SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 2319
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
State & Local Government, February 27, 2002
Title: An act relating to emergency management.
Brief Description: Revising provisions for emergency management.
Sponsors: Representatives Buck, Jackley, Lisk, O'Brien, Barlean, Kessler, Schmidt, Ballasiotes, Morris, Benson, Anderson, Haigh and Esser.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State & Local Government: 2/25/02, 2/27/02 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Keiser, Kline and T. Sheldon.
Staff: Mac Nicholson (786‑7445)
Background: The state Military Department administers a comprehensive program of emergency management in the state. The Adjutant General, who serves as director of the Military Department, is required to develop an "all hazard" comprehensive emergency management plan including an analysis of the natural, technological, or human‑caused hazards that could affect the state. With the Governor's approval, the Adjutant General may agree with federal officials on an emergency management plan for federally owned areas within the state. Neither the comprehensive emergency management plan nor any agreed federal‑area emergency management plan may include preparation for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack.
Each county, city, and town must establish a local organization or join a joint local organization for emergency management. Each local organization must submit an emergency management plan to the Adjutant General for recommendations and verification of consistency with the state plan. No county, city or town may be required to include in its local plan any provision for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack.
The Emergency Management Council must ensure the Governor receives an annual assessment of statewide emergency preparedness that considers numerous factors. The Adjutant General is required to appoint a state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste programs, who must assess current needs and capabilities of state and local response teams and coordinate training programs for radioactive and hazardous waste. In the event of a disaster beyond local control, the Governor, through the Adjutant General, may assume operational control over all or any part of emergency management functions in the state. In addition to utilizing state and local agencies and employees for emergency response, the Governor and the chief executives or emergency management directors of counties, cities, and towns have authority to impress citizens into emergency management service if the Governor proclaims a disaster.
Summary of Bill: The Adjutant General of the state Military Department is required to include analysis of possible conventional, chemical, biological, and radiological destructive operations or attacks by enemies of the United States in the state plan. Statutory provisions prohibiting the state comprehensive emergency management plan, agreed federal area plans, and local plans from including provisions for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack are removed. Definitions and other provisions are amended to reflect this change and to add references to these types of destructive operations or attacks.
The Emergency Management Council's annual assessment of statewide emergency preparedness must include contingency planning for destructive operations or attacks involving chemical, biological, or radiological weapons. The state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs assumes responsibility for chemical, biological, and radiological response programs. The definition of "emergency worker" is amended to include any person impressed into service in the event of a disaster declaration by the Governor.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: No one.