Lulu’s Law
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Would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order within 180 days allowing wireless emergency alerts to be sent to mobile phones warning of shark attacks.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order, within 180 days of enactment, providing that a shark attack is an event for which a wireless emergency "Alert Message" may be transmitted to mobile phones. It defines "Alert Message" by reference to existing FCC regulations governing wireless emergency alerts.
The bill does not itself send any alerts or mandate that any specific alert be issued for a particular shark attack; it only directs the FCC to add shark attacks to the category of events for which such alerts are permitted, similar to existing categories like severe weather or missing-child alerts.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the FCC to issue an order within 180 days of enactment allowing shark attacks as an event for wireless emergency alerts
- 2Defines 'Alert Message' by reference to the FCC's existing wireless emergency alert regulation
Who would be affected
The Federal Communications Commission, which would have to issue the order; wireless carriers that transmit emergency alerts; and beachgoers and coastal communities who could receive shark-attack warnings on their mobile phones through the existing wireless emergency alert system.
Why it matters
If enacted, local authorities would gain a formally recognized tool to warn nearby mobile phone users of a shark attack, potentially speeding public warnings at beaches. The change is narrow, adding one new alert category to an existing system rather than creating new infrastructure or obligations.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- FCC must issue the order permitting shark attack wireless emergency alerts
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that H.R. 2076 would have no significant effect on the federal budget.
H.R. 2076, Lulu's Law, would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue a rule designating shark attacks as an event for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted. CBO estimates the bill would have no significant budgetary effect, as the administrative cost to the FCC of issuing such a rule would be negligible. The estimate does not identify any intergovernmental or private-sector mandates that would exceed statutory thresholds.
How implementation would work
The FCC would need to conduct a rulemaking or issue an order, within 180 days of enactment, adding shark attacks to the list of events for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted under its existing Alert Message framework (referencing 47 C.F.R. § 10.10(a)). Once issued, authorized government authorities—such as local emergency officials or lifeguard agencies—could use the existing wireless emergency alert system to send shark-attack warnings to mobile phones in a targeted geographic area, without Congress or the FCC needing to build new technical infrastructure.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 518.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order explicitly permitting the transmission of wireless emergency alerts to mobile phones in the event of a shark attack.
(Under current regulations, authorized government authorities are permitted to send wireless emergency alerts regarding public safety emergencies, including severe weather, missing children, and other threats to life or property.)
Legislative subjects
Animal protection and human-animal relationships; Emergency communications systems; Fishes; Science, Technology, Communications
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-598