AB 1770: Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2024-09-06
Current Status:
Passed
(2024-09-06: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 212, Statutes of 2024.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
This bill temporarily lets the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission work with CAL FIRE and the Office of Emergency Services to make a list of all California fire stations and check whether they meet essential seismic safety standards, gather information on use and interest in earthquake early‑warning systems, and look for funding for seismic upgrades. The commission must report annually to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization about these actions. The special authority and reporting requirement expire on January 1, 2030.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law establishes in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (commission) and requires the commission, among other things, to work with specified agencies to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities in order to provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor the activities of governmental agencies in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. Existing law authorizes the commission to take various actions to support monitoring and tracking of these activities, as specified.
This bill would, until January 1, 2030, authorize the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to take certain actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, including collecting certain related information on fire stations in California, as specified. The bill would, by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, require the commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to these provisions.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law establishes in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (commission) and requires the commission, among other things, to work with specified agencies to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities in order to provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor the activities of governmental agencies in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. Existing law authorizes the commission to take various actions to support monitoring and tracking of these activities, as specified.
This bill would, until January 1, 2030, authorize the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to take certain actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, including collecting certain related information on fire stations in California, as specified. The bill would, by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, require the commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to these provisions.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law establishes in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (commission) and requires the commission, among other things, to work with specified agencies to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities in order to provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor the activities of governmental agencies in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. Existing law authorizes the commission to take various actions to support monitoring and tracking of these activities, as specified.
This bill would, until January 1, 2030, authorize the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to take certain actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, including collecting certain related information on fire stations in California, as specified. The bill would, by January 1, 2025, 2026, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, require the commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to these provisions.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law establishes in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (commission) and requires the commission, among other things, to work with specified agencies to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities in order to provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor the activities of governmental agencies in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. Existing law authorizes the commission to take various actions to support monitoring and tracking of these activities, as specified.
This bill would would, until January 1, 2030, authorize the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to take certain actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, including collecting certain related information on fire stations in California, as specified. The bill would, by June 30, 2024, January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, thereafter until January 1, 2030, require the commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to these provisions.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law includes findings and declarations of the Legislature that there is a critical need for a consistent and coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs in the state through the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law provides that this approach includes the coordination of state agencies and departments that have responsibilities to monitor and respond to, and to recover from, earthquakes and to assist the citizens and businesses in California. establishes in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (commission) and requires the commission, among other things, to work with specified agencies to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities in order to provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor the activities of governmental agencies in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. Existing law authorizes the commission to take various actions to support monitoring and tracking of these activities, as specified.
This bill would revise that statement to refer to residents instead of citizens. The bill would state that this revision is declaratory of existing law. authorize the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to take certain actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, including collecting certain related information on fire stations in California, as specified. The bill would, by June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, require the commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to these provisions.
Existing law creates, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services which, under the Director of Emergency Services, coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities. Existing law includes findings and declarations of the Legislature that there is a critical need for a consistent and coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs in the state through the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law provides that this approach includes the coordination of state agencies and departments that have responsibilities to monitor and respond to, and to recover from, earthquakes and to assist the citizens and businesses in California.
This bill would revise that statement to refer to residents instead of citizens. The bill would state that this revision is declaratory of existing law.
(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)(1)The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
(A)Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each stations status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
(B)Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
(C)Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
(2)By January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 8589.75 is added to the Government Code, to read:8589.75.(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.
(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)(1)The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
(A)Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each stations status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
(B)Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
(C)Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
(2)By January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 8589.75 is added to the Government Code, to read:8589.75.(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.
(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)(1)The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
(A)Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each stations status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
(B)Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
(C)Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) and earthquake early warning technology.(D)(C)Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology. activities.
(2)By January 1, 2025, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 8589.75 is added to the Government Code, to read:8589.75.(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.
(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)(1)The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
(A)Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each stations status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
(B)Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
(C)Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) and earthquake early warning technology.
(D)Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
(2)By June 30, 2024, January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 2.Section 8589.75 is added to the Government Code, to read:8589.75.(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.
(a)The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
(b)(1)At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
(2)The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
(A)Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
(B)California Earthquake Authority.
(C)Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(D)Department of Transportation.
(E)Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
(F)Public Utilities Commission.
(G)State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
(H)University of California.
(I)The California State University.
(c)(1)The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
(A)Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each stations status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
(B)Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
(C)Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division 12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) and earthquake early warning technology.
(D)Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
(2)By June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commissions actions and conclusions pursuant to paragraph (1).
SECTION 1.Section 8587.9 of the Government Code is amended to read:8587.9.(a)The Legislature finds and declares that there is a critical need for a consistent and coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs in the State of California through the Governors Office of Emergency Services. These programs may include, but are not limited to, earthquake response, recovery, warning, mitigation, planning, research, preparedness, training and exercises, hazard grants, public information, and education. This approach includes the coordination of state agencies and departments that have responsibilities to monitor and respond to, and to recover from, earthquakes and to assist the residents and businesses in California. In order to facilitate the requirements of Section 8587.8, the Legislature establishes the California Earthquake Safety Fund within the State Treasury.(b)(1)The California Earthquake Safety Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the moneys in the fund shall be used for seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, including the statewide earthquake early warning system described in Section 8587.8.(2)Pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8587.8, the California Earthquake Safety Fund may accept federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, local funds, and funds from private sources for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section.(c)The change made to this section by the act adding this subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.(a)The Legislature finds and declares that there is a critical need for a consistent and coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs in the State of California through the Governors Office of Emergency Services. These programs may include, but are not limited to, earthquake response, recovery, warning, mitigation, planning, research, preparedness, training and exercises, hazard grants, public information, and education. This approach includes the coordination of state agencies and departments that have responsibilities to monitor and respond to, and to recover from, earthquakes and to assist the citizens residents and businesses in California. In order to facilitate the requirements of Section 8587.8, the Legislature establishes the California Earthquake Safety Fund within the State Treasury.
(b)(1)The California Earthquake Safety Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the moneys in the fund shall be used for seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, including the statewide earthquake early warning system described in Section 8587.8.
(2)Pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8587.8, the California Earthquake Safety Fund may accept federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, local funds, and funds from private sources for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section.
(c)The change made to this section by the act adding this subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
REVISIONS: HeadingLines 2 and 3.|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 6, 2024 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 212, Statutes of 2024. |
| Sep 6, 2024 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 19, 2024 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 6359.). |
| Aug 5, 2024 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 7 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 4972.). |
| Mar 14, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Mar 13, 2024 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Mar 13, 2024 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Mar 13, 2024 | Action rescinded whereby the bill was read third time, passed, and to Assembly. |
| Jan 25, 2024 | In Senate. Held at Desk. |
| Jan 25, 2024 | Ordered to the Senate. |
| Jan 22, 2024 | Ordered to the unfinished business file. |
| Jan 22, 2024 | From inactive file. |
| Sep 14, 2023 | Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Rodriguez. |
| Sep 13, 2023 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Sep 13, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2768.). |
| Sep 8, 2023 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Sep 5, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 1, 2023 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| Sep 1, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (September 1). |
| Aug 21, 2023 | In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. |
| Jul 11, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (July 11). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 19, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on G.O. |
| May 17, 2023 | Referred to Com. on G.O. |
| May 4, 2023 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 4, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1466.) |
| May 1, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 27, 2023 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 26). |
| Apr 27, 2023 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 30, 2023 | Referred to Com. on E.M. |
| Mar 23, 2023 | From printer. May be heard in committee April 22. |
| Mar 22, 2023 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2024 | AB 1770 Emergency Management Concurrence in Senate Amendments By RODRIGUEZ | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 5, 2024 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB1770 E.M. (Rodriguez) By Dodd | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 13, 2023 | Special Consent AB1770 E.M. (Rodriguez) | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 1, 2023 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Aug 21, 2023 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jul 11, 2023 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization |
Passed |
|
| May 4, 2023 | AB 1770 E.M. Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 26, 2023 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Emergency Management |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1770
Author:(Committee on Emergency Management)
As Amended Ver:March 13, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.
Senate Amendments
- Changes the implementation date from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026
- Removes the provision allowing the Commission to coordinate with Cal FIRE and Cal OES on developing a template for requesting future seismic related funding, as specified.
- Removes the provision allowing the Commission to coordinate with Cal FIRE and Cal OES on researching sources of funding for early warning technology.
COMMENTS
Returned to Senate for Amendments: This bill passed the Senate, but was returned from the Assembly to make the above amendments prior to the concurrence vote. The complete Senate amendments, from when the bill first passed out of the Assembly to the current version, removed the original text of the bill and now:
- Authorizes the Commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with Cal FIRE and Cal OES to do any of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station's status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
- Requires by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission's actions and conclusions, as specified.
The previous Assembly Floor Analysis outlines the first round of Senate amendments before the bill was returned to the Senate for the amendments referenced in the summary.
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986: In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be: designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. In addition, the California Building Code defines how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state's progress toward higher levels of seismic safety.
According to the Author
The Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (Act) requires essential services buildings to be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. However, it is not a retroactive requirement so these buildings only must adhere to the requirements unless a remodel or new construction project is completed. While the number of stations that have completed seismic mitigation efforts or have been built to the standards of the Act are unknown, there are likely, many fire stations that do not adhere to this standard. In addition, most fire stations throughout California have not yet employed Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) technology into their operations.
Arguments in Support
None on file.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, "Unknown, potentially significant costs for the Commission to collect data, research seismic mitigation funding sources, develop the funding request template, and create and submit an annual report on these activities. To the extent that the workload required in the bill is not absorbable within the Commission's existing resources, then there may be General Fund costs, ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars."
VOTES:
ASM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: 7-0-0
YES: Rodriguez, Waldron, Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Calderon, Megan Dahle, Schiavo
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0-5
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
ABS, ABST OR NV: Flora, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Wallis, Wicks
SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
SENATE FLOOR: 39-0-1
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Caballero
UPDATED
VERSION: March 13, 2024
CONSULTANT: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802 FN: 0003752
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1770 |
Third reading
Bill No: AB 1770
Author: Committee on Emergency Management
Amended: 3/13/24 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 14-0, 7/11/23
AYES: Dodd, Wilk, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Bradford, Glazer, Jones, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/23
AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 5/4/23 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.
Senate Floor Amendments of 3/13/24 narrow the scope and requirements of the bill.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes OES, which coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities.
- Establishes the Commission as a separate unit within OES and authorizes the Commission to recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation.
- Requires the Commission, at a minimum, to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the Commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
- Provides that any report required or requested by law to be submitted by a state or local agency to the Members of either house of the Legislature, shall, generally, instead be submitted as a printed copy to the Secretary of the Senate, as an electronic copy to the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and as an electronic or printed copy to the Legislative Counsel.
This bill:
- Authorizes the Commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES to do any of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station’s status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
- Requires by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Emergency Management Committee and the Senate Governmental Organization Committee describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions, as specified.
- Includes a sunset date of January 1, 2030.
Background
Author Statement. According to the author, “The Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (Act) requires essential services buildings to be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. However, it is not a retroactive requirement so these buildings only must adhere to the requirements unless a remodel or new construction project is completed. While the number of stations that have completed seismic mitigation efforts or have been built to the standards of the Act are unknown, there are likely, many fire stations that do not adhere to this standard. In addition, most fire stations throughout California have not yet employed Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) technology into their operations.”
The author additionally notes, “This bill addresses the lack of available information, will assist in bringing these essential buildings up to modern standards, and identify the funding to do so. Furthermore, AB 1770 codifies a project already approved by the Seismic Safety Commission. By jointly working with Cal Fire and Cal OES, the Commission will be able to ensure California’s fire stations are ready to respond regardless of the disaster.”
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986. In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) and includes requirements that such buildings shall be: designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. In addition, the California Building Code defines how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
Responsibility for enforcement of the Act falls to the local building jurisdiction for locally owned or leased facilities and to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for state owned or leased facilities. However, the duties and responsibilities of the DSA include observing the implementation and administration of the Act’s provisions for all including “providing advice and assistance to local jurisdictions regarding essential services buildings.”
Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state’s progress toward higher levels of seismic safety. To support this broad mission, the Commission uses the expertise of its commissioners to review, evaluate, and translate scientific information and make recommendations to guide and influence earthquake safety policies.
The Commission works with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector, on a variety of activities that support the state’s earthquake preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. These activities include: (1) encourage and support research related to seismic safety; (2) recommend the addition, deletion, or changing of state agency guidelines or standards to reduce damage from earthquakes or increase seismic safety when new developments would promote earthquake hazard mitigation; (3) develop findings and recommendations on lessons learned that lead to reduced losses and rapid economic recovery, following a destructive earthquake; (4) conducting public hearings on seismic safety issues; (5) using existing knowledge and conducting studies, where necessary, to improve the performance of structures in California; (6) recommending earthquake safety programs and supporting cost-effective partnerships that help reduce earthquake risks and speed economic recovery.
This bill aims to expand the responsibilities of the Commission, authorizing it to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES on several activities related to fire stations and seismic safety. Specifically, this bill authorizes the Commission to do all of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California, noting each station’s compliance with the Act. This would involve assessing whether these stations are appropriately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and withstand the forces of earthquakes, gravity, and wind.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all California fire stations, and gauge their interest in utilizing such technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
This bill also requires, by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Commission must provide a report to the Assembly Emergency Management Committee and the Senate Governmental Organization Committee describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions related to the activities listed above.
This bill includes a sunset date of January 1, 2030.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 1505 (Rodriguez, 2023) authorizes OES to dedicate Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities application funding to specified projects to augment and support the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing. (On the Senate Inactive File)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (3/12/24)
None received
OPPOSITION: (3/12/24)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 5/4/23
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Flora, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Wallis, Wicks
Prepared by: Brian Duke / G.O. / (916) 651-1530
3/15/24 11:35:56
**** END ****
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1770
Author:(Committee on Emergency Management)
As Amended Ver:September 1, 2023
Majority vote
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.
Senate Amendments
- Authorizes the Commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with Cal FIRE and Cal OES to do any of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station's status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Act and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
- Requires by January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2030, the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission's actions and conclusions, as specified.
COMMENTS
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986: In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be: designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. In addition, the California Building Code defines how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state’s progress toward higher levels of seismic safety.
According to the Author
The Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (Act) requires essential services buildings to be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. However, it is not a retroactive requirement so these buildings only must adhere to the requirements unless a remodel or new construction project is completed. While the number of stations that have completed seismic mitigation efforts or have been built to the standards of the Act are unknown, there are likely, many fire stations that do not adhere to this standard. In addition, most fire stations throughout California have not yet employed Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) technology into their operations.
Arguments in Support
None on file.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, "Unknown, potentially significant costs for the Commission to collect data, research seismic mitigation funding sources, develop the funding request template, and create and submit an annual report on these activities. To the extent that the workload required in the bill is not absorbable within the Commission's existing resources, then there may be General Fund costs, ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars."
VOTES:
ASM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: 7-0-0
YES: Rodriguez, Waldron, Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Calderon, Megan Dahle, Schiavo
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0-5
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
ABS, ABST OR NV: Flora, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Wallis, Wicks
SENATE FLOOR: 39-0-1
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Caballero
UPDATED
VERSION: September 1, 2023
CONSULTANT: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802 FN: 0001661
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1770 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1770
Author: Committee on Emergency Management
Amended: 9/1/23 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 14-0, 7/11/23
AYES: Dodd, Wilk, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Bradford, Glazer, Jones, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/23
AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 5/4/23 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes OES, which coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities.
- Establishes the Commission as a separate unit within OES and authorizes the Commission to recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation.
- Requires the Commission, at a minimum, to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the Commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
- Provides that any report required or requested by law to be submitted by a state or local agency to the Members of either house of the Legislature, shall, generally, instead be submitted as a printed copy to the Secretary of the Senate, as an electronic copy to the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and as an electronic or printed copy to the Legislative Counsel.
This bill:
- Authorizes the Commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES to do any of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station’s status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Act and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
- Requires by January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions, as specified.
- Includes a sunset date of January 1, 2030.
Background
Author Statement. According to the author’s office, “the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (Act) requires essential services buildings to be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. However, it is not a retroactive requirement so these buildings only must adhere to the requirements unless a remodel or new construction project is completed. While the number of stations that have completed seismic mitigation efforts or have been built to the standards of the Act are unknown, there are likely, many fire stations that do not adhere to this standard. In addition, most fire stations throughout California have not yet employed Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) technology into their operations.”
The author’s office additionally notes, “this bill addresses the lack of available information, will assist in bringing these essential buildings up to modern standards, and identify the funding to do so. Furthermore, AB 1770 codifies a project already approved by the Seismic Safety Commission. By jointly working with Cal Fire and Cal OES, the Commission will be able to ensure California’s fire stations are ready to respond regardless of the disaster.”
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986. In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be: designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. In addition, the California Building Code defines how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
Responsibility for enforcement of the Act falls to the local building jurisdiction for locally owned or leased facilities and to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for state owned or leased facilities. However, the duties and responsibilities of the DSA include observing the implementation and administration of the Act’s provisions for all including “providing advice and assistance to local jurisdictions regarding essential services buildings.”
Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state’s progress toward higher levels of seismic safety. To support this broad mission, the Commission uses the expertise of its commissioners to review, evaluate, and translate scientific information and make recommendations to guide and influence earthquake safety policies.
The Commission works with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector, on a variety of activities that support the state’s earthquake preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. These activities include: 1) encourage and support research related to seismic safety; 2) recommend the addition, deletion, or changing of state agency guidelines or standards to reduce damage from earthquakes or increase seismic safety when new developments would promote earthquake hazard mitigation; 3) develop findings and recommendations on lessons learned that lead to reduced losses and rapid economic recovery, following a destructive earthquake; 4) conducting public hearings on seismic safety issues; 5) using existing knowledge and conducting studies, where necessary, to improve the performance of structures in California; 6) recommending earthquake safety programs and supporting cost-effective partnerships that help reduce earthquake risks and speed economic recovery.
This bill aims to expand the responsibilities of the Commission, authorizing it to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES on several activities related to fire stations and seismic safety. Specifically, this bill authorizes the Commission to do all of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California, noting each station’s compliance with the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986. This would involve assessing whether these stations are appropriately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and withstand the forces of earthquakes, gravity, and wind.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all California fire stations, and gauge their interest in utilizing such technology.
- Develop a template for requesting future funding for seismic mitigation activities tied to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
This bill also requires, by January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Commission must provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions related to the activities listed above.
This bill includes a sunset date of January 1, 2030.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 1505 (Rodriguez, 2023) authorizes OES to dedicate Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities application funding to specified projects to augment and support the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing. (Pending in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown, potentially significant costs for the Commission to collect data, research seismic mitigation funding sources, develop the funding request template, and create and submit an annual report on these activities. To the extent that the workload required in the bill is not absorbable within the Commission’s existing resources, then there may be General Fund costs, ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/23)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/23)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-0, 5/4/23
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Flora, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Wallis, Wicks
Prepared by: Brian Duke / G.O. / (916) 651-1530
9/2/23 9:51:51
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 1770 (Committee on Emergency Management) - Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology
Version: | Policy Vote: |
Urgency: | Mandate: |
Hearing Date: | Consultant: |
Bill Summary:
AB 1770 authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to conduct activities related to seismic safety and early earthquake warning technology, and requires the Commission to submit an annual report on those activities and conclusions to specified policy committees of the Legislature.
*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********
The following information is revised to reflect amendments
adopted by the committee on September 1, 2023
Fiscal Impact:
Unknown, potentially significant costs for the Commission to collect data, research seismic mitigation funding sources, develop the funding request template, and create and submit an annual report on these activities. To the extent that the workload required in the bill is not absorbable within the Commission’s existing resources, then there may be General Fund costs, ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Author Amendments:
- Provide a delayed implementation date of January 1, 2025.
- Sunset the reporting requirement on January 1, 2030.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 1770 (Committee on Emergency Management) - Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology
Version: June 19, 2023 | Policy Vote: G.O. 14 - 0 |
Urgency: No | Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: August 21, 2023 | Consultant: Janelle Miyashiro |
Bill Summary:
AB 1770 authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to conduct activities related to seismic safety and early earthquake warning technology, and requires the Commission to submit an annual report on those activities and conclusions to specified policy committees of the Legislature.
Fiscal Impact:
Unknown, potentially significant costs for the Commission to collect data, research seismic mitigation funding sources, develop the funding request template, and create and submit an annual report on these activities. To the extent that the workload required in the bill is not absorbable within the Commission’s existing resources, then there may be General Fund costs, ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Background:
The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state’s progress toward higher levels of seismic safety. To support this broad mission, the Commission uses the expertise of its members to review, evaluate, and translate scientific information and make recommendations to guide and influence earthquake safety policies.
The Commission works with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector, on a variety of activities that support the state’s earthquake preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. These activities include:
- Encouraging and supporting research related to seismic safety.
- Recommend the addition, deletion, or changing of state agency guidelines or standards to reduce damage from earthquakes or increase seismic safety when new developments would promote earthquake hazard mitigation.
- Developing findings and recommendations on lessons learned that lead to reduced losses and rapid economic recovery, following a destructive earthquake.
- Conducting public hearings on seismic safety issues.
- Using existing knowledge and conducting studies, where necessary, to improve the performance of structures in California.
- Recommending earthquake safety programs and supporting cost-effective partnerships that help reduce earthquake risks and speed economic recovery.
Proposed Law:
- Authorizes the Commission to coordinate with CALFIRE and OES to:
- Develop a list of all California fire stations and each station’s status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementations of earthquake early warning technology in all California fire stations and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
- By June 30, 2024 and annually thereafter, requires the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the commission’s actions and conclusions on the above requirements.
Related Legislation:
AB 1505 (Rodriguez, 2023) authorizes OES to dedicate federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application funding for projects aimed at augmenting and supporting the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing. AB 1505 is pending in this committee.
Staff Comments: While a fiscal estimate was not available at the time of this analysis, costs to the Commission to meet the requirements of this bill may be significant. These costs may include an additional staff, potentially part-time ongoing, to complete initial and ongoing data collection, update the funding template, and conduct outreach and data analysis as necessary. Actual costs to the Commission will depend on, among other things, whether this work will be done by Commission staff or through a contract with a vendor or other collaborative effort with CAL FIRE and OES.
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Bill Dodd
Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: 1770 Hearing Date: 7/11/2023
Author: | |||
Version: | 6/19/2023 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Brian Duke | ||
SUBJECT: Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology
DIGEST: This bill authorizes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (Commission) to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes OES, which coordinates disaster response, emergency planning, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, disaster mitigation, and homeland security activities.
- Establishes the Commission as a separate unit within OES and authorizes the Commission to recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation.
- Requires the Commission, at a minimum, to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the Commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
- Provides that any report required or requested by law to be submitted by a state or local agency to the Members of either house of the Legislature, shall, generally, instead be submitted as a printed copy to the Secretary of the Senate, as an electronic copy to the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and as an electronic or printed copy to the Legislative Counsel.
This bill:
- Authorizes the Commission to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES to do any of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station’s status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Act) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
- Develop a template that can be used to request future funding for seismic mitigation activities related to the Act and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
- Requires by June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Commission to provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions, as specified.
Background
Author Statement. According to the author’s office, “the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (Act) requires essential services buildings to be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. However, it is not a retroactive requirement so these buildings only must adhere to the requirements unless a remodel or new construction project is completed. While the number of stations that have completed seismic mitigation efforts or have been built to the standards of the Act are unknown, there are likely, many fire stations that do not adhere to this standard. In addition, most fire stations throughout California have not yet employed Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) technology into their operations.”
The author’s office additionally notes, “this bill addresses the lack of available information, will assist in bringing these essential buildings up to modern standards, and identify the funding to do so. Furthermore, AB 1770 codifies a project already approved by the Seismic Safety Commission. By jointly working with Cal Fire and Cal OES, the Commission will be able to ensure California’s fire stations are ready to respond regardless of the disaster.”
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986. In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be: designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds. In addition, the California Building Code defines how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
Responsibility for enforcement of the Act falls to the local building jurisdiction for locally owned or leased facilities and to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for state owned or leased facilities. However, the duties and responsibilities of the DSA include observing the implementation and administration of the Act’s provisions for all including “providing advice and assistance to local jurisdictions regarding essential services buildings.”
Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. The Commission was established in 1975, with passage of the Seismic Safety Act to provide a coordinated framework for establishing consistent earthquake policies, advising the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, and the public, and tracking the state’s progress toward higher levels of seismic safety. To support this broad mission, the Commission uses the expertise of its commissioners to review, evaluate, and translate scientific information and make recommendations to guide and influence earthquake safety policies.
The Commission works with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector, on a variety of activities that support the state’s earthquake preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. These activities include: 1) encourage and support research related to seismic safety; 2) recommend the addition, deletion, or changing of state agency guidelines or standards to reduce damage from earthquakes or increase seismic safety when new developments would promote earthquake hazard mitigation; 3) develop findings and recommendations on lessons learned that lead to reduced losses and rapid economic recovery, following a destructive earthquake; 4) conducting public hearings on seismic safety issues; 5) using existing knowledge and conducting studies, where necessary, to improve the performance of structures in California; 6) recommending earthquake safety programs and supporting cost-effective partnerships that help reduce earthquake risks and speed economic recovery.
This bill aims to expand the responsibilities of the Commission, authorizing it to coordinate with Cal FIRE and OES on several activities related to fire stations and seismic safety. Specifically, this bill authorizes the Commission to do all of the following:
- Develop a list of all fire stations in California, noting each station’s compliance with the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986. This would involve assessing whether these stations are appropriately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and withstand the forces of earthquakes, gravity, and wind.
- Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all California fire stations, and gauge their interest in utilizing such technology.
- Develop a template for requesting future funding for seismic mitigation activities tied to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and earthquake early warning technology.
- Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology.
This bill also requires, by June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Commission must provide a report to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization describing the Commission’s actions and conclusions related to the activities listed above.
Prior/Related Legislation
AB 1505 (Rodriguez, 2023) authorizes OES to dedicate Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities application funding to specified projects to augment and support the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing. (Pending in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)
AB 1831 (Seyarto, 2022) would have required the members of the Commission to represent the field of developmental disability services, as specified. (Never heard in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
SUPPORT:
None received
OPPOSITION:
None received
Date of Hearing: April 26, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Freddie Rodriguez, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1770 (
Author:Committee on Emergency Management) – As Introduced Ver:March 22, 2023
SUBJECT: Emergency services: seismic safety and earthquake-related programs
SUMMARY: Replaces the word “citizens” with “residents,” in reference to whom state agencies are responsible to assist with a coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, and clarifies this is declarative of existing law. Specifically, this bill:
- Replaces “citizens” with “residents,” as specified.
- States that this revision is declaratory of existing law.
EXISTING LAW:
- Declares there is a critical need for a consistent and coordinated approach to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs in California, through Cal OES:
- Finds these programs may include, but are not limited to, earthquake response, recovery, warning, mitigation, planning, research, preparedness, training and exercises, hazard grants, public information, and education.
- Finds the approach includes the coordination of state agencies and departments that have responsibilities to monitor and respond to, and to recover from, earthquakes and to assist the citizens and businesses in California. (Government Code 8587.9)
- Establishes the California Earthquake Safety Fund in the State Treasury, where, upon appropriation by the legislature, funds are used for seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, as specified. (Government Code 8587.9)
FISCAL EFFECT: No effect. This bill is nonfiscal.
COMMENTS:
Bill Purpose: According to the author, “The coordinated approach from our state agencies in relation to seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, already serves all residents. This bill clarifies what is declared in existing law. Changing this language corresponds with the state goal to protect all of our residents from earthquakes.”
Equity Impact: According to the author’s staff, “While there is no real change to existing law, this bill demonstrate the statutory goal of these programs are intended to serve everyone in California.”
Disasters in California: The State of California arguably faces the most complex and severe disaster conditions in the nation and these challenges and complexities have grown in magnitude each year. In the past decade, Cal OES and our local partners have experienced every conceivable type of natural and manmade disaster including drought, earthquake, flood, catastrophic wildfire, mudslides, dam failure, cyber security attacks, oil spills, natural gas leaks, civil unrest, terrorism, and tsunamis.
According to Cal OES, “California has moved into a new chapter of emergency management, disaster response, and recovery in the state. Emergencies and disasters are more frequent, more complicated, often involving multiple counties and regions of the state, and the resulting recovery for communities is much longer. The impacts of climate change continue to intensify and lengthen fire season in California. Over the past five years, the state has experienced an unprecedented number of emergencies and disasters—including severe drought, catastrophic wildfires, power grid/outage challenges, earthquakes, intensive storms with severe flooding, civil unrest, and COVID-19. In fact, 15 of the most destructive fires in the state’s history have occurred since 2015. California will be recovering from these complex disasters for at least the next decade, while continuing to respond to future disasters.”
Probability of Strong and/or Major Earthquakes: The United States Geological Survey and other scientists estimate a 72-percent probability that at least one earthquake of Magnitude 6.7 or greater, capable of causing widespread damage, will strike the San Francisco Bay Area before 2044. For the Los Angeles region, the same model forecasts a 60-percent probability that an earthquake of Magnitude 6.7 or greater will occur before 2044.
Strong earthquakes of Magnitude 6 to 6.9 strike California on an average of once every two to three years. An earthquake of this size, such as the 1994 Northridge Earthquake (Magnitude 6.7) or the 1983 Coalinga Earthquake (Magnitude 6.7), is capable of causing major damage, if the epicenter is near a densely populated area. Major earthquakes (Magnitude 7 to 7.9) occur in California about once every 10 years.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) modeling for major earthquake scenarios in the Bay Area and Southern California, violent shaking in densely populated areas could result in over 50,000 displaced household and over 30,000 individuals requiring short term shelter.
Related Legislation:
SB 494 (Hill) Chapter 799, Statutes of 2015. This bill established the California Earthquake Safety Fund to be used for seismic safety and earthquake-related programs, including the earthquake early warning system.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Assembly Floor
3MIN
Senate Floor
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):