2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1955
SB 237                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 237 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act relating to civil defense and disasters; and                                  
          providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Health,                               
Education and Social Services Committees.                                                           
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veterans'                                      
  Affairs                                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                  
                                                                                                    

2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1956
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002:                                               
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting a bill relating to disasters and civil defense, which                             
results from recommendations of the Terrorism Disaster Policy                                       
Cabinet following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  It is one                               
of six bills I am forwarding to the Legislature today to ensure Alaska                              
is fully prepared in terrorism prevention and emergency response.                                   
                                                                                                    
This bill would authorize the governor to declare that a state of                                   
emergency exists and to exercise emergency civil defense powers in                                  
the event of a terrorist attack or a credible threat of a terrorist attack on                       
the state. Presently, the governor is authorized to declare a civil                                 
defense emergency and exercise these powers only in the event of an                                 
"actual enemy attack."                                                                              
                                                                                                    
This bill also would amend the definition of "disaster" in state law to                             
include a terrorist or enemy attack, an outbreak of disease, or a                                   
credible threat of such an event. This would authorize the governor to                              
declare a disaster emergency and to exercise the disaster emergency                                 
powers if any of the above events occurred and causes or threatens                                  
severe damage, injury, loss of life or property, or shortage of food,                               
water, or fuel. Presently, such incidents are not included within the                               
definition of "disaster," hampering the state's ability to respond if they                          
occur.                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
Finally, this bill would amend the enumerated powers of the governor                                
in the event of a disaster emergency to include the ability to allocate or                          
redistribute pharmaceuticals and other medicines and supplies.                                      
Presently, the governor is authorized to allocate or redistribute only                              
food, water, fuel, or clothing in the event of a disaster emergency. It                             
also would authorize the governor to access, inspect, and share health                              
care and medical records as necessary to protect public health and                                  
safety in the event of a disaster emergency. Without this authority, the                            
state is unable to effectively respond to a bioterrorist attack or an                               
epidemic.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1957
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor