SECTIONS 8899.10-8899.15 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 8899.10-8899.15

8899.10. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) (1) As demonstrated by the California earthquake of October
17, 1989, the citizens of California live under the constant shadow
of death, personal injury, and property damage from earthquakes.
(2) During the same year as the California earthquake of October
17, 1989, there were over 15,000 earthquakes of varying magnitude
recorded in this state.
(3) A cohesive plan to optimize current and emerging earthquake
research for the benefit of the citizens of California does not
exist.
(4) A cohesive plan to optimize current and emerging earthquake
research is critical to protect the health and safety of the citizens
of California.
(b) It is therefore appropriate for the State of California to
fund an Earthquake Research Evaluation Conference for the purpose of
critiquing existing and emerging technologies for earthquake research
and recommending a comprehensive plan for earthquake research in
California.
The findings of the Earthquake Research Evaluation Conference
should be used by the Seismic Safety Commission, in collaboration
with the California Council on Science and Technology, the Office of
Competitive Technology in the Trade and Commerce Agency, and the
Division of Mines and Geology in the Department of Conservation, as
the basis for finalizing and implementing a five-year earthquake
research plan for the State of California.

8899.11. There shall be an Earthquake Research Evaluation
Conference (EREC) for the purposes set forth in this chapter.

8899.12. (a) Participants in the EREC shall be selected by the
Seismic Safety Commission in collaboration with the California
Council on Science and Technology and the California Geological
Survey in the Department of Conservation. EREC participants shall
include, but not be limited to, representatives from all of the
following:
(1) Research universities.
(2) Major professional organizations.
(3) State agencies.
(4) Federal agencies.
(5) Private industry.
(b) The organization and management of the EREC shall be the
responsibility of the Seismic Safety Commission, in collaboration
with the California Council on Science and Technology and the
California Geological Survey.

8899.13. (a) The purpose of the EREC shall be to develop and
present to the Seismic Safety Commission a strategy for earthquake
research in California which will identify the state seismic safety
needs, with particular attention given to research likely to bring
about a significant reduction of loss of life and property damage and
improved ability for economic recovery. The research shall include,
but not be limited to, the following four research categories:
(1) Understanding the causes, prediction of, and nature of
earthquakes.
(2) Understanding and mitigating geotechnical and structural
hazards.
(3) Understanding the social and economic effects of earthquakes.
(4) Policies and strategies for mitigation and recovery.
(b) Included in this strategy shall be all of the following:
(1) The type of research.
(2) The priorities for research.
(3) The sources of funding.
(4) The state's role in coordinating and facilitating seismic
research in California.

8899.14. The Seismic Safety Commission, in collaboration with the
California Council on Science and Technology, the California
Geological Survey, and the Office of Competitive Technology, shall
provide structure for the EREC by submitting a proposed five-year
plan for review and consideration. Included with this submission
shall be an appropriate schedule and structure for reviewing and
critiquing existing and emerging technologies for earthquake
research. The EREC shall review, critique, and revise the proposed
plan submitted by the Seismic Safety Commission, as appropriate to
the needs of California. The EREC shall present its findings to the
Seismic Safety Commission.

8899.15. The Seismic Safety Commission shall develop a final
five-year statewide earthquake research plan as part of its five-year
hazard reduction plan. The findings made by the EREC shall be
incorporated into the plan.
The plan shall contain appropriate strategies to receive
additional federal funding in order to implement the plan.