HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1218

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Title: An act relating to the creation of a statewide first responder building mapping information system.

Brief Description: Creating a building mapping information system.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Mielke, O'Brien, Ahern, Kagi, Wallace, Darneille, Miloscia, Pearson, Delvin, Romero, Moeller, Dickerson, Rockefeller, Haigh, Kirby, Pettigrew, Chase, Veloria, Quall, McDermott, Dunshee, McCoy and Hunt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government: 2/11/03, 2/21/03 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Shabro, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Nixon, Tom and Wallace.

Staff: Anne Warwick (786-7291) and Katie Blinn (786-7114).

Background:

Building mapping provides electronic pre-incident plans of a building. Each map created is a blueprint describing every room located in the building, along with its dimensions. Building map information can include:

•    floor plans;

•    fire protection information;

•    evacuation plans;

•    utility information;

•    known hazards; and

•    other important information to emergency personnel responding to the disaster or emergency.

The maps are designed to give the emergency responder as much information about the physical structure of the building as possible, without actually being inside the building. Mapping information is located in a centralized database that can be made available to emergency response agencies equipped with portable computers.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) will create and operate a statewide first responder building mapping information system (mapping system). All state and local government owned buildings will be mapped by WASPC or another source, contingent on funding. Once the buildings are mapped they will forward their mapping information data to WASPC. All participating non-government owned buildings may voluntarily forward their mapping and emergency data to WASPC. Building mapping information will be made available to all state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with the Military Department and fire departments. The WASPC will develop mapping software standards that must be met in order to participate in the mapping system.

Building Mapping Specification

Consulting with the state Emergency Management Office, the Washington State Fire Chief's Association, and the Washington State Patrol, WASPC will head a committee to establish statewide first responder building mapping software. The committee will develop the type of information included in the mapping system, and set standards that must be utilized by all entities participating. The committee will determine the order in which buildings are mapped and develop guidelines on how the information will be transmitted to the first responders. Lastly, the committee will recommend training guidelines to the Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Office of the State Fire Marshall within the Washington State Patrol.

Funding

No state agency or local government is required to map a building unless the entire cost of mapping the building is provided by WASPC or from other sources. The WASPC will pursue federal funds and develop grants to create the mapping system.

Units of local government and their employees are immune from civil liability for damages arising out of the creation or use of building mapping information, unless they acted with gross negligence or bad faith. Information from a first responder building mapping system is exempt from public inspection and copying.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill clarifies that state agencies and local governments must use specified software when mapping a building for the purpose of the act. Local governments using non-compliant software prior to the adoption of standard software may continue to do so until WASPC provides funding for a change. The group formed to develop guidelines now includes the Washington State Fire Chiefs' Association and the Washington State Patrol, and removes the Washington State Fire Commissioners' Office. Additionally, information from a first responder building mapping system is exempt from public inspection and copying.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Two years ago the Legislature funded a school mapping pilot project. The school mapping project laid the groundwork for child safety in school buildings during an emergency or disaster. Pierce County has had great success in school mapping. The law enforcement training along with community awareness was of great value to the whole community. A statewide uniform mapping system would: create standards; allow all mapping information to be in a central location; establish common denominators and common themes; and encourage multiple jurisdictions to participate. Federal monies will be pursued to fund mapping projects.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Lovick, prime sponsor; Tim Shellberg, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Joe Hawe, Clallum County Sheriff; and Dan Packer, Washington Association of Fire Chiefs.