In 2019 the Legislature created the Washington Disaster Resiliency Work Group (Work Group) and directed it to study and make recommendations on natural disaster and resiliency activities. The Work Group was required to review disaster mitigation and resiliency activities being conducted in Washington, other states, and the federal government, including how those activities are funded. The Work Group was also required to make recommendations to the Legislature and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner regarding whether the state should create an ongoing disaster resiliency program. On November 30, 2020, the Work Group issued its final report which included a recommendation to create an ongoing resiliency program and a description of the activities and coordination in which the program should engage.
The Governor is required to develop and administer a Statewide Disaster Resiliency Program (Program). The Program may be developed in conjunction with a climate resiliency program. The Program must include:
"Resiliency" means the ability to prepare, mitigate, plan for, withstand, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events and changing conditions, and reorganize in an equitable manner that results in a new and better condition.
The sum of $250,000, or as much as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and $250,000, or as much as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, from the State General Fund to the Office of the Governor for the purposes of developing and administering the Program.
The substitute bill makes the following changes to the original bill:
(In support) If we can prevent or mitigate the incidences and size of disasters, it is in the interests of the rate payers who bear the cost of increased rates and it is in the interest of government. For every dollar that we invest in planning, we get $6 back in savings. The resiliency work group was formed in 2019. It consisted of a wide range of stakeholders and was chaired by the state Insurance Commissioner. The work group worked for about 18 months and determined that data, coordination, and funding are the primary needs for increasing resilience. Resiliency is a public and private endeavor. Developing a more resilient Washington is an investment. It will also help the insurance market and will help us be more prepared for the next disaster.
The threat of flood related disasters is real and is increasing in Washington. The cost of flooding in Washington exceeds all other natural hazards. The state has taken action to prevent future flooding, but the state can do more. This bill is a true reflection of the disaster work group's recommendations. A state leader with a singular focus on resiliency can craft a strategy to mitigate flood risks and other hazards, assess infrastructure vulnerabilities, and examine key drivers of increased risk. A centralized office could ensure cost effective and equitable planning and recovery across the state. The data is clear that natural hazards are a substantial risk to community, economy, health, and natural resources. Current capital budget resiliency investments in flood risk reduction are nascent. As we experience the effects of climate change, an integrated approach to resilience must be the norm. This will help save communities and public dollars in the long run. Addressing resiliency can be a meaningful tool in addressing racial equity issues.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) Resilience is at the heart of equitable policy. Often the most vulnerable are at the least resilient situations. The Governor's priority policy includes addressing resiliency; that work is similar to the planning and statewide coordination of a resiliency strategy contemplated in House Bill 1147. Resiliency is built in the Governor's strategies across multiple policy areas.