SB 2512

89R17189 JCG-D
		By: Schwertner
  S.B. No. 2512
  A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
  AN ACT
  relating to creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant
  program administered by the council.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 421, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. TEXAS INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL; GRANT PROGRAM
         Sec. 421.121.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Council" means the Texas Interoperability
  Council established under this subchapter.
               (2)  "Division" means Texas Division of Emergency
  Management.
               (3)  "Local government" means a municipality, county,
  special district or authority, or any other political subdivision
  of this state.
         Sec. 421.122.  TEXAS INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL.  (a)  The
  Texas Interoperability Council is established to:
               (1)  develop and coordinate the implementation of a
  statewide strategic plan for governing the interoperability of
  emergency communication equipment and infrastructure in this
  state; and
               (2)  administer a grant program to assist local
  governments with acquiring emergency communication equipment that
  is interoperable with other emergency communication equipment and
  infrastructure in this state and with constructing additional
  emergency communication infrastructure to ensure that the first
  responders of this state have access to equipment and
  infrastructure that is interoperable to the extent necessary to
  effectively communicate during an emergency.
         (b)  The council is composed of the chief of the division and
  six members appointed as follows:
               (1)  two members appointed by the governor;
               (2)  two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
  and
               (3)  two members appointed by the speaker of the house
  of representatives.
         (c)  Appointed council members serve staggered terms of six
  years, with the terms of two members expiring September 1 of each
  odd-numbered year.
         (d)  A majority of the voting members of the council
  constitutes a quorum to transact business.  If a quorum is present,
  the council may act on any matter within the council's jurisdiction
  by a majority vote.
         (e)  The chief of the division serves as the council's
  presiding officer.
         Sec. 421.123.  MEETINGS.  The council shall meet as often as
  necessary at the call of the presiding officer to perform the
  council's duties.
         Sec. 421.124.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW TO COUNCIL.  (a)  
  Chapters 551 and 2001 do not apply to the council.
         (b)  Information held by the council is excepted from
  required public disclosure under Chapter 552.
         Sec. 421.125.  STRATEGIC PLAN.  (a)  The council, in
  collaboration with any state agency or private entity as the
  council determines appropriate, shall develop a statewide
  strategic plan to govern the interoperability of emergency
  communication equipment and infrastructure in this state.
         (b)  The strategic plan must include:
               (1)  a plan for the construction of communication
  infrastructure necessary to ensure effective emergency
  communications among first responders in this state, including the
  acquisition of land as necessary for construction;
               (2)  training programs necessary to ensure that state
  and local governments have the skills and resources necessary to
  access and effectively use the emergency communication equipment
  and infrastructure available in this state;
               (3)  a plan to ensure that first responders throughout
  this state are equipped with emergency communication equipment that
  is interoperable with other emergency communication equipment in
  this state; and
               (4)  a plan to ensure that any new emergency
  communication equipment and infrastructure acquired or constructed
  under the plan can be adapted to or integrated with any existing
  emergency communication equipment and infrastructure.
         Sec. 421.126.  IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN; NETWORK MANAGEMENT.  
  The council, in collaboration with state agencies as needed, shall
  implement the statewide strategic plan developed under Section
  421.125 and coordinate the emergency communications network of this
  state to ensure interoperability for first responders.
         Sec. 421.127.  GRANT PROGRAM.  (a)  The council shall
  establish a grant program to provide grants to local governments
  for the purchase of emergency communication equipment and
  infrastructure, the construction of emergency communication
  infrastructure, and the expenses of training employees of the local
  government for the effective use of the equipment during an
  emergency.
         (b)  To be eligible for a grant under the grant program, an
  applicant must be a local government, submit a proposal to the
  council, and comply with the rules established by the council for
  the administration of the grant program.
         (c)  The council shall establish procedures to administer
  the grant program, including:
               (1)  eligibility criteria for a grant recipient;
               (2)  guidelines relating to grant amounts; and
               (3)  procedures for submitting and evaluating
  proposals.
         (d)  The council shall enter into a contract that includes
  performance requirements with each grant recipient.  The council
  shall monitor and enforce the terms of the contract.
         (e)  The council may require as a condition of a grant
  awarded under this section that:
               (1)  the officers or employees of the recipient
  successfully complete one or more training programs, as determined
  by the council, which may include incident command system training;
  and
               (2)  the recipient adopt standardized procedures for
  incident command or management.
         (f)  The council may delegate to a state agency the
  administration of the grant program.
         Sec. 421.128.  USES OF GRANT MONEY.  Money awarded under the
  grant program may be used only to:
               (1)  purchase emergency communication equipment,
  including radios, spare parts, and accessories, for use by first
  responders that is interoperable with the other emergency
  communication equipment and infrastructure in this state or enables
  interoperability;
               (2)  construct emergency communication infrastructure,
  including radio towers, that is interoperable with the other
  emergency communication equipment and infrastructure in this state
  or enables interoperability, including the acquisition of land
  necessary for the construction;
               (3)  cover the cost of adapting existing emergency
  communication equipment or infrastructure to, or otherwise
  integrating the equipment or infrastructure with, new emergency
  communication equipment purchased or infrastructure constructed;
               (4)  cover the operational or maintenance cost of the
  equipment or infrastructure described by Subdivision (1), (2), or
  (3); or
               (5)  attend or provide the training to first responders
  on the effective use of the equipment and infrastructure described
  by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3).
         Sec. 421.129.  GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING.  The council may use
  any available funds to implement the grant program.
         Sec. 421.130.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS.  The council
  may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source, including
  private and nonprofit organizations, for the purpose of
  implementing this subchapter.
         Sec. 421.131.  RULES.  The division may adopt rules to
  administer this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
  house of representatives shall appoint members to the Texas
  Interoperability Council, as required by Section 421.122,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, in the manner required by
  that section, as follows:
               (1)  the governor shall appoint two council members to
  a term expiring September 1, 2027;
               (2)  the lieutenant governor shall appoint two council
  members to a term expiring September 1, 2029; and
               (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives shall
  appoint two council members to a term expiring September 1, 2031.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.