SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 135

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers,  Hankins, Sayan, Ballard, P. King and Fuhrman;by request of Washington State Library

Changing provisions relating to the Western Library Network.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Talmadge, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  March 26, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1976 the Legislature authorized the implementation of the Western Library Network Computer System (WLN).  WLN has two major components:  A resource sharing network for libraries, and a multi-state computer service.  WLN operates as a major division of the Washington State Library under the auspices of the Washington State Library Commission.  It is financed through a revolving fund and is a self-supporting, nonprofit organization.

In addition to providing services to user libraries, the WLN has also experienced a successful software leasing program primarily to foreign governments.  This unique function presents a problem for WLN operating as a state agency, in that Washington's Open Public Meeting Act and Constitutional spending restrictions pose obstacles to expanding the competitive aspect of this program.

WLN continues to increase the number of user libraries, primarily from outside the State of Washington.

Under present statute, the Data Processing Authority is required to approve WLN's pricing policies.

For several years, discussion has continued over whether WLN should remain as a division of a state agency (Washington State Library) or whether it should take the status of a public nonprofit corporation.  In 1984, the Legislative Budget Committee conducted a sunset review and recommended that WLN change its governance structure to a public nonprofit corporation.  Legislation adopted in 1985 did not make the change in governance but did extend the sunset review to 1987, giving additional time to study a nonprofit corporation structure.

The 1987 LBC sunset review report recommends that efforts continue to achieve a change to a different governance structure.  It further recommends that: (1) WLN be extended indefinitely; (2)  the Data Processing Authority be removed from involvement in setting WLN's user fee policies; (3) discussions by the Library Commission and its advisory bodies of action on WLN pricing, products, equipment, and services that could affect WLN's competitive position be exempted from the state's Open Public Meeting Act; and (4) all key management positions be exempted from civil service.

SUMMARY:

The Western Library Network is continued indefinitely by removing it from the sunset schedule, and nine of its top management positions are exempted from classified civil service.  The Data Processing Authority is no longer required to approve WLN pricing policies.  Transactions covered by the WLN revolving fund are specifically enumerated.

Consideration of prices, equipment, and services in meetings held by the Library Commission and its advisory bodies is exempted from the Open Public Meetings Act.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill declares an emergency and takes effect on June 30, 1987.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The exemption from civil service for nine management positions is deleted.

Senate Committee - Testified: Nancy Zussy, State Librarian; Jane Field, WPEA