SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2543



As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 22, 2006

Title: An act relating to the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Brief Description: Making permanent the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Crouse, Nixon, Hudgins, Morrell, Green and Lantz; by request of Military Department).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/06, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/20/06, 2/22/06 [DPA].


SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

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

E911 Advisory Committee. 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, 2006.

Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP is a technology used to send real-time voice communication over the Internet.

Summary of Amended Bill: The sunset date for the Enhanced 911 advisory committee is extended five years to 2011.

A representative from a VoIP company is added to the membership of the E911 advisory committee. The committee must annually provide to the appropriate legislative committees an update on the status of E911 service in the state.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill removed the sunset date entirely. The amended bill extends the sunset date five years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2006.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This is a bill that helps protect the safety and security of families. A VoIP representative on the advisory committee would add value, and the committee already reports annually to the UTC, so an annual update to the Legislature is not burdensome.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Kilmer, prime sponsor; Robert Oenning, Military Department.