BILL NUMBER: AJR 1	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Blakeslee

                        JANUARY 22, 2009

   Relative to natural catastrophes.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 1, as introduced, Blakeslee. Natural catastrophes: planning.
   This measure would respectfully memorialize the Congress and the
President of the United States to enact legislation creating a
comprehensive national catastrophe plan that includes a federal
insurance backstop to improve the availability of reasonably priced
property and casualty insurance policies covering losses related to
natural catastrophes.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The United States Geological Survey has predicted a
magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake in California within the next 30
years; and
   WHEREAS, It is predicted with certainty that the Hayward Fault,
near San Francisco, will rupture again with greater force than the
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; and
   WHEREAS, It is an appropriate role for the federal government to
make it possible for more Americans to take responsibility for
protecting their families' property and assets from natural
disasters; and
   WHEREAS, The economic consequences of a state-specific natural
catastrophe, including taxpayer funded relief, recovery, and
rebuilding programs and higher insurance costs, extend to the
citizens of all states; and
   WHEREAS, Few California homeowners buy earthquake insurance
because the premium and deductible are prohibitively expensive; and
   WHEREAS, A federal backstop would help qualified states purchase
federal reinsurance at significantly lower cost; and
   WHEREAS, It is an appropriate role for the federal government to
save lives and protect property by strengthening natural catastrophe
prevention, mitigation, and response programs; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully memorializes
the Congress and the President of the United States to enact
legislation creating a comprehensive, integrated national catastrophe
plan that includes the participation of states to better prepare and
protect American homeowners from inevitable, large-scale natural
catastrophes; and be it further
   Resolved, That the legislation should include a federal backstop
supported by actuarially sound premiums to improve the availability
of reasonably priced property and casualty insurance from private
markets to homeowners throughout the nation; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative
from California in the Congress of the United States.