HB267 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John Merrill

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Mike Ball

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Emergencies, broadcasters, radio, t.v., and cable, emergency response broadcasters, training and certification by Homeland Security Department, access to facilities to repair and restart broadcasting during emergencies

Summary

HB267 would let Alabama broadcasters plan for emergencies with Homeland Security, certify emergency response broadcasters, and grant access to disaster areas to restore broadcasting and share emergency information.

What This Bill Does

It lets radio stations, cable operators, and TV stations work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop coordinated emergency plans. It allows DHS to certify certain broadcasters as emergency response broadcasters. It authorizes these emergency response broadcasters to access disaster areas to repair and restart broadcasting and provide emergency information to the public. It creates training and certification programs for broadcast engineers and staff, with standards on legal compliance, facility restoration, and personal safety, and requires state and local agencies to support access to affected areas as practicable.

Who It Affects

• Broadcasters in Alabama (radio, cable, and television) who would develop emergency plans, may be certified as emergency response broadcasters, and could access disaster areas to restore service and share information.
• State and local government agencies in Alabama that would be expected to allow emergency response broadcasters access to affected areas to restore broadcasting and disseminate emergency information, to the extent practicable and safe.

Key Provisions

• Broadcasters may, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Alabama Broadcasters Association, develop comprehensive plans for preparing for and responding to emergencies or disasters.
• The Department of Homeland Security may certify broadcasters as emergency response broadcasters.
• Emergency response broadcasters may be granted access to areas affected by emergencies to restore broadcasting capability and provide emergency information to the public.
• Statewide organizations may establish training and certification programs for broadcast engineers and technical personnel as emergency response broadcasters, with criteria including consistency with federal law, training on restoring, repairing, and resupplying facilities and equipment, and personal safety training.
• State and local government agencies shall, to the extent practicable and not endangering public safety, allow emergency response broadcasters access to affected areas to repair or restore facilities/equipment and transport fuel for generators as needed to provide emergency programming.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Telecommunications