HB 699 -- MISSOURI UNIFORM COMMUNICATIONS ACT FOR HOMELAND
SECURITY

CO-SPONSORS:  Sager, Johnson (90), Cooper (120), Carnahan

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Homeland
Security and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 12 to 0.

This bill creates the Public Safety Communications Committee.
The bill outlines the membership of the committee.  All agencies,
including local and municipal agencies, that provide public
safety must submit a plan to the committee for approval when
requesting state funds for wireless communications programs.  The
committee must examine funding requests for wireless
communications programs to identify and evaluate
interoperability.  Requisite interoperability elements must be
included if proposals are to receive further consideration.  The
committee must draw upon Missouri's State Interoperability
Executive Committee to make recommendations appropriate to
maintain and enhance interoperable public safety for wireless
communications.  Funds used to make purchases not in compliance
with the submitted plan may be subject to sanctions by the
committee.

All purchases made by the Commissioner of Administration for
wireless communications products for public safety must meet
standards established by the Public Safety Communications
Committee.

The bill repeals current law under which the Committee on
State-Operated Wireless Communications Systems operates.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that most emergency service providers
cannot communicate between each other by radio.  Lives could be
saved if police, firefighters, ambulance services, and other
emergency providers could communicate.  All radios should be
compatible.  The bill does not mandate change but offers state
help if state standards are applied.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Sager; State Highway
Patrol; and Division of Homeland Security.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am