BILL ANALYSIS Ó
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
AB 1116 (Fong)
Hearing Date: 8/15/2011 Amended: As Introduced
Consultant: Bob Franzoia Policy Vote: G O 10-1
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 1116 would require the California Emergency
Management Agency (agency) to consider the multiple languages
and needs of populations who have limited English proficiency
(LEP) during emergency preparedness planning, response, and
recovery. This bill would also require the agency to work in
collaboration with ethnic media and ethnic community based
organizations in developing communications strategies about
alert and warning information, and to use a registry of
qualified bilingual persons in public contact positions to
assist the agency, as necessary.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund
Incorporation of LEP needs Up to $100 Likely absorbable
costs General/
in emergency preparedness ongoing Federal
activities
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STAFF COMMENTS: Chapter 372/2008 (AB 38, Nava) created CalEMA
and vested within it the programs and responsibilities
previously held by the Office of Emergency Services and the
Office of Homeland Security.
CalEMA is responsible for the development and coordination of a
comprehensive state strategy related to all hazards that
included prevention, preparedness, and response and recovery.
Through the Emergency Management Services Program, CalEMA
directs federal, state, and local resources through the mutual
aid system to jurisdictions whose resources and services are
overextended in a disaster situation. This program develops and
coordinates comprehensive state strategy related to an
all-hazards approach that included prevention, preparedness,
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response, and recovery consistent with the National Strategy on
Homeland Security. This effort includes training emergency
managers in preparedness and response to all hazards in order to
maintain operational readiness at all levels of government.
In 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12, General Fund support for this
part of CalEMA was $27,597,000, $22,286,000, and $23,426,000
respectively. Federal Trust Fund support during this period was
$31,948,000, $32,946,000 and $33,460,000.
In general, it is the local agencies that have direct contact
with citizens during an emergency. CalEMA develops model
guidelines for local government agencies and community based
organizations to implementation and has begun incorporating LEP
materials in its guidance to these agencies and organizations.
CalEMA's planning efforts mirror federal guidance outlined in
the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National
Response Framework. Some of the work required by this bill is
occurring as a result of Chapter 696/2006 (AB 103, Cohn) which
requires the State Department of Education and CalEMA to
electronically distribute disaster preparedness educational
information in at least three languages spoken by LEP learners.
This bill is similar to AB 611 (Fong) 2010 which was vetoed by
Governor Schwarzenegger with the following message:
This bill would require the California Emergency Management
Agency (CalEMA) to consider multiple languages and needs of
populations who have limited English language proficiency during
emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery.
CalEMA already considers the needs of all California's citizens,
including limited English populations, during emergency
preparedness planning, response, and recovery. Not only does
CalEMA's Public Information Office work with ethnic media and
ethnic community-based organizations to ensure that this
population receives disaster and emergency alert and warnings,
CalEMA also provides instruction to emergency managers and
first-responders that includes strategic consideration for
populations with limited English proficiency.
AB 1116 (Fong)
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