SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6219

BYSenators Thorsness, Gaspard, Bailey, Rinehart, Bender, Madsen, Metcalf, Murray, Talmadge, Lee, Craswell, Bluechel, Warnke, Patrick, Bauer and Stratton;by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Providing for the implementation of a state-wide video telecommunications system for public schools.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6219 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  February 6, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 14, 1990; February 15, 1990

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6219 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  February 20, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 15, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the Legislature passed legislation directing the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and the Higher Education Coordinating (HEC) Board to develop and recommend to the Legislature by mid-1989 a model plan for a state educational telecommunications network that coordinates programs, projects and activities between the common school and higher education sectors of the state education system.  In the 1987-89 operating budget the Legislature provided funds to the Department of Community Development (DCD) "×××for a study of the uses, structure, and operation of a statewide video telecommunications network" (which became a joint effort between DCD and the Department of Information Services (DIS)).

In January 1989, the Legislature received study results from the SPI, the HEC Board, the State Board for Community College Education, and DCD/DIS, somewhat collectively known as the Triad Report.  Legislation was introduced during the 1989 session to provide for a timely, cost-effective statewide video telecommunications system for state government, public schools, institutions of higher education, local government and the general public.  This legislation did not pass.

SUMMARY:

The intent and purpose sections of the enabling legislation creating the Department of Information Services (DIS) are broadened:  State government should use voice, data, and video telecommunications technologies to transmit and increase access to live interactive classroom instruction and training, provide for interactive public affairs presentations, enhance statewide communications with state agencies, and reduce time lost due to travel to in-state meetings. 

The Department of Information Services is the lead agency in coordinating video telecommunications services with other state agencies.  The DIS conducts activities, including:  developing standards and common specifications for leased or purchased telecommunications equipment; developing and maintaining a plan for the video telecommunications and programming needs of state agencies; coordinating emergency backup telecommunications services and the maximum use of existing facilities and equipment; negotiating with local cable companies and local governments; stimulating interest in video telecommunications use; and developing a plan for the operation and delivery of public affairs programming.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) may provide grants for appropriate technology, equipment, and services, including the purchase or upgrade of downlinks for school districts, the educational service districts, and the SPI.  The SPI also will provide to school and educational service districts educational telecommunications information and telecommunications planning assistance for curriculum development.

The Higher Education Coordinating (HEC) Board may provide grants for appropriate technology, equipment, and services, including the purchase or upgrade of downlinks for the community colleges and four-year colleges and universities.  The HEC Board may not provide grants to community colleges until first consulting with the State Board for Community College Education.  The HEC Board also will provide educational telecommunications information to postsecondary institutions, and review and approve interinstitutional telecommunications course offerings.

The DIS will develop a plan for the initial limited acquisition and installation of video telecommunications facilities and equipment to begin to serve the statewide video telecommunications needs of state agencies.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Information Services Board is the designated state agency responsible for coordinating the cost-effective development and implementation of a statewide video telecommunications system.  The board's powers and duties are expanded to include negotiating with local cable companies and local governments to provide for connection to local cable services to allow access to these public and educational channels in the state.

The board's name is changed to the Information Services and Telecommunications Review Board.  Membership is expanded from 9 to 13 members.

The powers and duties of the Department of Information Services (DIS) are amended to broaden the agencies for which DIS may develop training plans and coordinate training programs.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the State Board for Community College Education (SBCCE), the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), and DIS are directed to develop phase-in plans relating to the implementation of the use of video telecommunications within their respective jurisdictions.  Funds that may be appropriated may not be spent unless approved by the Information Services and Telecommunications Review Board.

OSPI, SBCCE, HECB, and DIS are given clear responsibility for coordinating the use of video telecommunications within their jurisdictions.

Language is added to clarify that existing production facilities should be used in implementing the statewide video telecommunications system.  Language is also added to clarify inclusion of the vocational-technical institutes in the statewide video telecommunications system.

Language pertaining to: adoption of policies to promote equipment compatibility; adoption of policies encouraging the use of video telecommunications and audio teleconferencing in conducting state meetings; and other language in the original bill is deleted as being unnecessary or redundant to existing statutory provisions.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

Language is changed to give the Department of Information Services (DIS) the responsibility for negotiating with local cable companies and local governments.

The current board's name is kept: the Information Services Board.

Language is deleted pertaining: to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), the State Board for Community College Education (SBCCE), and DIS directing these agencies to develop phased-in telecommunications plans.  Other language in the proposed substitute is deleted as being unnecessary.

Language is added preventing a school district board of directors from entering into a contract or agreement under which students are regularly required to observe, listen to, or read commercial promotion activities, defined in section 11.

A plan is required of the Information Services Board for the cost-effective incremental implementation of a coordinated statewide video telecommunications system, due to the Legislature December 1, 1990.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  PRO:  Senator Gaspard, sponsor; Les Portner, Association of Washington School Principals; Barbara Peterson, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Ron Crossland, State Board for Community College Education; Jim Ford, Skagit Valley College; Ed Dolan, Bellevue Community College; Tim Strege, Council of Vocational-Technical Institutes; Ron Lively, KTPS-TV; Dick Moody, Educational Service District 101 (Spokane); Don Johnson, SPI's office; Cheryl Lemke, SPI's office; Cherie Tessier, People First; Nancy Abraham, Department of Information Services (neutral)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  PRO:  Don Johnson, OSPI; Dwayne Slate, WSSDA: Ron Crossland, Community College State Board; Walter Ball, AWSP; Ken Minhaert, South Puget Sound Community College