Assemblymember Rodriguez Advances Massive Emergency Management Legislative Package Through Senate G.O. Committee

(Sacramento, CA) – Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization approved six pieces of legislation authored by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona). Each measure received unanimous support from the Senators on the Committee.

“I want to thank Chairman Dodd and the Committee for their support. As Chair of the Emergency Management Committee, I am passionate about improving California’s overall preparedness to ensure our ability to respond when an inevitable emergency strikes,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez. 

Assembly Bill (AB) 277 would codify the Flood Operations Center within the Department of Water Resources. AB 277 would also direct Cal OES and the Flood Operations Center to identify technological advances for forecasting Atmospheric Rivers’ impacts and identify gaps in California’s flood response. 

AB 296 would establish the 9-1-1 Public Education Campaign to educate the public on when it is appropriate to call 9-1-1 for assistance. The goals of the 9-1-1 Public Education Campaign would include raising public awareness of when to call and when not to call 9-1-1 to ultimately reduce the number of unnecessary calls to 9-1-1 centers and alleviate ambulance patient offload delays.

AB 474 would require the State Threat Assessment Center (STAC) within Cal OES to prioritize cooperation with state and local efforts to illuminate, disrupt, degrade, and dismantle criminal networks trafficking opioid drugs that threaten California. 

AB 513 would establish the California Individual Assistance Act. California does not currently have an individual assistance program. AB 513 would establish such to provide timely and direct assistance to families and individuals who would not be eligible for or may not warrant federal disaster assistance.

AB 1505 would authorize Cal OES to dedicate Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities application funding to specified projects to augment and support the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing.

AB 1770 would authorize the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission to coordinate with Cal FIRE and the Cal OES to take actions related to implementing and funding seismic mitigation activities and earthquake early warning technology, as specified.

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.