HB 2225

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Technology, Energy & Communications Committee

HB 2225

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Regarding a statewide enhanced 911 emergency radio network to improve public notification during an ongoing emergency.

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson and Wood.

Brief Summary of Bill

Establishes a work group to study how to improve the delivery of emergency information to the public in the event of an ongoing emergency.

Hearing Date: 2/27/07

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) was established by the Federal Communications Commission in 1994. It replaced its predecessor, the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). The EAS is designed to provide the President with a means to address the citizens of the United States in the event of a national emergency. State and local level emergency information may also be transmitted using the EAS.

The EAS may be activated by emergency management agencies at the state or local level and by the National Weather Service. Broadcast stations receive and rebroadcast the EAS messages, but do not initiate activation of the system.

Summary of Bill:

The Adjutant General must establish a work group to study how to enhance the delivery of emergency information to the general public in the event of an ongoing emergency.

The workgroup must include the following members:

a representative of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters;
a representative of the National Weather Service;
a representative of the Washington Military Department Division of Emergency Management;
a representative of a local emergency management organization;
a representative of the Washington State Patrol; and
a member of the general public.

The work group must consider the following issues:

how to create a layered approach to delivering updated information to general public;
how to use the existing emergency alert system (EAS) to coordinate delivery of updated information;
how to create redundancies in the system to ensure that updated information will be available;
how to improve coordination between the EAS and local broadcast stations to ensure a seamless transfer of information to the public; and
what types of information the public needs most in the aftermath of an emergency.

The Adjutant General must submit a report to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2007, indicating recommendations for enhancing the delivery of emergency information to the public.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.