Sponsors (10)
The bill improves public safety by sending timely shark-threat alerts to beachgoers, but risks alert fatigue and adds decision-making burdens for local emergency managers and regulators.
Coastal residents and beachgoers would receive timely Wireless Emergency Alerts about possible shark attacks, allowing them to avoid beaches and reduce risk of injury or death.
Coastal residents and the broader public could become desensitized to Wireless Emergency Alerts if shark warnings are frequent, reducing overall effectiveness of emergency messaging.
Local emergency managers and the FCC would face increased operational burdens to decide when shark alerts are justified, adding workload and potential delays in other emergency communications.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the FCC to allow Wireless Emergency Alerts to be sent for shark attacks by issuing an order within 180 days of enactment.
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order within 180 days directing that a shark attack be designated as an event eligible for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The change would let authorized authorities send an Alert Message about shark attacks to cell phones and other WEA-capable devices when conditions warrant.
Introduced March 12, 2025 by Katie Boyd Britt · Last progress May 20, 2026