BILL ANALYSIS
SCR 21
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SCR 21 (Kehoe)
As Introduced March 9, 2009
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :34-0
RULES 10-0
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|Ayes:|Lieu, Blakeslee, Adams, | | |
| |Ammiano, Gaines, Hall, | | |
| |Mendoza, Silva, Swanson, | | |
| |Yamada | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Continues the existence of the Joint Legislative Committee
on Emergency Services and Homeland Security (Joint Committee),
renames it as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency
Management, and authorizes the Joint Committee to act until November
30, 2010. Specifically, this resolution makes the following
legislative findings:
1)In November 2003, a Blue Ribbon Fire Commission (Commission) was
established to conduct a review of the efforts to fight the
October 2003 fires and present recommendations to make California
less vulnerable to disasters of such enormity in the future; and,
in its report to the Governor, the Commission recommended, among
other things, the establishment of a permanent Joint Committee.
2)The Joint Committee was established by Resolution Chapter 144,
Statutes of 2004, and was reestablished in 2005 and 2006 to
continue in existence until November 30, 2006.
3)The Joint Committee shall be in existence until November 30, 2010;
shall exercise all of the rights, duties, and powers conferred
upon investigative committees including making recommendations as
to legislation and forming technical advisory committees to assist
in its duties; and, the Senate Committee on Rules may make Senate
Operating Funds available to support the Joint Committee which
would consist of 14 members (7 Senators and 7 Assembly Members).
4)The failed governmental response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005
indicates an immediate need to continue to assess and improve upon
SCR 21
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California's emergency preparedness and response plans, especially
in the areas of: the specific roles of local, state, and federal
agencies; evacuation planning; interoperable communication systems;
emergency warning protocols; and, private sector preparedness.
5)California is the site of some of the most extraordinary natural
disasters in North America, including fires, earthquakes, floods,
landslides, mudslides, insect infestations and drought; and, the
emerging threat of avian and pandemic flu could also present
unprecedented challenges to the state's public health system and
place at risk the state's residents and our economy.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
Analysis Prepared by : Lia Lopez / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN:
0000641