SB 5975-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/12/03)

Declares an intent to ensure that the state's considerable investment in radio communications facilities, and the radio spectrum that is licensed to government entities in the state, are managed in a way that promotes to the maximum extent the health and safety of the state's citizens and the economic efficiencies of coordinated planning, development, management, maintenance, accountability, and performance.

Finds that such coordination is essential for disaster preparedness, emergency management, and public safety, and that such coordination will result in more cost-effective use of state resources and improved government services.

Requires the board to appoint a state interoperability executive committee, the membership of which shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the military department, the Washington state patrol, the department of transportation, the department of information services, the department of natural resources, city and county governments, state and local fire chiefs, police chiefs and sheriffs, and state and local emergency management directors.

Requires the committee to take inventory of and evaluate all state and local government-owned public safety communications systems, and prepare a statewide public safety communications plan. The plan shall set forth recommendations for executive and legislative action to insure that public safety communications systems can communicate with one another and conform to federal law and regulations governing emergency communications systems and spectrum allocation. The plan shall include specific goals for improving interoperability of public safety communications systems and identifiable benchmarks for achieving those goals.