SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5247

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Title: An act relating to addressing catastrophic incidents that are natural or human-caused emergencies by providing guidance that may be used by state public schools to plan for seismic catastrophic incidents.

Brief Description: Addressing catastrophic incidents that are natural or human-caused emergencies by providing guidance that may be used by state public schools to plan for seismic catastrophic incidents.

Sponsors: Senators Frockt, Zeiger, Hobbs, Bailey, Rolfes, Hunt, Conway, Das, Honeyford, Keiser and Mullet; by request of Military Department.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/01/19, 2/06/19 [DP-WM, w/oRec].

Ways & Means: 2/20/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

Adds a catastrophic incident emergency response plan to the required plans the adjutant general will develop for the state.
Requires the adjutant general develop guidance that may be used by local school districts in developing, maintaining, training and exercising catastrophic incident plans.

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Bailey, Hawkins and Takko.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senator Hasegawa.

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, known as the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, that includes an analysis of natural, technological, or human-caused hazards and procedures to coordinate state and local resources in responding to such hazards.

Summary of Bill: The adjutant general must develop:

a catastrophic incident emergency response plan in addition to a comprehensive all-hazard emergency plan; and
guidance, in consultation with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, that may be used by local school districts in developing, maintaining, training, and exercising catastrophic incident plans.

"Catastrophic incident" is defined as any natural or human-caused emergency or disaster event, including terrorism and enemy attack, that is expected to result in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections): PRO: This bill gives our Military Department additional authority to develop emergency catastrophic response plans. Washington is one of the most hazard prone areas of the county, ranking fourth in the nation. One of the key priorities is to increase safety of our school children. Schools are required to have plans in place under federal law which take under considerations normal hazards schools may encounter and so the intent is to work with the school districts as they review these plans each year to ensure that they also address planning for catastrophic incidents in the state as well.

Persons Testifying (State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections): PRO: Senator David Frockt, Prime Sponsor; Robert Ezelle, Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill is extremely important for the safety of our school children. Planning is essential and it takes staff time to do it right. We live in one of the most hazard prone states in the country and we need to put plans into place to help provide safety for the nearly 1 million children who daily attend schools.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator David Frockt, Prime Sponsor; Jason Marquiss, Deputy Director, Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department.