BILL NUMBER: AB 1620	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Rodriguez

                        FEBRUARY 6, 2014

   An act to add Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8899.50) to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state
government.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1620, as introduced, Rodriguez. The California Emergency
Management and Disaster Preparedness Commission.
   Existing law requires the Governor and the Office of Emergency
Services to prepare for and mitigate the effects of emergencies in
the state and does not limit the Governor from formally recognizing
committees or boards established by or with segments of the private
sector, public agencies, or both, that control facilities, resources,
or the provision of services essential to the mitigation of the
effects of an emergency.
   This bill would establish in state government the California
Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Commission as a
statewide executive-level commission to assess and improve the
condition of the state's emergency preparedness, management, and
disaster recovery capabilities. This bill would require the
commission to, among other things, review and make recommendations on
the availability of adequate equipment, fuel, food, water, and other
emergency supplies. This bill would make legislative findings in
this regard.
   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) The state is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters,
public health pandemics, the effects of climate change, acts of
terrorism, and other potential dangers.
   (b) The state has important need to assess the status of
intergovernmental coordination on emergency planning, communication
protocols, disaster response, and crisis management.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8899.50) is added to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 15.  THE CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS COMMISSION


   8899.50.  (a) There is in state government the California
Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Commission as a
statewide executive-level commission to assess and improve the
condition of the state's emergency preparedness, management, and
disaster recovery capabilities.
   (b) For purposes of this chapter, "commission" shall mean the
California Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Commission.

   8899.55.  The commission shall ensure all of the following:
   (a) Loss of life and damage to critical infrastructure and
property is minimized during a disaster.
   (b) Sufficiently trained personnel can be activated for emergency
response and recovery efforts.
   (c) The health and safety of hospital patients, skilled nursing
facility residents, the aged, blind, disabled, nonnative English
speakers, and other vulnerable populations are protected during an
emergency.
   (d) The public is provided with reliable and timely information
during an emergency or disaster.
   (e) Every locality has planned for, and is prepared for, a
disaster.
   (f) Emergency responses are effectively coordinated across all
levels of government.
   8899.60.  The commission shall review and make recommendations on
all of the following:
   (a) Vulnerabilities in the state's health care, energy,
transportation, communication, and other systems infrastructure.
   (b) The availability of adequate equipment, fuel, food, water, and
other emergency supplies.
   (c) The ability of first responders and other critical personnel
to communicate effectively with each other and have access to
adequate resources.