81R11432 YDB-D
By: Gallegos S.B. No. 1989
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishment of the Texas Statewide Interoperability
Executive Advisory Council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 421.095, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivisions (3) and (4) to read as follows:
(3) "Council" means the Texas Statewide
Interoperability Executive Advisory Council.
(4) "Interoperability" means the ability of public
safety service and support providers, including providers of law
enforcement, fire fighting services, emergency medical services,
emergency management, public utilities, and transportation
services, to communicate when necessary with staff from other
responding agencies, and to exchange voice, video, and data
communications on demand, in real time, and when authorized.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 421, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 421.0961 and 421.0962 to read as
follows:
Sec. 421.0961. TEXAS STATEWIDE INTEROPERABILITY EXECUTIVE
ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) The Texas Statewide Interoperability
Executive Advisory Council is created as an advisory committee to
the office of the governor to provide policy level direction and
promote efficient and effective use of resources for matters
related to public safety radio interoperability.
(b) The council is composed of the following members
appointed by the governor:
(1) one representative from the Texas Department of
Transportation;
(2) one representative from the Sheriffs' Association
of Texas;
(3) one representative from the Texas Police Chiefs
Association;
(4) one representative from the Texas Fire Chiefs
Association;
(5) one representative from the Texas Municipal
League;
(6) one representative from the Texas Association of
Counties;
(7) two representatives from the governor's military
staff or the state military forces;
(8) one representative from the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice;
(9) one representative from the Department of Public
Safety;
(10) one representative from the Department of
Agriculture;
(11) one representative from the Parks and Wildlife
Department;
(12) one representative from the Health and Human
Services Commission;
(13) one representative from a federally recognized
Indian tribe with tribal land in this state; and
(14) two members of the public.
(c) Members of the council serve two-year terms.
(d) Members of the council serve without compensation.
(e) The governor shall appoint a presiding officer of the
council and the council shall elect other officers it considers
necessary and appropriate. The presiding officer has authority and
is responsible for the affairs of the council.
(f) The council shall meet at least four times annually.
(g) The council shall appoint subcommittees consistent with
the needs of the council to address:
(1) technical support and education issues regarding
public safety wireless radio interoperable communications in this
state;
(2) federal, state, and local funding availability;
and
(3) outreach and liaison with federal and other state
organizations working on public safety wireless radio
interoperable communications solutions.
(h) Chapter 2110 does not apply to the council.
Sec. 421.0962. COUNCIL DUTIES. (a) The council shall assist
the office of the governor in developing the strategic plan for
radio interoperable communications for local and private entities.
The council shall promote interagency cooperation and provide
support statewide for efficient and effective use of local and
private resources to achieve public safety wireless radio
interoperable communications for local and private public safety
agencies.
(b) The council shall:
(1) recommend guidelines and standards for operation
for local and private public safety wireless radio interoperable
communications systems in this state;
(2) promote coordination and cooperation among local,
state, federal, and tribal public safety agencies in addressing
statewide public safety wireless radio interoperable
communications needs in the state;
(3) review priorities for statewide public safety
wireless radio interoperable communications needs and assist users
of the statewide system in the development of projects, plans,
policies, standards, priorities, and guidelines for public safety
wireless radio interoperable communications;
(4) develop funding recommendations for short-term
and long-term system maintenance;
(5) research best practices of other states; and
(6) provide recommendations to the governor and the
legislature, when appropriate, concerning issues related to local
and private statewide public safety wireless radio interoperable
communications in accordance with homeland security presidential
directives.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor shall appoint members to the Texas
Statewide Interoperability Executive Advisory Council created by
this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.