Relating to the statewide interoperable communications system, and including effective date provisions

This bill requires the statewide interoperable communications system (SICS) board to process all applications for access to the SICS. The board shall not delegate this responsibility to any other committee, subcommittee, or third party. The approval of an application shall not be delayed by any other committee, subcommittee, or third party. An application for access to the SICS shall not be delayed or prevented from being forwarded to the board for approval by the board at the board’s next meeting following the submission of an application. The bill requires the board to provide voice and data access to any public entity or public service organization that is qualified to be an SICS user, or any public service organization that is sponsored by the head of a public entity. No public service organization, regardless of whether it has direct or sponsored system access, shall be required to have a contract or agreement with a public entity or other governmental organization in order to qualify for SICS access. A public service organization shall specify the user level required when submitting the initial application for SICS access based upon the needs and capabilities of the public service organization. A request to change user level may be made at any time after approval. The SICS board shall approve the user level submitted by a public service organization. The bill provides that all equipment and programming costs associated with communications on the SICS, including encryption equipment, shall be the sole responsibility of the public service organization to purchase, program, and maintain. The state will provide the system access setup, training, support, and electronic codes or keys to public service organizations at no cost. _____ A decision by the board to deny access to, or to remove current access to, the SICS may be appealed by the public service organization to an administrative law judge of the department of public safety. The bill provides definitions. The bill takes effect upon enactment.