h_lg_2016a_2016-02-11t10:23:58z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/11/2016

10:45 AM -- HB16-1040



Representative Singer presented and summarized House Bill 16-1040 concerning auxiliary communication. This bill, recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, creates the Auxiliary Emergency Communications Unit (unit) in the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Colorado Department of Public Safety (DPS). The unit has the power to: establish programs for the training and credentialing of auxiliary emergency or disaster communicators across the state; assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES); and ensure that auxiliary emergency communicators are authorized volunteers entitled to the appropriate protections and benefits of emergency volunteers when assisting local governments with the maintenance or demolition of communication facilities.



In pursuance of this authority, the DPS may develop and issue photo identification cards to auxiliary communicators, conduct criminal background checks, and reimburse emergency communicators for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in performance of their duties. Finally, the bill increases from 23 to 24 the number of members serving on the Public Safety Communications Subcommittee of the Homeland Security and All-Hazards Senior Advisory Committee in the DPS. The additional member is the section emergency coordinator for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of the Colorado section of the Amateur Radio Relay League.



Representative Singer distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment A).



16HouseLocal0211AttachA.pdf



10:48 AM -- Robert Wareham, representing the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, spoke in favor of the bill. He distributed a packed on informational documents (Attachment B). Mr. Wareham discussed amateur radio communication during disaster emergencies.



16HouseLocal0211AttachB.pdf



Mr. Wareham answered questions from the committee regarding workers compensation for amateur radio operators.



10:57 AM -- Jeff Ryan, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his experience with organizing and managing amateur radio operators.



11:00 AM -- Dave Hard, representing the Department of Public Safety, spoke for questions only. He answered questions regarding the fiscal impact of the bill. Mr. Hard also answered questions regarding workers compensation for amateur radio operators.



11:09 AM -- Jack Ciaccia, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his experience with amateur radios and disaster emergency communication.



11:16 AM -- Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.



11:16 AM -- Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.

Representative Singer distributed and discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment C).



16HouseLocal0211AttachC.pdf

Representative Singer provided closing comments on the bill.



The committee members discussed the bill.

11:26 AM



The committee adjourned.