S-4901               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6827

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Kreidler, Bluechel, Madsen, Amondson, Anderson, Warnke and Saling)

Read first time 2/2/90.

AN ACT Relating to state-wide 911; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that a state-wide emergency communications network of enhanced 911 service, allowing an immediate visual display of a caller's location, would serve to further the safety, health, and welfare of the state's citizens, and would save lives.  The legislature further finds that additional information on the development of an efficient and workable state-wide enhanced 911 service is needed before a state-wide program is mandated.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The commission shall study, by December 15, 1990, the feasibility of developing a state-wide system of enhanced 911 emergency service allowing an immediate visual display of the location of the caller.  In conducting the study, the commission shall consider the ideal number of locations within the state for the purpose of routing emergency calls, the most efficient way to transfer emergency information to emergency response entities, cost estimates for the continuation of enhanced 911 in counties where the system is operable, cost estimates for the development of enhanced 911 in counties where a system has yet to be established, recommendations for the structure of a state-administered program of enhanced 911, alternatives to an enhanced 911 system in areas where cost or other factors preclude enhanced 911, specific recommendations for legislative action for developing a system of enhanced 911 throughout the state, and any other topics deemed appropriate by the commission.  In conducting the study, the commission shall consult with, and to the extent possible, work with any other studies of the emergency communications network in the state.  The commission shall report to the energy and utilities committees of the senate and the house of representatives by January 18, 1991, on the results of this study.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     In conducting the study under section 2 of this act the commission shall appoint an advisory committee to provide advice and information related to enhanced 911 service throughout the state.  Members of the advisory committee shall represent diverse geographical areas of the state, and to the extent possible, shall include, but not be limited to representatives from the national emergency number association, the associated public communications officers northwest chapter, the Washington state fire chiefs association, the state fire policy board, the Washington fire commissioners association, the Washington state patrol, the association of Washington cities, the Washington state association of counties, and representatives of local exchange telephone companies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the public service revolving fund to the utilities and transportation commission for the purposes of this act.