HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6378

             As Reported By House Committee On:

           Technology, Telecommunications & Energy

Title:  An act relating to extending the expiration date of the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Extending the tenure of the enhanced 911 advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Brown and Snyder; by request of Department of Emergency Management.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Technology, Telecommunications & Energy:  2/23/00, 2/25/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$The enhanced 911 advisory committee expires on December 31, 2006.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & ENERGY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Crouse, Republican Co-Chair; Poulsen, Democratic Co-Chair; DeBolt, Republican Vice Chair; Ruderman, Democratic Vice Chair; Bush; Cooper; Delvin; Kastama; McDonald; Mielke; Morris; Reardon; Thomas and Wolfe.

Staff:  Julia Harmatz (786-7135).

Background:

Enhanced 911 (E911) automatically displays the caller's name, phone number, and location to a 911 operator.  An E911 system was established in Washington by referendum in 1991.

The E911 coordinator is responsible for the implementation and operation of the E911 system.  The coordinator is assisted by the E911 advisory committee, appointed by the Adjutant General of the state Military Department, and representing fire, safety, utility, telecommunication, and local government officials.  There are currently 27 members on the advisory committee.  Terms of service are determined by each member organization.  Committee members are eligible for travel reimbursement. 

The E911 advisory committee will expire on December 31, 2000.

Summary of Bill:

The E911 advisory committee expires on December 31, 2006.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This extends the life of the advisory committee to make the system work.  The Military Department appreciates the assistance of the advisory committee.  This is particulary important in light of telecommunications expansion. This is an excellent forum for the industry.  There is a futures committee that analyzes the committee's needs for the future.  The technology is changing, such as areas codes, and that affects how we distribute information.

Testified:  (Support) Senator Karen Fraser, Sponsor; Bob Oenning, Military Department E911; Jim Potts, Rural Counties; and Terry Vann, Washington Independent Telephone Association.