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SB-296 Office of Emergency Services: disaster preparedness.(2007-2008)

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Senate Bill No. 296
CHAPTER 197

An act to amend Section 8588.1 of the Government Code, relating to disaster preparedness.

[ Approved by Governor  September 10, 2007. Filed with Secretary of State  September 10, 2007. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 296, Dutton. Office of Emergency Services: disaster preparedness.
The California Emergency Services Act authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to include private businesses and nonprofit organizations within its responsibilities to prepare the state for disasters. The act creates the Disaster Resistant Communities Account in the General Fund and authorizes the Director of the Office of Emergency Services, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to expend the money in the account for this purpose. The act requires that any new activity undertaken by the office under these provisions be contingent upon the receipt of donations to the account.
This bill would rename the account the Disaster Resistant Communities Fund in the State Treasury and would delete the requirement that any new activity be contingent upon the receipt of donations to the account. It would instead require that these provisions be implemented only to the extent that in-kind contributions or donations are received from the private sector, or grant funds are received from the federal government, for these purposes.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 8588.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:

8588.1.
 (a) The Legislature finds and declares that this state can only truly be prepared for the next disaster if the public and private sector collaborate.
(b) The Office of Emergency Services may, as appropriate, include private businesses and nonprofit organizations within its responsibilities to prepare the state for disasters under this chapter. All participation by businesses and nonprofit associations in this program shall be voluntary.
(c) The office may do any of the following:
(1) Provide guidance to business and nonprofit organizations representing business interests on how to integrate private sector emergency preparedness measures into governmental disaster planning programs.
(2) Conduct outreach programs to encourage business to work with governments and community associations to better prepare the community and their employees to survive and recover from disasters.
(3) Develop systems so that government, businesses, and employees can exchange information during disasters to protect themselves and their families.
(4) Develop programs so that businesses and government can work cooperatively to advance technology that will protect the public during disasters.
(d) The office may share facilities and systems for the purposes of subdivision (b) with the private sector to the extent the cost for their use are reimbursed by the private sector.
(e) Proprietary information or information protected by state or federal privacy laws shall not be disclosed under this program.
(f) Notwithstanding Section 11005, donations and private grants may be accepted by the office and shall not be subject to Section 11005.
(g) The Disaster Resistant Communities Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Director of the Office of Emergency Services may expend the money in the account for the costs associated within this section.
(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that in-kind contributions or donations are received from the private sector, or grant funds are received from the federal government, for these purposes.