FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 135

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 389 L 87

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers,  Hankins, Sayan, Ballard, P. King and Fuhrman;by request of Washington State Library

Changing provisions relating to the Western Library Network.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1976, the legislature authorized the implementation of the Western Library Network Computer System (WLN).  WLN has two major components:  a resource sharing network for libraries and a multi-state computer service.  WLN operates as a major division of the Washington State Library under the auspices of the Washington State Library Commission.  It is financed through a revolving fund and is self-supporting and nonprofit.

In addition to providing services to user libraries, WLN has also experienced a successful software leasing program, primarily to foreign governments.  This unique function presents a problem for WLN operating as a state agency, in that Washington's Open Public Meeting Act and constitutional spending restrictions pose obstacles to expanding the competitive aspect of this program.

Under present law, the Data Processing Authority is required to approve WLN's pricing policies.

For several years, discussion has continued over whether WLN should remain as a division of a state agency, the Washington State Library, or whether it should take the status of a public nonprofit corporation.  In 1984, the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) conducted a sunset review and recommended that WLN change its governance structure to a public nonprofit corporation.  Legislation adopted in 1985 did not make the change in governance but did extend the sunset review to 1987, giving additional time to study a nonprofit corporation structure.

The 1987 LBC sunset review report recommends that efforts continue to achieve a change to a different governance structure.  It further recommends that: (1) WLN be extended indefinitely; (2)  the Data Processing Authority be removed from involvement in setting WLN's user fee policies; (3) the library commission and its advisory bodies of action in their discussions on WLN pricing, products, equipment, and services that could affect WLN's competitive position be exempted from the state's Open Public Meeting Act; and (4) all key management positions in WLN be exempted from civil service.

SUMMARY:

The Western Library Network (WLN) is continued indefinitely, and five of its top management positions are exempted from classified civil service.  The Data Processing Authority is no longer required to approve WLN pricing policies.

Consideration of matters related to equipment, prices, and services of WLN, in meetings held by the Washington State Library Commission and its advisory bodies, is exempt from the Open Public Meetings Act.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 93   0

      Senate    49     0(Senate amended)

      House       (House insisted)

Free Conference Committee

      Senate    47     0

      House 96   0

EFFECTIVE:June 30, 1987

Partial Veto Summary:  Provisions removing the Data Processing Authority's approval of the WLN's pricing policies are vetoed.  These provisions are contained in 2SSB 5555 which was signed into law.  (See VETO MESSAGE)