AN ACT Relating to state-wide video communications; amending RCW 43.105.005 and 43.105.017; adding new sections to chapter 43.105 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28B.80 RCW; adding new sections to Title 28A RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 504, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.105.005 are each amended to read as follows:

It is ((~~the~~)) a purpose of this chapter to provide for coordinated planning and management of state information services. The legislature recognizes that information systems, telecommunications, equipment, software, and services must satisfy the needs of end users and that many appropriate and cost-effective alternatives exist for meeting these needs, such as shared mainframe computing, shared voice, data, and video telecommunications services, local area networks, departmental minicomputers, and microcomputers.

It is a purpose of this chapter and sections 4, 7, and 8 of this 1990 act, pursuant to section 3 of this 1990 act, to provide for the timely, coordinated, and cost-effective development and incremental implementation of a state-wide video telecommunications system to serve the needs of public schools, directly and through educational service districts, community colleges and colleges and universities, state and local government, and the general public.

It is the intent of the legislature that state government use voice, data, and video telecommunications technologies, including the state-wide video telecommunications system primarily but not exclusively to transmit and increase access to live interactive classroom instruction and training, provide for interactive public affairs presentations, including a public forum for state and local issues, facilitate communications and exchange of information among state and local elected officials and the general public, enhance state-wide communications within state agencies, and, through the use of telecommunications, reduce time lost due to travel to in-state meetings.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 504, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.105.017 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the intent of the legislature that:

(1) Information be shared and administered in a coordinated manner, except when prevented by agency responsibilities for security, privacy, or confidentiality;

(2) The primary responsibility for the management and use of information, information systems, equipment, software, and services rests with each agency;

(3) Resources be used in the most efficient manner and services be shared when cost-effective;

(4) A structure be created (a) to plan and manage telecommunications and computing networks, (b) to increase agencies' awareness of information sharing opportunities, and (c) to assist agencies in implementing such possibilities;

(5) An acquisition process for equipment, proprietary software, and related services be established that meets the needs of the users, considers the exchange of information, and promotes fair and open competition;

(6) The state improve recruitment, retention, and training of professional staff; ((~~and~~))

(7) Plans, proposals, and acquisitions for information services be reviewed from a financial and management perspective as part of the budget process;

(8) Recognizing that particularly during the next few years there will likely be rapid changes and developments in telecommunications technology accompanied by equally rapid rates of obsolescence, state government adopt policies and procedures that emphasize consideration of leasing voice, data, and video telecommunications services including but not limited to: Studio facilities, terrestrial transmission, uplink facilities, and satellite time;

(9) State government adopt policies and procedures that promote demonstrable compatibility between all equipment acquired for telecommunications programs so as to avoid video and sound quality problems, as well as to take advantage of volume procurement and equipment maintenance; and

(10) State government adopt policies and procedures that encourage the use of video telecommunications and audio teleconferencing in the conduct of state meetings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.105 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department of information services shall be the lead agency in coordinating with other state agencies video telecommunications services.

(2) In coordinating video telecommunications services the department of information services shall work directly with state agencies in conducting the following activities:

(a) Develop standards and common specifications for leased or purchased telecommunications equipment that promote compatibility and unnecessary duplication between telecommunications systems while allowing sufficient flexibility to meet unique needs of users;

(b) Develop and maintain a plan to address, through the acquisition of appropriate technology, services and equipment, the video telecommunications and programming needs of state agencies as they emerge, beginning with the needs identified through the cooperative efforts of the department of information services, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community college education, and the higher education coordinating board.

The plan shall include, but is not limited to, obtaining favorable bulk purchase prices for satellite transponder time by consolidating state agencies time purchases and by scheduling transponder use to include, when possible, off-peak hours;

(c) Coordinate both emergency backup telecommunications services and the maximum use of existing facilities and equipment including, where possible, arranging for the lease of high quality telecommunications services, including production, the use of studio facilities and equipment, and the use of satellite and terrestrial transmission equipment which meet the needs of the users;

(d) Negotiate with local cable companies and local governments to provide for connection to local cable services to allow for access to these public and educational channels in the state;

(e) Stimulate interest in video telecommunications use by providing information to state agencies on possible uses of such technology and assisting state agencies with demonstration projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communications throughout state government; and

(f) Develop a plan for the operation and delivery of public affairs programming, including interactive programming and including a public forum for state and local issues.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

Pursuant to section 3 of this act, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may provide grants for appropriate technology, equipment, and services, including the purchase or upgrade of downlinks and associated equipment to ensure that each local school district, each educational service district, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction is equipped with a downlink.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28B.80 RCW to read as follows:

The higher education coordinating board may provide grants for appropriate technology, equipment, and services, including the purchase or upgrade of downlinks and associated equipment to ensure that each of the community colleges and four-year institutions of higher education is equipped with a downlink. The higher education coordinating board shall not provide grants to community colleges until first consulting with the state board for community college education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.105 RCW to read as follows:

The department of information services shall develop a plan for the initial limited acquisition and installation of video telecommunications facilities and equipment, capable of transmitting visual and audio transmissions, for single or multiple locations of state agencies, to begin to serve the state-wide video telecommunications needs of state agencies. Originating sites shall be determined by the department with the advice of state agencies. The video telecommunications equipment shall include security features to ensure privacy for agencies' state-wide broadcasts to branch offices or to a targeted audience.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide educational telecommunications information to local school districts; assist local school districts and educational service districts in telecommunications planning as it relates to development of curriculum; and assist in formulating legislative recommendations as well as rules and regulations governing the use of telecommunications in K-12 education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 28B.80 RCW to read as follows:

The higher education coordinating board shall: Provide educational telecommunications information to postsecondary educational institutions, review and approve interinstitutional telecommunication course offerings, and assist in formulating legislative recommendations regarding the use of telecommunications.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1990, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.