HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2791

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                             Energy & Utilities

Title:  An act relating to improving the state's earthquake readiness.

Brief Description:  Improving the state's earthquake readiness.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Jacobsen, Nelson, May, Fraser, Bray, Valle, Paris, Winsley and Pruitt.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, February 4, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; May, Ranking Minority Member; Hochstatter, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Casada; Cooper; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; Miller; and Rayburn.

Staff:  Fred Adair (786-7113).

Background:

In 1990, the Department of Community Development was directed, with the assistance of a Seismic Safety Advisory Committee, to review the state's earthquake preparedness and recommend future steps to improve the state's readiness.

In 1986, a report was prepared by a state Seismic Safety Advisory Council that stressed the danger of an earthquake and recommended actions in a number of areas to improve the state's readiness for an earthquake.

The review ordered in 1990 has been completed.  The danger of a serious earthquake and the preparatory measures contained in the 1986 report were reaffirmed.  Specific measures are recommended in the new report to improve the state's readiness.  These include establishing a coordinating, planning, and policy-recommending body as a focal point for continuing to advance the state's readiness.  Action steps in a number of areas are also included.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The director of the Department of Community Development shall promote and supervise improvement of the state's earthquake readiness.  The director or a designee shall serve as chair of the State Earthquake Preparedness Committee.

The State Earthquake Preparedness Committee is created, consisting of the director of the Department of Community Development or a designee, the Commissioner of Public Lands or a designee, the secretary of the Department of Transportation or a designee, the chair or a designee from the Utilities and Transportation Commission, the superintendent of Public Instruction or a designee, and the director of the Department of General Administration.  Thirteen additional members shall be appointed by the governor from local governments, the academic community, and the private sector.

The committee shall maintain current information on the status of earthquake preparedness, shall promote and coordinate preparedness programs, and facilitate accomplishment of state government programs.

By June 30, 1994, the committee shall prepare a five year readiness improvement plan and shall update that plan annually.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The director of the Department of Community Development may use a designee, the Department of General Administration is placed on the Earthquake Preparedness Committee, and one additional at large appointee is added to the committee.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 28, 1992.

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

Testimony For:  The bill carries out the initial recommendations of the Seismic Safety Advisory Committee.  The Department of General Administration should be added to the committee.  The Department of Community Development is proud of the work of the Seismic Safety Advisory Committee, but is concerned about being given a task without assurance of funding, even though there is little workload this biennium.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Ray Lasmanis, state geologist, Department of Natural Resources and chair, Seismic Safety Advisory Committee (Pro); and Cathy Turk, Department of Community Development (No Position).