Bill Full Text
Home
-
Bills
-
Bill
-
Authors
-
Dates
-
Locations
-
Analyses
-
Organizations
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<ns0:MeasureDoc xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:ns0="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1#" xmlns:ns3="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" version="1.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1# xca.1.xsd">
<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250SB__102099INT</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>99</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-10</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
</ns0:History>
<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1020</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>INT</ns0:MeasureState>
</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Niello</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Niello</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to amend Sections 8557, 8627, 8629, and 8690.6 of, and to add Sections 8550.1 and 8629.1 to, the Government Code, relating to a state of emergency. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>a state of emergency</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>State of emergency: Governor’s powers and termination.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act (CESA), among other things, authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency in an area affected by, or likely to be affected by, conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the state if specified local officials request the proclamation or the Governor determines that local authority is inadequate to cope with the emergency. During a state of emergency, existing law confers on the Governor, to the extent the Governor deems necessary, complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise within the area designated all police power vested in the state by the Constitution and laws of the state to effectuate the purposes of the CESA. Existing law requires the Governor, in the exercise of that authority, to promulgate, issue, and enforce orders and regulations
as the Governor deems necessary.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would state the intent of the Legislature, in enacting the CESA, to provide flexibility for the administration to respond to emergencies, but not an alternative legislative, budget, or regulatory process. The bill would further state that, to the greatest extent possible, additional spending should be undertaken through the annual state budget process or other state legislation and changes to law or regulation should be undertaken through state legislation.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the Governor, in the exercise of the authority granted under the CESA, to first affirm that the Legislature’s budget and policy processes cannot be followed without negatively impacting response or recovery activities and thereafter promulgate, issue, and enforce orders and regulations as the Governor deems necessary. The bill would further require the Governor, in cases where the Governor orders the
suspension or modification of existing statutes or regulations, including the state Budget Act, or promulgates new statutes or regulations, to demonstrate in each order the need for those suspensions, modifications, or promulgations and specify the reasons why the Legislature’s budget and policy processes, as defined, are insufficient to address these needs.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim the termination of a state emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. Existing law requires all of the powers granted to the Governor by the CESA with respect to a state of emergency to terminate when the state of emergency has been terminated by proclamation of the Governor or by concurrent resolution of the Legislature declaring it at an end.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would automatically terminate an active state of emergency at the end of the next fiscal year following the Governor’s proclamation unless the
Governor complies with certain review and notification requirements and issues a proclamation to renew the state of emergency, as specified. In this regard, the bill would require the Governor to review the state of emergency and corresponding executive orders to determine whether they need to remain in effect. The bill would also require the Governor to provide the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) with a notification of the necessity of renewing the state of emergency that includes, among other things, which executive orders are still needed to respond to the emergency. The bill would require that notification to be provided at least 30 days before the Governor issues a renewal proclamation, or whatever lesser time the chairperson of the JLBC may determine. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services (OES), in collaboration with responding federal, state, and local entities, to collect and submit the required information to the JLBC and the
LAO. The bill would require the renewal proclamation to identify which executive orders are still needed. Under the bill, any executive order not identified as necessary in the renewal proclamation would automatically expire. Before issuing any new executive order under a renewed state of emergency, the bill would require the Governor to notify the JLBC and the LAO at least 72 hours in advance, or whatever lesser time is determined by the chairperson of the JLBC. The bill would automatically terminate a renewed state of emergency at the end of the next fiscal year following the most recent renewal, unless the Governor complies with the requirements described above. The bill would require OES, within a year from the date of termination of a state of emergency, to prepare and submit a prescribed report to the JLBC and LAO about the state of emergency.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law establishes the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account in the Special Fund for Economic
Uncertainties. Moneys in the account are continuously appropriated, subject to specified limitations, for allocation by the Director of Finance to state agencies for disaster response operation costs incurred by state agencies as a result of a state of emergency proclamation by the Governor.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would state the intent of the Legislature in enacting existing law to provide flexibility for the administration in response to unanticipated emergency expenses. The bill would further state that existing law does not provide an alternative budget process and proposals for additional spending ordinarily should be considered in the annual state budget or other state legislation to the greatest extent possible, as specified.</html:p>
</ns0:DigestText>
<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
</ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:MeasureIndicators>
<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
</ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
</ns0:MeasureIndicators>
</ns0:Description>
<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_EFD33A41-DBFA-45F1-88D0-2C9E2813E7B9">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_ADDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2F%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8550.1'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8550.1 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_F5B567AA-AF75-4D16-AF47-CDECCED0E412">
<ns0:Num>8550.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_A3373688-2C2C-4B57-B111-D2AE75CA8B7E">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to provide flexibility for the administration to respond to emergencies. However, this chapter does not provide an alternative legislative, budget, or regulatory process. To the greatest extent possible:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Additional spending should be undertaken through the annual state budget process or other state legislation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Changes to law or regulation should be undertaken through state legislation.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_B6588888-1DC6-4630-87CF-C9BED1B8B8DD">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8557.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8557 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_307B19B6-E40F-446E-BF0F-E54AF444E9F0">
<ns0:Num>8557.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_A779D471-0EF8-4DE1-A85D-B701A580F725">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“State agency” means any department, division, independent establishment, or agency of the executive branch of the state government.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Political subdivision” includes any city, city and county, county, district, or other local governmental agency or public agency authorized by law.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Governing body” means the legislative body, trustees, or directors of a political subdivision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Chief executive” means that individual authorized by law to act for the governing body of a political subdivision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Disaster council” and “disaster service worker” have the meaning
prescribed in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 3200) of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Labor Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Public facility” means any facility of the state or a political subdivision, which facility is owned, operated, or maintained, or any combination thereof, through moneys derived by taxation or assessment.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Sudden and severe energy shortage” means a rapid, unforeseen shortage of energy, resulting from, but not limited to, events such as an embargo, sabotage, or natural disasters, and that has a statewide, regional, or local impact.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this chapter, a “deenergization event” means a planned power outage, undertaken by an electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code, to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by utility equipment, pursuant to Public Utilities
Commission Resolution ESRB-8 and any decisions issued by the commission, the former Wildfire Safety Division, as set forth in former Section 326 of the Public Utilities Code, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, or any other agency with authority over electrical corporations. A deenergization event begins when an electrical corporation provides notice to any state agency or political subdivision of the potential need to initiate a planned deenergization of the electrical grid, and ends when the electrical corporation restores electrical services to all deenergized customers, or when the electrical corporation cancels the deenergization event for some or all of its affected customers, and rescinds the notice of the potential need to initiate the deenergization event. A deenergization event does not include any planned outages in connection with regular utility work.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Legislature’s budget and policy processes” means the regular and extraordinary legislative appropriations, budget, and statutory processes provided under Article IV of the California Constitution; the Senate Rules, Assembly Rules, and Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly; and any related statute.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_C2E4670D-3966-4730-820F-46462F21F6F4">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'13.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8627.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8627 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_FDDF9803-1380-4871-AD14-10FF1DB5269F">
<ns0:Num>8627.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_F94635BB-97A1-4096-9943-D51791BFC178">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
During a state of emergency, the Governor, to the extent
the Governor deems necessary, shall have complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise within the area designated all police power vested in the state by the Constitution and laws of the State of California in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Governor, in exercise thereof, shall do
both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
First affirm that the Legislature’s budget and policy processes cannot be followed without negatively impacting response or recovery activities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Thereafter promulgate, issue, and enforce orders and regulations as the Governor deems necessary, in accordance with
Section 8567.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In cases where the Governor orders the suspension or modification of existing statutes or regulations, including the state Budget Act, or promulgates new statutes or regulations, the Governor shall demonstrate in each order the need for those suspensions, modifications, or promulgations and specify the reasons why the Legislature’s budget and policy processes are insufficient to address these needs.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_FF74D50D-169D-40B8-997C-CC80F13C5771">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'13.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8629.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8629 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8B73D987-4587-4DA1-9F4C-7C3F1B49BEDF">
<ns0:Num>8629.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_1349067E-05C2-4CE6-9F49-F2460F875E20">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Governor shall proclaim the termination of a state of emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state of emergency proclaimed pursuant to Section 8625 that has not been terminated by the Governor pursuant to subdivision (a) shall automatically
terminate at the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year of the Governor’s proclamation unless, after review of the state of emergency and corresponding executive orders to determine whether they need to remain in effect, the Governor issues a proclamation deeming it necessary to renew the state of emergency in accordance with this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Before issuing a renewal proclamation, the Governor shall provide written notice to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislative Analyst’s Office of the necessity to renew the state of emergency. The notice shall include all of the following information:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A description of how emergency authorities and executive orders were used to address the emergency to date.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An assessment of the conditions that warrant keeping the emergency open.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Which executive orders are still needed to respond to the emergency and what actions the Governor expects to take.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Why the Governor needs to use the executive orders identified in subparagraph (C), rather than the otherwise required budget and policy processes, to undertake response and recovery activities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The specific conditions that need to be satisfied to terminate the state of emergency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The anticipated dates for termination of the state of emergency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with responding federal, state, and local entities, shall collect and submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislative Analyst’s Office the
information required pursuant to paragraph (2).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Governor, not sooner than 30 days after notification is provided pursuant to paragraph (2), or whatever lesser time the chairperson of the joint committee may determine, may issue a proclamation to renew a state of emergency the Governor has deemed necessary. The renewal proclamation shall identify which executive orders are still needed. Any executive order not identified as necessary in the renewal proclamation shall automatically expire.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Subsequent to renewal, the Governor shall not issue any new executive order with respect to the renewed state of emergency without providing notification to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislative Analyst’s Office 72 hours or more in advance of issuance, or whatever lesser time the chairperson of the joint committee may determine.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A renewed state of emergency shall automatically terminate at the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year of the most recent renewal, unless, after review of the renewed state of emergency and corresponding executive orders to determine whether they need to remain in effect, the Governor deems it necessary to again renew the state of emergency in accordance with this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All of
the powers granted the Governor by this chapter with respect to a state of emergency shall terminate when
either of the following occur:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The state of emergency terminates by proclamation of the Governor or by concurrent resolution of the Legislature declaring it at an end.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The state of emergency terminates pursuant to subdivision (b).
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_14CBA050-374C-423B-AB27-1FC3A0D15519">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_ADDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2F%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8629.1'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8629.1 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_66BF30C6-D764-44FB-B291-77A7F68A1217">
<ns0:Num>8629.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_9AFEB341-FAA0-42C7-88D1-6FDCCD524DB9">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before a year from the date of final termination of a state of emergency pursuant to Section 8629, the Office of Emergency Services shall prepare and submit a report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The report required by subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conditions that warranted ending the state of emergency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The amount of actual expenditures on the state of emergency, including state spending and federal reimbursements.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The local assistance
provided to political subdivisions for response and recovery, to the extent known at the time of the report.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Information on any item of concern or lesson learned relating to the state of emergency that the Office of Emergency Services determines the Legislature should be informed of to help improve the state’s emergency response process, including recommendations for statutory change.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_6765C0B8-2384-4E33-955E-67AEA448DCDA">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:type="locator" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.5.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'5.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8690.6.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION">
Section 8690.6 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_4C0D4AB4-7FDD-474D-9EA2-E424158426EC">
<ns0:Num>8690.6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_5FA4EADF-07F2-47A6-A872-B4F7D4A18D1B">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to provide flexibility for the administration in response to unanticipated emergency expenses. However, this section does not provide an alternative budget process, and proposals for additional spending ordinarily should be considered in the annual state budget or other state legislation to the greatest extent possible. Specifically, augmentations for items that the administration had knowledge to include in its annual budget request should not be pursued through the process provided by this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account is hereby established in the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties. Notwithstanding Section 13340, moneys in the account are continuously appropriated, subject to the limitations specified in subdivisions (c), (d), and (e), without regard to fiscal years, for allocation by the Director of Finance to state agencies for disaster response operation costs incurred by state agencies as a result of a proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 8558. For the purposes of this section, “disaster response operations costs” is defined as
costs that are immediate and necessary to deal with an ongoing or emerging crisis. These allocations may be for activities that occur within 120 days after a proclamation of emergency by the Governor.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Funds shall be allocated from the account subject to the conditions of this section and upon notification by the Director of Finance to the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the chairpersons of the fiscal committees in each house.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding the time limit established by subdivision
(b) regarding disaster response activities that may be funded through the account, upon notification by the Director of Finance to the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the chairpersons of the fiscal committees in each house before the expiration of the 120-day period, extensions for allocations for activities that occur after the 120-day period may occur in up to 120-day increments. Any extensions beyond the initial 120 days shall not extend beyond the end of the fiscal year in which the Director of Finance gives notice of the first extension, or the date upon which the Budget Act for the fiscal year that follows the fiscal year during which the director gave notice of the first extension is enacted, whichever is later. Each extension of up to 120 days will occur upon notification to the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the chairpersons of the fiscal committees in each house before the expiration of the initial 120-day
period or the prior extension.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is the intent of the Legislature that the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account have an unencumbered balance of one million dollars ($1,000,000) at the beginning of each fiscal year. If this account requires additional moneys to meet claims against the account, the Director of Finance may transfer moneys from the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties to the account in an amount sufficient to pay the amount of the claims that exceed the unencumbered balance in the account.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law, authorizations for acquisitions, relocations, and environmental mitigations related to activities, described in subdivision (b), shall be authorized pursuant to this section. However, these funds shall be authorized only for needs that are a direct consequence of the proclaimed emergency if failure to undertake the project may interrupt essential state services or jeopardize public health or safety. In addition, any acquisition accomplished under this subdivision shall comply with any otherwise applicable law, except as provided in the first sentence of this subdivision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Funds allocated under this section shall not be used to supplant federal funds otherwise available in the absence of state financial relief.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The amount of financial assistance provided to an individual, business, or governmental entity under this section, or pursuant to any other program of state-funded disaster assistance, shall be deducted from sums received in payment of damage claims asserted against the state, its agents, or its employees, for causing or contributing to the effects of the
proclaimed disaster.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any public entity administering disaster assistance to individuals shall not receive funds under this section unless it administers that assistance pursuant to the following criteria:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All applications, forms, and other written materials presented to persons seeking assistance shall be available in English and in the same language used by the major non-English-speaking group within the disaster area.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Bilingual staff who reflect the demographics of the disaster area shall be available to applicants.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(j)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law, funds in the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account shall not be expended for conditions in the state’s prisons, medical facilities, or youth correctional facilities resulting solely from the action or inaction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in administering those facilities.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>