SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2320

As of February 19, 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: House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Reeves, Stanford, Bergquist, Tarleton, Slatter, Shea, Barkis, Senn and Ryu; by request of Insurance Commissioner).

Brief History: Passed House: 1/29/18, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Financial Institutions & Insurance: 2/15/18.

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 4, 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 Military Department, the Office of the Governor, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Enterprise Services, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health, Utilities and Transportation Commission, the Department of Social and Health Services, the Lieutenant Governor's Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the OIC.

Summary of Bill: A Working Group to study and make recommendations on natural disaster and resiliency activities is created. The Working Goup 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;

• two representatives from the property and casualty insurance industry;

• the director of the Department of Ecology or a designee;

• the superintendent of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction or a designee;

• a representative from the Washington Association of Building Officials; and

• the director of the Department of Commerce or a designee.

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: Available.

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: Washington faces many challenging potential natural disasters, and it makes sense to think and prepare proactively. The bill is similar to the bill heard and passed previously by the committee. Many disasters have occurred in public utility district service areas, and a representative from public utility districts would be a good addition to the work group.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Kristine Reeves, Prime Sponsor; Lonnie Johns-Brown, Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Bill Clarke, Washington PUD Association.