Bill · S. 3858· Senate(119-S-3858)
SIREN Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SIREN Act of 2026 allows States to use leftover funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. These funds can be used for projects involving emergency warning infrastructure, connectivity, and related systems. Eligible projects include audible warning sirens, disaster detection sensors for wind, flood, fire, or earthquakes, and necessary IT equipment. To use these funds, an entity must submit a proposal for approval by the Assistant Secretary. Once approved, the entity can establish a competitive subgrant program to support these projects.
Yes
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill funds infrastructure for disaster detection and rapid notification systems.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+3
The bill repurposes broadband funds for emergency connectivity and warning systems.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Disaster Detection and Response: The bill allows for the procurement, installation, or modernization of sensors for detecting and responding to major disasters such as wind, flood, fire, or earthquakes (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)(i)).
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Enhanced Rapid Notification: Funds can be used for audible warning sirens or similar rapid notification technologies and infrastructure, which could help warn people of imminent danger (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)(i)).
-
Support for Infrastructure Functionality: The bill allows for the use of funds for information technology equipment, software, and related items necessary for the function of emergency warning and sensor projects (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)(iii)).
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Facilitation of Regional Safety Projects: Multiple entities can work together through a memorandum of agreement to facilitate subgrants for projects that span across multiple jurisdictions (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Long-term Upkeep: Subgrants awarded under this provision may not be used to pay for the operating or maintenance costs of an eligible project (Section 2(a)(2)(A)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+3
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate