BILL REQ. #:  H-2327.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to emergency communications; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds public safety would be enhanced by a common information sharing system for reporting that would:
     (a) Provide a visual, computer-based common operating picture for all decision makers in the event of an emergency;
     (b) Reduce the need for radio frequency bandwidth for voice communications;
     (c) Allow emergency responders and incident management teams to take action based on an understanding of the emergency situation; and
     (d) Allow for redundant pathway capabilities, which would increase the robustness of the state's communications system.
     (2) The state interoperability executive committee shall establish a pilot project to design and test a web-based reporting system. This program shall be developed in conjunction with the proposed interoperability project for region 1 to prepare security for the 2010 Olympic Games. The pilot project must, at a minimum, have the following capabilities:
     (a) Compatibility with existing, legacy emergency radio systems;
     (b) Open architecture design;
     (c) Automated reporting and tracking in a geographic information system environment; and
     (d) Redundant communication pathways, including web-based satellite links.
     (3) By December 1, 2008, the state interoperability executive committee shall submit a report to the legislature and the governor, indicating performance measures and effectiveness of the pilot project and recommendations for its possible expanded utilization.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2007, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.