HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2454

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Hankins, H. Myers, Miller, Jacobsen and May

Creating the seismic safety commission.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig and H. Myers.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES JANUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Recent history has demonstrated that the state is susceptible to major earthquakes, as seen by the magnitude 7.1 Olympia earthquake of 1949 and the magnitude 6.5 Seattle-Tacoma earthquake of 1965.  Seismological research has supported this susceptibility and has further postulated the possible occurrence of a massive 8.0 magnitude or greater earthquake for Washington.

Widespread social and economic disruptions are characteristic of a post-quake environment.  The recovery period can be critically hampered by inoperable lifelines - the systems which supply power, water, sewer, communications, and transportation to modern society.

State earthquake actions to date have generally focused on emergency response.  Hazard mitigation - the retrofitting of weak structures to improve their survivability in an earthquake - has received minimal attention.  Buildings constructed more than a decade ago may be substantially below the state of the art in earthquake resistance.

Formation of a body drawn from a number of communities, especially the relevant scientific and engineering disciplines and government organizations, can enable a coordinated and substantive program to increase the state's earthquake preparedness.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A 21 member seismic safety commission is created which shall report annually to the governor and the legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations relating to earthquake hazard reductions.  The final report is due by June 30, 1997, when the commission terminates.  Specific tasks are delineated in furthering the state's earthquake readiness.

The governor shall appoint the chair; there are six state agency members, four private citizens of relevant backgrounds appointed by the governor, one representative from each of electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications utilities appointed by the governor, an elected member of county government and an elected member of city government appointed by the governor, and four legislators.  A staff is authorized and support will be provided by the Department of Community Development.  $200,000 is appropriated from the general fund for the first year.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Six members were added to the Seismic Safety Commission; a representative from each of electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications utilities appointed by the governor; and an elected member of county government and an elected member of city government appointed by the governor.

Appropriation:    $200,000.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 12, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ray Lasmanis, state geologist; Linda Noson, Federal Emergency Management Agency; Harry Halvorson, private citizen; Don Ballantyne, Kennedy, Jenks and Chilton (Earthquake expert with engineering firm); David Goodyear; Vice President, State Structural Engineers Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Kate Heimbach and Jean Ameluxen, Department of Community Development.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is the significant possibility of a severe earthquake within the state that could cause severe damage and loss of life.  A multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional approach is necessary to move ahead to significantly improve the state's earthquake preparedness.  The commission is the best approach.  It would concentrate information, be a clearinghouse, and be influential in setting policy and priorities.  The state needs to move as soon as possible with strengthening retrofits of key facilities.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      While agreeing with the need to improve the state's earthquake preparedness, it would be best to have the legislative joint select committee working with the governor's staff and state agencies in developing an improvement program and legislation for 1991.