WHEREAS, the public safety of all Idahoans is of paramount importance; and

       WHEREAS, public safety communications provides a critical role protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Idaho; and

       WHEREAS, the State's public safety communications infrastructure is rapidly becoming outdated; and

       WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission is adopting changes that will affect the ability of public safety communications systems to interoperate with one another, due to new technology and shifts in standards; and

       WHEREAS, the effectiveness of public safety communications between jurisdictions to cooperate and coordinate voice and data information is critical to the mission of public safety; and

       WHEREAS, state agencies along with federal, local, tribal, and private entities with similar communications requirements should work cooperatively and identify approaches to promote and enhance statewide interoperability; and

       WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature annually appropriates a significant amount of state funds for agency wireless radio communications which could benefit from coordination; and

       WHEREAS, there exists opportunities to assist in the promotion of coordination and cooperation of a statewide interoperability goal, which is an ongoing and long-term effort.

       NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, by authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho, do hereby order:

1. There is hereby created the Statewide Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC).
2. The purpose of the SIEC shall be to provide policy level direction and promote efficient and effective use of resources for matters related to public safety wireless radio interoperability. To that end it shall;
   

1. Develop a statewide vision for interoperable communications;
2. Develop standards for public safety communications;
3. Promote cooperation among state, federal, tribal, and local public safety agencies in addressing statewide radio interoperability needs in Idaho;
4. Review priorities for statewide radio interoperability needs and assist in the development of projects, plans, policies, standards, priorities and guidelines for radio interoperability;
5. Ensure adequate wireless spectrum to accommodate all users;
6. Facilitate cooperative and contract arrangements to develop a statewide interoperable radio communications system infrastructure;
7. Research best practices of other states; and
8. Provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature, when appropriate, concerning issues related to statewide interoperable radio communications for public safety in Idaho.
   

3. The SIEC shall receive administrative staff support from the state agencies represented on the Council.
4. The SIEC will meet no less than four times annually.
5. The SIEC will appoint sub-committees consistent with the needs of the Council to address issues including, but not limited to: technical support and education issues regarding interoperable communications in Idaho; Federal funding availability; and, outreach and liaison with Federal and other Statewide Interoperable Executive Councils in other states working on interoperable communications solutions.
6. The SIEC shall prepare and present a report to the Information Technology Resource Management Council by December 30 of each year describing the Council's activities and achievements of the previous year.
7. A Chair person and Vice-Chair person shall be selected at that first meeting of the SIEC by the members present during that meeting. The term of office for the Chair and Vice-Chair shall be two years. The Chair and Vice-Chair may succeed themselves if approved by the Council.
8. The SIEC shall be composed of the following member agencies with knowledge of and interest in the field of public safety radio communications technology with minimum representation consisting of:

One (1) representative from the Idaho State Police;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Transportation Department;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Sheriff's Association;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Association of Counties;
One (1) representative of the Association of Idaho Cities;
Two (2) representatives from the Military Division;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Department of Administration;
One (1) representative from Federal Law Enforcement;
One (1) representative from the U.S. Department of the Interior;
One (1) representative from the National Interagency Fire Center;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Department of Correction;
One (1) representative from the Department of Lands;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game;
One (1) representative from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare; and
One (1) representative from Tribal Government.

The SIEC may add additional member agencies as deemed appropriate.

The SIEC's membership shall be selected by the groups they represent and approved by the Governor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred twenty-seventh and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred thirteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE