BILL REQ. #:  S-3969.2 

Read first time 01/12/2006.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to the state interoperability executive committee; amending RCW 43.105.330; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that local governments need to have interoperable communications to ensure the public safety and welfare of all citizens in the state of Washington. In light of recent catastrophic events around the world, including in the United States, it is now more important than ever that all responders be able to communicate clearly and without interference or malfunction.
     The legislature has learned that numerous states, the federal government, and some international governments have adopted the project-25 standard for interoperable communications. Local governments in Washington have started to purchase the project-25 interoperable communication standard equipment. In order to ensure that local governments continue to make smart purchasing decisions, they need certainty that the purchases will be interoperable with state equipment and that the state will adopt the national project-25 standards. It is the intent of this act to provide certainty to local governments that a statewide project-25 interoperable communications system will be in place throughout Washington in the near future, and the investments they are making are advantageous to the original intent of interoperable communications, thus ensuring the safety and welfare of Washington's citizens.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.105.330 and 2003 c 18 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The board shall appoint a state interoperability executive committee, the membership of which must 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. The chair and legislative members of the board will serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the committee. Voting membership may not exceed fifteen members.
     (2) The chair of the board shall appoint the chair of the committee from among the voting members of the committee.
     (3) The ((strategic [state])) state interoperability executive committee has the following responsibilities:
     (a) Develop policies and make recommendations to the board for technical standards for state wireless radio communications systems, including emergency communications systems. The standards must address, among other things, the interoperability of systems, taking into account both existing and future systems and technologies;
     (b) Coordinate and manage on behalf of the board the licensing and use of state-designated and state-licensed radio frequencies, including the spectrum used for public safety and emergency communications, and serve as the point of contact with the federal communications commission on matters relating to allocation, use, and licensing of radio spectrum;
     (c) Coordinate the purchasing of all state and local wireless radio communications system equipment to ensure that:
     (i) Any new trunked system shall be project-25 standard compatible or upgradeable;
     (ii) Any new system that requires advanced digital features shall be project-25 standard compatible or upgradeable; and
     (iii) Any new system or equipment purchases shall be upgradeable to project-25 standards;
     (d) Seek support, including possible federal or other funding, for state-sponsored wireless communications systems;
     (((d))) (e) Develop recommendations for legislation that may be required to promote interoperability of state wireless communications systems;
     (((e))) (f) Foster cooperation and coordination among public safety and emergency response organizations;
     (((f))) (g) Work with wireless communications groups and associations to ensure interoperability among all public safety and emergency response wireless communications systems; and
     (((g))) (h) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the board to promote interoperability of wireless communications systems.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.