Digital interoperable public safety communication equipment got a...

changes to the bill. Committee sources said the original legislation didn’t allow enough leeway on communications equipment and appeared to favor more archaic analog equipment. The new version allowed for more digital purchases. The bill doesn’t specifically allocate money for interoperability, but that’s one of several first responder priorities -- along with training and equipment purchases -- eligible for grants. The bill creates about $3.4 billion in grants that the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) could distribute. During the markup, Rep. Stupak (D-Mich.) offered and then withdrew an amendment that would put more emphasis on interoperability. Details of the amendment weren’t revealed, but he emphasized the importance of interoperability and noted that while HR-3266 has some provisions directed at that characteristic, the bill doesn’t directly authorize any spending on interoperability. “The least we can do is make sure the radios talk to each other,” he said. Stupak has introduced legislation (HR-3370) that would use proceeds from spectrum auctions to fund interoperability grants, which would be distributed by NTIA. The bill has 18 co-sponsors. Stupak isn’t a co-sponsor of HR-4400, by Rep. Lowey (D-N.Y.), which would establish a DHS office devoted to interoperability. The bill has 40 co- sponsors, all Democrats. House Homeland Security Committee Chmn. Cox (R-Cal.), sponsor of HR-3266, said he was pleased with most revisions the Commerce Committee made to the bill, but said a task force comprised of first responders should be restored. He said he was pleased with a change allocating more funding to places more likely to suffer terrorist attacks. However, the House Transportation Emergency Management Subcommittee approved the bill Tues. and rejected efforts to change the funding formula to favor districts that are more likely to be targeted by terrorists, according to Yucel Ors of the Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials.