HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2403
As Amended by the Senate
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
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (8)
Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.
House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)
AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990
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 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. DIS operates on a revolving fund basis, charging agencies for its services.
One of DIS's duties is to review agencies' long-range acquisition and information technology plans. The department also conducts feasibility studies on large proposals, forwarding its response to the proposal both to the agency and to the Office of Financial Management (OFM).
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 have become quite active in their use of 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 the STEP program (Satellite Telecommunications Educational Programming) run by Educational Service District 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.
SUMMARY:
The Legislature finds that video telecommunication must be coordinated in a manner that is cost-effective, encourages shared use, and fulfills identified needs.
"Video telecommunications" is defined, but expressly does not include educational broadcasts intended for the general public.
The Department of Information Services is declared to be the lead agency in coordinating video telecommunication services for all state agencies. Under this authority, the department is to:
oDevelop standards and common specifications for leased and purchased telecommunications equipment;
oEstablish guidelines for state expenditures for new video telecommunications equipment and transmission or for expansion of existing systems. These guidelines may include departmental approval of expenditures, but the department is not to evaluate the merits of curriculum or course offerings proposed for transmission; and
oEstablish the strategic direction and a coordinated program for future state use of video telecommunications.
Nothing about DIS's responsibilities affects the legal responsibilities of Federal Communication Commission licenses held on the effective date of the bill.
A video telecommunications advisory committee is created to advise and assist DIS. The committee is to:
oJointly with the department, develop recommendations for creation and use of statewide video telecommunications resources;
oAssist the department in the development of a strategic plan and coordinated program;
oEncourage collaborative efforts to make the most cost- effective use of resources;
oOffer recommendations on the use of video telecommunications in ways that are consistent with the strategic plan; and
oRecommend guidelines and criteria for selection of pilot projects should funds become available.
The committee consists of 15 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 OFM, and two legislators.
EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS: General Provisions: Legislative intent is expanded to include transmission and increased access to interactive instruction and training, provision of interactive public affairs presentations, and improved communication between state agencies and between elected officials and the public.
Video telecommunications is defined to exclude public TV broadcast stations designated by the Department of Community Development under current law, rather than excluding educational broadcasts designed for reception by the general public.
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 member (rather than an ex-officio member); one additional cabinet agency replaces two non-cabinet agencies; a second legislative member is added; the directors of the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the State Board for Community College Education replace the higher education member; and the superintendent of public instruction becomes a member. Membership on the Video Telecommunications Advisory Committee remains the same, but it will advise and make recommendations to the ISB, rather than the department.
The ISB is required to develop a plan by December 1, 1990, for the cost-effective and incremental implementation of a statewide video telecommunications system.
Agency Responsibilities: DIS is to negotiate with local cable companies and local governments for connection to local cable agencies. Equipment standards and common specifications are to be developed pursuant to ISB policies. The assignment of strategic planning and overall coordination responsibilities to DIS is removed.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), the HECB, and the Community College Board will each coordinate video telecommunications programming for their respective agencies and institutions.
Commercial Activity: School districts may not enter into contracts that permit commercial promotional activity on school premises if: (a) the contract limits the school's authority to determine when and what materials are presented to students, or (b) if the contract requires that students regularly observe or listen to commercials. Such existing contracts are not to be renewed. This prohibition expires June 30, 1991.
SPI will conduct a study of the impact of televised educational programming that includes commercial advertising in schools using such programming in Washington and other states. SPI's report is due by January 15, 1991.
Fiscal Note: Requested January 17, 1990.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: (Original bill) Representative Shirley Rector, prime sponsor; Nancy Abraham, Department of Information Services; Don Johnson and Cheryl Lemke, Superintendent of Public Instruction; James Ford, Skagit Valley Community College; Ron Crossland, State Board for Community College Education; Beverly Lingle, Washington State University (support but with concerns); and Barbara Peterson, Higher Education Coordinating Board.
House Committee - Testified Against: No one.
House Committee - Testimony For: (Original bill) The potential for use of video telecommunications is enormous. The state needs one agency to coordinate and integrate video telecommunications through the steady development of resources. DIS would not control programs, but would keep an eye on the big picture. Much planning has already been done and, with resources, implementation can begin in a phased-in manner. Governance is the focus here and DIS is the appropriate agency to be the coordinator of technical resources, but the bill may not go far enough toward actual implementation. Agencies are ready to move forward. DIS should not be involved in program approval or micro-management of existing resources.
House Committee - Testimony Against: None.
VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Yeas 93; Absent 2; Excused 3
Absent: Representatives Heavey, Vekich
Excused: Representatives Basich, Chandler, Sommers D.