HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1480
As Reported by House Committee On:
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans
Title: An act relating to all-hazard emergency management in energy contingency plans.
Brief Description: Concerning energy resilience, cybersecurity, and all-hazard emergency management.
Sponsors: Representatives Donaghy, Doglio, Ryu, Gregerson and Ramel; by request of Department of Commerce.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans: 1/31/23, 2/3/23 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the energy shortage and emergency contingency plans prepared by the Department of Commerce to include analysis of human, natural, and cybersecurity hazards.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INNOVATION, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, & VETERANS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 8 members:Representatives Ryu, Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Rule, Vice Chair; Cortes, Paul, Senn, Shavers and Street.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Volz, Ranking Minority Member; Barnard, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Christian, Corry, Waters and Ybarra.
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is required to supervise and administer energy-related activities and advise the Governor and the Legislature with respect to energy matters affecting the state.  Among other energy-related duties, Commerce must prepare and update contingency plans for implementation in the event of energy shortages or emergencies.  An energy emergency is a situation in which the unavailability or disruption of the supply of energy poses a clear and foreseeable danger to public health, safety, and general welfare.  The contingency plans must include procedures for determining when these shortages or emergencies exist, the state officers and agencies to participate in the determination, and actions to be taken by various agencies and officers of state government in order to reduce hardship and maintain the general welfare during these emergencies.  The components of plans that require legislation for their implementation must be presented to the Legislature in the form of proposed legislation at the earliest practicable date.
Summary of Bill:

The energy shortage and emergency contingency plans that Commerce prepares and updates are all-hazard contingency plans.  The plans must include analysis of human, natural, and cybersecurity hazards.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Commerce prepares and implements contingency plans to address energy emergencies and shortages.  It coordinates across all agencies to resolve energy emergencies with safety in mind and collaborates to resolve infrastructure and cybersecurity threats.  Commerce also works to mitigate and recover from energy disruptions and works towards secure and resilient energy infrastructure.  House Bill 1480 will help Commerce with these duties by updating the statute to clarify that adequate preparation needs to include human, natural, and cybersecurity hazards.  An all-hazards planning approach is needed; this is a comprehensive preparedness framework to plan for all emergencies.  This is a best practice that will help ensure resilient operations of systems that are relied upon.  There may be disagreements as to the causes of emergencies, but there is agreement upon the need to mitigate the impacts of the emergencies.  This bill helps update the state's energy security plan and allow comprehensive planning across the state.
 
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Brandy Donaghy, prime sponsor; and Michael Furze, Department of Commerce.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.