SENATE BILL REPORT

SHCR 4429

BYHouse Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Myers, Miller, Nelson, Hankins, Cooper, Beck, Raiter, G. Fisher, Phillips, Belcher, D. Sommers, Jacobsen, Anderson, Pruitt, Rector, Wood, Dellwo, R. King, Ferguson, P. King and Todd)

Creating a joint select committee on seismic events.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Metcalf, Nelson, Owen, Patrick, Stratton, Sutherland, Williams.

Senate Staff:David Monthie (786-7198)

                  February 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Recent history has demonstrated that the state is susceptible to major earthquakes, as seen by the magnitude 7.1 Olympia earthquake of 1949 and the magnitude 6.5 Seattle-Tacoma earthquake of 1965.  Seismological research has further predicted the possible occurrence of a massive 8.0 magnitude or greater earthquake for Washington.

Widespread social and economic disruptions are characteristic of a post-quake environment.  The recovery period can be critically hampered by inoperable lifelines -- the systems that supply power, water, sewer, communications, and transportation.

State earthquake actions to date have generally focused on emergency response.  Hazard mitigation -- the retrofitting of weak structures to improve their survivability in an earthquake -- has received minimal attention.  Buildings constructed more than a decade ago may be substantially below the state of the art in earthquake resistance.

SUMMARY:

A Joint Select Committee on Seismic Events is created to examine the seismic threat posed to lifelines and buildings, study ways to mitigate hazards to lifelines and buildings, oversee Department of Community Development earthquake preparations, propose legislation, and report to the Legislature by December 1, 1990.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 14, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The word "lifeline" is changed to "essential utility."  The establishment of a joint select committee on seismic events is deleted, and House and Senate Committees on Energy and Utilities are required to jointly review the subject and report to the Legislature by December 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Myers, original prime sponsor (pro); Kate Heimbach, Department of Community Development (pro); Tim Walsh, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology, Linda Noson, FEMA