SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2403

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives 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

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 22, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Governmental Operations.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  February 27, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 26, 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.

Both the capital and operating budgets adopted in 1989 contained provisos 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 initiated video telecommunication systems.  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 Washington and other states.

SUMMARY:

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 excludes 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, course offerings or other training programs 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:

            oDevelop recommendations for creation and use of statewide video telecommunications resources jointly with the department;

            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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AMENDMENTS:

The major changes in the striking amendment are:  (1) the Information Services Board (ISB) is expanded from nine to 13; (2) the advisory committee is deleted; (3) the ISB is given the major policy role in decisions on video telecommunications; (4) the three major education and higher education agencies retain statewide coordination powers for video telecommunications programming in their systems; (5) the ISB is to develop a plan for implementation of the systems; (6) a limitation is placed on commercial promotional activities in the public schools; and (7) an emergency clause is added.

Senate Committee - Testified: GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS:  Don Johnson, OSPI; Larry Ganders, Washington State University (pro); Dr. Ron Crossland, SBCCE (pro); Nancy Abraham, Department of Information Services (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one