2022 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 74. State Government
§74-51.1a. Interoperable public safety communications planning.

A. In addition to the powers and duties as defined elsewhere in statute, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has the duty and responsibility for interoperable public safety communications planning within the State of Oklahoma. As part of this duty the Department shall:

1. Annually develop and report to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan;

2. Coordinate statewide planning for public safety communication needs of state government and state emergency responders, including a migration plan for state agency use of public safety communications technologies and rendering of aid between state government and its political subdivisions for organizing and use of disparate public safety communications systems;

3. Serve as a focal point for all state-level projects involving public safety communications vendors where the focus of such authority can substantially enhance the state communications plan or savings;

4. Apply for, receive and hold, or assist state agencies in applying for, receiving or holding such authorizations, licenses and allocations of channels and frequencies to carry out the purposes of this section;

5. Establish minimum standards and protocols for acquisition, development or enhancement of public safety communications technologies. These standards shall be utilized by the Information Services Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services pursuant to the provisions of Section 34.20 of Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

6. Accomplish such other purposes as may be necessary or incidental to the administration of its authority or functions pursuant to law.

B. It is the intent of the Legislature that all state public entities comply with the provisions of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan issued by the Department. All state agencies are required to review the provisions of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and the public safety communications standards issued by the Department prior to the purchase, acquisition, development, or enhancement of any public safety communications system. Local public safety agencies and political subdivisions of the state are encouraged, but not required, to review the provisions of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and the public safety communications standards issued by the Department prior to the purchase, acquisition, development or enhancement of any public safety communications system to assist the local public safety agency or political subdivision in purchasing decisions.

C. No state agency shall use state funds or enter into any agreement for the acquisition, development or enhancement of a public safety communication system unless the request is consistent with the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and the public safety communications standards issued by the Department.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 212, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2009. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 700; Laws 2022, c. 302, § 2.