Deadline looms for post-9/11 FirstNet reauthorization

WASHINGTON — Supporters of the FirstNet program that provides emergency communications for first-responders still see hope for reauthorization this year, despite continued disagreements over what changes, if any, should be made to how the program is governed. A House-passed reauthorization bill would shift authority toward the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and away from the FirstNet board, which is made up in part by first-responders. kAm%96 A@E6?E:2= 492?86 :D @AA@D65 3J E96 :?7=F6?E:2= uC2E6C?2= ~C56C @7 !@=:46[ 3FE 2?J ?6H 3:== @C 2>6?5>6?E H@F=5 C6BF:C6 7=@@C G@E6D :? 3@E9 E96 w@FD6 2?5 $6?2E6[ 2 A@E6?E:2==J E2== @C56C 2D E96 ``hE9 r@?8C6DD 5C2HD E@ 2 4=@D6]k^Am kAmpFE9@C:EJ 7@C u:CDE}6E[ 2 AC@8C2> 56G6=@A65 :? E96 H2<6 @7 h^``[ :D D6E E@ 6IA:C6 :? u63CF2CJ @7 a_af F?=6DD =2H>2<6CD A2DD 2? 6IE6?D:@?]k^Am kAm%96 AC@8C2>’D 8@G6C?:?8 6?E:EJ[ E96 u:CDE #6DA@?56C }6EH@C< pFE9@C:EJ[ H2D 4C62E65 :? a_`a :? 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