FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1017

                         C 391 L 95

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Transferring emergency management functions from the department of community development to the military department.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Representatives D. Schmidt, Horn, Robertson, Padden, Lisk, Scott, Dyer, Thompson, Goldsmith, K. Schmidt, Sehlin, Campbell, Sheldon and Talcott).

House Committee on Government Operations

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  Since World War II, the state's functions relating to emergency management have been organizationally separate from the Military Department.  The original structure was the Civil Defense Department.  In 1972, the Civil Defense Department was renamed the Department of Emergency Services, and in 1984, it was renamed the Department of Emergency Management.  In 1986, the Department of Emergency Management was merged into the Department of Community Development as the Division of Emergency Management.  In 1993, the Legislature merged the Department of Community Development with the Department of Trade and Economic Development. 

The new Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is organized into six core service areas, including:  community-based family services; trade and economic sectors; local development assistance; growth management; housing; and public safety.  The public safety core service area includes both fire protection and emergency management services.

In most instances, emergency management personnel are civilians.  However, during major disasters, such as the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the Governor mobilizes the National Guard and assigns it the command responsibility.

In approximately half of the states, emergency management functions are administered by the Military Department. In 1994, the Legislature passed SB 6023, which transferred administration of the state's comprehensive emergency management program to the Military Department.  However, this legislation was vetoed by the Governor. 

Summary:  Administration of the state's comprehensive emergency management program is transferred from the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) to the Military Department.  All powers and duties, personnel and equipment, rules and pending business are transferred from CTED to the Military Department. 

CTED's fire mobilization policy for reimbursing nonhost fire protection authorities is codified.  All nonhost fire protection authorities are eligible for state reimbursement, even if they responded prior to state mobilization under a mutual aid or other interlocal agreement.

Reimbursement of host fire districts is authorized under the state mobilization plan when the host district has exhausted all of its resources and the resources of its local mutual aid network.  Reimbursement to the host district must be done in as timely a manner as possible.

The Military Department must develop a strategic plan to enhance coordination and efficiency and decrease costs.  Plan elements are specified.  A summary of the plan must be submitted to the Legislature by July 10, 1996.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     70 24

Senate    35 7 (Senate amended)

House     74 23 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 1995