BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 494|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
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CONSENT
Bill No: SB 494
Author: Hill (D)
Amended: 5/13/15
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/28/15
AYES: Hall, Block, Hernandez, Hill, Hueso, Lara, McGuire
NO VOTE RECORDED: Berryhill, Gaines, Galgiani, Vidak
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
SUBJECT: Emergency services: seismic safety and
earthquake-related programs
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill creates the California Earthquake Safety
Fund to be used for seismic safety and earthquake-related
programs, including the earthquake early warning system.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of
Emergency Services (OES) which, under the Director of
Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency
planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster
mitigation, and homeland security activities.
2)Requires various entities, including OES, through a
public-private partnership, to develop a comprehensive
statewide earthquake early warning system in California, as
specified.
SB 494
Page 2
3)Requires OES to identify funding for an earthquake early
warning system through single or multiple sources of revenues
that shall be limited to federal funds, funds from revenue
bonds, local funds, and private grants.
4)Prohibits General Fund moneys to be used for the establishment
of an earthquake early warning system.
5)Specifies that if funding is not identified by January 1,
2016, the provisions relating to the establishment of an
earthquake early warning system should be repealed.
This bill:
1)Creates the California Earthquake Safety Fund in the State
Treasury.
2)Specifies that upon appropriation by the Legislature, the
moneys in the fund shall be used for seismic safety and
earthquake-related programs, including the statewide
earthquake early warning system.
3)Specifies that the California Earthquake Safety Fund may
accept federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, local funds,
and funds from private sources.
Background
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, while existing
law requires OES to develop a comprehensive statewide earthquake
early warning system, it does not establish a state fund capable
of accepting grants or contributions to implement the earthquake
early warning system in California.
The author argues that SB 494 would establish the California
Earthquake Safety Fund to help fund and coordinate seismic
safety and earthquake-related programs, including the statewide
earthquake early warning system.
Prior/Related Legislation
SB 494
Page 3
SB 31 (Padilla, Chapter 342, Statutes of 2013) required OES, in
collaboration with various entities, to develop a comprehensive
statewide earthquake early warning system in California.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/19/15)
Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/19/15)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Supporters argue that AB 494 will make
California better prepared by creating the California Earthquake
Safety Fund which will facilitate the private public partnership
necessary to fund earthquake preparedness programs including a
statewide seismic early warning system.
Prepared by:Felipe Lopez / G.O. / (916) 651-1530
5/20/15 10:49:50
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