HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1819

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.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires agencies to create digital layered maps displaying energy, broadband, water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure.

Directs the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington State Department of Transportation to use the maps to identify infrastructure gaps and priority areas for future investment.

Background:

Department of Commerce.

The Washington State Department of Commerce (Department) was created in 2009 as a successor agency to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development. The Department is a medium-sized, cabinet-level state agency with the mission to grow and improve jobs in Washington. The Department's work is organized around the eight priorities of competitiveness, education and workforce training, efficient and effective regulation, infrastructure investment, community capacity, rural focus, sector focus, and small business.

A variety of programs and functions including the State Energy Office and the Broadband Office are administered by the Department. The Department also provides administrative support for the Community Economic Revitalization Board.

Department of Transportation.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was created in 1977 to consolidate the functions of six separate agencies. The WSDOT is responsible for administering the statewide transportation system and ensuring that people and goods move safely and efficiently across the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, the WSDOT is responsible for the state ferry system, and works in partnership with others to maintain and improve local roads, railroads, airports, and multimodal alternatives to driving. The WSDOT works towards achieving the goals of safety, preservation, mobility, environmental quality, system stewardship, and economic vitality.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Legislature finds that:

significant public and private infrastructure investments are made for the purposes of energy, information networks, water, sewer, and transportation, which are critical to achieving long-term global competitiveness and to creating equal access to economic opportunity; and
access to a broader array of information would enable the state to make more informed investment decisions.

The Legislature intends to direct the creation and use of available maps and available data for the creation and use of digital cross-system infrastructure maps to inform and develop state economic development priorities.

Using specified systems and standards, the State Energy Office and the Broadband Office of the Department, the Public Works Board and the Community Economic Revitalization Board, in collaboration with the WSDOT and Department of Natural Resources, are directed to develop digital layered maps that identify:

major power facilities and energy infrastructure sites;
broadband availability;
water and sewer infrastructure; and
rail corridors, public highways, and ports.

The Department and the WSDOT are directed to analyze the maps to identify gaps in infrastructure corresponding with economic corridors and priority areas for future investment, and jointly report the infrastructure gaps and investment recommendations to the Legislature by January 1 of each year.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The Public Works Board must also participate in the development of digital layered maps.

The agencies creating the maps must leverage and use available maps, available data, Washington's adopted Geographic Information Systems mapping standards, enterprise infrastructure, and web services and applications, where appropriate.

Water and sewer infrastructure must also be displayed on the maps and used in the analysis identifying infrastructure gaps and priority areas for future investment.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The comments and input from the Department and Office of the Chief Information Officer were very helpful in articulating the specific ingredients for the proposed legislation. Members get many briefings about critical infrastructure, but it is really hard to visualize a network without seeing it on a map. This will provide information, allow gaps to be identified, and inform decisions.

(Other) This is an important bill related to digital infrastructure mapping. It is important to recognize the significant potential of the data that is available. This bill highlights important tools of the state. The work the agencies have done developing standards and resources should be applied as appropriate. The broadband office has been successful mapping broadband networks around the state, and has strong partnerships with a number of agencies. State government has increased its maturity and sophistication for mapping, and developed a collaborative and professional community. Some of government's best and most valuable assets are information, and the value comes from making it available.

(With concerns) Representatives from the Public Utility Districts have concerns that much information is already out there, and this bill should not create a new level of obligation. There is existing information, and it would be helpful to clarify that in the bill's language.

(Opposed) None.