S. 3858 — SIREN Act of 2026

This section amends the grants for broadband deployment program (47 U.S.C. 1702)—(1) to revise the reversion of unallocated suballocation amounts to the Assistant Secretary, delaying it until after an eligible entity is provided the opportunity to submit and receive approval for a proposal to use remaining amounts under new subsection (f)(2); and (2) to authorize eligible entities to use such remaining amounts (i.e., funds left after final broadband deployment proposal approval under subsection (e)(4)) to establish competitive subgrant programs for eligible projects, including the procurement, installation, or modernization of audible warning sirens or similar rapid notification technologies, wind/flood/fire/earthquake/other sensor technologies for major disaster detection and response, or related information technology equipment and software. Subgrants must prioritize projects with at least 25% cost contribution from the eligible entity or political subdivision, prohibit funding for operating or maintenance costs, and allow interstate projects via memoranda of agreement among eligible entities. This section also makes a technical amendment to conform subsection (e)(4)(A)(i). (Thus, states and territories may repurpose unspent program funds for disaster resilience infrastructure.)