country closer to a fully interoperable, reliable, innovative 9-1-1 environment, and we extend our sincere appreciation for their dedication to the advancement of public safety communications," said Jack Varnado, President, APCO International

"We thank Senators Klobuchar, Budd, and Cortez-Masto for their leadership on this legislation, which is essential and long overdue," said John Provenzano, CEO of NENA: The 9-1-1 Association. "Every delay in meaningful federal funding for 9-1-1 leaves local governments struggling to do two difficult things at once: maintain aging, legacy 9-1-1 systems and make progress toward 21st-century, lifesaving NG9-1-1. We call on Congressional leaders to act quickly on this legislation and to provide initial funding to ensure that every community has digital, interoperable 9-1-1 infrastructure-covering everyone from citizens in crisis, to the first first responders in 9-1-1 centers, to police, fire, and emergency medical responders in the field."

"Next Generation 9-1-1 is a national public safety priority. We are grateful to Senator Klobuchar, Senator Budd, and Senator Cortez Masto for their leadership and commitment to this critical issue. Next Generation 9-1-1 supports tools and technologies that will save lives and will protect our critical infrastructure from foreign threats and cyberattacks. Now more than ever, Americans need robust, reliable, secure, and resilient 9-1-1 and we are eager to see this legislation move forward," said Brian Davenport, Chief Strategy Officer, Intrado Life & Safety

"Where you are located in the U.S. should not determine what level of emergency response Americans receive when an emergency strikes. But today, too many localities and communities lack the resources necessary to transition fully to Next Generation 911. Ensuring that every state in our nation can implement this critical public safety technology is paramount to our national security and public safety. We are grateful to the bipartisan leaders in the Senate, including Senator Klobuchar, Senator Budd, and Senator Cortez Masto, for supporting this legislation. Thank you, Senators, for working to keep our nation safe," said L.V. Pokey Harris, President of the National Association of State 911 Administrators

As a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, Klobuchar has been a leader in pushing to expand and improve emergency communications infrastructure.

In 2025, the Enhancing First Response Act was introduced by Senators Klobuchar, Blackburn, Heinrich, and Luján. It was passed in the Senate with unanimous consent. This legislation would make important updates to the nation's 9-1-1 emergency reporting system to improve Americans' ability to reach help when they dial 9-1-1, including during natural disasters. It would also reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as protective service workers, ensuring their job classification appropriately recognizes the lifesaving nature of their work.

In 2018, Kari's Law, bipartisan legislation to make contacting emergency personnel simpler and easier, led by Klobuchar and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), was signed into law. This law was inspired by the story of Kari Rene Hunt of Marshall, Texas, who in 2013 was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room. When Kari's 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 9-1-1 for help, she could not reach emergency personnel because she did not dial "9" to reach an outside line. Kari's Law requires the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix. The law requires on-site notification to make it easier for first responders to locate 9-1-1 callers in large buildings.

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