H.B. 956 - Statewide Interoperable Public Safety Communications

• Establishes a statewide interoperable communications executive committee within the Department of Defense, chaired by the adjutant general, with members from state and county agencies including the attorney general, public safety, natural resources, health, and transportation departments

• Creates a statewide interoperable communications technical subcommittee comprising radio engineers and information security managers from state and county governments to provide technical advice to the executive committee

• Establishes the position of statewide interoperable communications coordinator within the Office of Homeland Security as a full-time, exempt position with responsibilities for strategic planning, policy development, training coordination, and liaison with federal government and FirstNet

• Committee duties include developing plans to improve communications interoperability among state and county public safety agencies, coordinating emergency alerts and warnings, and submitting annual status reports to the legislature

• Exempts the statewide interoperable communications coordinator position from civil service requirements and makes the technical subcommittee exempt from Hawaii's open meetings law; effective January 1, 2023