HB309
In recognition of the growing need to involve local agencies in the strategic planning process, the former Commonwealth Chief Information Officer, Aldona Valicenti, sponsored by Representative Mike Weaver and Representative Robert “Buddy” Buckingham submitted House Bill 309 to the 2003 General Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. House Bill 309 created the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee made up of state and local members. The purpose and content of HB309 was to include local first responder agencies in the strategic planning process, to adopt a nationally recognized title for the group, and to provide a statutory annual reporting requirement to the Kentucky Legislature. HB309 was unanimously passed in both the House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Patton effective July 1, 2003.
HB226
In an effort to further the mission and objectives of the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee, Representative Weaver introduced House Bill 226 to the 2004 General Session. The legislation with House Committee Substitute was passed and signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher and amends KRS 11.5162 to expand the definitions of "frequency," "interoperability," and "standards," create definitions for "public safety shared infrastructure" and "primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems"; and excludes "911" telephone systems from the definition of "primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems".
The language in HB226 includes:
- The development [and recommendation] of required architecture and standards that will insure that new or upgraded Commonwealth public safety communications systems will interoperate.
- The Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee shall be responsible for the evaluation and recommendation of all wireless communications architecture, standards, and strategies.
- All state agencies in the Commonwealth shall present all project plans for primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems for review and recommendation by the committee, and the committee shall forward the plans to the chief information officer for final approval. Local government entities shall present project plans for primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems for review and recommendation by the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee.
- The committee shall develop funding and support plans that provide for the maintenance of and technological upgrades to the public safety shared infrastructure, and shall make recommendations to the chief information officer, the Governor's Office for Policy and Management, and the General Assembly.
- The chief information officer shall examine the project plans for primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems of state agencies and shall determine whether they meet the required architecture and standards for primary wireless public safety voice or data communications systems.