HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SHB 2507
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
February 15, 2008
Title: An act relating to expanding the statewide first responder building mapping information system to higher education facilities.
Brief Description: Expanding the statewide first responder building mapping information system to higher education facilities.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Ormsby, Hurst, Goodman, VanDeWege, Liias, Barlow, Green, Kelley, Warnick and Simpson).
Brief History:
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: 1/17/08, 1/24/08 [DPS];
Capital Budget: 2/4/08, 2/12/08 [DP2S(w/o sub PSEP)].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/15/08, 94-0.
Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives O'Brien, Chair; Hurst, Vice Chair; Pearson, Ranking Minority Member; Ross, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Goodman and Kirby.
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Fromhold, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Blake, Chase, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Flannigan, Hankins, Hasegawa, Kelley, McCune, Pearson, Pedersen, Sells, Skinner, Smith and Upthegrove.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Orcutt.
Staff: Susan Howson (786-7142).
Background:
Building mapping provides electronic pre-incident plans of a building. Each map is a
blueprint describing every room located in the building, along with its dimensions. Building
map information can include:
The maps are designed to give the emergency responder as much information about the
physical structure of the building as possible. The maps are saved in a centralized database
that can be made available to emergency response agencies equipped with portable
computers.
In 2001 the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) received federal
funding for a pilot program to create critical incident mapping in public schools in eight
counties. A cooperative partnership was established between the WASPC, the Association of
Washington School Principals, and the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs.
Funding was provided by the year 2003 and the Legislature extended this system to every
high school in the state. By the end of 2007 all public schools in Washington were mapped.
In 2003 under ESHB 1218 (Chapter 102 of the laws of 2003), the WASPC was directed to
create and operate a Statewide First Responder Agency Building Mapping Information
System. All state and local government-owned buildings were to be mapped by the WASPC
or another source, contingent on funding. Once the buildings were mapped, the mapping
information data was forwarded to the WASPC. All participating owners of non-government
buildings were authorized to voluntarily forward their mapping and emergency data to the
WASPC.
All building mapping information is available to all state, local, federal, and tribal law
enforcement agencies, along with the Military Department and fire departments.
Summary of Second Substitute Bill:
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the WASPC, in consultation with the State Board
for Community and Technical Colleges, the Council of Presidents, the Independent Colleges
of Washington, and the Department of Information Services must complete a needs analysis
and fiscal impact study.
The study must include the following:
The WASPC must report its findings to the Governor and the Legislature by November 1, 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available on the original bill.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness)
(In support) The original bill required the mapping of all higher education institutions. Since
that time, the technical and community colleges have stated that they would like to do this.
The community and technical colleges initiated this version of the bill and funding to begin
mapping has been included in the Governor's budget. The four-year institutions will need to
be evaluated to determine which buildings are a priority for mapping purposes.
The current mapping system is funded to complete K-12 public schools in the entire state.
Mapping includes not only the floor plans of a building but also pretactical plans with all the
necessary stakeholders needed for an emergency. With over 500,000 students, faculty, and
staff spread across 34 community and technical colleges, it is important to be prepared for
emergencies and disasters.
A technical amendment should be made in the first section of the bill to include not only
community colleges but also technical colleges. In addition, an amendment should be made
to include The Evergreen State College as there is approximately $150,000 in the Governor's
budget that would pay for mapping the school's buildings. Mapping is important. Part of the
functions of government is to ensure that children can attend school safely without fear of
getting killed or injured.
(Opposed) None.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Capital Budget)
(In support) The Evergreen State College and the state's community and technical colleges
are ready to be mapped. The Governor's 2008 Supplemental Capital Budget includes funding
to map these facilities. Mapping provides tactical and common information that is shared
with all responders. Another benefit of mapping is the increased collaboration between local
police and fire personnel with college staff in the development of plans and participation in
table top exercises, as well as other drills if appropriate. Two-year colleges rely on local
police, fire, and other responders for emergency response. Unlike four-year universities, the
two-year colleges do not employ commissioned police forces, nor do they have health centers
or mental health clinics on their campuses. Mapping is an important investment. This is one
more step in the completion of a comprehensive mapping system that will give first
responders the information they need to be successful in the event of an emergency.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness) Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; Don Pierce, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Tom Henderson, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and Julie Suchauek, The Evergreen State College.
Persons Testifying: (Capital Budget) Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; Tom Henderson, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges; and Don Pierce, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.