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H.R.3642 / 112th Congress

Public Safety Broadband Network Enabling Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 13, 2011

Public Safety Broadband Network Enabling Act - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) document operational requirements for a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network; (2) if necessary and practical, help accelerate the development of national voluntary consensus standards for such network; (3) conduct research and assist with the development of technologies and applications to advance wireless public safety communications; and (4) continue to develop and maintain a demonstration testbed for use by manufacturers, providers of commercial mobile services, and public safety agencies to evaluate advanced broadband communications equipment and software for use by the public safety community.

Directs the Director to: (1) coordinate with federal agencies, the private sector, and public safety organizations; and (2) convene any appropriate working groups of government and commercial stakeholders.

Requires that a specified amount be made available to the Director from any trust fund established in the Treasury after October 1, 2011, consisting of proceeds from the auction of electromagnetic spectrum.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] · D–TX

Committees

  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.3642 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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