BILL ANALYSIS �
Bill No: ACR
38
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair
2011-2012 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
ACR 38 Author: Bonnie Lowenthal
As Introduced: March 14, 2011
Hearing Date: May 10, 2011
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
The Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management
DESCRIPTION
ACR 38 continues in existence the 14-member Joint
Legislative Committee on Emergency Management (Joint
Committee) until November 30, 2012. Specifically, this
resolution:
1. Provides that the Joint Committee be authorized to
act until November 30, 2012, when its existence shall
terminate.
2. Stipulates that the Joint Committee shall consist
of 14 members, as specified, under the direction of a
Chair and Vice-Chair that shall alternate between the
Senate and Assembly from session to session.
3. Authorizes the Joint Committee to provide a forum
for discussion of the state's emergency management
issues and permits the Joint Committee to form
technical advisory committees to help evaluate
federal/state/local strategies, provide technical
assistance, and play an active role in supporting
necessary legislation.
4. Provides that the Joint Committee may periodically
report its progress and make recommendations to the
Governor and the Legislature.
5. Provides that the Joint Committee and its members
ACR 38 (Bonnie Lowenthal) continued
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shall have and exercise all of the rights, duties, and
powers conferred upon investigating committees and
their members by the Joint Rules of the Assembly and
Senate.
BACKGROUND
In November 2003, Governor Gray Davis and Governor-elect
Arnold Schwarzenegger established a Blue Ribbon Fire
Commission (Commission) representing federal, state, and
local agencies, the firefighting community, and affected
communities for the purpose of conducting a review of the
efforts to fight the October 2003 fires and provide
recommendations on necessary improvements to prevent and
better respond to future fires.
The Commission, in its report to the Governor, made
numerous recommendations and prioritized their importance,
including the establishment of a permanent Joint
Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland
Security. The Joint Committee was first established by
resolution in August of 2004 (ACR 240 - Kehoe, Resolution
Chapter 144 of 2004). ACR 38 would continue the Joint
Committee until November 30, 2012.
Purpose of ACR 38: According to the author's office, the
Joint Committee has conducted numerous hearings of great
significance on the subject of emergency preparedness and
homeland security. Additionally, the author's office notes
that the Joint Committee has been the legislative point of
contact for CalEMA (formerly the Governor's Office of
Emergency Services and Homeland Security), CalFIRE, the
Department of Public Health and others and has taken the
lead on keeping legislators up to date on emergency
preparedness and response issues.
The author's office contends that this resolution is
necessary and of immediate need because of the events
resulting from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Furthermore, 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.
PRIOR/RELATED LEGISLATION
SCR 21 (Kehoe), Resolution Chapter 36 of 2009. Renamed the
ACR 38 (Bonnie Lowenthal) continued
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Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and
Homeland Security to the Joint Legislative Committee on
Emergency Management and extended the sunset date on it
until November 30, 2010.
SCR 107 (Kehoe) of 2006. Would have expanded the
membership of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency
Services and Homeland Security from 14 to 18 members. (Held
at Assembly Desk)
ACR 161 (Nava), Resolution Chapter 152 of 2006. Extended
the sunset date of the Joint Legislative Committee on
Emergency Services and Homeland Security until November 30,
2008.
SCR 29 (Kehoe), Resolution Chapter 106 of 2005. Extended
the sunset date of the Joint Legislative Committee on
Emergency Services and Homeland Security until November 30,
2006.
ACR 240 (Kehoe), Resolution Chapter 144 of 2004. Created
the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and
Homeland Security, with specified membership of each House
of the Legislature until November 30, 2004.
SUPPORT: California Professional Firefighters
OPPOSE: None on file as of May 6, 2011.
DUAL REFERRAL: Senate Committee on Rules
FISCAL COMMITTEE: No