SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2385

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 27, 2002

Title:  An act relating to membership of the emergency management council.

Brief Description:  Adding members to the emergency management council.

Sponsors:  House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Jackley, Schmidt, Simpson, Barlean, Hurst, Ballasiotes, Benson, Haigh, Morell and Miloscia).

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, Keiser, Kline and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  Washington's comprehensive emergency management program is administered by the Washington Military Department.  The director of the Military Department is the Adjutant General.  The Adjutant General reports directly to the Governor and is responsible for coordinating the activities of all organizations for emergency management within the state.  The Adjutant General is also responsible for developing a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan that includes the procedures to be used during emergencies for coordinating state and local resources.

The Emergency Management Council advises both the Governor and the Adjutant General on matters pertaining to state and local emergency management practices, standards, policies, and procedures.  The council provides the Governor with an annual assessment of statewide emergency preparedness.

The Emergency Management Council also serves as the State Emergency Response Commission as required by federal law under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act.  The Emergency Response Commission is responsible for reviewing the state's hazardous materials policy.

The Emergency Management Council consists of 17 members appointed by the Governor.  Membership includes, but is not limited to, representatives of the following:

$city and county governments;

$sheriffs and police chiefs;

$Washington State Patrol;

$Military Department;

$Department of Ecology;

$state and local fire chiefs;

$seismic safety experts;

$state and local emergency management directors;

$search and rescue volunteers;

$experts in emergency medical care;

$building officials; and

$private industry experts in emergency and hazardous materials management.

Members of the council serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Summary of Bill:  The Emergency Management Council membership must include representation from local public health agencies.  In addition, the Governor must appoint four legislative members to serve as nonvoting advisory members of the Emergency Management Council.   Two members are appointed from each chamber, one each from the two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives and the two largest caucuses in the Senate.  The legislative appointments are based on the recommendations of the Speaker and the minority leader of the House of Representatives and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate.  The legislative members of the council serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The Governor is allowed to appoint as many members as deemed necessary to the Emergency Management Council.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It will allow more interests to sit on the council.  Public health expertise should be represented.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.