H.R. 5154 — REACT Act

This section directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to carry out a program providing technical and financial assistance to State, local, and Tribal authorities for periodic field training, end-to-end testing, and community-based exercises of emergency alert and warning systems (i.e., systems used by such authorities to warn the public about emergencies or natural hazards, including through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)), in addition to existing programs. The assistance must include (1) funding and training for community-based exercises with live local testing; (2) help delineating roles, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures across jurisdictions; (3) evidence-based templates for alert messages; (4) training on best practices for crafting, disseminating, and assessing messages; (5) standardized effectiveness metrics; (6) technology and infrastructure testing; (7) public education campaigns; and (8) policy reviews with recommendations. Within one year of enactment, the Administrator must submit to Congress an operational plan, developed in consultation with State, local, and Tribal authorities, containing anticipated costs and effectiveness metrics. Beginning two years after enactment and annually thereafter, the Administrator must report to Congress on program activities, including per-authority data on training/exercises conducted, standard operating procedures, coverage percentages, public feedback, and opt-out rates; effectiveness assessments; and plan update recommendations. The program sunsets 10 years after enactment, with $30 million authorized annually for FY2025 through FY2035. Nothing requires authorities to use any particular system.