Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Select Committee on Community Security Committee

HJM 4023

Brief Description:  Supporting the development of an action plan for regional infrastructure security.

Sponsors:  Representatives Morris, Barlean, Schual‑Berke, Kessler, Conway, Schmidt, Lysen, Wood, Ballasiotes, O'Brien, Upthegrove, Edwards, Kenney, Anderson and Kagi.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Expresses the Washington State Legislature's support for a binational regional exercise in the Pacific Northwest to develop an action plan for regional infrastructure security.

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786‑7156).

Background:

In 1991 the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Agreement was enacted in Washington.  At that time the state agreed to participate in PNWER, a regional organization focused on promoting regional collaboration and enhancing regional competitiveness in international and domestic markets.  Policy areas within PNWER's consideration include international trade, economic development, human resources, environment and natural resources, energy, and education.  Substantive actions of PNWER may take the form of uniform legislation and other policy initiatives endorsed by participating entities. 

Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon are members of PNWER.  The organization's structure consists of a delegate council and an executive committee.  Legislators are appointed by participating states and provinces to serve on these committees.  PNWER also has working groups for various policy areas.

The state Military Department (Military Department) and the Adjutant General, its director, administer the state's ?all hazard@ comprehensive emergency management plan.  The plan includes an analysis of the natural, technological, or human‑caused hazards that could affect the state.  The Adjutant General must verify local emergency management plans for consistency with the state plan and may make agreements with federal agencies regarding plans for federally owned areas.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature expresses its support to the President of the United States and the United States Congress for a binational exercise addressing infrastructure interdependencies to be held in the Pacific Northwest in order to develop an action plan for regional infrastructure security.  The Legislature supports this exercise being conducted under the auspices of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER).  The Legislature also recognizes:

$PNWER's efforts to develop a multi-state, binational Partnership for Regional Infrastructure Security of public and private stakeholders to address interdependency issues and work toward an action plan for a "disaster resistant" region;

$Canada's federal Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness= agreement to support a binational exercise addressing the infrastructure interdependencies between border states and provinces; and

$the United States Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and the Homeland Security Department's interest in conducting a binational regional exercise with Canada. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.