S. 4691 — Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act

This section defines the Commission as the Federal Communications Commission, DIRS as the Disaster Information Reporting System under 47 CFR 4.18, and the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative as the requirements under 47 CFR 4.17.

This section requires the Federal Communications Commission to review and, as appropriate, update its procedures for issuing notices on the activation and deactivation of the Disaster Information Reporting System within 180 days of enactment. It directs the Commission to consult with service providers and State, local, Tribal, and territorial emergency authorities and to consider changes that would improve notice usability, while preserving the Commission's discretion over DIRS activation.

This section directs the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate, within 18 months of enactment, the feasibility of expanding its public safety liaison functions, including through its 24-hour operations center, to serve as a single point of entry for state, local, tribal, and territorial officials seeking communications status information during disasters or emergencies and to coordinate with providers before, during, and after such events. It prohibits any new reporting requirements or operational mandates for communications providers and does not require the Commission to implement any resulting recommendations.

This section directs the Federal Communications Commission to develop and make publicly available plain-language materials within one year of enactment explaining Federal disaster communications mechanisms to State, local, Tribal, and territorial emergency management and public safety authorities. The materials must describe the purpose and operation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), the types and limitations of information available during DIRS activations, access to reports, the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative, Commission points of contact and 24-hour operations, and available communications capabilities that may support public safety.