HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2929

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to telecommunications, telecommunications planning, and higher education technology.

Brief Description:  Requiring a higher education technology plan.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson, Huff, Jacobsen, Foreman, Sehlin and Silver.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  2/3/96 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Pelesky, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Brumsickle; Carlson; Cooke; Crouse; Dyer; Foreman; Grant; Hargrove; Hickel; Jacobsen; Lambert; McMorris; Poulsen; Reams; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan and Talcott.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Valle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Chappell; Dellwo; Kessler; Linville and Wolfe.

Staff:  Jennifer Priddy (786-7118).

Background:  The four-year higher education institutions and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) have proposed the development of a higher education network.  This network would link all campuses of the four-year institutions, community and technical colleges, branch campuses, some county extension sites, and some off-campus locations.  The cost of the proposal totals $40 million General Fund-State.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Higher Education Network and Distance Education Committee is formed.  The committee shall be convened by Department of Information Services (DIS) and shall include the following or designees:  the director of DIS, the executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), a president of a community or technical college, a president of a public baccalaureate institution, the state librarian, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  On a non-voting basis, the committee also includes a representative of the computer or telecommunications industry and a representative of a private college.

This committee shall develop a network design and implementation plan for approval or modification by the Information Services Board (ISB).  The design shall incorporate the following principles:  (a) maximize existing networks and video telecommunications resources owned or operated by the state; (b) minimize duplication of technology resources and education programs or degrees at institutions; (c) provide optimum geographic and social distribution of the benefits of a network; (d) ensure that the network can be expanded and upgraded, is based on an open-architecture model, and connects to national and worldwide information infrastructures; (e) foster partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit entities; and (f) provide for future access by public entities on a no-cost or low-cost basis.  Such entities shall include, but are not limited to public libraries, public hospitals, public schools, and public service agencies.  The design shall detail which sites shall be connected to the network and the technologies and service delivery modes to be utilized at each site.

For each site included in the network design the HECB shall approve a service delivery plan which provides for effective utilization of planned investments.  The HECB shall also approve a network governance structure, ensuring participation by all members of the network.

The implementation plan shall prioritize investments into phases to be funded by the Legislature.  The plan shall also incorporate specific funding options that are appropriate for the 1997 supplemental budget.  The committee shall ensure that in each phase (a) the addition of a site or sites to the network will result in a completed link and the capability to operate distance education programs; (b) the sites added in each phase have an HECB-approved service delivery plan; and (c) each phase has completed a request for proposals process.

Once approved by the ISB, the design and implementation plan shall be submitted to OFM and the relevant committees of the Legislature by October 1, 1996.

A fund is created with the State Treasurer.  The director of DIS may accept gifts and grants for use in developing the higher education distance education network.  The director may also disburse funds with approval of the ISB, for implementation of the network plan.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The membership of the committee is altered; the network design principles are detailed; an implementation plan is required.  Development of a Washington Telecommunications Plan is not required.  Disbursements from the trust fund may be made by the director of the Department of Information Services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.