Pfluger Unveils Mystic Alerts Act to Expand Emergency Alerts by Satellite

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) outlined his plan to modernize public safety communications and improve emergency preparedness for rural communities during a House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing focused on strengthening emergency alert systems.

Since the devastating floods in Texas on July 4th, Rep. Pfluger has emphasized the urgent need to ensure Americans across the nation, and especially those in rural areas, can receive life-saving emergency alerts when disaster strikes. The floods made it clear that gaps in emergency communications can cost lives, and Congress has a responsibility to close those gaps. 

During the hearing, Rep. Pfluger previewed his upcoming legislation, the Mystic Alerts Act, which would integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes. Expert witnesses testified that this legislation is a critical step toward closing the digital divide and strengthening public safety communications nationwide.

Witnesses included Captain Jack Varnado, President of APCO International and 9-1-1 Director of Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, Ms. Jennifer Manner, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and International Strategy, AST SpaceMobile, Mr. Matthew Gerst, Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, and Ms. Jeannette Sutton, PhD, Associate Professor of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany.

Read Rep. Pfluger's opening remarks previewing his legislation as delivered:

In the most recent hearing on Public Safety, we heard about the critical role that Wireless Emergency Alerts play in public safety, and how low Earth orbit and satellites with direct-to-device capabilities for mobile carriers can enhance that. 

During natural disasters, when communication infrastructure is damaged, or in rural areas where it doesn't exist at all, like in my district, mobile service can be inconsistent. Not having access to emergency alerts can also mean the difference between life and death, and every member of this committee has learned this all too well. Whether it was during wildfires that we've talked about today or the flooding in Central Texas at Camp Mystic, for which the bill I'm going to talk about is named after. 

On July 4, devastating floods swept through my hometown and throughout much of Central Texas, where two of my daughters were attending camp. Gosh, it's even hard to talk about it now. But these alerts can be life-saving, and you know, you see the damage that was done at that time there, and I think this is why it's really important - what y'all are talking about today. 

So we've decided to name my bill the Mystic Alert Act, which would incorporate satellite into the wireless emergency alert process to close the divide to deliver timely alerts via satellite. And I appreciate both sides of the aisle coming together to discuss this. And we know that low Earth orbit satellite partnering with commercial services to provide that direct-to-device capabilities will help not only close that digital divide, but also provide the emergency services when you're in a situation where it's needed. And it's neat to have a home district company, AST, that offers this, this exact service. 

Read Rep. Pfluger's exchanges with the witnesses, where they affirmed his legislation is necessary and will significantly help in achieving better public safety:

Rep. Pfluger: "Mr. Gerst, in your written testimony, you describe WEAs as 'among the most powerful alert and warning tools available to protect the public when emergencies unfold.' Can you discuss how incorporating the space-based mobile broadband into the WEA system would improve this, especially in areas where that infrastructure is damaged or in rural areas?"

Mr. Gerst: "Congressman, thank you so much for your question. I know this is a personal issue for you. It's personal for me too as the dad of kids who go to summer camp. WEAs work. When they're sent, they save lives, and so our goal is to get those messages out as quickly as possible with the capabilities that our networks, wireless networks can reach. We know that they don't reach all areas right now despite all of our efforts, investment, and deployment. So we're very excited about the opportunity to partner with satellite companies. We're in the very early stages of that right now, but there are some advancements we're seeing already. Your bill shows real leadership to help us move that forward, so thank you for that."

Rep. Pfluger: Ms. Manor, we're very proud of AST and have been following the progress for many years, since my very first visit in Midland, Texas, to watch what y'all are doing with satellites. But can you talk about the work that that you're doing, that AST is doing to support the emergency alerting system, and how incorporating space-based mobile broadband into the WEAs would help first responders in the preparedness?

Ms. Manner: "Thank you very much, Congressman, and we're very proud to be a Midland-based company. I think going back to basics is that our network ensures that we have emergency alert capability, that's part of our DNA, part of our recipe. So right now, we're working with our partners here in the U.S., AT&T, and Verizon, to make those services available. But I do want to say that it's going to take a little bit of time and a little bit of money, because we have to make sure we have sufficient satellites up and operational. And as you know, Congressman, we're on our way there, planning to launch 45 to 60 satellites this year, so we'll have full coverage of the US. And we must complete network integration with our partners. But when it's deployed, that's where we get exciting - is that US subscribers will be able to receive emergency alerts even on the most tragic days in the US when the terrestrial network is not available. And that's why we do support the purpose and intent of the Mystic Act."

Read Rep. Pfluger's closing remarks as delivered:

I just want to say that this event, you know, it was tragic. The loss of life along the Guadalupe River, where I've grown up as a kid, and now, you know, having kids that are attending that Camp was just so tragic. And this is something, technologically speaking, that y'all have a solution for that I am very hopeful our Congress can come together to utilize this and to prevent that from happening, not just there, but in any area or in any circumstance, that we can have that information at our fingertips. And Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing. I yield back.