The ALERT Act, which was introduced following the false emergency alert that went out across Hawaii on January 13, 2018 will improve the emergency alert system and give the federal government the primary responsibility of alerting the public of a missile threat.



“The people who know first should be the people who tell the rest of us. This legislation makes it clear that the authority to send missile alerts rests with the federal government. I look forward to seeing this bill go on to the next step needed to become law," Senator Schatz said.



State and local governments have been largely responsible for alerting the public of threats from natural disasters and severe weather.