The FCC announced that it has added an emergency alert system (EAS) item to the agenda for its Thursday meeting.  The Commission plans to consider a first report and order and further notice of proposed rulemaking in Enforcement docket 04-296.  In the further notice, the agency plans to consider expanding the EAS to mobile phones and other wireless devices, according to agency and industry sources.

Both the House and Senate are working on emergency alert bills. Bills are similar and propose a joint industry/government working group to develop requirements, implementation guidelines and possible deployment funding.