AN ACT Relating to state-wide video communications; amending RCW 43.105.005 and 43.105.017; adding new sections to chapter 43.105 RCW; making appropriations; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 504, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.105.005 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for coordinated planning and management of state information services. The legislature recognizes that information systems, telecommunications, equipment, software, and services must satisfy the needs of end users and that many appropriate and cost-effective alternatives exist for meeting these needs, such as shared mainframe computing, shared telecommunications services, local area networks, departmental minicomputers, and microcomputers.

It is further the purpose of this chapter to provide for the timely, cost-effective implementation of a state-wide video telecommunications system to serve the needs of state government, public schools, institutions of higher education, and local government, as well as the general public.

This system is intended to transmit live, interactive classroom instruction and training, provide for public affairs presentations and a public forum for state and local issues, facilitate communications and exchange of information among state and local elected officials and the general public, enhance communications within state agencies, and reduce time lost to travel to in-state meetings through the use of telecommunications.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 504, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.105.017 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the intent of the legislature that:

(1) Information be shared and administered in a coordinated manner, except when prevented by agency responsibilities for security, privacy, or confidentiality;

(2) The primary responsibility for the management and use of information, information systems, equipment, software, and services rests with each agency;

(3) Resources be used in the most efficient manner and services be shared when cost-effective;

(4) A structure be created (a) to plan and manage telecommunications and computing networks, (b) to increase agencies' awareness of information sharing opportunities, and (c) to assist agencies in implementing such possibilities;

(5) An acquisition process for equipment, proprietary software, and related services be established that meets the needs of the users, considers the exchange of information, and promotes fair and open competition;

(6) The state improve recruitment, retention, and training of professional staff; ((~~and~~))

(7) Plans, proposals, and acquisitions for information services be reviewed from a financial and management perspective as part of the budget process;

(8) State government adopt policies and procedures which will give first consideration to the use of video telecommunications and audio teleconferencing in the conduct of state meetings which would otherwise entail two or more attendees to travel by airplane or automobile one hundred or more miles, one way;

(9) State government adopt policies and procedures which give heavy consideration to leasing telecommunication services including studio facilities, terrestrial transmission, uplink facilities, and satellite time, particularly during the next few years when such facilities and equipment will be undergoing rapid technological changes accompanied by equally rapid rates of obsolescence; and

(10) All purchased downlinks and equipment should be demonstrably compatible so as to avoid video and sound quality problems as well as to take advantage of volume procurement and equipment maintenance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department of information services is hereby directed to provide video telecommunication facilities and equipment capable of transmitting visual and audio transmissions to single or multiple locations throughout the state. Originating sites may include but not be limited to: Bellevue, Bremerton, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, and Vancouver. The video telecommunications equipment must include security features to insure privacy for agencies' state-wide broadcasts to branch offices or to a targeted audience.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The office of the superintendent of public instruction is hereby directed to provide one downlink and associated equipment to each local school district, each educational service district, and the office of superintendent of public instruction. Funds equivalent to one downlink and associated equipment may be provided to those districts which have purchased with local district funds a downlink and associated equipment for telecommunications.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The higher education coordinating board is hereby directed to provide grants for downlinks and associated equipment to each of the community colleges and four-year institutions of higher education. The higher education coordinating board shall receive one downlink and associated equipment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department of information services is hereby directed to develop a plan, and purchase and install seventy-two downlinks and associated equipment to serve the state-wide video telecommunications needs of state agencies. The department will solicit advice from the legislature and the judicial branches of government in determining the location of those downlinks and associated equipment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department of information services shall act as the lead agency in coordinating video telecommunication services for state agencies. The department shall:

(1) Arrange, where possible, for the lease of high quality telecommunications services including production and the use of studio facilities, equipment, and satellite and terrestrial transmission equipment;

(2) Coordinate with other government agencies providing telecommunications programming for emergency back-up services and such other arrangements which will secure maximum utilization of existing facilities and equipment and avoid unnecessary duplication;

(3) Assist state agencies in planning and scheduling the use of the Olympia area studio and transmission facilities;

(4) Assist in obtaining favorable bulk purchase prices for satellite transponder time by consolidating state agency time purchases and by scheduling transponder usage to include, when possible, off peak hours;

(5) Develop, in cooperation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction and educational service district 101, common specifications for downlinks and associated equipment so as to insure demonstrable compatibility and avoid video and sound quality problems associated with differences in equipment; and

(6) Negotiate with local cable companies and local governments to provide for connection to local cable services to allow for access to these public and educational channels in the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. There is hereby created in the office of superintendent of public instruction an office of telecommunications coordination. It shall be the responsibility of this office to: Provide educational telecommunications information to local school districts; assist local school districts and educational service districts in telecommunications planning as it relates to development of curriculum; and assist in formulating legislative recommendations as well as rules and regulations governing the use of telecommunications in K-12 education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The higher education coordinating board is hereby directed to: Provide educational telecommunications information to postsecondary educational institutions, coordinate interinstitutional telecommunication course offerings, and assist in formulating legislative recommendations regarding the use of telecommunications.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 3 through 9 of this act are each added to chapter 43.105 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The sum of four million seven hundred sixty-eight thousand dollars is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the office of superintendent of public instruction to carry out the provisions of this act: PROVIDED, That two hundred thirty-one thousand dollars shall be available to create an office of telecommunications within the office of superintendent of public instruction; eight hundred ten thousand dollars shall be available for telecommunications operations and programming to educational service district 101; and three hundred thousand dollars shall be made available for curriculum planning, staff in-service, and student enrichment courses associated with the five hundred ninety hours of telecommunications production contained in this appropriation: PROVIDED FURTHER, That three million four hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars shall be available for program preparation, production, transmission, and the purchase of three hundred six downlinks and associated equipment, but none of these funds may be used to purchase or receive educational program offerings which limit local school district control over choice in selecting alternatives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The sum of one million five hundred twenty-six thousand six hundred dollars is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purchase and retrofitting of ground receiving stations and the preparation, production, and transmission of higher educational courses as well as administering board responsibilities set forth in this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. The sum of two million five hundred twenty-seven thousand one hundred sixty-four dollars is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the department of information services for the purpose of preparation, production, and transmission of state agency teleconferencing, education and training programs, and similar appropriate uses: PROVIDED, That eight hundred seventy-five thousand seven hundred sixty-four dollars of these funds are to be used to purchase terrestrial and/or uplink transmission services from Vancouver, Olympia, Bremerton, Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane as well as the purchase of codex equipment at broadcast sites, as well as administering department responsibilities set forth in this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.