2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 43.105.017: Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the legislature that:

     (1) State government use voice, data, and video telecommunications technologies to:

     (a) Transmit and increase access to live, interactive classroom instruction and training;

     (b) Provide for interactive public affairs presentations, including a public forum for state and local issues;

     (c) Facilitate communications and exchange of information among state and local elected officials and the general public;

     (d) Enhance statewide communications within state agencies; and

     (e) Through the use of telecommunications, reduce time lost due to travel to in-state meetings;

     (2) Information be shared and administered in a coordinated manner, except when prevented by agency responsibilities for security, privacy, or confidentiality;

     (3) The primary responsibility for the management and use of information, information systems, telecommunications, equipment, software, and services rests with each agency head;

     (4) Resources be used in the most efficient manner and services be shared when cost-effective;

     (5) A structure be created to:

     (a) Plan and manage telecommunications and computing networks;

     (b) Increase agencies' awareness of information sharing opportunities; and

     (c) Assist agencies in implementing such possibilities;

     (6) An acquisition process for equipment, proprietary software, and related services be established that meets the needs of the users, considers the exchange of information, and promotes fair and open competition;

     (7) To the greatest extent possible, major information technology projects be implemented on an incremental basis;

     (8) The state maximize opportunities to exchange and share data and information by moving toward implementation of open system architecture based upon interface standards providing for application and data portability and interoperability;

     (9) To the greatest extent possible, the state recognize any price performance advantages which may be available in midrange and personal computing architecture;

     (10) The state improve recruitment, retention, and training of professional staff;

     (11) Plans, proposals, and acquisitions for information services be reviewed from a financial and management perspective as part of the budget process; and

     (12) State government adopt policies and procedures that maximize the use of existing video telecommunications resources, coordinate and develop video telecommunications in a manner that is cost-effective and encourages shared use, and ensure the appropriate use of video telecommunications to fulfill identified needs.

[1992 c 20 § 6; (1995 2nd sp.s. c 14 § 511 expired June 30, 1997); 1990 c 208 § 2; 1987 c 504 § 2.]

Expiration date -- 1995 2nd sp.s. c 14 §§ 511-523, 528-533: "Sections 511 through 523 and 528 through 533 of this act expire June 30, 1997." [1995 2nd sp.s. c 14 § 536.]      Effective dates -- 1995 2nd sp.s. c 14: "(1) Except for sections 514 through 524 and 539 through 556 of this act, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.      (2) Sections 514 through 524 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1996." [1995 2nd sp.s. c 14 § 562.]      Severability -- 1995 2nd sp.s. c 14: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1995 2nd sp.s. c 14 § 561.]      Severability -- Captions not law -- 1992 c 20: See notes following RCW 43.105.160.