HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5101
As Passed House - Amended:
March 24, 2021
Title: An act relating to establishing tribal representation on the emergency management council.
Brief Description: Establishing tribal representation on the emergency management council.
Sponsors: Senators Stanford, Conway, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Hunt, Nguyen, Randall, Salda?a, Wagoner and Wilson, C.; by request of Military Department.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Community & Economic Development: 3/10/21, 3/16/21 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/24/21, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
(As Amended By House)
  • Adds two representatives of federally recognized tribes to the Emergency Management Council.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by 13 members:Representatives Ryu, Chair; Paul, Vice Chair; Boehnke, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Corry, Frame, Jacobsen, Johnson, J., Kraft, Lovick, Rule, Sutherland and Taylor.
Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).
Background:

The Emergency Management Council (Council) advises the Governor and the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to state and local emergency management. 

 

The Council must prepare an annual assessment of statewide emergency preparedness, including, specific progress on hazard mitigation and reduction efforts, implementation of seismic safety improvements, reduction of flood hazards, and coordination of hazardous materials planning and response activities.  The Council must also review administrative rules governing state and local emergency management practices and recommend necessary revisions to the Adjutant General. 

 

The Council is limited to 18 members appointed by the Adjutant General.  The membership of the Council includes, but is not limited to, representatives of:

  • city and county governments;
  • sheriffs and police chiefs;
  • the Washington State Patrol;
  • the Washington Military Department;
  • the Department of Ecology;
  • state and local fire chiefs;
  • seismic safety experts;
  • state and local emergency management directors;
  • search and rescue volunteers;
  • medical professions with expertise in emergency medical care;
  • building officials;
  • private industry representatives with knowledge in emergency and hazardous materials management; and
  • the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

 
The Council members elect a chair from within the Council membership.  The Council may appoint ad hoc committees, subcommittees, and working groups required to develop specific recommendations to improve emergency management practices, standards, policies, or procedures. 

 

The members of the Council serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Summary of Amended Bill:

The membership of the Council includes two representatives of federally recognized tribes.  The maximum membership of the Council is 21 members total.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Current statute takes a broad, multidisciplinary approach to directing the composition of the Council, but tribal representation is currently not included.  
 
A tribal voice has been absent from the Council.  Our natural physical environment is a shared environment, and disasters are not contained to artificial boundaries.  The Council and state would benefit from expanding the Council membership to include two tribal members.
 
If the bill is enacted, the Washington Military Department and the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs would nominate, select, and appoint the new members of the Council as a part of a collaborative and inclusive process with the tribes.
 
An amendment may be needed to align this bill with a separate bill that also modifies the membership of the Council.
 
The bill comes with no fiscal cost.
 
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Stanford, prime sponsor; Jason Marquiss, Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division; and Jim Baumgart, Office of the Governor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.