AJR 1 Assembly Joint Resolution

BILL NUMBER: AJR 1	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 23, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Blakeslee

                        JANUARY 22, 2009

   Relative to natural catastrophes.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 1, as amended, Blakeslee.  Natural catastrophes:
planning.   Earthquake damage: mitigation planning.

   This measure would  respectfully memorialize 
 state  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
  Legislature's support of the expedient development of
mitigation efforts across the state by federal and local governmental
entities, in cooperation with private enterprises and individuals,
to protect against earthquake damage  .
   Fiscal committee: no.



    WHEREAS, The United States Geological Survey has predicted an
earthquake with a magnitude 6.7 or greater in California within the
next 30 years; and 
    WHEREAS, The Hayward Fault near San Francisco is predicted to
certainly rupture again with greater force than the 1989 Loma Prieta
earthquake; and 
    WHEREAS, On October 15, 2009, the Great California ShakeOut
organized a drill where millions of people in homes, schools,
businesses, government offices, and public places all over southern
California practiced what to do during an earthquake, and called the
event the Great California ShakeOut Drill; and 
    WHEREAS, Results of the Great California ShakeOut Drill
showed that a large earthquake in southern California would cost
approximately $213 billion, including business interruption, and
could result in the death of approximately 1,800 people; and 
    WHEREAS, The last major earthquake on the Hayward Fault was
140 years ago, and the last five earthquakes on this fault have come,
on average, 140 years apart; and 
    WHEREAS, Recent reports have confirmed that mitigation
techniques can greatly improve the structural stability of a building
and dramatically improve the safety of its occupants; and 
    WHEREAS, Mitigation against earthquake damage is dramatically
more cost-effective than repairing buildings after a great
earthquake, and economic loss from halted business and interrupted
services can also be avoided by retrofitting buildings before an
earthquake strikes; and 
    WHEREAS, The astronomical costs of repair that occur after a
devastating national disaster often fall on the government; now,
therefore, be it 
   RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, JOINTLY,  That the Legislature of California strongly
supports the expedient development of mitigation efforts across
California by federal and local governmental entities, in cooperation
with private enterprises and individuals, to protect against
earthquake damage that could result in a loss of life and a dramatic
lowering of California's economic status and vibrancy; and be it
further 
   RESOLVED,  That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit
copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
 
   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.