HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5573
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 Reported by House Committee On:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology
Title: An act relating to increasing membership of the state interoperability executive committee and foster radio system interoperability.
Brief Description: Increasing membership of the state interoperability executive committee and foster radio system interoperability.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Senators McCoy, Hunt and Miloscia; by request of Office of the Chief Information Officer).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology: 3/17/17, 3/22/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; Koster, Ranking Minority Member; Volz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Gregerson, Irwin, Kraft and Pellicciotti.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
State Interoperability Executive Committee.
The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) is a committee of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The responsibilities of the SIEC include:
developing policies and making recommendations for technical standards for state wireless radio communications systems;
coordinating and managing the licensing and use of state designated/state-licensed radio frequencies;
coordinating the purchase of all state wireless radio communications system equipment; and
fostering cooperation and coordination among public safety and emergency response organizations and working with wireless communications groups and associations to ensure interoperability among all public safety and emergency response communication systems.
The SIEC members are appointed by the state Chief Information Officer. Membership must include the following:
Military Department;
Washington State Patrol;
Washington State Department of Transportation;
Office of the Chief Information Officer;
Department of Natural Resources;
city and county governments;
state and local fire chiefs;
police chiefs;
sheriffs; and
state and local emergency management directors.
Voting membership may not exceed 15 members. The chair and legislative members of the Technology Services Board serve as nonvoting members of the committee.
Project-25 Standard.
Project-25 is a set of standards developed by international and national associations and federal agencies to ensure the interoperability of two-way radio technology and provide specifications for interfaces between the various components of a land mobile radio system.
The SEIC must coordinate the purchase of all state wireless radio communications system equipment to ensure that new trunked systems and new systems that require advanced digital features must be at a minimum project-25, and that any new system or equipment purchases must be, at a minimum, upgradable to project-25.
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Summary of Bill:
The membership of the SIEC is expanded to include the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Health, Department of Corrections, tribal nations, and public safety answering points (911 call centers). The voting membership of the SIEC is increased to no more than 22 members.
Language relating to the project-25 standard is clarified to refer to new trunked radio and land-mobile radio systems, which are required to be at a minimum project-25 standard. The reference to upgradable to project-25 is deleted.
A definition of public safety is added: any entity or services that ensure the welfare and protection of the public.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The SEIC unanimously approved this language as have Washington stakeholders.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Shelly Westall and Connie Michener, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.