H.B. 203 Summary

• Establishes a statewide interoperability executive board within the Department of Defense chaired by the Adjutant General and co-chaired by the Attorney General, with membership including state agency heads, county mayors, fire chiefs, police representatives, and legislative appointees to coordinate public safety communications.

• Creates a statewide interoperability coordinator position to serve as the central coordination point for developing and implementing Hawaii's statewide communications interoperability plan and to coordinate with federal agencies.

• Creates the statewide interoperable public safety communications trust fund administered by the Department of Defense to pay for board operations, communications equipment, infrastructure, training, and supplemental costs for public safety agencies.

• Imposes surcharges on numerous motor vehicle violations and traffic infractions (ranging from $10 to $1,000 depending on violation type) with all surcharge revenue deposited into the trust fund to support interoperable communications systems.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.