HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5020

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Public Safety

Appropriations

Title: An act relating to the state agencies continuity of operations planning requirements.

Brief Description: Concerning state agencies continuity of operations planning requirements.

Sponsors: Senators Bailey, McCoy, Hobbs, Pedersen, Conway, Schoesler, Rolfes and Chase; by request of Military Department.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Public Safety: 3/17/15, 3/20/15 [DP];

Appropriations: 4/6/15, 4/7/15 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires state agencies to develop a Continuity of Operations Plan that is updated and exercised annually.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Orwall, Vice Chair; Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Griffey, Moscoso, Pettigrew and Wilson.

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

The Washington Military Department, under the direction of the Adjutant General, administers the state's comprehensive program of emergency management. The Adjutant General is responsible for developing a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan for the state that includes an analysis of natural, technological, or human-caused hazards, and procedures to coordinate local and state resources in responding to such hazards. In the event of a disaster beyond local control, the Governor, through the Adjutant General, may assume operational control over all or any part of emergency management functions in the state.

In the Governor's Directive 13-02, Governor Inslee required that in order for state executive branch organizations to provide essential functions and services during an emergency or disaster that it is essential that each individual agency, board, commission, and council develop a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for their organization. The COOP plan of each agency must not only ensure its ability to deliver essential functions and services to the citizens of the state during any disaster or emergency, but agencies must coordinate actions to ensure that essential functions that overlap with other agencies continue without interruption.

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Summary of Bill:

The Adjutant General is responsible to the Governor for helping to develop and manage a program for interagency coordination and prioritization of continuity of operations planning by state agencies. Each state agency must develop a COOP that is updated and exercised annually in compliance with the program for interagency coordination of continuity of operation planning.

"Continuity of operations planning" is the internal effort of an organization to assure that the capability exists to continue essential functions and services in response to a comprehensive array of potential emergencies or disasters.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Both Governor Inslee and Governor Gregoire issued directives for executive state agencies to implement COOP planning within their agencies in preparation for an emergency or a disaster. This bill is necessary as the state needs a lead agency to ensure that all of the COOP plans are in place in case of an emergency.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Bailey, prime sponsor; and Peter Antolin, Emergency Management, Washington Military Department.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Hunter, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Cody, Dent, Dunshee, Fagan, Haler, Hansen, Hudgins, S. Hunt, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Pettigrew, Sawyer, Senn, Springer, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Tharinger, Van Werven and Walkinshaw.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Buys, Condotta, G. Hunt and Taylor.

Staff: Meghan Bunch (786-7119).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Public Safety:

No new changes were recommended.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Senate Bill 5020 is identical to House Bill 1047, which was already heard in the Appropriations Committee and is now being heard by the Senate Ways and Means committee. This is Military Department request legislation. The $178,000 for a full-time employee per biennium would allow the Military Department to work with multiple agencies to deliver enterprise services, which are more complicated and often require multi-agency involvement. Senate Bill 5020 will allow the Military Department to coordinate and implement these Continuity of Operations Plans.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Nancy Bickford, Washington Military Department.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.