SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5977

BYSenators Thorsness, Vognild, McCaslin, Warnke, Saling, Bender, Stratton, Hayner, Rinehart, Gaspard, Patterson, Lee, Nelson, Smitherman, Barr, Amondson, Talmadge, Conner,  Craswell, Benitz, Newhouse, Bauer, Bailey, Smith, Pullen, Niemi, Murray, von Reichbauer, Matson, McMullen, Sutherland, Metcalf, Cantu, Owen, Williams and Bluechel

Promoting state-wide video communications.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5977 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Pullen, Sutherland.

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

                  March 2, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Two bills enacted in 1987 directed that studies of telecommunications programs be made by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and by the Department of Community Development.  In consultation with the Department of Information Services, the agencies identified common efforts which would eliminate duplication in the separate plans.  A consolidated report recommended combining resources and planning efforts.

Satellite education programs have been conducted for nearly three years by Educational Service District 101 in Spokane. Commonly known as STEP, the program is the second largest of its kind in the United States.  The interactive network provides live classes in Japanese, Spanish, pre-calculus and advanced senior English.  Designed for small districts, it now serves more than 800 students in 57 districts in Washington and other states.

SUMMARY:

The intent of the enabling legislation for the Department of Information Services is broadened to include providing for a timely, cost-effective state-wide video telecommunications system for state government, public schools, institutions of higher education, local government and the general public.  Among the anticipated services of the system are transmission of live classroom instruction, public affairs presentations, and state- wide information exchange.

Further recommendations include adoption of state policies to:

      --Give first consideration to video telecommunications and audio teleconferencing which would otherwise require participants to travel to meetings;

      --Require consideration of leasing telecommunication services including studio facilities, telephone, fiberoptic and microwave transmission, "uplink" facilities (satellite broadcasting equipment), and satellite time; and

      --Purchase of "downlinks" (satellite receiving dishes) and other equipment which is sufficiently compatible to avoid video and sound quality problems, as well as taking advantage of volume procurement and equipment maintenance.

The Department of Information Services provides video facilities with security features capable of transmission to multiple sites.  Originating sites may include but are not limited to Bellevue, Bremerton, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane and Vancouver.  The department must also develop a plan for purchase and installation of 72 downlinks to serve state agencies' video needs.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to provide one downlink and associated equipment to each local school district, educational service district and the office itself.  An Office of Telecommunications Coordination is established in OSPI.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to provide grants for downlinks and associated equipment to each community college, four-year institution of higher education and the board itself.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department of Information Services is specifically directed to work with OSPI as well as ESD 101 in developing equipment specifications.  Funds for in-service training in school districts cover classified staff as well as teachers.

Appropriation:    Three appropriations are made, totaling $8,821,764:  To the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, $4,768,000;  to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, $1,526,600; and to the Department of Information Services, $2,527,164.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Ginny Tresvante, SPI; Rich McBride, Superintendent, Harrington School District; Keith James, junior, Harrington High School