SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6875

BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Lee, Bender, Patrick, Murray, Talmadge, Sutherland and Metcalf

Addressing earthquake, asbestos, and radon safety in public schools.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)

                February 5, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

There is scientific consensus that all of Washington State is at risk for moderate to extensive property damage and loss of life from an earthquake.  Currently, there is no specific requirement that schools have earthquake policies or procedures in place.  In reference to a State Board of Education requirement that school districts have procedures for the evacuation of buildings in sudden emergencies, a model earthquake policy is available to school districts from the Washington State School Directors' Association.

Structurally, it is estimated that 20 to 40 percent of all public school facilities in the state would need modernization to comply with current state Uniform Building Code standards for seismic safety, which apply only to new construction.  Modernization projects currently rank fifth among the State Board of Education's priorities for distribution of state matching funds for school construction.  It is suggested that legislation to reduce both nonstructural and structural seismic hazards is needed for school safety, and that asbestos and radon safety should be addressed concurrently.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction develops by June 30, 1990 a model earthquake preparedness policy in consultation with the Washington State School Directors' Association.  School districts must adopt by January 1, 1991 an earthquake policy that includes provisions for:  (1) training all students and staff in earthquake safety and earthquake hazard mitigation procedures;  (2) a minimum of two school earthquake drills per year;  (3) annual parental notification of school earthquake procedures; (4) coordinating earthquake response with the local office of emergency management and other immediate response organizations, communications organizations, and utilities;  and (5) a plan for identifying and correcting by 1995 nonstructural earthquake hazards in all school district facilities used for school purposes.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction contracts with the Pacific Science Center to provide statewide teacher training in earthquake safety and education.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction conducts a study of earthquake, asbestos and radon safety in schools in cooperation with the State Building Code Council, the state Departments of Community Development, Health and Labor and Industries, the educational service districts, and others.

The study includes:  (1) collecting descriptive physical data about school buildings; (2) conducting by December 31, 1991 structural reviews of all school buildings built before 1976 that have not been reviewed in the past five years for seismic, asbestos and radon safety by an appropriate licensed inspector; (3) analyzing the cost of necessary upgrades; (4) setting goals and priorities for earthquake hazard, asbestos and radon reduction in the public schools; and (5) developing and recommending a plan for a comprehensive program of earthquake hazard, asbestos and radon reduction in the state's common school system.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction reports to the Legislature no later than December 1, 1993.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction cooperates with Educational Service Districts to provide a regionally-based assistance program to help districts with earthquake preparedness and other safety concerns, including those regarding asbestos and radon.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

The date for the Superintendent of Public Instruction's report to the Legislature is changed to December 1, 1992.

Appropriation:  $1,950,000 to the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction:  $100,000 for Pacific Science Center teacher training program, $1,650,000 for study and building inspections, $200,000 for assistance program with ESDs

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested February 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   FOR:  Dorothy Roberts, League of Women Voters; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dan Snare, Pacific Science Center