HCS SCS SB 1171 -- HOMELAND SECURITY

SPONSOR:  Griesheimer (Jackson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Homeland
Security and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 17 to 0.

This substitute codifies the Office of Homeland Security and the
Missouri Security Council which were created by an executive
order of the Governor.  The office and the council will terminate
90 days following the dissolution of the federal Department of
Homeland Security.

The name of the Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism, and
Homeland Security is changed to the Joint Committee on Homeland
Security and requires the committee to regularly meet on an
annual basis.  Currently, the committee conducts meetings
quarterly.

The substitute establishes a Joint Committee on Communications
Interoperability and Efficiency consisting of five members from
the House of Representatives and five members from the Senate.
The committee is required to analyze and make recommendations in
the following areas:

(1)  The need and feasibility of a state commission on
communications interoperability and efficiency and the
establishment of the duties and membership of the commission;

(2)  How the commission may serve as an oversight body with the
power of allocating state and federal communications funds to
state entities; and

(3)  The feasibility of a single state telecommunications network
plan for all public governmental bodies within the state.

One or more study groups consisting of interested parties must be
established by the committee to assist in their analyses and
recommendations.  The committee will conduct meetings at least
quarterly and may use legislative personnel to assist in the
performance of its duties.  Members of the committee will serve
without compensation.

The initial report of the committee's activities will be
submitted to the General Assembly no later than February 1, 2005;
subsequent reports will be submitted January 15 of each year.
The report will contain recommendations for legislative action
and any administrative or personnel changes in the internal
management or organization of state government.  Copies of the
report will be sent to the appropriate directors of the state
departments and agencies.

The substitute also creates the Emergency Management,
Preparedness, and Assistance Trust Fund.  Moneys appropriated
from the trust fund will be allocated to the State Emergency
Management Agency to be utilized for the implementation and
administration of state and local emergency management programs,
state relief assistance for non-federally declared emergencies,
and programs for disaster education.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill codifies certain
programs and offices relating to homeland security and provides
continuity in current homeland security efforts in Missouri.

Testifying for the bill were Senators Griesheimer and Childers;
and Representative Shoemaker (8).

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the Missouri Research
and Education Network (MOREnet) could be affected by the passage
of the bill.

Others testifying on the bill was Missouri School Librarians
Association.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am