TITLE administration

Part XII. Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Chapter 251. Regional Plans-Standards

1 TAC §251.1

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts an amendment to §251.1, concerning regional plans for 9-1-1 service, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4093).

Section 251.1 proposes to meet new technology advancements in telecommunications for the protection and reliability of 9-1-1 systems and to be consistent with changes in Commission policy. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

The amendment provides updated language and clarifies requirements; adds language consistent with newer rules, such as wireless; incorporates contractor reference, such as memorandum of understanding; and sets minimum standards for performance and reporting.

There were no comments received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.055, 771.056 and 771.059, which provides the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications the authority to plan for and implement emergency communication systems that meet set standards and in accordance with approved agency strategic plan.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905153

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.2

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts an amendment to §251.2, concerning guidelines for changing or extending 9-1-1 service arrangements, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4095).

The section provides the guidelines so that 9-1-1 service in the competitive and fast-changing telecommunications environment does not degrade the provision of the highest level of service. The amendment incorporates language consistent with new agency rule on wireless solution and provides consistency with the changes in Commission policy. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.056 and 771.059, which provides the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications the authority to provide the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications with the authority to administer and implement 9-1-1 emergency communications.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905154

James Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.3

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications (ACSEC) adopts an amendment to §251.3, concerning guidelines for addressing funds, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 25, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4649).

The section reflects reporting requirements that call for more timely, structured, and quantitative reports from the Councils of Governments to the ACSEC. The reporting to the ACSEC of addressing data will be required on a quarterly basis, at a minimum, or on an as-needed basis. The amendment to the section also addresses the reallocation of pool funds. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received on the proposal during the comment period.

The amendment is proposed pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.056, and 771.075, which authorizes the Commission to adopt policies and procedures prescribing the distribution and use of 9-1-1 funds for providing 9-1-1 service.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905155

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 25, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.4

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts an amendment to §251.4, concerning guidelines for the provisioning of accessibility equipment, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4097).

The proposed amendment includes restructuring the layout of the rule to provide reference to statutory requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the beginning of this section; clarifies section as a rule and not a "standard" pertaining to accessibility equipment and requires such to meet ADA requirements and standards set forth by the National Emergency Number Association; deletes agency historical information; expands the definition of "TDD"; adds "TTY" to all references made to "TDD" for clarification; and delineates funding for one TDD/TTY per position in accordance with federal mandate The amendment provides consistency with the changes in Commission policy. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.055, 771.056, 771.057, 771.071 and 771.072, which provides the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications with the authority to develop standards for the establishment and operation of 9-1-1 service.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905156

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.5

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts an amendment to §251.5, concerning guidelines for 9-1-1 equipment management, disposition and capital recovery, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4099).

The amendment allows for improved methods of equipment management, disposition, and replacement planning and meets the recommendations of the State Auditor's Report No. 98-054 to the ACSEC received July 29, 1998. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.071, 771.072, 771.075, 771.071 and 771.072, which provides the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications with the authority to adopt policies and procedures prescribing the distribution and use of 9-1-1 funds and for developing standards for the establishment and operation of 9-1-1 service.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905157

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.6

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications (ACSEC) adopts an amendment to §251.6, concerning guidelines for Strategic Plans, Amendments, and Equalization Surcharge, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 25, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4650).

The amendment provides language consistent with new legislation; provides for a biennial review of strategic plans; provides additional minimum standards for reporting; improved system for quantitative reporting and monitoring mechanisms for the 9-1-1 program statewide; and updates administrative requirements and processes. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received on the proposal during the comment period.

The amendment is proposed under Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.071, 771.0711, 771.072, and 771.075, which authorizes the Commission to adopt policies and procedures prescribing the distribution and use of 9-1-1 funds for providing 9-1-1 service.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905158

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 25, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.7

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts an amendment to §251.7, concerning guidelines and provisions for implementing integrated services, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4102).

The amendment provides clarification on the process prior to integrating and deploying expanded third-party applications and provides consistency with the changes in Commission policy. This section was a part of the agency's rule review of Chapter 251.

There were no comments received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.056 and 771.059, which provides the Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications the authority to administer the implementation of statewide 9-1-1 service, to develop minimum performance standards for equipment and operation of 9-1-1 service to be followed in developing regional plans, and to allocate money to prepare and operate regional plans.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905159

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933


1 TAC §251.8

The Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications adopts new § 251.8, concerning guidelines for the procurement of Equipment and Services with 9-1-1 Funds, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 4, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4104).

The rule provides an improved mechanism to local governments in the procurement of equipment and services with 9-1-1 funds and to ensure that all minimum competitive procurement requirements are met. It further provides clarification for end-to-end lease arrangements.

There were no comments received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The rule is adopted pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, §§771.051, 771.071, 771.0711, 771.072, and 771.075, which authorizes the Commission to adopt policies and procedures prescribing the distribution and use of 9-1-1 funds for providing 9-1-1 service.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 16, 1999.

TRD-9905160

James D. Goerke

Executive Director

Advisory Commission on State Emergency Communications

Effective date: September 5, 1999

Proposal publication date: June 4, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6933