Administrative Rules of the State of Montana

BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

In the matter of the adoption of New Rule

I pertaining to next generation 9‑1‑1 technology standards and baseline principles

)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ADOPTION

TO: All Concerned Persons

1. On October 20, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the Department of Administration will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider the proposed adoption of the above-stated rule. Because there currently exists a state of emergency in Montana due to the public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, there will be no in-person hearing. Interested parties may access the remote conferencing platform in the following ways:

(a) Join Zoom Meeting, https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/ 8480317817?pwd=T2d0cEE2RW5NWktVOEQ3Tk51WCttUT09

Meeting ID: 848 031 7817
Password: 613969

(b) Dial by telephone, +1 406 444 9999 or +1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 848 031 7817

Password: 613969

The hearing will begin with a brief introduction by department staff to explain the use of the videoconference and telephonic platform. All participants will be muted except when it is their time to speak.

2. The Department of Administration will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the Department of Administration no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 2020, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Rhonda Sullivan, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 200113, Helena, Montana 59620; telephone (406) 444-2420; fax (406) 444-2701; Montana Relay Service 711; or e-mail rsullivan@mt.gov.

3. The rule proposed to be adopted provides as follows:

NEW RULE I NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS AND BASELINE PRINCIPLES (1) The department adopts the Montana Statewide 9‑1‑1 Plan Project – NG9-1-1 Uniform Standards Document dated March 13, 2020, to establish standards to be used in the design and transition to next generation 9‑1‑1.

(2) The department adopts the Baseline Next Generation 9‑1‑1 Principles dated March 13, 2020, as principles to guide development and implementation of a next generation core services system (NGCS) and a statewide emergency services Internet protocol (IP) network (ESInet) that is compliant with the National Emergency Numbers Association’s (NENA) Detailed Functional and Interface Standards for the NENA i3 Solution.

(3) The documents referenced in (1) and (2) may be viewed at https://sitsd.mt.gov/Governance/Boards-Councils/9-1-1. Copies may be obtained from the Department of Administration, State Information Technology Services Division offices located at 125 North Roberts Street, Helena, Montana 59620.

AUTH: 10-4-108, MCA

IMP: 10-4-107, MCA

STATEMENT OF REASONABLE NECESSITY: The department is proposing to adopt NEW RULE I to comply with the rulemaking requirements imposed by 10-4-108(2), MCA, which was enacted by 2017 House Bill 61. The technology standards are necessary to provide guidance to local and tribal governments, providers, and others involved in operating and maintaining 9‑1‑1 systems to ensure the reliability, functionality, compatibility, interoperability, and cybersecurity of 9‑1‑1 systems, hardware, and software. The standards were developed by the 9‑1‑1 Advisory Council with the assistance of a consultant and were adopted by the council and the department in March 2020.

4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to Rhonda Sullivan, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 200113, Helena, Montana 59620; telephone (406) 444-2420; fax (406) 444-2701; or e-mail rsullivan@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., October 23, 2020.

5. Don Harris, Department of Administration, has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

6. The division maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the mailing list shall make a written request which includes the name and mailing address or e-mail address of the person to receive notices and specifies that the person wishes to receive notices regarding Public Safety Communications Bureau rulemaking actions. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in 4 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

7. An electronic copy of this proposal notice is available through the department's website at doa.mt.gov/administrativerules. The department strives to make its online version of the notice conform to the official published version, but advises all concerned persons that if a discrepancy exists between the official version and the department's online version, only the official text will be considered. In addition, although the department works to keep its website accessible at all times, concerned persons should be aware that the website may be unavailable during some periods, due to system maintenance or technical problems.

8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, apply and have been fulfilled. The primary bill sponsor, Representative Frank Garner, was contacted on September 3, 2020, by electronic mail.

9. The department has determined that under 2-4-111, MCA, the proposed adoption of NEW RULE I will not significantly and directly affect small businesses.

By: /s/ John Lewis By: /s/ Don E. Harris

John Lewis, Director Don E. Harris, Rule Reviewer

Department of Administration Department of Administration

Certified to the Secretary of State September 15, 2020.