Senate Moves Public Threat Alert System Reform

Liz Gullett

Sep 03, 2021

The Senate passed a House bill prohibiting the use of the Public Threat Alert System to announce laws or executive orders. The Act was created in 2016 to alert the public of an ongoing public threat, such as an active shooter. In 2020, an alert was set through the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system, informing residents of an Executive Order requiring face coverings. While the Public Threat Alert System wasn’t used, Republican legislators wanted to provide clarity on what the system can, and cannot, be used for.

This bill amends the definition of public threat within the act, to state a public safety threat is something that “is likely to lead to an immediate or nearly immediate loss of life or property.” The bill will be sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her consideration; however, she’s publicly indicated that she will veto the bill.

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