Emergency Management Act.
The state's Emergency Management Act establishes a comprehensive program of emergency management in the state, which is administered by the Military Department under the direction of the state's Adjutant General. As part of the emergency management program, the Adjutant General, through the state Enhanced 911 (E-911) Coordinator, must coordinate and facilitate implementation and operation of a statewide E-911 emergency communications network. E-911 is a service that automatically displays the telephone number and physical location of a 911 caller.
E-911 Coordination Office.
The E-911 Coordination Office (Coordination Office) is headed by the E-911 Coordinator and is established in the Emergency Management Division of the Military Department. Duties of the Coordination Office include:
E-911 Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee advises and assists the E-911 Coordinator in coordinating and facilitating the implementation and operation of E-911 throughout the state. The Advisory Committee members represent diverse geographical areas of the state and include a variety of public safety professionals, state and local government officials, and telecommunications providers.
On an annual basis, the Advisory Committee must provide an update on the status of E-911 service in the state to the appropriate committees in the Legislature. The update must include progress by counties towards creating greater efficiencies in E-911 operations including, but not limited to, regionalization of facilities, centralization of equipment, and statewide purchasing.
E-911 Account.
All receipts from the state E-911 excise taxes must be deposited into the E-911 Account (911 Account). Moneys in the account must be used only to support the statewide coordination and management of the E-911 system, for the implementation of wireless E-911 statewide, for the modernization of E-911 emergency communications systems statewide, and to help supplement, within available funds, the operational costs of the system, including adequate funding of counties to enable implementation of wireless E-911 service and reimbursement of radio communications service companies for costs incurred in providing wireless E-911 service under negotiated contracts.
Liability for Civil Damages.
A telecommunications company, radio communications service company, or interconnected voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service company, providing emergency communications systems or services to E-911 emergency communications personnel is not liable for civil damages caused by an act or omission of the company, business, or individual in the:
E-911 Excise Taxes.
The state imposes an E-911 excise tax up to 25 cents per month per landline phone number ('switched access line'), wireless phone number ('radio access line'), and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service line within the state. For prepaid wireless services, the rate is 25 cents per retail transaction. These revenues fund the state's E-911 telephone system. In addition to the state tax, any county may impose an E-911 excise tax up to 70 cents per month for each landline phone number, wireless phone number, and VoIP service line. For prepaid wireless services, the maximum rate is 70 cents per retail transaction. All E-911 excise tax revenues must be used only for the county's emergency services communication system.
Emergency Management Act.
The following new terms are defined in the Emergency Management Act: automatic location identification, automatic number identification, baseline level of service, Emergency Services Communication System, Emergency Communications System Data, E-911 emergency communications system, interconnected VoIP service provider, Next Generation 911, Next Generation 911 demarcation point, Next generation 911 emergency communications system, Next Generation 911 emergency services internet protocol network, Next generation 911 service, public safety answering point (PSAP), primary PSAP, secondary PSAP, radio communications service company, telecommunications provider, and Washington State Patrol PSAP.
The term "enhanced" is removed throughout the Emergency Management Act where it describes 911 emergency systems and related terms.
Intent language related to statewide E-911 is modified to state that it is in the public interest to ensure adequate funding for necessary 911 system upgrades as technology evolves to Next Generation 911 technology and beyond for 911 emergency communications baseline service statewide that supports emerging communications devices.
A county may participate in multicounty-wide 911 emergency communications with counties that are adjacent. A county may request a Washington State Patrol PSAP to become a primary PSAP and receive 911 calls from a specific geographical area and may cancel that designation at any time.
E-911 Coordination Office.
The E-911 Coordination Office is renamed the State 911 Coordination Office (Coordination Office). The duty of the Coordination Office to coordinate and facilitate the implementation and operation of E-911 emergency communications systems and other duties related to E-911 are eliminated.
The Coordination Office has the following additional duties:
E-911 Advisory Committee.
The E-911 Advisory Committee is renamed the 911 Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee's membership is modified to include county 911 representatives from diverse urban and rural geographical counties, the Department of Health, and others identified and appointed by the Adjutant General.
The Advisory Committee's annual update to the Legislature is modified to include information on progress made by the Coordination Office and the counties toward continual growth and maintenance of a 911 system with greater efficiencies, strategic plan performance, and the fiscal health of the 911 system.
To assist with modernization of the 911 emergency communications system:
E-911 Account.
The following are specified as allowable uses for moneys from the 911 account: supporting statutory priorities for 911 funding, 911 emergency communications system procurement, operation, management, administrative costs, modernization, training, public education, hardware, software, technology, and support for public safety answering points.
Liability for Civil Damages.
The civil liability protection for telecommunications companies, radio communications service companies, and interconnected VoIP service companies, providing emergency communications systems or services to 911 emergency communications personnel, is extended to cities, counties, and the state.
E-911 Excise Taxes.
Definitions for "911 emergency communications system" and "next generation 911 emergency communications system" are added to provisions relating to enhanced 911 excise taxes. The term "enhanced" is removed throughout the E-911 excise tax provisions where it describes 911 emergency systems and related terms.
(In support) One way to keep the residents of Washington safe is to a have a robust 911 system. Washington's 911 system is advanced, and we want to keep it that way with new technology. This bill will lay the groundwork for the 911 system to meet the needs of the 988 system in the next couple of years. This bill updates language and definitions in 911 statutes to allow them to align with current operations and allow continued improvement and modernization to occur. The 911 system is a critical life safety system that needs to stay up-to-date with modern technology and public expectations. Counties are already adopting Next Generation 911 technology. This bill replaces outdated language and updates definitions to allow for advancing technology. It will increase awareness and adoption of next generation 911 technology throughout the state.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) None.