SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6036

As of January 12, 2018

Title: An act relating to the creation of a work group to study and make recommendations on natural disaster mitigation and resiliency activities.

Brief Description: Concerning the creation of a work group to study and make recommendations on natural disaster mitigation and resiliency activities.

Sponsors: Senators Mullet, Carlyle, Zeiger, Van De Wege, Hunt, Chase, Saldaña and Kuderer; by request of Insurance Commissioner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Institutions & Insurance: 1/09/18.

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7428)

Background: The Washington Military Department, under the direction of the adjutant general, administers the state's comprehensive program of emergency management. The adjutant general is responsible for developing a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan for the state that includes an analysis of natural, technological, or human-caused hazards, and procedures to coordinate local and state resources in their response. The Washington Emergency Management Division's mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on the people, property, environment, and economy of Washington.

On November 4th, 2016, the Governor issued a directive on preparedness and response to earthquakes and tsunamis in Washington. In January of 2017 the Resilient Washington Subcabinet was convened to help Washington State better prepare for natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, drought, storms, and flooding. The subcabinet has been directed to:

• identify data and information gaps that hinder preparedness and response plans;

• identify data and information to help guide a strategic public education campaign centered on personal preparedness;

• develop potential actions that can be coordinated across state agencies, local jurisdictions and federal partners to reduce risk and improve response in the event of an earthquake or tsunami; and

• identify, prioritize and estimate costs for state actions that will improve public safety and earthquake preparedness and response.

Members of the subcabinet include the Washington Military Department, Office of the Governor, Washington Department of Transportation, Washington Department of Enterprise Services, Washington Department of Commerce, Washington Department of Health, Utilities and Transportation Commission, Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Lt. Governor's Office, Department of Natural Resources, The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Summary of Bill: A working group to study and make recommendations on natural disaster and resiliency activities is created. The working group membership includes:

• the Insurance Commissioner or a designee, who shall be the chair of the working group;

• one member from each of the four major caucuses of the Legislature;

• a representative from the Governor's Resilient Washington work group;

• a representative from the Washington State Association of Counties;

• a representative from the Association of Washington Cities;

• a representative from the State Building Code Council;

• the supervisor of the Department of Natural Resources or a designee;

• the Director of the Washington State Military Department or a designee; and

• a representative from the property and casualty insurance industry.

The working group must review disaster mitigation and resiliency activities being done by federal agencies, other states, and public and private entities in Washington. In addition, the working group must review information on the use of disaster-related insurance, how other states are coordinating disaster mitigation and resiliency work, and the work of entities such as the California earthquake authority.

The working group must make recommendations on:

• the creation of an ongoing disaster resiliency program;

• the activities the disaster resiliency program should engage in;

• how the program should coordinate with other entities; and

• where to establish the program and how it would be funded.

The working group must make their recommendations to the OIC and the Legislature by December 1, 2018.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 8, 2018.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: Yes.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. The United States has recently experienced several large, disruptive natural disasters that have had severe impacts. The Resilient Washington Subcabinet has recently conducted work regarding mitigation Washington could do to better prepare for a natural disaster, and that work should be continued. The working group would benefit from having expertise from the insurance industry, building officials, and the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction. The working group will be recommending whether Washington should develop on ongoing program for natural disaster mitigation and resiliency. Oregon has recently invested millions in seismic retrofits for schools and facilities for first responders.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner; Jason Marquiss, Deputy Director, Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division; Mel Sorensen, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America; Randy Newman, Interim Director OSPI School Facilities and Organization; Jean Leonard, State Farm, WA Insurers, NAMIC; Amy Brackenbury, Washington Association of Building Officials.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.