The attorneys general of 19 states and the New York City Corporation Counsel urge the FCC to immediately publish its January 8, 2025 Multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts Order in the Federal Register. The order expands access to life-saving emergency alerts by requiring their availability in 13 commonly spoken languages and American Sign Language. Publication is legally mandatory under the Administrative Procedure Act and FOIA, and it triggers a 30-month implementation period for the wireless industry. The officials argue that the FCC’s ten-month delay is unlawful, obstructs public safety progress, and contradicts the agency’s own rules and prior directives. They also note that the FCC is still authorized to perform this ministerial action despite the ongoing federal shutdown. If the FCC does not publish the order within 30 days, the attorneys general state they are prepared to take legal action.
