SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6378

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 2000

Title:  An act relating to extending the expiration date of the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Extending the tenure of the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Brown and Snyder; by request of Department of Emergency Management.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy, Technology & Telecommunications:  1/25/2000, 2/3/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/2000, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Brown, Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Fairley, Fraser, Hochstatter, Roach and Rossi.

Staff:  William Bridges (786-7424)

Background:  Enhanced 911 (E911) automatically displays the caller=s name, phone number, and location to a 911 operator.  An E911 system was established in Washington by referendum in 1991.

The E911 coordinator is responsible for the implementation and operation of the E911 system.  The coordinator is assisted by the E911 advisory committee, appointed by the Adjutant General of the state Military Department, and representing fire, safety, utility, telecommunication, and local government officials.  There are currently 27 members on the advisory committee.  Terms of service are determined by each member organization.  Committee members are eligible for travel reimbursement.

The E911 advisory committee will expire on December 31, 2000.

Summary of Bill:  The Enhanced 911 advisory committee expires on December 31, 2006.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Committee members are volunteers, representing diverse interests.  Their advice is necessary to effectively implement the E911 system.  Committee advice is also needed to coordinate and integrate new technology, such as cellular phones, into the E911 system.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jim Potts, Wash. State Assn. of Counties and 12 rural Wash. counties; Victoria Lincoln, Assn. of Wash. Cities; Bob Oenning, E911 Coordinator, State Military Dept.