SENATE BILL NO. 257 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 27 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2732 and 2.2-2733, relating to the State Interoperability Executive Committee. ---------- Patron-- Deeds ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 27 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2732 and 2.2-2733 as follows:

Article 9. State Interoperability Executive Committee.

§ 2.2-2732. State Interoperability Executive Committee; membership; responsibilities; terms; compensation.

A. The State Interoperability Executive Committee (Committee) is established as an advisory committee within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Committee is to make recommendations via the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness' Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator to the Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group, Secure Commonwealth Panel, and the Office of the Governor concerning communications interoperability.

B. The Committee shall consist of 20 members and alternates as follows: the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator appointed by the Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness and the following 19 members to be appointed by the Governor: one member representing the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police; one member representing the Virginia Association of Governmental Emergency Medical Services Administrators; one member representing the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association; one member representing the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness; one member representing the Virginia Sheriffs' Association; one member representing the Virginia Association of Counties; one member representing the Virginia Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials; one member representing the Statewide Agencies Radio System; one member representing the Virginia Information Technologies Agency; one member representing the Virginia Municipal League; one member representing the Secretary of Public Safety; one member representing the Secretary of Technology; one member representing the Virginia Military Advisory Council; one member representing the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; one member representing the Virginia Department of Transportation; one member representing the Virginia Emergency Managers Association; one member representing Virginia Professional Fire Fighters; one member representing the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services; one member representing the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical services; and one member from each of the seven Regional Preparedness Advisory Committees.

C. Each member shall serve a four-year term; provided that no member, other than the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator, shall serve more than two consecutive terms. All vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.

D. The Committee shall elect a chair and may elect a vice-chair from its membership for two-year terms. The Committee shall meet at least six times per year as is deemed appropriate or on the call of the Committee chair. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

E. Members of the Committee shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825 and as approved by the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator. Funding for the costs of expenses of the members shall be provided by the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness.

§ 2.2-2733. Powers and duties of the Committee; staffing.

A. The Committee shall plan, promote, and offer assistance to the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator in the:

1. Annual review and update of the Statewide Interoperability Strategic Plan  (Statewide Plan) required by § 9.1-1200;

2. Implementation of initiatives contained in the Statewide Plan;

3. Developing formal recommendations to the Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group, the Secure Commonwealth Panel, and the Governor on the use of interoperability grants to support local, regional, and state projects for the statewide development, deployment, and maintenance of voice and data communications technologies;

4. Reviewing all communications-related grant requests from state agencies and localities as required by § 2.2-305; and

5. Development of the annual report on the status of the Statewide Plan to the Governor required by November 1 of each year.

B. The Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator's Office within the Governor's Office of Commonwealth Preparedness shall provide staff support to the Committee.