BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1346 Page 1 Date of Hearing: January 21, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 1346 (Gray) - As Introduced February 27, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|20 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to update the State Emergency Plan on or before January 1, 2017, and every 5 years thereafter. FISCAL EFFECT: Absorbable costs. COMMENTS: AB 1346 Page 2 1)Purpose. According to the author, AB 1346 will ensure the State Emergency Plan reflects recent advances in emergency management capabilities, including developments in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Revisions to the plan will also reflect changes in the structure and function of federal and state government agencies. 2)State Emergency Plan Update Practice. OES currently follows the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 for the State Emergency Plan, which requires revisions every 3 years. (OES completed formal updates to the plan in 2009 and 2012, and expects to complete the next formal update this year.) OES considers the State Emergency Plan to be a dynamic document, and often makes less formal updates more frequently. The plan may also be updated at the request of the Governor at any time. Given current practice at OES is to formally update the plan more often than is required by this bill, it does not expect to incur any changes in practice or additional compliance costs. The Committee may wish to consider whether formalizing updates in statute is warranted given current OES approach and practice. 3) Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies. Although California is leading the way on GHG emission reductions, climate impacts on our natural environment are still occurring. Many impacts, including increased fires, floods, severe storms and heat waves, will only become more frequent and dangerous. To prepare for and adapt to the catastrophic effects of climate change, the California Natural Resources Agency (NRA) AB 1346 Page 3 published the Safeguarding California Report to identify the state's vulnerabilities. Specifically, the report outlines primary risks to residents, property, communities and natural systems. The California Adaptation Planning Guide, also published by the NRA, provides a step-by- step process for local and regional governments interested in climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategies. Additionally, Cal-Adapt, a web-based climate adaptation planning tool, identifies potential climate change risks in specific areas throughout the state. Users can either query by location, or click on an interactive map to explore what climate impacts are projected to occur in their area of interest. In light of the anticipated catastrophic effects of climate change, the author may wish to amend the bill to require OES to develop future State Emergency Plans consistent with the Safeguarding California Report, the California Adaptation Planning Guide, and Cal-Adapt. 4) Technical Amendment. This bill, if enacted, would take effect January 1, 2017. This is the same day the bill requires AB 1346 Page 4 OES to update the plan. The author may wish to adjust this requirement in the bill to reflect a future date. Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse/ APPR. / (916) 319-2081