BILL REQ. #:  S-4388.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/02/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a wireless network in the legislative building; adding a new section to chapter 44.68 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature declares that fast and convenient access to information improves the efficiency and effectiveness of government. The legislature further declares that ready and equitable public access to information is fundamental to the sound governance of a free society. Therefore, the legislature intends to encourage the use of new technology to facilitate and expand access to information by state officers, state employees, and the public.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 44.68 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The joint legislative systems committee, the department of information services, and the department of general administration shall deploy a pilot wireless network. The network shall initially be established in the legislative building during 2004 as part of the legislative building rehabilitation project with the future objective of expanding coverage to the state capitol campus. The committee and the departments shall determine the schedule for future deployment of the network.
     (2) The committee and the departments shall determine the means by which persons may use the network; however, access shall proceed in three phases: Phase one, legislative officers and staff; phase two, executive officers and staff; and phase three, the public.
     (3) In determining the conditions under which the public may access the network, the committee and the departments shall consult with the state library.
     (4) The committee and the departments may choose a private vendor to deploy or provide network services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The joint legislative systems committee, the department of information services, and the department of general administration shall present a report to the appropriate technology committees in the house of representatives and the senate on the deployment of the wireless network by January 10, 2005. The report shall include recommendations and fiscal implications of expanding the wireless network to additional state capitol campus facilities, the executive officers, their staff, and the public.