BILL NUMBER: AB 472	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 14, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Blumenfield

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2009

   An act to add Section 8596.5 to the Government Code, relating to
 disaster  earthquake and emergency 
preparedness.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 472, as amended, Blumenfield.  Disaster  
Earthquake and emergency  preparedness.
   Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, requires the
California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) to be responsible
for the state's emergency and disaster response services, and
requires state entities to cooperate with Cal EMA in carrying out its
duties.
   This bill would, beginning on July 1, 2010, require any state
entity that publishes an Internet Web site to prominently display on
the homepage of that Internet Web site  the phrase "Preparing
for Disasters" that links   a link, as specified by Cal
EMA, that connects  a user to an Internet Web page created and
maintained by Cal EMA, in consultation with the Seismic Safety
Commission, that provides specified information regarding earthquake
 and emergency  preparedness for the home and workplace.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) January 17, 2009 marked the 15th anniversary of the Northridge
Earthquake that resulted in the deaths of 57 people, 12,000
injuries, damage to 100,000 structures, and up to $40 billion in
losses.
   (b) Experts predict there is a high likelihood that there will be
another earthquake in southern California of equal or greater
magnitude as the Northridge Earthquake in the next 30 years.
   (c) Understanding potential risks, practicing responses, and being
prepared with an action plan for before, during, and after a
disaster can make a significant difference in reducing or eliminating
major losses of life and property.
   (d) The largest local earthquake drill involving more than five
million people in southern California on November 13, 2008, found
significant gaps in earthquake preparedness planning and a need for
ongoing disaster preparedness education for the public.
   (e) The local Valley Public Response for Emergency Preparedness
Task Force established in the San Fernando Valley is working to
identify valley-specific issues that can be addressed through
 quake   earthquake  preparedness planning.

   (f) Providing links on all state agency Internet Web sites would
make it easier for Californians to access earthquake preparedness
information and promote awareness of steps that can be taken before,
during, and after major earthquakes to promote safety for individuals
and communities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 8596.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   8596.5.  (a) Any state entity that publishes an Internet Web site
shall prominently display on the homepage of that Internet 
Web site the phrase "Preparing for Disasters" that links a user to
the Internet Web page described in subdivision (b).  
Web site a text or graphical link, as specified by the California
Emergency Management Agency, to earthquake and emergency preparedness
tips and resources, as described in subdivision (b). 
   (b) The California Emergency Management Agency, in consultation
with the Seismic Safety Commission, shall create and maintain an
Internet Web page that a state entity can link to, as required by
subdivision (a), that  provides   includes, but
is not limited to,  all of the following:
   (1) Information regarding earthquake  and emergency 
preparedness for the home and workplace.
   (2) Guides and other publications regarding earthquake  and
emergency  preparedness for the home and workplace.
   (3) Links to other Internet resources for earthquake  and
emergency  preparedness for the home and workplace.
   (c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2010.