SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6070

               As Passed Senate, April 10, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the disaster response account.

Brief Description:  Creating the disaster response account.

Sponsors:  Senators West and Spanel; by request of Office of Financial Management.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  3/26/97, 3/27/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 4/10/97, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background:  Washington State experienced four major disasters in the 1995-97 biennium that received Presidential Disaster Declarations.  Upon receiving a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the state qualifies for federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Historically, FEMA provides funding for 75 percent of eligible related costs, while state and local jurisdictions split the remaining 25 percent as a requirement to receive federal assistance.

The Emergency Management Division of the Military Department coordinates and administers these disaster recovery programs.  During the 1995-97 biennium, the Legislature transferred general fund-state money into the flood control assistance account in order to fund the state match and a portion of the local match for disaster recovery activities.

Summary of Bill:  The disaster response account is created as an appropriated account in the state treasury.  Moneys may be placed in the account from legislative appropriation and transfers, federal appropriation, or any other lawful source.  Expenditures from the account are limited to the support of state agency and local government disaster response and recovery efforts.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.