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Appropriations committee questions timing and plan for public safety radio replacement
Summary
Members pressed the Department of Public Safety budget request for radio replacement and asked agencies to explain why an ongoing capital replacement plan had not been budgeted, noting prior reliance on federal grants and the need to clarify durability and phasing of replacements.
The House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 26 questioned the Department of Public Safety’s request for funds to replace portable radio equipment and asked staff to return with more details on the program’s capital plan and phasing.
Committee members said they were surprised by how long the replacement need has persisted and questioned why the department did not have a routine replacement schedule baked into its capital plan. Staff noted the department had relied on federal grants in the post‑9/11 era and that those grant sources have diminished, leaving the department with phased replacement needs and a larger backlog than anticipated.
Members asked the department to provide answers on how many radios are due for replacement, whether replacement will be phased, and whether the governor’s recommendation already included phased funding. Committee members asked the department and agency staff to prioritize clarifying what is essential versus discretionary spending and to provide a capital planning timeline.
No formal action was taken; the committee left the item open pending follow-up from the Department of Public Safety and related staff contacts.
