Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 2385

Brief Description:  Adding members to the emergency management council.

Sponsors:  Representatives Jackley, Schmidt, Simpson, Barlean, Hurst, Ballasiotes, Benson, Haigh, Morell and Miloscia.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases the emergency management council membership from 17 to 21 members.

$Requires that four members of the council be "at large members".

Hearing Date:  1/24/02

Staff:  Bree Ramage (786‑7617).

Background:

Washington State's comprehensive emergency management program is administered by the Washington Military Department.  The director of the Military Department is the adjutant general.  The adjutant general reports directly to the governor and is responsible for coordinating the activities of all organizations for emergency management within the state.  The adjutant general is also responsible for developing a comprehensive, all‑hazard emergency plan that includes the procedures to be used during emergencies for coordinating state and local resources.

The emergency management council advises both the governor and the adjutant general on matters pertaining to state and local emergency management practices, standards, policies, and procedures.  The council provides the governor with an annual assessment of statewide emergency preparedness.

The emergency management council also serves as the state emergency response commission as required by federal law under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right‑To‑Know Act (Title 42, Chapter 116).  The emergency response commission is responsible for reviewing the state's hazardous materials policy.

The Council consists of not more than 17 members appointed by the governor.  Membership includes but is not limited to representatives of the following:

$city and county governments;

$sheriffs and police chiefs;

$Washington State Patrol;

$Military Department;

$Department of Ecology;

$state and local fire chiefs;

$seismic safety experts;

$state and local emergency management directors;

$search and rescue volunteers;

$experts in emergency medical care;

$building officials; and

$private industry experts in emergency and hazardous materials management.

Members of the council serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Summary of Bill:

The number of members the governor is allowed to appoint to the emergency management council is changed from 17 to 21 members.  Four members of the council are required to be at large members who do not represent any of the following agencies, experts or groups:

$city and county governments;

$sheriffs and police chiefs;

$Washington State Patrol;

$Military Department;

$Department of Ecology;

$state and local fire chiefs;

$seismic safety experts;

$state and local emergency management directors;

$search and rescue volunteers;

$experts in emergency medical care;

$building officials; and

$private industry experts in emergency and hazardous materials management.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority:

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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