HB 956 Summary

• Establishes a statewide interoperable communications executive committee within the Department of Defense, chaired by the Adjutant General, with members from nine state agencies and four county first responder representatives.

• Creates duties for the executive committee including developing plans for public safety communications interoperability, coordinating emergency alerts, and submitting status reports to the legislature before each regular session.

• Establishes a statewide interoperable communications technical subcommittee with open membership for agencies managing public safety communications systems, chaired by the statewide interoperability coordinator, with no fixed membership or quorum requirements.

• Creates a new full-time exempt position of statewide interoperable communications coordinator within the Office of Homeland Security with responsibilities including strategic planning, coordinating with federal and county governments, developing interoperability plans, and serving as state representative to the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators.

• Exempts the statewide interoperable communications coordinator position from civil service requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 76; effective July 1, 2050.