HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5264

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Halsan, McCaslin, DeJarnatt, Zimmerman and Kiskaddon; by request of Department of Community Development)

Establishing a disaster assistance fund.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Peery, Vice Chair; Baugher, Hankins, O'Brien, Sayan, Taylor and Walk.

House Staff:Pam Madson (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Federal disaster relief moneys under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 and other federal emergency disaster programs are available to states on a matching basis with the federal government paying 75 percent and the state paying up to 25 percent.

Currently, payment of the state's portion of disaster relief funds requires an appropriation by the legislature.  If the legislature is not in session when a major disaster or emergency occurs, the state must wait until the next session for a supplemental appropriation, or the state must borrow funds from other accounts to meet its obligation.

The Governor committed $2,205,537 (25 percent) in 1986 for disaster relief matching funds to receive the 75 percent federal contribution.

SUMMARY:

A Disaster Assistance Fund is established in the custody of the state treasurer.  This fund may be used when the governor proclaims a state of emergency and the president declares a major disaster, or a state financial contribution is required in order to receive federal emergency or disaster assistance.  State disaster assistance fund expenditures are supplemental to expenditures made by political subdivisions.

The governor shall administer the fund, and the funds may be expended to satisfy financial commitments under the Federal Disaster Relief Act of 1974 and other federal emergency and disaster relief programs.  No appropriation is required for disbursements.

Appropriation:    $2,000,000 to the Disaster Assistance Fund.

Fiscal Note:      Requested March 26, 1987.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Hugh Fowler, Department of Community Development, Division of Emergency Management; Van Youngquist, Cowlitz County Commissioner; and Doug Baker, Association of Washington Cities.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill would speed up payment of state money to disaster areas, making it easier for local governments to recover from natural disasters.  Other states have such funds.  This fund would eliminate the need for the state to borrow from the federal government, or appropriate from other funds to meet matching fund obligations.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.