H-3843.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2853

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Morris, Hurst, Schmidt, Barlean, Buck, Simpson, Schual‑Berke, Cooper, Haigh, Benson, Ballasiotes, O'Brien, Anderson, Chase, Upthegrove, Linville and Rockefeller

Read first time 01/30/2002.  Referred to Committee on Select Committee on Community Security.

Requiring the emergency management council to identify critical infrastructure in the state.

    AN ACT Relating to emergencies involving critical infrastructure arising from terrorist acts; 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.  After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the legislature recognizes that the state's and the region's security, economic prosperity, and social well-being depend on the reliable functioning of increasingly complex infrastructures.  The legislature further recognizes that it is the government's responsibility to participate in and facilitate the development of a regional approach to protecting this state's and the region's critical infrastructures.  Because of mutual dependence and the increasing interconnectedness of infrastructures for energy systems, water systems, transportation systems, and communications systems, these infrastructures may be vulnerable in ways not yet recognized.  Many of these facilities are privately owned and operated.  In developing a coordinated regional approach to protecting critical infrastructures, it is important to include a broad set of viewpoints and expertise from both the public and private sector.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 38.52 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The emergency management council must identify infrastructure in Washington in cooperation with both the public and private sector that is critical to regional economic stability and security.  As part of its effort to identify critical infrastructure, the council must develop methods to assess the vulnerability of the various critical infrastructures and to prioritize those infrastructures most in need of protection.  The council will report its conclusions and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2002.

    (2) The emergency management council must facilitate and participate in efforts to develop regional plans for management and restoration of critical functions.  Participation may require coordination with other states, federal agencies, and neighboring nations.

                            --- END ---