EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2024.20
(Rescinds Executive Order 01.01.2008.07)
Maryland Statewide Communications Interoperability
I. Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC).
A. There is hereby reestablished a Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee.
B. Purpose. The purpose of the SIEC is to provide governance and policy-level advice regarding public safety emergency communications interoperability, and to promote the efficient and effective use of resources for matters related to public safety emergency communications and interoperability.
C. Membership. The SIEC consists of up to 21 members that will serve for 2-year terms, which are renewable.
1. Ten SIEC members will consist of the following state officials, or a senior staff member designated by the official:
a. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM);
b. The Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC);
c. The Executive Director of Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS);
d. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT);
e. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of State Police (MSP);
f. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT);
g. The Adjutant General of the State of Maryland;
h. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS);
i. The Secretary of the Maryland Department Natural Resources (DNR); and
j. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget Management (DBM).
2. Nine additional members will be appointed by the Governor and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
a. Each of the following six (6) entities may nominate a senior elected official or officer of the entity who has knowledge and interest in public safety communications for appointment by the Governor.
1) The Maryland Chiefs of Police or Sheriff’s Association;
2) The Maryland Fraternal Order of Police;
3) The Professional Firefighters of Maryland;
4) The Maryland State Fireman’s Association;
5) The Maryland Municipal League (MML); and
6) The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo).
b. The Governor shall also appoint, as a member of the SIEC, two appointed or elected public officials who have knowledge and interest in public safety communications to serve as:
1) One representative for Maryland communities with a population of less than 200,000; and
2) One representative for Maryland communities with a population of more than 200,000.
c. The Governor shall designate a representative of the Office of the Governor to serve as a member of the SIEC.
3. The President of the Senate shall appoint one member of the Senate to serve as a member of the SIEC. The member shall serve at the pleasure of the President for up to two consecutive 2-year terms.
4. The Speaker of the House shall appoint one member of the House of Delegates as a member of the SIEC. The member shall serve at the pleasure of the Speaker for up to two consecutive 2-year terms.
D. The Chair and Vice-Chair.
1. The Chair of the SIEC is the Secretary of MDEM.
2. The Vice-Chair is the SWIC.
E. Meetings.
1. The SIEC shall meet at the call of the Chair, at a minimum of twice per year.
2. The SIEC and its work groups and subcommittees shall endeavor to make decisions by consensus.
3. A majority of the SIEC, or any work group or subcommittee of the SIEC, as applicable, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business.
4. The SIEC may adopt any procedures and by-laws necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.
5. The State agencies represented on the SIEC shall provide needed administrative and operational support to the SIEC.
F. Function.
1. Develop, promote and facilitate a statewide vision for interoperable communications;
2. Recommend and promote standards for public safety communications;
3. Promote cooperation among State, federal and local public safety agencies in addressing Statewide communications interoperability needs;
4. Recommend priorities for Statewide interoperability funding;
5. Assist in the development of projects, plans, policies, standards, priorities, and guidelines for both voice and data interoperability;
6. Review and identify wireless spectrum needs, with the goal of accommodating all users;
7. In cooperation with the SWIC, provide advice on the development of a Statewide interoperable radio and data communications system;
8. Identify and promote the best practices of other states and localities;
9. Serve as a central coordination point for local, State, regional and national interoperability matters;
10. Provide recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning issues related to public safety communications;
11. Approve, and update (as frequently as needed and at least annually) Maryland’s Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP); and
12. Perform any other duties that may be requested by the Governor.
G. Administration.
1. The SIEC may designate work groups and subcommittees consistent with the needs of the SIEC.
2. Members of the SIEC and its subcommittees and work groups shall serve without compensation for their services, but they may receive reimbursement for reasonable expense incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations and as provided in the State budget.
3. All State departments, agencies, commissions, and boards are directed to cooperate with the SWIC and the SIEC in implementing the provisions of this Executive Order.
4. Reasonable accommodations shall be made for qualified SIEC members with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
II. Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC).
A. There is hereby established a SWIC in MDEM
B. The SWIC shall report to, and be supervised by, the Secretary of MDEM.
C. The SWIC’s primary function is to:
1. Plan and assist with implementing the recommendations of the
SEIC.
2. Develop the SCIP which shall be guided by initiatives outlined in the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP); and
3. Coordinate interstate, intrastate, and regional public safety
emergency communications interoperability.
D. Duties. The SWIC shall also:
1. Direct, manage, and implement all aspects of the SCIP.
a. The SCIP provides essential governance, goals, and initiatives of emergency communications that are essential to improving daily operations and disaster response.
b. The SCIP shall be reviewed annually by the SIEC and updated to ensure efficient emergency communications between State, local and federal communications systems.
2. Consult with outside experts, including but not limited to, private sector, organized labor, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and institutions of higher education as education as needed to properly implement the SCIP.
3. Ensure that all communications-related federal grant requests are reviewed and used to enhance emergency communications interoperability; such grant requests must be approved by the SWIC.
III. Each Executive Department and Agency is hereby required, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate fully with the SIEC and the SWIC, and to furnish such assistance - including data, reports, or other information and assistance - on as timely a basis as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Executive Order.
IV. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an Executive Department or Agency.
V. This Executive Order shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations. Nothing in this Executive Order shall operate to contravene any State or federal law or to affect the State’s receipt of federal funding.
VI. If any provision of this Executive Order is held invalid, or its application to a person, event or circumstances is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other applications or provisions of the Executive Order shall remain in effect to the greatest extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
Effective Date: June 18, 2024.
