S-1709.1  _______________________________________________

                 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8410

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators T. Sheldon, Rossi and B. Sheldon

Read first time 02/19/2001.  Referred to Committee on Economic Development & Telecommunications.

Studying wireless communication.

    WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes that the citizens of Washington are demanding increased access to advanced and wireless telecommunications services; and

    WHEREAS, Rapid growth in the number of subscribers to wireless telecommunications services has placed increased pressure on the capacity of Washington state's wireless telecommunications infrastructure; and

    WHEREAS, The growth and citizen demand for improved and expanded service demonstrates the need for more efficient local siting and permitting processes;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the Senate Economic Development and Telecommunications Committee and the House Technology, Telecommunications, and Energy Committee establish a joint study group composed of staff from senate committee services and the office of program research to study the following issues concerning wireless telecommunications:

    (1) Investigate the use of siting moratoria as an impediment to the deployment of wireless services in the state;

    (2) Review other issues related to the deployment of wireless services in the state as desired by the joint study group; and

    (3) Make recommendations to the legislature and to the governor regarding ways that the legislature, local jurisdictions, and the private sector can work cooperatively to facilitate the rapid deployment of wireless services in the state; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That senate committee services and the office of program research shall provide administrative support for the joint study group; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint study group report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2002.

                            --- END ---