SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 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 Senate Committee On:

State Government, February 17, 2017

Title: An act relating to increasing membership of the state interoperability executive committee in order to foster interoperability.

Brief Description: Increasing membership of the state interoperability executive committee in order to foster interoperability. [Revised for 1st Substitute: Increasing membership of the state interoperability executive committee and foster radio system interoperability.]

Sponsors: Senators McCoy, Hunt and Miloscia; by request of Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Committee Activity: State Government: 2/10/17, 2/17/17 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Changes the membership of the State Interoperability Executive Committee.
Requires radio and land-mobile radio systems to be at a minimum project -25 (P25) standard.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5573 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Miloscia, Chair; Zeiger, Vice Chair; Hunt, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer and Pearson.

Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)

Background: State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC). The SIEC was established by the Legislature to:

develop policies and makes recommendations for technical standards for state wireless radio communications systems;
coordinate and manage the licensing and use of state designated/state-license radio frequencies;
coordinate the purchase of all state wireless radio communications system equipment;
seek possible federal or other funding;
make recommendations to the Legislature; and
foster cooperation and coordination among organizations and work with wireless communications groups and association to ensure interoperability among all public safety and emergency response communication systems.

The SIEC is appointed by the state chief information officer. Membership must include, but is not limited to, 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, currently represented by the Association of Washington Cities and Association of Washington Counties
state and local fire chiefs, currently represented by the State Fire Marshal and the Washington Fire Chiefs Association;
police chiefs;
sheriffs; and
state and local emergency management directors.

Voting membership may not exceed 15 members. The chair and legislative members of the board serve as nonvoting members of the committee.

P25 Standard. The P25 standard was developed to ensure the interoperability of two-way radio technology and provide specifications for interfaces between the various components of a land mobile radio system. Among other features, P25 radios can be operated in either digital or analog mode, conventional, or trunked systems.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): 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.

Voting membership of the SIEC is increased to no more than 22 members, instead of 15.

Radio and land-mobile radio systems are required to be at a minimum P25 standard.

Public safety is defined as any entity or services that ensure the welfare and protection of the public.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

Requires any new radio system to be, at minimum, project 25.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: SIEC is very important for our emergency management, what happened in Oso and the bridge collapse pointed out that we need to have better communication between our emergency responders on these incidents. There are a lot of people involved in making these things happen and these entities should be involved in the policy making decisions. SIEC meetings are open to the public to allow non-voting agencies and private entities to participate in the discussion. Increasing the membership of the SIEC gives several agencies who have been participating a vote at the table.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator John McCoy, Prime Sponsor; Rob St. John, Office of the Chief Information Officer; Shelley Westall, One Net; Vice Chairman Melvinjohn Ashue, Hoh Indian Tribe.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.