BILL REQ. #:  H-1191.1 

Read first time 01/30/2007.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to suspending certain collective bargaining agreements and administrative rules in the event of a disaster; adding a new section to chapter 49.36 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 34.05 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 49.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In the event of a disaster, any collective bargaining agreement entered into on or after the effective date of this act shall be suspended to the extent necessary to:
     (a) Safely restore public utilities as quickly as possible; and
     (b) Provide emergency services to persons affected by the disaster.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "disaster" means any natural or man-made condition that results in a declaration of emergency by a county, the governor, or the president of the United States.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 34.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In the event of a disaster, all rules shall be suspended to the extent necessary to:
     (a) Safely restore public utilities as quickly as possible; and
     (b) Provide emergency services to persons affected by the disaster.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "disaster" means any natural or man-made condition that results in a declaration of emergency by a county, the governor, or the president of the United States.