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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to first responder broadband network services used by |
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first responders during natural disasters and other emergencies. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter N-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER N-1. FIRST RESPONDER BROADBAND NETWORK SERVICE |
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Sec. 411.411. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 161.0001, Health and Safety Code. |
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(2) "First responder broadband network service" means |
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a dedicated wireless broadband communications network specifically |
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designed for use by first responders responding to natural |
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disasters or other emergencies. |
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Sec. 411.412. SELECTION OF SERVICE PROVIDER FOR DEPARTMENT |
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FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) The department shall select and procure from |
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a provider a first responder broadband network service for use by |
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first responders who are department employees. The first responder |
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broadband network service selected by the department for department |
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employees must have service availability in all areas of the state, |
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including those areas in which flooding or other natural disasters |
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are most likely to occur. |
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(b) In the event that a department employee is terminated by |
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or otherwise separates from employment with the department, the |
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department shall inform the first responder broadband network |
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service provider of that fact and require the provider to cancel |
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that employee's access to the service. |
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Sec. 411.413. ASSISTANCE TO OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) |
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The department may assist first responders who are not department |
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employees to select and secure a first responder broadband network |
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service or to renew a first responder broadband network service |
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previously secured by the first responders. |
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(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), the department shall |
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maintain a database that lists the first responder broadband |
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network service providers in this state. The database must include |
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information that demonstrates the service area of each provider, as |
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well as the average broadband network service availability of the |
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system offered by the provider at each location within the |
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provider's service area. |
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Sec. 411.414. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of |
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each year, the department shall prepare and submit to the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and each other member of the legislature an annual report that |
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includes: |
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(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of first |
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responder broadband network services, the total cost of these |
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services to the state, and the current method of paying those costs; |
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(2) data on the outcomes, including failures and |
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successes, of first responder broadband network services during |
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natural disasters and other emergencies that require use of the |
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first responder broadband network services; |
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(3) data on use of first responder broadband network |
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services, including the name of the provider of the service and the |
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number of first responders using the service offered by each |
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provider; and |
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(4) recommendations for improving emergency and first |
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responder communication operability and interoperability, |
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increasing the resilience of first responder broadband network |
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services, and enhancing resource capabilities. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |