SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5269

As Passed Senate, March 11, 2003

Title: An act relating to the creation of a statewide first responder building mapping information system.

Brief Description: Creating a building mapping information system.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland, Kline, Roach, Kastama, Rasmussen, Johnson, Esser, McCaslin, Schmidt and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/6/03, 2/14/03 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/11/03, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5269 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline, Roach and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: Building map information can include floor plans, fire protection information, evacuation plans, utility information, known hazards, and other information important to emergency personnel responding to disasters or emergencies. Police and fire fighters are first responders and can use building mapping information to respond to disasters, criminal acts, and acts of terrorism.

Summary of Bill: When funded, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) creates and operates a statewide first responder building mapping information system. WASPC pursues federal funds to create the system and provides grants for the mapping of all state and local government buildings. After the system is operational, all state and local governments must use software that complies with the standards adopted by WASPC. Local governments using non-compliant software prior to adoption of standards may continue to do so until WASPC provides funding for the change. WASPC, in cooperation with the Washington State Emergency Management Office, Washington State Patrol, and Washington State Fire Chief's Association, develops guidelines regarding the information to be included, software standards, priorities for building mapping, protocols for how and with whom the information can be shared, and training. All state and local government-owned buildings must be mapped when funding is provided by WASPC or other sources. Federally, privately, or tribally-owned buildings may be voluntarily mapped. The mapping information is given to WASPC, who electronically makes the information available to all state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies and fire departments, as well as the Washington State Military Department. Units of local government and their employees are immune from civil liability for damages arising out of the creation or use of the building mapping information, unless they acted with gross negligence or bad faith. Building mapping information is exempt from public disclosure.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: It is very important for first responders to know this information so they can respond appropriately and safely during emergencies. WASPC has done a successful pilot project in schools using federal funding. Seattle has been doing this for three years.

Testimony Against: Concerns: If the system is web-based, security will be important and challenging.

Testified: PRO: Senator Brandland; Tim Shellberg, WASPC; Larry Erickson, WASPC; Ralph Munro, Prepared Response; Steve Bailey, Pierce County Emergency Management.