BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                           472 (Blumenfield)
          
          Hearing Date:  8/17/2009        Amended: 7/14/2009
          Consultant:  Bob Franzoia       Policy Vote: G O 7-1
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: 

          AB 472 would, beginning July 1, 2010, require any state entity  
          that publishes an Internet Web site to prominently display on  
          the homepage of that Internet Web site a link, as specified by  
          the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), that  
          connects a user to an Internet Web page maintained by CalEMA, in  
          consultation with the Seismic Safety Commission, that provides  
          information regarding earthquake and emergency preparedness for  
          the home and workplace.
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2009-10      2010-11       2011-12     Fund
           Additional Web         Minor, absorbable costs          General/
          site links                                              Special
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____

          STAFF COMMENTS: 
          
          It appears it is the author's intent to increase access and  
          exposure to disaster preparedness information by requiring all  
          state agencies, departments, and commissions to display a link  
          on their homepage with the phrase "Preparing for Disasters."

          Since CalEMA already maintains a disaster preparedness Web site,  
          the cost to state entities to publish a link to that Web site on  
          their Web site would be minor and absorbable.

          Staff notes it is unclear why a Web site of a state entity with  
          no connection to disaster preparedness should display such a  
          link or what value such a link provides.  Staff recommends  
          revising Government Code 8596.5, as added by this bill, as  
          follows:











              8596.5 (a) As specified by the California Emergency  
          Management Agency, a  Any  state entity that publishes an Internet  
          Web site shall prominently display on the homepage of that  
          Internet 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).