Every year, APCO’s Annual Conference and Expo provides an opportunity for the association’s Government Relations Office (GRO) to engage with members, learn from their experiences and continue shaping and strengthening its policy priorities. The event offers a chance to share updates on key legislative and regulatory issues, hear firsthand about the challenges and successes across the public safety communications field, and build relationships that drive APCO advocacy forward. This year, attendees will gather in San Antonio from August 2-5, where these conversations will continue to take shape. Below, we preview APCO’s policy updates and outline opportunities to connect with GRO.
It has been a productive and exciting year in Washington, D.C., since our last advocacy updates at APCO’s 2025 Annual Conference and Expo. Over the past year, APCO has been actively engaged in several significant legislative and regulatory initiatives to advance public safety communications.
On Capitol Hill, momentum continues to build for public safety communications. The Senate’s passage of the Enhancing First Response Act (S. 725) in September 2025 marked a significant milestone in the fight to correctly classify public safety telecommunicators as “protective service occupations” in the federal government’s catalog of occupations, the Standard Occupational Classification. Notably, this marks the first time reclassification legislation of this kind has passed either chamber of Congress, signaling growing awareness and support at the federal level of the critical role 9-1-1 professionals play in public safety. The bill now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives, and we are hopeful the momentum and growing bipartisan support will continue.
APCO is also advocating for the swift reauthorization of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). FirstNet is the nation’s first nationwide broadband network builtexclusively for first responders, providing a dedicated, reliable communications platform during emergencies. The original law establishing FirstNet included a sunset provision, meaning the program is set to expire in 2027 unless Congress reauthorizes it. At the time of this writing, the House passed the bipartisan First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, which would extend FirstNet until 2037. APCO looks forward to working with the Senate to ensure our nation’s first responders retain uninterrupted access to the dedicated, high-speed broadband communications network they rely on every day.
In addition, APCO and its partners in the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition are continuing to work to advance legislation supporting the transition to NG9-1-1. Bipartisan bills introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 6505) and the Senate (S. 4062) would establish a federal grant program to fund NG9-1-1 deployment and provide a framework to help ensure systems are implemented in a comprehensive, interoperable, secure, innovative and cost-effective manner. Support for the legislation continues to grow as Congress works to identify appropriate funding provisions.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been similarly active on public safety communications issues. The commission proposed rules at the end of last summer to support the transition to NG9-1-1, focusing on the reliability and interoperability of NG9-1-1 networks. APCO submitted recommendations to help ensure these rules reflect real-world public safety needs, including requiring interoperability testing and adopting a comprehensive definition of interoperability supported by public safety stakeholders.
APCO also continues to support the FCC’s new framework for the 4.9 GHz band, which would appoint a band manager to coordinate band use, protect existing public safety users and encourage the deployment of innovative technologies. APCO has proposed additional technical rule changes designed to maximize the band’s potential, promote innovation and support modernization of public safety communications, including enabling 5G capabilities.
Throughout APCO 2026, GRO will share more about these updates and other advocacy efforts. You’ll have multiple opportunities to hear from us, including briefings during the First General Business Session, Chapter Leaders training and other programs. We’re also hosting a special session, Capitol Insights: From the Desk of Government Affairs, on Monday, August 3, from 2 to 3 p.m., as part of the Federal Partners professional development track. This session will include a panel discussion with APCO’s advocacy partners discussing emerging public safety communications issues and strategies for advancing policy initiatives at the federal level.
We welcome attendees to stop us in the halls, ask questions and share your perspectives. Your input is invaluable, and we’re eager to connect and continue the conversation on the issues that matter most to public safety communications.
([email protected]) is Chief Counsel and Director of Government Relations for APCO International.
