Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/12/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
HB302 | |
HB366 | |
HCR23 | |
HB21 | |
HB115 | |
HB360 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | HB 302 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HCR 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 360 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 366 "An Act establishing an Alaska intrastate mutual aid system and relating to the duties of the Alaska division of homeland security and emergency management and the duties of the Alaska State Emergency Response Commission." 9:10:45 AM MICHAEL PASCHALL, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE ERIC FEIGE, disclosed that Representative Feige was the Chief of the Chickaloon Volunteer Fire Department. He added that he was the Assistant Chief and board member of the Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department and that he chaired the Delta/Greely Local Emergency Planning Committee. He furthered that he was a member of the State Inoperable Communications Committee; all of the mentioned organizations could be related to the legislation. 9:11:38 AM Mr. Paschall explained that according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mutual aid agreements and systems agreements were agreements between agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions that provided a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel equipment materials and other associated services. The primary objective was to facilitate rapid, short-term deployment of emergency support prior to, during, and after an incident. He stated that through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands had an agreement that established guidelines across state borders. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file): In 2004 the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a host of emergency response organizations, began developing and promoting model legislation for an intrastate mutual aid system (IMAS). The goal of IMAS is to provide a framework for all political subdivisions within a state to receive and render aid to other subdivisions within a state in times of need. HB 366 will implement this model legislation in a manner that will be beneficial for Alaskan communities. The system detailed in HB 366 will provide a framework for mutual assistance among the participating political subdivisions - regions, boroughs, municipalities, and other local jurisdictions - in the prevention of, response to, and recovery from any disaster that results in a formal declaration of local disaster emergency. The employees and volunteers who serve in emergency services recognize that emergencies transcend political jurisdictional boundaries. They, and the local agencies they serve, understand that intergovernmental coordination is essential for the protection of lives and property and for best use of available assets. Currently, the Alaska Disaster Act does provide for political subdivisions to create mutual aid agreements, which, in practice, works well for neighboring entities or service areas that have an established history of providing mutual aid to one another. These local mutual aid agreements vary widely in their scope and may not all address key issues of liability and compensation. Further, they may not encompass all emergency services. Through HB 366, a statewide agreement would be developed to supplement existing regional or local agreements by establishing a comprehensive, integrated system of mutual aid at a state level that will ensure an efficient and effective response to all hazards and disasters. HB 366 would allow all political subdivisions to automatically be included in the statewide mutual aid system. A political subdivision may elect to withdraw by enacting an appropriate resolution by its governing body. This legislation would not prevent participating entities from entering into supplementary agreements with other political subdivisions or impact any existing or future agreements. If a participating entity cannot provide assistance to a requesting entity, they are not obligated or bound to provide assistance. 9:14:35 AM Senator Thomas wondered if HB 366 participation in the system was mandatory. Mr. Paschall replied that the way the law was written all political sub-divisions, which would include communities in the state, were a part of the agreement. He added that any community or municipality could vote to opt out of the agreement. He noted that no one was required to participate in the event of an emergency. He stressed that the bill simply provided the mechanism for understanding where the liability lands during an emergency situation. 9:16:20 AM Co-Chair Hoffman noted the one previously published zero fiscal note from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. 9:16:51 AM BRYAN FISHER, CHIEF OF OPERATIONS, ALASKA DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY and VETERANS AFFAIRS, FORT RICHARDSON, ANCHORAGE, (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 366. He stated that interstate mutual aid was his agencies mission and the standing mission of the State Emergency Response Commission. He noted that his agency provided the direct staff support to the commission already, hence the zero fiscal note. 9:17:58 AM DAVID GIBBS, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 366. He added that interstate mutual aid legislation was a legislative priority for the borough in 2010.He believed that the bill was well crafted policy that provided a framework for a consistent and integrated mutual aid system. He shared that the myriad of issues with regard to authorities, compensation, and liability affected the ability to provide, and receive, timely assistance in times of disaster. 9:19:05 AM RICHARD ETHERIDGE, SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT, ALASKA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU, urged support for HB 366. He opined that there currently were delays in responding to disasters in outlaying communities. He felt that the bill would streamline operations to provide for faster response. Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. HB 366 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
---|---|---|
CSHB 21- Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
CSHB 21- Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
CSHB 21- Letter of Support- Douglas.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
CSHB 21- Letter of Support- SSPC.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
HB 21 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 21 |
CSHB 115(TRA) Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 115 |
CSHB 115(TRA) Google Map.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 115 |
CSHB 115(TRA) Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 115 |
CSHB 115(TRA) Support.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 115 |