SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5332

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Energy & Utilities, February 20, 1997

Title:  An act relating to multimedia kiosks of the Washington information network.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting the department of information services from spending funds for multimedia kiosks for the Washington information network.

Sponsors:  Senators Finkbeiner, Strannigan, Schow and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy & Utilities:  2/4/97, 2/20/97 [DPS, DNPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5332 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Finkbeiner, Chair; Hochstatter, Vice Chair; Rossi and Strannigan.

Minority Report:  Do not pass substitute.

  Signed by Senator Brown.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The Public Electronic Access to Government Records and Information Act of 1996 encourages state agencies and local governments to provide public electronic access to publically available government documents by means of technologies that allow continuous access 24 hours per day, seven days per week at little or no cost by persons without extensive technological ability.

The act also establishes a Government Information Locator Service (GLIS) pilot project to allow members of the public to locate and gain access to electronic public records.  In designing the system to accomplish this, the State Library, Department of Information Services  and State Archives must consider providing access by means of multiple technologies, such as direct dial and toll-free telephone numbers, the Internet and kiosks.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Information Services (DIS) is prohibited from expending funds to increase the number of kiosks but may maintain and operate the existing kiosks on an interim basis while more cost-effective technologies are being developed.  DIS must report to the Legislature by January 1, 1998 on its progress in developing cost-effective successor technologies for public electronic access to government services and information.

The design of the GILS project must include consideration of successor technologies to the kiosks.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill acknowledges and retains the kiosks as a valid technology but one which has not proven to be as cost effective as desired.  Future investments in providing public electronic access to government information are reserved for successor technologies to the kiosks.  The kiosks must be maintained and operated for the interim period.  The department must  report its progress to the Legislature.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 3, 1997.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.