Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the Governor's office under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services and makes the office responsible for the state's emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. Existing law establishes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission in the Office of Emergency Services, which consists of 15 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and 3 members who are representatives of specified state agencies. Existing law requires at least 8 members to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any commission meeting, as specified. Existing law requires the commission to, at a minimum, work with specified entities to, among other things, identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, authorizes the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to, among other things, research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.

This bill would additionally provide for the appointment of 3 members who are representatives of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance, and Strategic Growth Council, and would reduce the number of members appointed by the Governor to 9 members, as specified. The bill would instead require at least 9 members to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any commission meeting, as specified. The bill would additionally require the commission to, at a minimum, work with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance, and Strategic Growth Council to, among other things, identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety. The bill would additionally authorize the commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to make policy recommendations to the Legislature, as specified.