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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the appointment of an interoperability coordinator in |
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the division of emergency management in the office of the governor. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.049 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.049. INTEROPERABILITY COORDINATOR. (a) The |
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governor shall appoint an interoperability coordinator of the |
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division. The interoperability coordinator serves at the pleasure |
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of the governor. |
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(b) The interoperability coordinator is responsible for |
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coordinating communication among state agencies, law enforcement |
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agencies, and local government agencies in the state in response to |
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disasters. |
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(c) The interoperability coordinator, in consultation with |
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state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and local government |
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agencies, shall develop and implement an interoperability plan to |
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address the state's public safety communication systems, |
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processes, and procedures. In developing the plan, the |
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interoperability coordinator shall: |
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(1) solicit input from fire fighters, law enforcement |
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personnel, emergency medical services personnel, public health |
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officials, hospital officials, transportation officials, and other |
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interested persons; and |
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(2) coordinate programs in the governor's office to |
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promote interoperable communications, including the governor's |
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interoperable radio communications program established under |
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Subchapter F, Chapter 421, and the duties of the governor's office |
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under Section 421.901. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the governor shall appoint the interoperability |
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coordinator as required by Section 418.049, Government Code, as |
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added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |