Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Arnold-Jones

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

3/16/07

HM 107

SHORT TITLE NM Interoperability Communications Systems

SB

ANALYST Peery-Galon

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

No Responses Received From

Governor’s Office

Chief Information Officer

Department of Public Safety

General Services Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 107 requests the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor to form a committee to

include first responders, the chief information officer, secretary of the Department of Public

Safety, secretary of the General Services Department and additional representatives from other

sectors of local, tribal, state and federal stakeholder. The committee is to study the

interoperability of local, tribal and state emergency communications systems in New Mexico and

their interface with federal systems. The Homeland Security Advisor’s interoperable

communications study committee is to make recommendations to the governor and the

legislature regarding resolution of interoperability issues by October 1, 2007.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Agencies responding to a crisis or disaster can not always communicate quickly and efficiently

with one another because many law enforcement, fire and emergency medical agencies operating

in New Mexico purchase communication equipment independently of one another that is often

incompatible.

House Memorial 107 – Page

2

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

House Memorial 107 has a relationship with House Bill 1216.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The Department of Public Safety has an Interoperable Communications Working Group. The

statewide Interoperability Communications Working Group has identified each county’s needs,

gaps and hardware. The Interoperable Communications Working Group has developed a five

tiered system that includes the following: (1) normal landline and fax communication; (2) cell,

satellite and email via Blackberry; (3) two-way communication on the UHF system; (4) two-way

radio communication on the VHF system; and (5) amateur radio operators with mobile stations

that have a complete and robust statewide system.

RPG/mt