FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2403

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 208 L 90

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Rector, Ballard, Peery, Silver, Heavey, Dellwo, Jacobsen, Nelson, Hankins, Miller, H. Sommers, Kirby,  Winsley, McLean, Todd, H. Myers and Jones)

Adding video telecommunication responsibilities to the department of information services.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations and Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Information Services (DIS) was created in 1987 to provide coordinated planning and management of state information services.  The department and the Information Services Board (ISB) provide direction to state agencies on strategic planning and technical policies for information services, develop acquisition standards, and assist agencies in acquiring and implementing information services.

The ISB is composed of the following members appointed by the governor:  one representative from each of three cabinet agencies and one non- cabinet agency, one representative from higher education, and two representatives from the private sector.  The chief justice of the Supreme Court appoints a representative from the judicial branch, and the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate jointly appoint one legislative representative.  The director of DIS serves ex officio.

Both the capital and operating budgets adopted in 1989 contained proviso language assigning to DIS the role of lead agency in coordinating video telecommunication services for state agencies. As lead agency, DIS is required to develop standards and common specifications for video telecommunications equipment and assist agencies in developing a video telecommunications plan.

Several public agencies actively use video telecommunications.  The WHETS microwave system (Washington Higher Education Telecommunications System) is used by Washington State University to transmit upper division classes between Pullman and branch campuses in Spokane, the Tri Cities, and Vancouver.  The University of Washington is also connected to WHETS.  A second well- known project is STEP (Satellite Telecommunications Educational Programming), run by Educational Service District No. 101 in Spokane.  STEP broadcasts high school courses and in-service training via satellite to member school districts across not only Washington, but other states as well.

Several Washington school districts have signed contracts to receive a nationally-produced, televised current events program called "Channel One."  In return for a satellite dish, video recorders, and television monitors for most classrooms, the districts must agree to have most students watch the daily program. Corporate sponsors pay for the program by including commercial advertising as part of the broadcast.  Several national education organizations have expressed opposition to the use of commercial advertising in schools, and California and New York have banned "Channel One" in their schools.

SUMMARY:

General Intent.  The Legislature intends that state government use video telecommunications to increase access to interactive classroom instruction, provide interactive public affairs presentations, and facilitate inter-agency communication and communication between the public and elected officials.  It is also the Legislature's intent to maximize the use of existing telecommunications resources and further develop video telecommunications in a manner that makes cost-effective use of resources, encourages shared use, and fulfills identified needs.

"Video telecommunications" is defined, but expressly does not include existing public television broadcast stations.

Information Services Board.  Membership on the Information Services Board (ISB) is altered as follows:  the director of the Department of Information Services (DIS) is added as a full member, a fourth cabinet agency replaces the non-cabinet agency, the directors of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community College Education replace the higher education member, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction and a second legislator are added as members.

The ISB is to assure the cost-effective development and incremental implementation of a state-wide video telecommunications system. By December 1, 1990, the ISB will submit to the governor and the Legislature an implementation plan, including reviews of previous findings, the strengths and weaknesses of the present system, a strategic direction, proposals for coordination between affected agencies, and cost estimates.

Department of Information Services.  DIS is declared to be the lead agency in coordinating video telecommunications services for all state agencies.  Under this authority, the department is to develop standards and common specifications for leased and purchased telecommunications equipment, pursuant to ISB policies, and negotiate with local cable companies and local governments to allow access to public and educational channels.  However, DIS is not to evaluate the merits of curriculum or course offerings proposed for transmission.

Nothing about DIS's authority affects the legal responsibilities of those holding Federal Communication Commission licenses on the effective date of the bill.

Other State Agencies.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the State Board for Community College Education are each given authority to coordinate video telecommunications programming for their respective institutions and districts.

Advisory Committee.  A video telecommunications advisory committee is created to advise the ISB.  The committee is to develop recommendations for creation and use of statewide video telecommunications resources, assist the ISB in the development of a strategic plan and coordinated program, develop a plan to encourage collaborative efforts to make the most cost-effective use of resources, offer recommendations on using video telecommunications in ways that are consistent with the strategic plan, and develop criteria for selection of pilot projects should funds become available.

The committee consists of the following members:  four representing various areas of higher education, four representing various areas of K-12 education, two representing state agencies, two representing the private sector, one representing the Office of Financial Management, two legislators, and the director of DIS.

Commercial Promotional Activity in Schools.  SPI must conduct a study of the impact of commercial promotional activity and commercial sponsorship on educational broadcast programming and on the educational system in general.  The study is to include districts within and outside Washington that have contracted for televised educational programming that includes commercial advertising.  SPI's findings, recommendations, and policy options are due January 15, 1991.  SPI is to notify all school districts of the study and encourage districts not to enter into contracts for programming that includes commercials until the study is completed.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 93   0

      Senate    42     0 (Senate amended)

      House             (House refused to concur)

Free Conference Committee

      Senate    42     6

      House 97   0

EFFECTIVE:March 27, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The veto deletes the changes to the composition of the Information Services Board and returns the board to its original form, eliminates the video telecommunications advisory committee and its duties, and removes the requirement that the Superintendent of Public Instruction study the impact of commercial promotional activity on the educational system and removes all references to the topic of commercial promotional activity in schools.  (See VETO MESSAGE)