BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
611 (Fong)
Hearing Date: 7/13/2009 Amended: 4/15/2009
Consultant: Bob Franzoia Policy Vote: G O 12-0
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 611 would require the California Emergency
Management Agency (CalEMA) to consider the multiple languages
and needs of populations that have limited English proficiency
(LEP) during emergency preparedness planning, response, and
recovery training and exercises This bill would require CalEMA
to work in collaboration with ethnic media and ethnic community
based organizations in developing communication strategies about
alert and warning information and to use a registry of qualified
bilingual persons in public contract positions to assist
emergency preparedness, response, and recovery as CalEMA deems
necessary.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Fund
Incorporation of LEP Up to $100 Likely absorbable
costsGeneral/
needs in emergency ongoing Federal
preparedness planning
activities
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STAFF COMMENTS:
Chapter 372/2008 (AB 38, Nava) created CalEMA and vested within
it the programs and responsibilities previously held by the
Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Homeland
Security.
CalEMA is responsible for the development and coordination of a
comprehensive state strategy related to all hazards that
included prevention, preparedness, and response and recovery.
Nearly all CalEMA activities, other than the actual emergency
response actions, which are supported by the General Fund, are
federally funded at this time. The agency has, and accesses,
special funds for some of its programs. General Fund support in
2009-10 is proposed at $124,670,000, down from $161,939,000 and
$258,999,000 in 2008-09 and 2007-08 respectively. Over the same
three year period, federal trust funds have increased from
$831,646,000 in 2007-08 to $1,075,576,000 and $1,077,041,000 in
2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively.
In general, it is the local agencies that have direct contact
with citizens during an emergency. CalEMA develops model
guidelines for local government agencies and community based
organizations to implementation. CalEMA has begun incorporating
LEP materials in its guidance to these agencies and
organizations.
CalEMA's planning efforts mirror federal guidance outlined in
the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National
Response Framework. Some of the work required by this bill is
occurring as a result of Chapter 696/2006 (AB 103, Cohn) which
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AB 611 (Fong)
requires the State Department of Education and CalEMA to
electronically distribute disaster preparedness educational
information in at least three languages spoken by LEP learners.
Chapter 600/2006 (SB 1451, Kehoe) requires CalEMA to ensure that
members of the disabled community are represented on all
pertinent planning activities in order to ensure that the needs
of people with disabilities are met during emergency and
disaster situations.
This bill is similar to AB 1930 (Torrico) 2008, which was held
on the Suspense File. The most significant cost of AB 1930 was
related to the requirement to disseminate specific guidance
information. That requirement is not contained in this bill.