H-4599

AN ACT Relating to improving the state's earthquake readiness; reenacting and amending RCW 38.52.030; adding a new section to chapter 38.52 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that: The majority of the state is vulnerable to severe earthquakes capable of inflicting much destruction and loss of life; the state is not fully prepared for severe earthquakes; and prudent preparations can significantly reduce damage and casualties as well as enhancing postquake recovery. The legislature further finds that preparatory measures are well defined and understood but constitute a comprehensive, multiyear program for implementation, and that a focal point in the state for earthquake preparation policy and programs is needed but is currently lacking.

Sec. 2. RCW 38.52.030 and 1991 c 322 s 20 and 1991 c 54 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) The director may employ such personnel and may make such expenditures within the appropriation therefor, or from other funds made available for purposes of emergency management, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(2) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall be responsible to the governor for carrying out the program for emergency management of this state. The director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for emergency management within the state, and shall maintain liaison with and cooperate with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and of the federal government, and shall have such additional authority, duties, and responsibilities authorized by this chapter, as may be prescribed by the governor.

(3) The director shall develop and maintain a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan for the state which shall include an analysis of the natural and man-caused hazards which could affect the state of Washington, and shall include the procedures to be used during emergencies for coordinating local resources, as necessary, and the resources of all state agencies, departments, commissions, and boards. The comprehensive emergency management plan shall direct the department in times of state emergency to administer and manage the state's emergency operations center. This will include representation from all appropriate state agencies and be available as a single point of contact for the authorizing of state resources or actions, including emergency permits. The comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan authorized under this subsection may not include preparation for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack. This plan shall be known as the comprehensive emergency management plan.

(4) In accordance with the comprehensive emergency management plans and the programs for the emergency management of this state, the director shall procure supplies and equipment, institute training programs and public information programs, and shall take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of emergency management organizations in advance of actual disaster, to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency management personnel in time of need.

(5) The director shall make such studies and surveys of the industries, resources, and facilities in this state as may be necessary to ascertain the capabilities of the state for emergency management, and shall plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof.

(6) The director may appoint a communications coordinating committee consisting of six to eight persons with the director, or his or her designee, as chairman thereof. Three of the members shall be appointed from qualified, trained and experienced telephone communications administrators or engineers actively engaged in such work within the state of Washington at the time of appointment, and three of the members shall be appointed from qualified, trained and experienced radio communication administrators or engineers actively engaged in such work within the state of Washington at the time of appointment. This committee shall advise the director on all aspects of the communications and warning systems and facilities operated or controlled under the provisions of this chapter.

(7) The director, through the state enhanced 911 coordinator, shall coordinate and facilitate implementation and operation of a state-wide enhanced 911 emergency communications network.

(8) The director shall appoint a state coordinator of search and rescue operations to coordinate those state resources, services and facilities (other than those for which the state director of aeronautics is directly responsible) requested by political subdivisions in support of search and rescue operations, and on request to maintain liaison with and coordinate the resources, services, and facilities of political subdivisions when more than one political subdivision is engaged in joint search and rescue operations.

(9) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall prepare and administer a state program for emergency assistance to individuals within the state who are victims of a natural or man-made disaster, as defined by RCW 38.52.010(6). Such program may be integrated into and coordinated with disaster assistance plans and programs of the federal government which provide to the state, or through the state to any political subdivision thereof, services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by way of gift, grant, or loan for purposes of assistance to individuals affected by a disaster. Further, such program may include, but shall not be limited to, grants, loans, or gifts of services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, to individuals who, as a result of a disaster, are in need of assistance and who meet standards of eligibility for disaster assistance established by the department of social and health services: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That nothing herein shall be construed in any manner inconsistent with the provisions of Article VIII, section 5 or section 7 of the Washington state Constitution.

(10) The director shall appoint a state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs. The coordinator shall consult with the state radiation control officer in matters relating to radioactive materials. The duties of the state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs shall include:

(a) Assessing the current needs and capabilities of state and local radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response teams on an ongoing basis;

(b) Coordinating training programs for state and local officials for the purpose of updating skills relating to emergency response;

(c) Utilizing appropriate training programs such as those offered by the federal emergency management agency, the department of transportation and the environmental protection agency; and

(d) Undertaking other duties in this area that are deemed appropriate by the director.

(11) The director shall promote and supervise improvement of the state's earthquake preparedness.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 38.52 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state earthquake preparedness committee is created and is chaired by the director or a designee. The committee, in addition to the director or a designee, shall consist of the commissioner of public lands or a designee, the secretary of transportation or a designee, the chair or a designee from the utilities and transportation commission, the superintendent of public instruction or a designee, and the director of the department of general administration or a designee. Thirteen additional members shall be appointed by the governor from local governments, the academic community, and the private sector. Staff support shall be provided by the department.

(2) The state earthquake preparedness committee shall maintain current information on the status of earthquake preparedness, shall promote and coordinate where applicable preparedness programs, and shall facilitate accomplishment of programs where state agencies are involved. The committee shall utilize as applicable the report prepared by the seismic safety advisory committee in response to section 225(22), chapter 16, Laws of 1990 1st ex. sess.

(3) The state earthquake preparedness committee shall be appointed and briefed by June 30, 1993, and by June 30, 1994, shall prepare a five-year plan to improve the state's earthquake readiness. By June 30 of each year thereafter, the committee shall update the plan, extending it one year into the future. The plan shall be the basis for promoting actions in the private and local government sectors and for action, where applicable, by state agencies.