HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHCR 4429

BYHouse Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Myers, Miller, Nelson, Hankins, Cooper, Beck, Raiter, G. Fisher, Phillips, Belcher, D. Sommers, Jacobsen, Anderson, Pruitt, Rector, Wood, Dellwo, R. King, Ferguson, P. King and Todd)

Creating a joint select committee on seismic events.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

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

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 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.

Study of the situation by a legislative committee and subsequent recommendations are a good first step in improving the state's earthquake preparedness.

SUMMARY:

A Joint Select Committee on Seismic Events is created to examine the seismic threat posed to lifelines and buildings, study ways to mitigate hazards to lifelines and buildings, oversee Department of Community Development earthquake preparations, propose legislation, and report to the legislature by December 1, 1990.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

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; Kate Heimbach and Jean Ameluxen, Department of Community Development.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is the significant possibility of a severe earthquake in the state which could cause severe damage and loss of life.  The joint select committee is a valuable first step in moving the state toward better earthquake readiness.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.