BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1346
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Date of Hearing: January 21, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1346 (Gray) - As Introduced February 27, 2015
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|Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|20 - 0 |
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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:
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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)
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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
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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