SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1761

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 20, 1997

Title:  An act relating to mutual aid and interlocal agreements.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for mutual aid and interlocal agreements.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Scott, Talcott and Lambert.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  3/20/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn and Swanson.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  Each county and city is required to establish a local organization for emergency management and prepare a local emergency management plan.  The Adjutant General may allow two or more counties or cities to establish a single local organization.

The Adjutant General develops a state emergency management program.

The director of each local organization for emergency management may enter into mutual aid arrangements with other public and private agencies in the state for aid and assistance in case of a disaster too great to be dealt with unassisted.  These mutual aid arrangements must be consistent with the state emergency management plan and program.

If approved by the Governor, the Adjutant General and directors of local organizations for emergency management may enter into mutual aid arrangements with emergency management agencies or organizations in other states for reciprocal emergency management aid and assistance in case of a disaster too great to be dealt with unassisted.

Summary of Bill:  The existing statute providing for interstate and intrastate mutual aid agreements is repealed and a new statute with somewhat similar provisions is enacted.  Much of the detail from the existing statute relating to interstate civil defense compacts is not included in the new statute.

A mutual aid agreement or compact may include conditions for when the mutual aid is provided, including: (1) which authorities may request and receive assistance, and the conditions when a request may be made; (2) how a request for aid is approved; (3) control over personnel and equipment that is provided; and (4) situations when the jurisdiction providing the aid may withdraw the aid.

A mutual aid agreement or compact must define terms of reimbursement as well as privileges and immunities enjoyed by both the jurisdiction providing the aid and individuals from the jurisdiction providing the aid.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  By replacing current requirements for specific language in mutual aid agreements with more general requirements, the bill would make it easier for Washington State to enter into mutual aid agreements with neighboring states such as Oregon and Idaho.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Linda Ramsey, Emergency Management, Military Department.