H-4051              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1405

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Valle, Fuhrman, Anderson, Heavey, Jacobsen and Lux

Read first time 1/15/88 and referred to Committee on State Government.

AN ACT Relating to earthquakes; adding a new section to chapter 43.63A RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     Seismic hazards are known to exist in Washington state.  Current information on the ways in which people and property may be protected from seismic occurrences is not readily available to the public.  The legislature finds that in order to protect the health and safety of the public, this information should be widely and aggressively disseminated to individuals, public and private institutions, and business and industry located in the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:

          The department of community development shall carry out the following activities in order to provide current life and property-saving information to the citizens of the state:

          (1) Gather and develop material on the impacts of seismic occurrences, relying to the extent possible on existing material, including the 1986 report of the Washington state seismic safety council;

          (2) Disseminate informational materials targeted to specific user groups as well as to the general public on ways they can protect themselves, protect those for whom they are responsible, and protect property in case of a seismic event;

          (3) Work to increase the public's awareness of the potential for a seismic event through an educational effort that may include:  Audio, visual, and written information; meetings and workshops; seminars for industry and for local government; and whatever other methods the department considers effective.

          The department shall report its findings and recommendations under this section annually to the governor and the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of thirty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of community development for the purposes of section 2 of this act.