(a) There is hereby established a coordinated program pursuant to which the state shall implement new and expanded activities to significantly reduce the earthquake threat to its citizens. This program, to be known as the California Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, shall be prepared and administered by the Seismic Safety Commission pursuant to its existing authority under Section 8870.7.
(b) The program set forth in subdivision (a) shall specify priorities, funding sources, and amounts, schedules, and other resources needed to significantly reduce earthquake hazards statewide by January 1, 2000. The achievement of this goal shall be undertaken with the following objectives:
(1) Mitigation. The reduction of the earthquake hazard to acceptable levels through significant reduction in the number of hazardous buildings and the expansion of scientific and engineering studies.
(2) Preparedness. The increase in the level of preparedness statewide by appropriate measures to deal with special issues, such as earthquake prediction, hazardous materials, critical facilities, and disaster preparedness plans for all major population centers, and education, training, and public information.
(3) Response. The enhancement of the state’s capability to respond to a major earthquake disaster by giving priority to increased coordination and integration of federal, state, and local plans and preparedness activities, improvements in the statewide communication system, creation of a state emergency coordination center or centers, and greater automation of emergency management data.
(4) Recovery. The development of management systems for major earthquake recovery, the enhancement of resources management, and the minimization of high unemployment, multiple business failures, tax base erosion, and associated monetary and financial issues critical to the restoration of California’s economy and public services.
(c) The state’s existing seismic safety activities are currently administered by over two dozen separate agencies. Responsibility for administering these activities shall remain with these agencies. These existing activities shall continue and shall be incorporated into the coordinated program established under subdivision (a).
(d) The program shall consist of a series of five-year programs and each five-year program shall be revised by the Seismic Safety Commission annually and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature. Each revision shall include a finding on the state’s progress toward the goal stated in subdivision (b).
(e) The immediate steps to be undertaken by the commission shall include the performance of existing activities provided in the budget prepared by the Governor for the 1985–86 fiscal year and the Budget Act of 1985 and the preparation of the first five-year program.
(f) The first five-year program document shall be completed by September 1, 1986, and shall include specific measures and funding needed for adequate progress towards the state’s earthquake safety goals by January 1, 2000. This program and subsequent programs shall cover a five-year implementation period and shall recommend any necessary statutory changes for program implementation.
(Added by renumbering Section 8872 by Stats. 1991, Ch. 188, Sec. 4.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018