Kansas representative introduces bill to modernize nationwide emergency alert systems

Kansas Representative Sharice Davids has introduced a bipartisan bill aiming to modernize emergency alert systems nationwide.

The Weather Alert Response and Notification Act (WARN Act) would strengthen and update critical alert systems. The bill passed the U.S. House in 2024 with unanimous support from both parties.

The bill was introduced after emergency alert sirens faltered last year in the Kansas City area, as well as Shawnee and Sedgwick Counties due to system overloads, weather damage, and human error. The bill is co-sponsored by New York state Representative Nicholas Langworthy. 

“Kansans know all too well how critical it is to have reliable emergency alerts — whether it’s a tornado, a flash flood, or another severe weather event,” said Rep. Davids. “We’ve seen local instances where sirens didn’t go off when they should have, and others where they sounded without a real threat, creating confusion and undermining trust in the system. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to modernize emergency alert systems, ensuring our communities receive clear, accurate, and timely warnings when disaster strikes.”

“In times of emergency, one of the best things we can do to save lives and mitigate damage is to ensure there is an accurate and reliable public notification system,” said Rep. Langworthy. “As we saw with Winter Storm Elliott and countless extreme weather events across the nation, effective warning systems are a matter of life and death. This legislation is the first step to replacing inconsistent, fragmented and arbitrary systems into a streamlined process for an accurate and consistent nationwide emergency alert system. We came extremely close to having this bill become law in the last year, and I’m confident we will be able to get it across the finish line in this new Congress.” 

The WARN Act would direct the Government Accountability Office to study the effectiveness of local, state, and federal emergency alert systems, with a focus on adopting cutting-edge technologies such as mobile alerts and satellite communications. The legislation aims to improve the clarity and reliability of alerts, providing critical support for emergency managers on the front lines of disasters.