BILL NUMBER: SB 546	CHAPTERED  09/13/05

	CHAPTER  232
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 13, 2005
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 13, 2005
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 25, 2005
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 1, 2005
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 27, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Dutton

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2005

   An act to add Section 8588.1 to the Government Code, relating to
emergency services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 546, Dutton  Office of Emergency Services: public-private
partnerships.
   The California Emergency Services Act sets forth the duties of the
Office of Emergency Services in overseeing and coordinating various
emergency response programs in the state.
   This bill would authorize the office to share facilities and
systems that would, among other things, include private businesses
and nonprofit organizations in a voluntary program that would
integrate private sector emergency preparedness measures into
governmental disaster planning programs to the extent that the cost
of the program is reimbursed by the private sector.
   The bill would create the Disaster Resistant Communities Account
in the General Fund and would require that any new activity
undertaken by the office under these provisions is contingent upon
the receipt of private donations to the account.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 8588.1 is added to the Government Code, to
read:
   8588.1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares that this state
can only truly be prepared for the next disaster if the public and
private sector collaborate.
   (b) The Office of Emergency Services may, as appropriate, include
private businesses and nonprofit organizations within its
responsibilities to prepare the state for disasters under this
chapter. All participation by businesses and nonprofit associations
in this program shall be voluntary.
   (c) The office may do any of the following:
   (1) Provide guidance to business and nonprofit organizations
representing business interests on how to integrate private sector
emergency preparedness measures into governmental disaster planning
programs.
   (2) Conduct outreach programs to encourage business to work with
governments and community associations to better prepare the
community and their employees to survive and recover from disasters.

   (3) Develop systems so that government, businesses, and employees
can exchange information during disasters to protect themselves and
their families.
   (4) Develop programs so that businesses and government can work
cooperatively to advance technology that will protect the public
during disasters.
   (d) The office may share facilities and systems for the purposes
of subdivision (b) with the private sector to the extent the cost for
their use are reimbursed by the private sector.
   (e) Proprietary information or information protected by state or
federal privacy laws, shall not be disclosed under this program.
   (f) Notwithstanding Section 11005, donations and private grants
may be accepted by the office and shall not be subject to Section
11005.
   (g) The Disaster Resistant Communities Account is hereby created
in the General Fund. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the
Director of the Office of Emergency Services may expend the money in
the account for the costs associated within this section.(h) Any new
activity undertaken by the office under this section shall be
contingent upon the receipt of donations to the Disaster Resistant
Communities Account.