BILL REQ. #:  H-3574.3 

Read first time 01/20/2006.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to the study of the benefits and applications of radio frequency identification, video, or other technologies; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) A joint task force on radio frequency identification technology is established and consists of the following members:
     (a) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
     (b) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (c) The chief of the Washington state patrol, or the chief's designee;
     (d) The director of the department of motor vehicles, or the director's designee;
     (e) The director of the department of transportation, or the director's designee;
     (f) A representative from a business specializing in radio frequency identification technologies;
     (g) A representative from a business specializing in reader/tag manufacturing;
     (h) A representative from a business specializing in hardware or software;
     (i) A representative from a business specializing in license plate manufacturing;
     (j) A representative from a business specializing in electronic tolling;
     (k) A representative from a nonprofit, nationwide trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry;
     (l) A representative of the insurance industry; and
     (m) The director of the freight mobility strategic investment board, or the director's designee.
     (2) The task force shall choose two cochairs from among its membership.
     (3) The task force shall review and make recommendations to the legislature and the governor regarding radio frequency identification, video, or other technologies, and their potential benefits and uses in government regulator/operational functions. In preparing recommendations, the committee shall, at a minimum, review:
     (a) How radio frequency identification is currently being used in governmental operations;
     (b) The potential benefits of using radio frequency identification to provide a means for dynamic traffic management;
     (c) The potential uses of radio frequency identification in governmental operations;
     (d) The potential benefits of using radio frequency identification to increase compliance with mandatory registrations such as insurance, registration, and emission testing;
     (e) The potential benefits of using radio frequency identification to increase revenue generation for the state;
     (f) The potential benefits of using radio frequency identification to increase security for theft and property management and general safety measures;
     (g) The potential benefits of using radio frequency identification for commercial carrier registration;
     (h) The feasibility of using radio frequency identification as a "port of entry" at the state's border crossings and ports of entry; and
     (i) The feasibility of using radio frequency identification with the expansion of electronic tolling in the state.
     The task force may examine policies regarding the establishment of requirements for any issuing agency of radio frequency identification, video, or other technologies to clearly define: What personal information is to be collected; how the information is to be collected; how the information will be used; who can access the information; and how the information will be protected.
     (4) The task force may consult with individuals from the public and private sector.
     (5) The task force shall use legislative facilities and staff from senate committee services and the house office of program research.
     (6) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 30, 2006.
     (7) The radio frequency identification task force terminates December 31, 2006.