12-5364. 911 coordinating council. (a) (1) There is hereby created the 911 coordinating council which shall monitor the delivery of 911 services, develop strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system and distribute available grant funds to PSAPs. In as much as possible, the council shall include individuals with technical expertise regarding 911 systems, internet technology and GIS technology.

(2) The 911 coordinating council shall consist of 13 voting members to be appointed by the governor: Two members representing information technology personnel from government units; one member representing the Kansas sheriff's association; one member representing the Kansas association of chiefs of police; one member representing a fire chief; one member recommended by the adjutant general; one member recommended by the Kansas emergency medical services board; one member recommended by the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing; two members representing PSAPs located in counties with less than 75,000 in population; two members representing PSAPs located in counties with greater than 75,000 in population; and one member representing PSAPs without regard to size. At least two of the members representing PSAPs shall be administrators of a PSAP or have extensive prior 911 experience in Kansas.

(3) Other voting members of the 911 coordinating council shall include: One member of the Kansas house of representatives as appointed by the speaker of the house; one member of the Kansas house of representatives as appointed by the minority leader of the house; one member of the Kansas senate as appointed by the senate president; and one member of the Kansas senate as appointed by the senate minority leader.

(4) The 911 coordinating council shall also include nonvoting members to be appointed by the governor: One member representing rural telecommunications companies recommended by the Kansas rural independent telephone companies; one member representing incumbent local exchange carriers with over 50,000 access lines; one member representing large wireless providers; one member representing VoIP providers; one member recommended by the league of Kansas municipalities; one member recommended by the Kansas association of counties; one member recommended by the Kansas geographic information systems policy board; one member recommended by the Kansas office of information technology services; and one member, a Kansas resident, recommended by the Mid-America regional council.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b)(2) and (b)(3), the terms of office for voting members of the 911 coordinating council shall commence on the effective date of this act and shall be subject to reappointment every three years. No voting member shall serve longer than two successive three-year terms. A voting member appointed as a replacement for another voting member may finish the term of the predecessor and may serve two additional successive three-year terms.

(2) The following members, whose terms began on the effective date of this act, shall serve initial terms as follows:

(A) One member representing information technology personnel from government units, one member recommended by the adjutant general, one member representing PSAPs located in counties with less than 75,000 in population and one member representing PSAPs located in counties with greater than 75,000 in population shall serve a term of two years;

(B) one member representing information technology personnel from government units, one member recommended by the Kansas emergency medical services board, one member representing PSAPs located in counties with less than 75,000 in population and one member representing PSAPs without regard to size shall serve a term of three years; and

(C) one member representing a fire chief, one member recommended by the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing, one member representing the Kansas association of chiefs of police and one member representing PSAPs located in counties with greater than 75,000 in population shall serve a term of four years.

(3) The initial term for one member representing the Kansas sheriff's association shall begin on July 1, 2014, and be for a period of three years.

(4) The terms of members specified in this subsection shall expire on June 30 in the last year of such member's term.

(c) (1) The governor shall select the chair of the 911 coordinating council, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and have extensive prior 911 experience in Kansas.

(2) The chair shall serve as the coordinator of E-911 services and next generation 911 services in the state, implement statewide 911 planning, have the authority to sign all certifications required under 47 C.F.R. part 400 and administer the 911 federal grant fund and 911 state maintenance fund. The chair shall serve subject to the direction of the council and ensure that policies adopted by the council are carried out. The chair shall serve as the liaison between the council and the LCPA. The chair shall preside over all meetings of the council and assist the council in effectuating the provisions of this act.

(d) The 911 coordinating council, by an affirmative vote of nine voting members, shall select the local collection point administrator, pursuant to K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 12-5367, and amendments thereto, to collect 911 fees and to distribute such fees to PSAPs and to distribute 911 state grant fund moneys as directed by the council. The council shall adopt rules and regulations for the terms of the contract with the LCPA. All contract terms and conditions shall satisfy all contract requirements as established by the secretary of administration. The council shall determine the compensation of the LCPA who shall provide the council with any staffing necessary in carrying out the business of the council or effectuating the provisions of this act. The moneys used to reimburse these expenses shall be paid from the 911 state grant fund, pursuant to subsection (i).

(e) The 911 coordinating council is hereby authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act, including, but not limited to, creating a uniform reporting form designating how moneys, including 911 fees, have been spent by the PSAPs, requiring service providers to notify the council pursuant to subsection (j), setting standards for coordinating and purchasing equipment, recommending standards for training of PSAP personnel and assessing civil penalties. The chair of the council shall work with the council to develop rules and regulations necessary for the distribution of moneys in the 911 federal grant fund. The council shall work with the chair to carry out the provisions of this act. Rules and regulations necessary to begin administration of this act shall be adopted by December 31, 2011.

(f) The council may, pursuant to rules and regulations, raise or lower the 911 fee upon a finding based on information submitted on the uniform reporting forms, that moneys generated by such fee are in excess of or below the costs required to operate PSAPs in the state. The council shall not set the 911 fee above $.60.

(g) The council may appoint subcommittees as necessary to administer grants, oversee collection and distribution of moneys by the LCPA, develop technology standards, develop training recommendations and other issues as deemed necessary by the council. Subcommittees, if appointed, shall include members of the council and other persons as needed.

(h) The council may reimburse independent contractors or state agencies for expenses incurred in carrying out the business of the council, including salaries, that are directly attributable to effectuating the provisions of this act. The moneys used to reimburse these expenses shall be paid from the 911 state grant fund, pursuant to subsection (i).

(i) All expenses related to the council shall be paid from the 911 state grant fund. No more than 2.5% of the total receipts from providers and the department received by the LCPA shall be used to pay for such expenses. Members of the council and other persons appointed to subcommittees by the council may receive reimbursement for meals and travel expenses, but shall serve without other compensation with the exception of legislative members.

(j) Every provider shall submit contact information for the provider to the council prior to January 1, 2012. Any provider that has not previously provided wireless telecommunications service in this state shall submit contact information for the provider to the council within three months of first offering wireless telecommunications services in this state.

(k) Each PSAP shall file with the council, by March 1, 2012, and every March 1 thereafter, a report demonstrating how such PSAP has spent the moneys earned from the 911 fee during the preceding calendar year. The council shall designate the content and form of such report.

(l) The council, upon a finding that a provider has violated any provision of this act, may impose a civil penalty. No civil penalty shall be imposed pursuant to this section except upon the written order of the council. Such order shall state the violation, the penalty to be imposed and the right of such person to appeal to a hearing before the council. Any such person may, within 15 days after service of the order, make a written request to the council for a hearing thereon. Hearings under this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act.

(m) Any action of the council pursuant to subsection (l) is subject to review in accordance with the Kansas judicial review act.

(n) Any civil penalty recovered pursuant to this section shall be transferred to the LCPA for deposit in the 911 state grant fund.

(o) As long as the provider is working in good faith to comply with the provisions of this act, no civil penalty shall be imposed prior to January 1, 2013.

(p) The 911 coordinating council shall make an annual report, to include a detailed description of all expenditures made from 911 fees received by the PSAPs, to the house committee on utilities and telecommunications and the senate committee on utilities.

History: L. 2011, ch. 84, § 3; L. 2012, ch. 21, § 2; L. 2014, ch. 6, § 2; July 1.