The Legislative Committee is in need of a Committee Chair or Co-Chairs. This position(s) keeps an eye on the activity of the WA State Legislature, provides guidance to WSEMA members on interacting with your State Senators and Representatives, and oversees the planning and conduct of our Emergency Management Day at the Capital. If you are interested in helping with this important work, please contact Chandra directly at 509.638.4627 or cefox@spokanecounty.org.
- House Bill 1029 – Provides for changes to the Governor’s Emergency Powers and how emergency proclamations are made and subsequently extended. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1029.pdf?q=20210203120242
- House Bill 1060 – Similar to HB1029, this bill provides for changes to RCW 43.06.210, requiring legislative approval for the extension of any gubernatorial emergency proclamations. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1060.pdf?q=20210203120346
- House Bill 1152 – This one is interesting… amending and/or repealing virtually all of the RCWs relevant to how Public Health is managed and services provided in WA State. It eliminates local control in favor of regionalization, and would impact how we engage and partner with our ESF 8 agencies. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1152.pdf?q=20210203115904
- House Bill 1155 – This one is not COVID related; but it’s of interest because it amends RCW 82.14.420 and changes how the 1/10th of 1% sales and use tax is allocated for emergency communications systems and facilities. If your PSAP is your responsibility, it may impact you. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1155.pdf?q=20210203120043
- House Bill 1271 – This bill amends more than a dozen RCWs to ensure continuity of operations of county elected officials during pandemics. It also adds representation of Coroners/Medical Examiners to the Emergency Management Council (EMC). http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1271.pdf?q=20210203120148
- House Bill 1340 – This bill directs the creation of a State-wide pandemic preparation and response task force, something along the lines of what was implemented following the SR530 Landslide disaster in 2014. Its concerns include; facilitation of coordinated response across health systems; protections for the business community and workers; provisions for flexible rent; and establishment of a multi-disciplinary team to manage “a coordinated and comprehensive statewide response to future pandemics.” Other suggestions for potential strategies include a number of activities which already occur, or have been developed as we have moved through the past year. This one bears watching. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1340.pdf?q=20210203120458
- Senate Bill 5039 – Amends RCW 43.06.220 to allow the governor to impose curfews, limit public assembly, limit possession and transportation of combustible/flammable/explosive materials, limit the sale of alcoholic beverages, and other restrictions. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5039.pdf?q=20210203120926
- Senate Bill 5101 – This one is easy – it adds Tribal Representation to the Emergency Management Council (EMC). The bill was in executive session with the State Government and Elections committee earlier today and was passed to the Rules Committee for its second reading. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5101.pdf?q=20210203121049