HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2403

BYRepresentatives Rector, Ballard, Peery, Silver, Heavey, Dellwo, Jacobsen, Nelson, Hankins, Miller, H. Sommers, Kirby,  Winsley, McLean, Todd, H. Myers and Jones

Adding video telecommunication responsibilities to the department of information services.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Information Services (DIS) was created in 1987 to provide coordinated planning and management of state information services.  The department and the Information Services Board provide direction to state agencies on strategic planning and technical policies for information services, develop acquisition standards, and assist agencies in acquiring and implementing information services.  DIS operates on a revolving fund basis, charging agencies for its services.

One of DIS's duties is to review agencies' long-range acquisition and information technology plans.  The department also conducts feasibility studies on large proposals, forwarding its response to the proposal both to the agency and to the Office of Financial Management (OFM).

Both the capital and operating budgets adopted in 1989 contained proviso language assigning to DIS the role of lead agency in coordinating video telecommunication services for state agencies. As lead agency, DIS is required to develop standards and common specifications for video telecommunications equipment and assist agencies in developing a video telecommunications plan.

Several public agencies have become quite active in their use of video telecommunications.  The WHETS microwave system (Washington Higher Education Telecommunications System) is used by Washington State University to transmit upper division classes between Pullman and branch campuses in Spokane, the Tri Cities, and Vancouver.  The University of Washington is also connected to WHETS.  A second well known project is the STEP program (Satellite Telecommunications Educational Programming) run by Educational Service District  101 in Spokane.  STEP broadcasts high school courses and in-service training via satellite to member school districts across not only Washington but other states as well.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Legislature finds that video telecommunication must be coordinated in a manner that is cost-effective, encourages shared use, and fulfills identified needs.

"Video telecommunications" is defined, but expressly does not include educational broadcasts intended for the general public.

The Department of Information Services is declared to be the lead agency in coordinating video telecommunication services for all state agencies.  Under this authority, the department is to:

            oDevelop standards and common specifications for leased and purchased telecommunications equipment;

            oEstablish guidelines for state expenditures for new video telecommunications equipment and transmission or for expansion of existing systems.  These guidelines may include departmental approval of expenditures, but the department is not to evaluate the merits of curriculum or course offerings proposed for transmission; and

            oEstablish the strategic direction and a coordinated program for future state use of video telecommunications.

Nothing about DIS's responsibilities affects the legal responsibilities of Federal Communication Commission licenses held on the effective date of the bill.

A video telecommunications advisory committee is created to advise and assist DIS.  The committee is to:

            oJointly with the department, develop recommendations for creation and use of statewide video telecommunications resources;

            oAssist the department in the development of a strategic plan and coordinated program;

            oEncourage collaborative efforts to make the most cost- effective use of resources;

            oOffer recommendations on the use of video telecommunications in ways that are consistent with the strategic plan; and

            oRecommend guidelines and criteria for selection of pilot projects should funds become available.

The committee consists of 15 members:  four representing various areas of higher education, four representing various areas of K-12 education, two representing state agencies, two representing the private sector, one representing OFM, and two legislators.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Video telecommunications is defined.  DIS is not to evaluate the merits of curriculum or course offerings.  DIS's responsibilities will not affect the legal responsibilities of FCC licensees.  The video telecommunications advisory committee is assigned duties and its membership is specifically outlined.  Responsibility is removed for DIS to assist agencies in developing expenditure plans for video telecommunications.  The blank appropriation is removed.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 17, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Original bill)  Representative Shirley Rector, prime sponsor; Nancy Abraham, Department of Information Services; Don Johnson and Cheryl Lemke, Superintendent of Public Instruction; James Ford, Skagit Valley Community College; Ron Crossland, State Board for Community College Education; Beverly Lingle, Washington State University (support but with concerns); and Barbara Peterson, Higher Education Coordinating Board.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Original bill) The potential for use of video telecommunications is enormous. The state needs one agency to coordinate and integrate video telecommunications through the steady development of resources. DIS would not control programs, but would keep an eye on the big picture.  Much planning has already been done and, with resources, implementation can begin in a phased-in manner.  Governance is the focus here and DIS is the appropriate agency to be the coordinator of technical resources, but the bill may not go far enough toward actual implementation.  Agencies are ready to move forward.  DIS should not be involved in program approval or micro-management of existing resources.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.