House Bill Analysis, HB 1201, Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee
Summary
House of Representatives Office of Program Research bill analysis of HB 1201, Identifying accommodations allowing pets in an emergency or extreme weather event, for the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee hearing date of 1/21/25. The bill requires each county and city, when updating its local comprehensive emergency management plan, to identify emergency shelters, cooling centers, and heating centers that can accommodate pets, to the extent practicable, and to provide pet emergency preparedness information on its website. The analysis lists the appropriation as none and a fiscal note requested on January 13, 2025.
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“House Bill Analysis, HB 1201, Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee.”
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Washington State BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research ANALYSIS
Technology, Economic Development, &
Veterans Committee
HB 1201
Brief Description: Identifying accommodations allowing pets in an emergency or extreme
weather event.
Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Ryu, Macri, Bronoske, Simmons and Berg.
Brief Summary of Bill
• Requires each county and city to identify emergency shelters, cooling
centers, and heating centers that can accommodate pets in updates to
local comprehensive emergency management plans.
• Requires each county and city to provide pet emergency preparedness
information on its website.
Hearing Date: 1/21/25
Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).
Background:
Each political subdivision is required to either establish or join a local organization for
emergency management. Each local or joint local organization for emergency management is
required to submit a local comprehensive emergency management plan to the Washington
Military Department Emergency Management Division. The local plans are coordinated with
the state's comprehensive emergency management plan, and are required to be reviewed pursuant
to the schedule created by the Adjutant General. The state's comprehensive emergency
management plan was most recently revised on August 28, 2024, and recommends review and
revision at least every two years.
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 1201
A local comprehensive emergency management plan is required to include a communication
plan to provide life safety information during an emergency. Each local or joint local
organization for emergency management is encouraged to consult with affected community
organizations.
Rules promulgated by the Military Department specify the local comprehensive emergency plan
elements, periodic review and updating, testing of operational capabilities, and a limited English
proficiency communication plan. Local emergency management organizations may collaborate
with other entities with a mutual aid or interlocal agreement.
In 2006, the federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was enacted. It
requires state and local planners to plan for the mass care of household pets and service animals
during mass sheltering and evacuation operations, including providing veterinary care.
Summary of Bill:
When a county or city updates its local comprehensive emergency management plan, it is
required to identify at least one emergency shelter, cooling center, and heating center that can
accommodate pets within each county or city's jurisdiction. The county or city must only
identify the shelter or centers to the extent practicable.
The emergency shelter identified by a county or city to accommodate pets is required to have
safety procedures for pet sheltering, and comply with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's (FEMA) published disaster assistance policies and procedures.
A county or city is required to provide pet emergency preparedness information on its website.
The information should include whether each designated emergency shelter, cooling center, or
heating center can accommodate pets; information to create a pet evacuation plan and emergency
checklist, consistent with FEMA recommendations; and identification of local organizations that
provide emergency pet assistance.
A "cooling center" is a facility that mitigates the public health impacts of extreme heat. An
"emergency shelter" is a temporary location that provides basic shelter for individuals affected
by an emergency or disaster. A "pet" is a domesticated animal commonly kept in the home for
pleasure, rather than commercial, purposes. A "warming center" is a facility that mitigates the
public health impacts of extreme cold.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 13, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.
House Bill Analysis -2- HB 1201
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