SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6714
BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Murray, Lee, Bender, Patrick, Fleming, Talmadge and Sutherland
Providing for earthquake safety in schools.
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990
Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)
AS OF JANUARY 30, 1990
BACKGROUND:
There is scientific consensus that all of Washington State is at risk of moderate to extensive property damage and loss of life from an earthquake. Currently, there is no specific requirement that schools have earthquake policies or procedures in place. In reference to a State Board of Education requirement that school districts have procedures for the evacuation of buildings in sudden emergency (WAC 180-41), a model earthquake policy is available to school districts from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Structurally, it is estimated that 20 percent to 40 percent of all public school facility space in the state would need modernization to comply with current state Uniform Building Code standards for seismic safety, which apply only to new construction. Modernization projects currently rank fifth among the State Board of Education's priorities for distribution of state matching funds for school construction. It is suggested that legislation to reduce both nonstructural and structural seismic hazards is needed for school safety.
SUMMARY:
The Superintendent of Public Instruction develops by June 30, 1990 a model earthquake preparedness policy in consultation with the Washington State School Directors' Association. School districts must adopt by January 1, 1991 an earthquake policy that includes provisions for: (1) training all students and staff in earthquake safety and earthquake hazard mitigation procedures; (2) a minimum of twice yearly school earthquake drills; (3) annual parental notification of school earthquake procedures; (4) coordinating earthquake response with the local office of emergency management and other immediate response organizations, communications organizations, and utilities; and (5) a plan for identifying and correcting by 1995 nonstructural earthquake hazards in all school district facilities used for school purposes.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction contracts with the Pacific Science Center to provide statewide teacher training in earthquake safety and education.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction conducts a study in cooperation with the State Building Code Council, the state Department of Community Development, the educational service districts, and others.
The study includes: (1) collecting descriptive physical data about school buildings; (2) conducting by December 31, 1991 structural reviews of all school buildings built before 1976 that have not been reviewed for seismic safety by a licensed structural engineer in the past five years; (3) analyzing the cost of necessary upgrades; (4) setting goals and priorities for earthquake hazard reduction in the public schools; and (5) developing and recommending a plan for a comprehensive program of earthquake hazard reduction in the state's common school system. The Superintendent of Public Instruction reports to the Legislature not later than December 1, 1993.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction cooperates with Educational Service Districts to provide a regionally-based assistance program to help districts with earthquake preparedness and other safety concerns.
Appropriation: $1,950,000 to the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction: $100,000 for Pacific Science Center teacher training program, $1,650,000 for study and building inspections, $200,000 for assistance program with ESDs
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested