Trump signs Mystic Alerts Act into law

President Donald Trump signed the Mystic Alerts Act into law on Thursday to improve emergency alerts during disasters following the deadly July 2025 floods in the Texas Hill Country.  According to an official announcement from the White House, Trump signed H.R. 7022 on October 22, which requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish requirements allowing commercial mobile service providers to transmit emergency alerts through satellite communications.

The legislation follows catastrophic flooding on July 4, 2025, that killed 28 people at Camp Mystic in Kerrville and more than 100 others across Central Texas.  During the disaster, multiple reports emerged of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) failing to reach residents after flooding damaged cellular infrastructure.

The Mystic Alerts Act aims to address those communication failures by allowing cellular companies to partner with satellite providers to deliver emergency alerts when traditional networks are damaged or unavailable.  Under the new law, the FCC will be responsible for establishing the necessary requirements to integrate satellite communications into the existing emergency alert system while preserving its effectiveness.

The legislation is intended to create an additional communication pathway to help ensure residents receive potentially lifesaving warnings during future emergencies.  The law does not immediately guarantee satellite emergency alert coverage, as the FCC must first establish the requirements.