House Bill Analysis - HB 1620, Addressing the Response to Extreme Weather Events (Hearing 1/12/22)

Summary

A House Bill Analysis of HB 1620, Addressing the response to extreme weather events, prepared by the Office of Program Research for the Community & Economic Development Committee with a hearing date of 1/12/22. The summary of the bill requires the Military Department to develop and implement an extreme weather response grant program to help political subdivisions and federally recognized tribes with costs of responding to community needs during periods of extremely hot or cold weather. Eligible costs include establishing and operating warming and cooling centers and emergency temporary housing. The analysis states Appropriation: None, Fiscal Note: Requested on January 5, 2022, and an effective date 90 days after adjournment of the session.

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Washington State                 BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research  ANALYSIS
Community & Economic Development
Committee
                                        HB 1620
Brief Description: Addressing the response to extreme weather events.

Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Boehnke, Shewmake, Ryu, Robertson, Wicks, Duerr,
    Ramel, Valdez, Bronoske, Callan, Ramos, Rule, Santos, Simmons, Pollet, Hackney and
    Taylor.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
          • Requires the Military Department to develop and implement an extreme
            weather response grant program for the purpose of assisting with the
            costs of responding to community needs during periods of extremely hot
            or cold weather.


Hearing Date: 1/12/22

Staff: Emily Poole (786-7106).

Background:

The state’s role in disaster recovery depends on the complexity of an incident and the capacity of
a local jurisdiction or tribe to manage recovery efforts. In general, the state functions as a
coordinating entity for state and federal resources and facilitates relationships between
jurisdictions, agencies and private organizations.

The Military Department (Department) leads and coordinates the state's preparedness, response,
and recovery efforts to minimize the impacts of disasters and emergencies, including by
coordinating a number of grants available to state and local jurisdictions. The Adjutant General
is required to administer a state program for emergency assistance to individuals who are victims



     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                         HB 1620
of a natural disaster. Natural disasters include events that demand immediate action to protect
public health or to provide relief to affected communities, as well as events that reach such a
degree of destructiveness as to warrant the governor proclaiming a state of emergency. The
emergency assistance program may include grants, loans, or gifts of services, equipment,
supplies, or funds to individuals who need assistance and who meet certain eligibility standards.
Funds from the Disaster Response Account in the state treasury may be used for support of state
agency and local government disaster response and recovery efforts.

Summary of Bill:

The Military Department (Department) is required to develop and implement an extreme weather
response grant program for the purpose of assisting political subdivisions and federally
recognized tribes with the costs of responding to community needs during periods of extremely
hot or cold weather. The Department may adopt rules to administer the program. The
Department may award grants to political subdivisions and federally recognized tribes for
reimbursement of costs if the costs are incurred:
    1. by communities that have demonstrated a lack of local resources to address community
       needs; and
    2. for the benefit of socially vulnerable populations.

Costs associated with the following activities are eligible for reimbursement:
   • establishing and operating warming and cooling centers;
   • transporting individuals to warming and cooling centers;
   • purchasing supplies needed for cooling of congregate living settings;
   • providing emergency temporary housing; and
   • other related activities necessary for life safety.

Funds from the Disaster Response Account may be used to award grants as part of the extreme
weather response grant program.

For purposes of these requirements, "political subdivision" means any county, city, or town that
has established a local organization for emergency management or any joint local organization
for emergency management.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 5, 2022.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                         HB 1620


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