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Senate committee advances bill transferring statewide radio interoperability duties to Emergency Management
Summary
The committee adopted the -1 amendment and voted to move Senate Bill 826 to the floor. The bill transfers duties from the state chief information officer to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, establishes a statewide interoperability fund and authorizes assessments to recoup expenses.
Senators adopted the -1 amendment to Senate Bill 826 and voted to send the amended bill to the floor during a work session on March 12. The measure transfers duties related to the Oregon Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan from the state chief information officer to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and establishes a funding mechanism.
The -1 amendment directs OEM to estimate expenses to carry out the act each biennium and to charge assessments to public bodies to recoup those expenses. It establishes a statewide interoperability fund in the state treasury, separate from the General Fund, with monies continuously appropriated to OEM to carry out the act. Committee staff said the bill declares an emergency and would take effect July 1, 2025.
The nut graf: Committee members approved the amendment and then voted to move SB 826, as amended, to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation; Senator Woods agreed to carry the bill on the floor.
Committee Vice Chair Thacher moved adoption of the dash-1 amendment; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Senators Meek, Brock Smith, Woods, Vice Chair Thacher and Chair Manning. The committee then voted to move SB 826 as amended to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the chair recorded aye votes and designated Senator Woods as carrier.
Staff noted a fiscal impact statement is available on the Legislative Information System (OLIS) and public hearing for SB 826 had been held previously. The committee closed the work session on SB 826 after the roll-call votes.
