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HJ 57

Study resolution examining the effects of public safety communications on extreme weather responses

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shane Klakken

HJ 57 would study how public safety communications affect extreme-weather responses, surveying systems, assessing impacts on warnings and evacuations, and recommending improvements.

(S) Died in Standing Committee
#environmentalprotection #firesandfireprotection #communications #interimstudyresolutions
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Bill Summary · HJ 57

HJ 57 — Summary: Study resolution examining the effects of public safety communications on extreme weather responses

Status: Joint resolution — Died in Senate Standing Committee (May 22, 2025)
Introduced: November 29, 2024
Primary sponsor: Rep. Shane Klakken
Classification: Joint resolution / interim study
Related: Replaces LC 2060

Purpose and intent

HJ 57 is a legislative study resolution that would direct the Legislature (or an assigned legislative committee) to examine how public safety communications systems affect responses to extreme weather events. The resolution aims to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities to improve communications used by emergency managers, first responders, and the public during floods, storms, wildfires, heat events and other climate-driven extremes.

Key provisions (scope and typical elements)

The bill record identifies HJ 57 as an interim study resolution; the bill text is not included in the legislative history provided. Study resolutions of this type typically (and, based on the title, likely) would:

  • Survey existing public safety communications infrastructure and channels (e.g., 9‑1‑1 systems, radio interoperability, emergency alert systems, mobile/broadband alerts, mass notification systems).
  • Assess how communications affect operational response, evacuations, warning times, resource coordination, and community resilience during extreme weather.
  • Identify legal, technical, funding, and governance barriers to effective communications (including interagency interoperability, tribal/local coordination, and private-sector roles).
  • Consult with relevant state agencies, local governments, tribal authorities, utility and telecom providers, fire districts, emergency managers, and federal partners (e.g., FEMA, NOAA).
  • Produce findings and recommendations for statutory, regulatory, funding, or policy changes; and deliver a report to the Legislature by a specified date (common for interim studies).

Because the formal bill text is not in the record provided, the specific membership of any study group, deadlines, and reporting requirements are not available here.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies involved in emergency management and communications.
  • Local governments, fire districts, and first-responder organizations.
  • Telecommunications and public safety communications providers.
  • Tribal governments and community emergency planners.
  • Residents in hazard-prone areas who rely on alerts and warnings.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

  • Drafting and request stages: Nov 29, 2024 – Apr 14, 2025 (LC drafting steps).
  • House action: Introduced Apr 14, 2025; referred to House Energy, Technology & Federal Relations; committee hearing Apr 15; committee passed Apr 17; 2nd reading Apr 23 (passed); 3rd reading Apr 24 (passed); transmitted to Senate Apr 24.
  • Senate action: First reading Apr 25; referred Apr 25 to Senate Energy, Technology & Federal Relations; Died in Standing Committee on May 22, 2025.

Impact and next steps

As a study resolution, HJ 57 would not itself enact policy or funding but could produce recommendations that lead to future bills, budget requests, or administrative actions to strengthen communications for extreme-weather response. Because the resolution died in the Senate committee, its study and any resulting recommendations were not adopted during the 2025 interim. Sponsors or stakeholders may reintroduce a similar study or substantive bill in a future session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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