SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5977

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard and Patterson)

Providing for a plan for implementing a state educational telecommunications network.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987; March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5977 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Benitz, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  April 18, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

A number of activities are underway or are being developed relating to the use of telecommunications technology in common school and higher education in the state.  It is suggested that coordinating these activities may increase the benefits to the state's public education system.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop and make recommendations to the Legislature by June 30, 1989 a model plan for implementing a state educational telecommunications network.

The plan must address the needs of common school and higher education in the state education system and provide coordination of existing and proposed telecommunications programs, projects, and activities.

Appropriation:    $49,500 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Beverly Lingle, Washington State University; Judy Hartmann; Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; J'Non Richan, Citizens for Excellence in Education; Dwight Dively; Jim Michal, State Data Processing Authority; Neil Uhlman, Higher Education Coordinating Board

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

No higher education institution, educational service district or school district may expand any existing educational telecommunication system without the approval of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

No higher education institution, educational service district or school district may implement or start any new educational telecommunications activities until the recommended plan is submitted to the Legislature by the SPI and the HEC Board.

The SPI and the HEC Board must present a progress report to the Legislature by December 1, 1988.

The appropriation is deleted from the bill.