BILL REQ. #:  H-0415.4 

Read first time 01/22/09.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to changing the membership of the state interoperability executive committee; and amending RCW 43.105.330.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.105.330 and 2006 c 76 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The board shall appoint a state interoperability executive committee((,)). The membership of ((which)) the committee must include, but not be limited to((,)):
     (a) A representative((s)) of the military department((,));
     (b) A representative of the Washington state patrol((,));
     (c) A representative of the department of transportation((,));
     (d) A representative of the department of information services((,));
     (e) A representative of the department of natural resources((,));
     (f) A representative of city ((and county)) governments((,));
     (g) A representative of county governments;
     (h) A representative of a state ((and local)) fire ((chiefs, police)) agency;
     (i) A representative of local fire chiefs((, and));
     (j) A representative of local police;
     (k) A representative of sheriffs((, and state and local emergency management directors));
     (l) A representative of a federal agency counterpart;
     (m) A representative of the state's urban area security initiative region;
     (n) A representative of the state emergency managers association;
     (o) A representative of the state emergency management division;
     (p) A tribal representative;
     (q) A representative of the association of public safety communications officials national emergency number association chapter;      (r) Four legislators; and
     (s) Other key stakeholders designated by the committee.
     (2) The legislative membership appointed under subsection (1) of this section must consist of one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, and one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The presiding chair and legislative members of the board will serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the committee. Voting membership may not exceed ((fifteen)) twenty-five members.
     (((2))) (3) The chair of the board shall appoint the chair or cochairs of the committee from among the voting members of the committee.
     (((3))) (4) The 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 wireless radio communications system equipment to ensure that:
     (i) After the transition from a radio over internet protocol network, any new trunked system shall be, at a minimum, project-25;
     (ii) Any new system that requires advanced digital features shall be, at a minimum, project-25; and
     (iii) Any new system or equipment purchases shall be, at a minimum, upgradeable to project-25;
     (d) Seek support, including possible federal or other funding, for state-sponsored wireless communications systems;
     (e) Develop recommendations for legislation that may be required to promote interoperability of state wireless communications systems;
     (f) Foster cooperation and coordination among public safety and emergency response organizations;
     (g) Work with wireless communications groups and associations to ensure interoperability among all public safety and emergency response wireless communications systems; and
     (h) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the board to promote interoperability of wireless communications systems.