Appropriates $24,000,000 as a grant-in-aid to the county of Hawaii to upgrade the police department's radio system from a VHF system to a 700 MHz trunked radio system with a digital microwave backbone.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a critical need to upgrade the telecommunications system of the Hawaii county police department to enhance public and police officer safety. This need is evidenced by deficiencies in the present communications system in the area of inadequate radio coverage, due in part to the distinctive geography of the island, punctuated with the unique topography of the island's many valleys and mountains. The existing system's unreliability, the inability to restore the system in a timely manner, and channel congestion are also major concerns. Secondary to these problems are the system's lack of voice security, the need for multiple channels to cover a single district, the sporadic nature of in-building service with hand-held two-way radio units, and the overall poor quality of radio communication in specific locations. There are an insufficient number of non-interfering frequencies available in the present communications band to resolve these problems. The events of September 11, 2001 have forever changed the definition of "normalcy" that society has experienced in the past. This becomes more evident with the continuous threats and acts of terrorism that are occurring. A major component in responding to any acts of terrorism or disasters involves the interoperability of the public safety community.

The legislature also finds that, coupled with the inherent problems of the existing system, the county of Hawaii is mandated and in the process of making changes to the present radio system as a result of the Federal Communication Commission rules under part 88, known as the "Refarming Act," and the Federal Communication Commission reallocation of the 2 GHz microwave, which the county of Hawaii currently uses, to private communications services. The need to further upgrade the county of Hawaii's police telecommunications system is evidenced by the overall growth of the population and visitors to the island of Hawaii and the ever increasing number of calls for police service via the E-911 emergency telephone system. The most viable solution to these problems is to upgrade the existing system by acquiring a modern 700 MHz trunked radio system, coupled with a digital microwave "backbone."

The legislature further finds that the salient reason for converting to the 700 MHz system is that the State of Hawaii is currently developing the 700 MHz regional plan that proposes to allocate an adequate number of radio channels in 700 MHz frequency band specifically for public safety use. Since the allocation is exclusively for public safety, it provides a very low potential for radio interference and increased channel privacy. Lastly, 700 MHz trunking technology makes possible much more efficient utilization of the radio spectrum, greatly enhanced functional capabilities, the quickest availability of new technology, and extensive interoperability among different departments or agencies operating on the system. Trunking not only offers frequency efficiency, but will provide maximum flexibility for multiple users, operational applications, expansion capability, flexibility for restructuring, protection from loss of an individual repeater, and other multiple features, including the ability to support mobile data terminals. The trunking system will overcome the limitations of the existing radio system and permit future growth. This telecommunications system will be instrumental in coordinating the response by county, state, and federal agencies in disaster or other emergency situations. Acquiring a new loop microwave system, developing additional radio sites, and renovating or expanding existing sites, or both, are paramount because infrastructure is essential for the success of the new trunking radio system.

The legislature further finds that the 700 MHz frequency band is effective for public safety use. Currently, the city and county of Honolulu operates on an 800 MHZ trunking system but is contemplating switching to a 700 MHz system because of inherent problems with interference. The counties of Maui and Kauai are also currently operating on an 800 MHz trunking system and must maintain an independent radio infrastructure to operate on the assigned frequencies within the 800 MHz spectrum. The 700 MHz trunked radio system can provide a common, integrated radio backbone infrastructure that can be shared by all county, state, and federal agencies.

The legislature further finds that in July of 1995 the Hawaii county council hired a consultant firm, Schema Systems Inc., from Whittier, California, which completed an 800 MHz feasibility study. The study encompassed an analysis of the present radio operations, including the existing microwave system and radio facilities. The study also pointed out the deficiencies and the needs and requirements of the individual departments that utilize the system. It also gave an in-depth analysis and conversion costs for transforming the existing VHF system to an 800 MHz trunked system. The conversion costs would be substantially similar to converting the existing VHF system into a 700 MHz trunked system.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $24,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for a grant-in-aid to the county of Hawaii for the Hawaii county police department to do the following:

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.