BILL NUMBER: SCR 51	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Corbett

                        JUNE 29, 2009

   Relative to earthquakes.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 51, as introduced, Corbett. Earthquake preparedness: the Great
California ShakeOut.
   This measure would support earthquake preparedness and encourage
participation in preparedness activities. This measure would also
support the Earthquake Country Alliance's annual Great California
ShakeOut and its earthquake education and outreach programs and would
endorse this year's October 15, 2009, Great California ShakeOut.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California and its residents have historically been
susceptible to natural hazards, whether it be earthquakes, tsunamis,
wildfires, floods, winter storms, droughts, landslides, or volcanic
eruptions; and
   WHEREAS, It should be the intent of the Legislature to recognize
the importance of enhancing California's ability to withstand natural
hazards, as well as, the importance of reducing the human suffering,
property damage, interruption of public services, and economic
losses caused by those hazards; and
   WHEREAS, Major earthquakes pose a particular, significant, and
ongoing threat to the entire state; and
   WHEREAS, It is within the state's responsibility to promote
earthquake preparedness with the public and to plan appropriately for
earthquake-related disasters; and
   WHEREAS, From time to time, both houses of the Legislature have
formed select committees to study earthquake and disaster
preparedness; and
   WHEREAS, Recent studies project the economic losses from a 7.8
magnitude earthquake on the southern San Andreas fault and a 7.0
magnitude earthquake on the Hayward fault to reach as high as two
hundred thirteen billion dollars ($213,000,000,000) and one hundred
seventy-eight billion dollars ($178,000,000,000) respectively; and
   WHEREAS, Community resiliency to earthquakes and other disasters
depends on the preparedness levels of all stakeholders in the
community, including individuals, families, schools, community
organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations,
businesses, and government; and
   WHEREAS, By joining the Earthquake Country Alliance, California
and its agencies can partner with earthquake information and service
providers statewide to educate its residents regarding actions that
can be taken to protect life and property, including mitigating
structural and nonstructural hazards and participating in earthquake
drills; and
   WHEREAS, By participating in the Great California ShakeOut on
October 15, 2009, the state has the opportunity to join and support
all Californians in strengthening community and regional resiliency
to earthquakes; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby supports earthquake
preparedness for all residents of California and encourages all
stakeholders in the state's economy to participate in preparedness
activities; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature hereby supports the Earthquake
Country Alliance's annual Great California ShakeOut and its
year-round earthquake education and outreach programs and
acknowledges the importance of preparing in advance for the purposes
of building a safer community and reducing the loss of lives and
property damage from future destructive earthquakes; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Legislature hereby endorses the Great
California ShakeOut, which will be held this year on October 15,
2009, and annually thereafter on the third Thursday of each October;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.