BILL NUMBER: AB 2018 CHAPTERED 09/29/02 CHAPTER 1091 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 29, 2002 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 29, 2002 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 29, 2002 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 28, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 26, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 22, 2002 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 12, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 23, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 23, 2002 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Nakano (Principal coauthor: Senator McPherson) FEBRUARY 15, 2002 An act to add Article 6.2 (commencing with Section 8592) to Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to public safety. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2018, Nakano. Public safety: communication system. Existing law provides for the coordination of state and local public safety agencies and emergency response teams to respond to emergencies. Existing law administered by the Federal Communications Commission authorizes public safety agencies or entities to operate radio communication systems on specified frequencies of the radio spectrum and directs states to oversee interoperability of public safety spectrum. The existing Public Safety Radio Strategic Planning Committee, which consists of representatives of specified state agencies, was established in recognition of the need to improve existing public radio systems and to develop interoperability among public safety departments. This bill would provide that the committee shall have primary responsibility in state government for developing and implementing a statewide integrated public safety communication system for state government agencies that facilitates interoperability and other shared uses of public safety spectrum with local and federal agencies, consistent with decisions and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. The bill would require the committee to consult with specified organizations and entities and require each of these organizations or entities to designate a representative to work with the committee to develop agreements for interoperability or other shared use of public safety spectrum with a local or federal agency. This bill would require the committee to determine which agencies need new or upgraded communication equipment, with consideration of a specified technical standard, in order to enter into an agreement for interoperability or other shared use of public safety spectrum and to establish a program for equipment purchase. This bill would require the committee to report to the Legislature, no later than January 1, 2004, on its progress in implementing these provisions. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, the federal government has recognized the significant need for developing an integrated public safety communication system in order to minimize the threat to the health and safety of the public during an emergency. (b) Currently, public safety and emergency response teams operate radio communication systems on different frequencies of spectrum allocated for public safety use, which restricts the ability of these teams to communicate with each other and can delay the delivery of critical resources during an emergency. (c) An integrated public safety communication system will enable public safety and emergency response personnel to communicate more quickly and efficiently during an emergency by allowing communication both within and among different public safety and emergency response teams. (d) California's public safety and emergency response entities currently are operating near, or in excess of, the capacity of their radio communication systems. (e) The development of an integrated public safety communication system will help relieve crowding on public safety radio spectrum, provide enhanced system functionality, and improve overall efficiency of communication by public safety entities on a day-to-day basis and during emergencies. SEC. 2. Article 6.2 (commencing with Section 8592) is added to Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 6.2. Public Safety Communication Act of 2002 8592. This article shall be known and may be cited as the Public Safety Communication Act of 2002. 8592.1. For purposes of this article: (a) "Public safety spectrum" means the spectrum allocated by the Federal Communications Commission for operation of interoperable and general use radio communication systems for public safety purposes within the state. (b) "Committee" means the Public Safety Radio Strategic Planning Committee, which was established in December 1994 in recognition of the need to improve existing public radio systems and to develop interoperability among public safety departments, and which consists of representatives of the following state entities: (1) The California Highway Patrol. (2) The Department of Transportation. (3) The Department of Corrections. (4) The Department of Parks and Recreation. (5) The Department of Fish and Game. (6) The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (7) The Department of Justice. (8) The Department of Water Resources. (9) The Office of Emergency Services. (10) The Emergency Medical Services Authority. (11) The Department of the Youth Authority. (12) The Department of General Services. 8592.2. (a) The committee shall have primary responsibility in state government for developing and implementing a statewide integrated public safety communication system for state government agencies that facilitates interoperability and other shared uses of public safety spectrum with local and federal agencies, consistent with decisions and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. In developing this system, the committee shall seek input from, and act as a liaison to, any regional planning committee or other federal, state, or local entity with responsibility for developing, operating, or monitoring interoperability of public safety spectrum. (b) The committee shall elect from among its members a chair with responsibility for leadership in implementing this article. (c) The committee shall hold a meeting to address the requirements of this article no later than April 1, 2003. 8592.3 (a) The committee shall consult with the following organizations and entities: (1) California State Peace Officers Association. (2) California Police Chiefs Association. (3) California State Sheriffs' Association. (4) California Professional Firefighters. (5) California Fire Chiefs Association. (6) California State Association of Counties. (7) League of California Cities. (8) California State Firefighters Association. (9) California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations. (10) California Correctional Peace Officers Association. (b) Each organization or entity listed in subdivision (a) shall designate a representative to work with the committee to develop agreements for interoperability or other shared use of public safety spectrum between the applicable organization or entity and local and federal agencies that operate a communication system on public safety spectrum and that have capacity and technical ability for interoperability or other shared use. (c) The committee shall develop a standard memorandum of understanding that sets forth general terms for interoperability or other shared use between a local or federal agency and a state agency, which may be modified as necessary for a particular agreement entered into pursuant to subdivision (b). 8592.4. The committee shall determine which agencies need new or upgraded communication equipment in order to enter into an agreement for interoperability or other shared use of public safety spectrum and shall establish a program for equipment purchase. In establishing this program, the board shall recommend the purchase of, equipment that will enable the migration to accepted industry standards for interoperability consistent with the public safety digital communications standards of the American National Standards Institute and the Telecommunications Information Association. 8592.5. The committee shall report to the Legislature, no later than January 1, 2004, on its progress in implementing this article.