I_911TF_2016A 09/14/2016 01:29:35 PM Committee Summary

01:29 PM -- Opening Remarks



Senator Scheffel, co-chair, called the task force to order. The task force members made opening remarks.



01:36 PM -- Overview of Committee Charge



Mr. Conrad Imel, Legislative Council Staff, reviewed the task force charge memorandum (Attachment A, and available on the task force's website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cga-legislativecouncil/2016-task-force-911-oversight-outage-reporting-and-reliability). The task force selected Tuesday, October 11, at 9:00 am, and Tuesday, October 25, at 9:00 am, as the dates for future meetings.



160914 AttachA.pdf







01:42 PM -- Overview of 911 Technology



Ms. Katie Ruedebusch, Legislative Council Staff, presented to the task force an overview of 911 technology (Attachment B, and available on the task force's website). Ms. Ruedebusch responded to questions concerning 911 technology, including issues relating to cellular technology, Next Generation 911 service (NextGen911), and 911 service related to voice over internet protocol services (VoIP).



160914 AttachB.pdf



01:51 PM -- 50 State Survey of 911 Laws & Regulations



Ms. Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, presented to the task force a survey of 911 oversight in other states (Attachment C, and available on the task force's website). Ms. Berman responded to a question concerning oversight in states with similar oversight methods to that used by Colorado.



160914 AttachC.pdf



02:01 PM



Ms. Berman continued to review general 911 regulation methods used by other states. She responded to questions concerning states that are implementing NextGen911.



02:12 PM



Ms. Berman continued to respond to questions concerning federal plans to assist states in implementing NextGen911, and how states and localities are implementing NextGen911, including funding issues.



02:22 PM



Ms. Berman continued to respond to questions.



02:27 PM -- 911 Regulation in Other States



Ms. Dana Wahlberg, 911 Program Manager within the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, testified remotely to the task force. Ms. Wahlberg described Minnesota's 911 system, and explained the status of the state's transition to NextGen911. She also discussed cooperation between states to develop 911 services, specifically transferring wireless phone calls and information between call centers in different states. Ms. Walhberg explained Minnesota's efforts to create a centralized geographical information system (GIS system), and the state's timeline to implement 911 improvements.



02:41 PM



Ms. Wahlberg responded to questions from the task force concerning 911 oversight in Minnesota. She also responded to a question regarding funding the transition to NextGen911, working with the federal government and the FCC on emergency service issues, and whether Minnesota has opted into FirstNet (http://www.firstnet.gov/).











02:50 PM



Ms. Wahlberg responded to questions concerning outage reporting and notification and Minnesota.



02:54 PM -- Public Testimony



Senator Scheffel opened the floor for public comment.



02:55 PM -- Mr. Brian Shepherd, Broadband Program Manager, Governor's Office of Information Technology, and Colorado's Point of Contact with FirstNet, testified to the task force. He explained his role as the FirstNet contact and discussed wireless emergency networks. In response to a question, he discussed the steps necessary to develop wireless emergency networks statewide. Representative Lontine was recognized by the chair to ask a question. Mr. Shepherd responded to her question concerning FirstNet.



03:07 PM -- Mr. Bill Levis, representing AARP, testified before the task force. Mr. Levis suggested sources for the committee and staff to review, including a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report, a National Regulatory Research Institute, and the annual report on 911 by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC).



03:10 PM -- Mr. Bruce Romero, representing the Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center, testified to the task force. Mr. Romero stated that a majority of 911 calls nationwide and in Colorado do not come from traditional telephones, and instead originate from cellular phones and VoIP. He also explained funding in Vermont, and the ability to audit providers to ensure that 911 fees are being remitted to the state. He discussed NextGen911, and possibilities for funding the implementation of NextGen911 in Colorado. Mr. Romero provided information concerning text-to-911 services in Colorado, and location identification for 911 calls.



Mr. Romero responded to a question concerning the issues Colorado may face in implementing NextGen911, including contracting with a provider to implement a NextGen911 system.



03:19 PM -- Ms. Monica Million, chair of the 911 Advisory Task Force within the Colorado PUC, introduced herself to the task force.



03:20 PM -- Mr. Dave Sehnert, representing himself, testified to the task force. He discussed NextGen911. He also mentioned states implementing NextGen911 that the task force may wish to study. Mr. Sehnert responded to a question concerning FirstNet.



03:26 PM -- Mr. Joseph Benkert, counsel to Boulder Regional Telephone Service Authority and member of the FCC's Task Force on Optimal Public Safety Answering Point Architecture, testified to the task force. He discussed NextGen911 implementation, and concerns regarding the relationship between implementation and outages. He also discussed security concerns surrounding digital networks. He explained other issues concerning implementing and transitioning to NextGen911 service. Mr. Benkert commented on, and responded to a question concerning, PUC regulation of 911 services.



03:37 PM



Mr. Benkert responded to a question concerning outages and NextGen911. He specifically discussed outage reporting requirements.





















03:43 PM -- Ms. Kimberly Culp, representing the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority, testified before the task force. She introduced herself to the task force, and discussed Colorado's 911 service, generally. She discussed the 911 network in Larimer County, and specifically addressed outages. Ms. Culp also discussed 911 service funding.



03:50 PM



Senator Scheffel provided closing remarks.



03:52 PM



The committee adjourned.