Lawmakers continued to work through the final month of the regular session of the Legislature. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)

Lawmakers continued to work through the final month of the regular session of the Legislature. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)

State house passes natural disaster preparedness bills

It aims for the continuity of government operations in the event of catastrophe.

  • By Wire Service
  • Friday, April 19, 2019 1:27pm
  • Northwest

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The Washington House has passed two measures aimed at protecting state and local governments in the event of natural disasters.

The Daily News reports the bills, both sponsored by 19th District Democratic Sen. Dean Takko, passed on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 5012 extends the Continuity of Government Act, originally intended for catastrophic attacks to natural catastrophes.

It requires that all local and state governments prepare for the continuity of government operations in the event of those catastrophic disasters.

The state constitution currently only allows for the Legislature to provide for the continuity of government in the case of an enemy attack, so the House also voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution 8200, which proposes an amendment to the State constitution. This amendment allows the Legislature to enact the measures in Senate Bill 5012.

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