82R5632 NAJ-D
By: Anchia H.B. No. 1861
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the continuation and functions of the Commission on
State Emergency Communications.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 771.032, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 771.032. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Commission on
State Emergency Communications is subject to Chapter 325,
Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence
as provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished and this
chapter expires September 1, 2023 [2011].
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 771, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 771.040 to read as follows:
Sec. 771.040. NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The commission shall develop and
implement a policy to encourage the use of:
(1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
2008, Government Code, for the adoption of commission rules; and
(2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution
procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the
resolution of internal and external disputes under the commission's
jurisdiction.
(b) The commission's procedures relating to alternative
dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any
model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative
Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state
agencies.
(c) The commission shall:
(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
(2) provide training as needed to implement the
procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute
resolution; and
(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 771, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 771.0511 to read as follows:
Sec. 771.0511. EMERGENCY SERVICES INTERNET PROTOCOL
NETWORK; EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the Emergency
Communications Advisory Committee.
(2) "State-level emergency services Internet Protocol
network" means a private Internet Protocol network or Virtual
Private Network that:
(A) is used for communications between and among
public safety answering points and other entities that support or
are supported by public safety answering points in providing
emergency call handling and response; and
(B) will be a part of the Texas Next Generation
Emergency Communications System.
(b) The commission, with the assistance of an advisory
committee, may coordinate the development, implementation, and
management of an interconnected, state-level emergency services
Internet Protocol network.
(c) If the commission acts under Subsection (b), the
commission shall establish policy and oversee agency involvement in
the development and implementation of the interconnected,
state-level emergency services Internet Protocol network.
(d) If the commission acts under Subsection (b), the
commission shall appoint an advisory committee. The advisory
committee must include at least:
(1) one representative from a regional planning
commission;
(2) one representative from an emergency
communication district, as that term is defined by Section
771.001(3)(A); and
(3) one representative from an emergency
communication district, as that term is defined by Section
771.001(3)(B).
(e) In appointing members of an advisory committee, the
commission shall consult with regional planning commissions and
emergency communication districts throughout the state. The
commission shall ensure that each member of the advisory committee
has appropriate training, experience, and knowledge in 9-1-1
systems and network management to assist in the implementation and
operation of a complex network.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.