Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill allocates $10 million from the state's general fund to support the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system, which enables different emergency services to communicate during crises. The funding will help local governments, federally recognized Tribal entities, and state agencies purchase or upgrade portable and mobile radios that can work together with the existing ARMER Next communication network. To receive grants, recipients must provide at least a five percent match from nonstate funds, and one-third of the total funding must go to local units within the metropolitan area. The Department of Public Safety's Emergency Communication Networks division will manage the program, with approval of how funds are distributed handled by the Statewide Emergency Communications Board.