AN ACT Relating to earthquakes; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; creating new sections; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Washington state has been the victim of seismic events of deadly and destructive intensity, and there is scientific consensus that earthquakes capable of causing loss of life and damage to property will continue to occur. Modern design and construction techniques make it possible for structures to withstand earthquakes of greater force than was formerly possible. The legislature believes it is necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state to inventory public buildings to assess their ability to withstand earthquakes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. As used in sections 3 through 6 of this act:

(1) "Department" means the department of community development.

(2) "Public buildings" means publicly owned or operated schools, universities, colleges, office buildings, hospitals, fire stations, police stations, nursing homes, correctional facilities, day-care centers, recreation centers, museums, historic buildings, housing, or other facilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department shall undertake a comprehensive survey of public buildings. The survey shall contain an assessment of the physical condition of the public buildings to determine insofar as possible whether they would be a danger to public safety in the event of an earthquake and whether the danger can be reduced or eliminated and shall recommend methods for reduction or elimination. As part of the survey, the department shall also:

(1) Recommend methods for financing repair or replacement;

(2) Estimate the cost of repair or replacement; and

(3) Propose ways to ensure that public buildings constructed after 1988 are built to withstand earthquakes of a reasonably foreseeable magnitude.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If possible, the department shall use existing data and coordinate with federal, state, and local governmental agencies in order to conduct the survey under section 3 of this act in an efficient manner.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department may contract with or employ such technical personnel as necessary to implement section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department shall report its findings and recommendations under section 3 of this act to the governor and the legislature by May 30, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Although 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. 8. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:

The department of community development is directed to 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 might 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. 9. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:

In order to carry out section 8 of this act, the department shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Washington state seismic safety council. The council shall represent rural and urban areas and both sides of the Cascade mountains. In order to use expertise available in the community, the members of the council shall include a representative of the federal emergency management agency; a structural engineer; a member of the state building code council; a civil engineer; a Washington state senator; a Washington state representative; three members from institutions of higher education, at least one of whom shall be a seismologist; a business representative; the superintendent of public instruction or his or her designee; and a representative of a local organization for emergency management. Additional members may be recruited from the fire protection services, local school districts, and the media.

Each council member shall serve a three-year term, except that half of the initial members shall serve terms of eighteen months. Length of terms shall be determined by lot at the council's first meeting. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

Members of the commission shall receive no compensation, but legislative members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 44.04.120 and nonlegislative members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. (1) The sum of .......... dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of community development for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, to carry out the purposes of sections 1 through 6 of this act. (2) The sum of thirty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of community development for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, to carry out the purposes of sections 8 and 9 this act.