FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to make legislative findings and recommendations for improvement to the 911 emergency notification system and to provide for the development of a statewide comprehensive plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
     Section  1.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The Legislature finds there is a current and immediate need for a statewide integrated and coordinated interoperable public safety communications network. This system should provide voice, data, and radio communications links to all responding agencies that deliver emergency services within South Dakota. The network should allow a public safety answering point to communicate with any emergency responder within the geographic boundaries of South Dakota. The network should also provide for communications between responding agencies who render assistance outside of their normal jurisdiction and public safety answering points.

     There is a present need for a comprehensive telecommunications plan to facilitate and optimize the structure and utilization of statewide integrated telecommunications networks and services. Such a plan should consider and encompass current and future communications technology, the development of technical and operational standards for such a network,

oversight of public safety answering points, and relevant regulatory issues. The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications shall develop such a plan by November 1, 1999.
     Section  2.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The State of South Dakota shall by July 1, 2001, integrate telecommunications functions and facilities of those agencies, which currently operate their own systems, into one cohesive and integrated network. These agencies currently include State Radio Communications in the Office of the Attorney General; the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications; the Division of Emergency Management in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Public Broadcasting in the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications; the Department of Game, Fish and Parks; the Department of Transportation; the Division of Forestry in the Department of Agriculture; and the Highway Patrol in the Department of Commerce and Regulation.
     Section  3.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The South Dakota 911 Coordinated Statewide System Task Force created pursuant to §  34- 45-18 is hereby continued at the discretion of the Governor. The task force shall review the comprehensive telecommunications plan.
     Section  4.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The comprehensive telecommunications plan shall propose one or more model configurations for the consolidation of enhanced 911 centers throughout South Dakota, as well as for the provision of service to areas not presently served by a 911 center.
     Section  5.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     Each public safety answering point shall obtain a full audit report on 911 traffic from its

telephone service provider and provide that information to the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications for use in the preparation of the comprehensive telecommunications plan. Each public safety answering point shall provide the audit report to the bureau no later than August 2, 1999.
     Section  6.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The comprehensive telecommunications plan shall establish the following goals:

             (1)    Enhanced 911 services shall be available from every telephone in South Dakota;

             (2)    All wireline and wireless customers shall reach an enhanced 911 center when they initiate a request for emergency services, by dialing 911; and

             (3)    All enhanced 911 services and facilities within the state shall conform to minimum technical, operational, and procedural standards.
     Section  7.  That chapter 34-45 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     The Legislature finds and determines that modern technology allows for universal statewide access to enhanced 911 services. The Legislature further finds and determines that enhanced 911 services can be provided by a far fewer number of currently operational and planned public safety answering points, without causing any loss or degradation in the quality and level of service presently received by the public. The comprehensive telecommunications plan shall recommend the number and location of the public safety answering points in South Dakota.