Joint Committee Committee on Legislative Emergency Epidemic Response (04/30/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE EMERGENCY EPIDEMIC RESPONSE

Date:	04/30/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:33 AM to 08:02 AM	Adams	X
		Eddins	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Goldman	X
		Haskins	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Herreid	*
	Senator Sandoval	Lambert	X
		Levy	X
This Report was prepared by		Ray	X
	Raegan Robb	Ziegler	X
		Spence	X
		Sandoval	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Call to Order and Chair Selection Review of Committee Charge and Response Plan Discussion on Interim Schedule		- - -

07:33 AM -- Call to Order and Chair Selection

Senator Sandoval called the meeting to order and discussed the need to elect a chair and vice-chair of the committee.


BILL:	Call to Order and Chair Selection
TIME:	07:34:22 AM
MOVED:	Lambert
MOTION:	Moved to elect Senator Sandoval to chair of the committee and to elect himself as vice-chair of the committee. The motion passed on a 9-0-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Spence
		VOTE
	Adams	Yes
	Eddins	Yes
	Goldman	Yes
	Haskins	Excused
	Herreid	Excused
	Lambert	Yes
	Levy	Yes
	Ray	Yes
	Ziegler	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Sandoval	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

07:32 AM -- Review of Committee Charge and Response Plan

Senator Sandoval, opened discussion with the committee and explained that, due to the recent swine flu epidemic, the committee needed to meet in order to review the committee's charge and response plan. Representative Lambert explained that the committee was created by Senate Bill 07-229 to develop a plan for the response by, and the continuation or operations of, the General Assembly and the legislative branch in the event of an epidemic emergency. This legislation directed the committee to develop and submit a response plan by July 1, 2008, and also meet at least once a year to review, amend, or update the plan as necessary. The committee members received copies of Senate Bill 07-229 (Attachment A) and the 2008 report to the General Assembly (Attachment B).

07:38 AM

Representative Levy explained what was completed by the legislative Emergency Epidemic Response Committee. She explained that the committee focused on continuity of operations in order for the legislative branch to complete a legislative session. Mr. Michael Adams, Legislative Information Services Director, talked about the committee's duty is to respond to an emergency epidemic declaration issued by the governor and determine if and how legislative action would be conducted by the General Assembly.

07:41 AM

Ms. Karen Goldman, Secretary of the Senate, and Ms. Marilyn Eddins, Chief Clerk of the House, both commented on the past work of the committee and discussed resolutions that were recommended by committee. Debbie Haskins, Office of Legislative Legal Services, clarified that two resolutions recommended by the committee were adopted. House Resolution 09-1005 addressed the line of succession for the chief clerk of the House of Representative; Senate Joint Resolution 09-004 created new joint rules for the procedures of the General Assembly during a declared disaster emergency. Dianne Ray, Deputy State Auditor, discussed the need to review House and Senate rules in the context of the recent swine flu epidemic. Committee discussion ensued concerning the recent swine flu outbreak and the committee's charge to arrange for the operation of the General Assembly during an epidemic emergency.

07:50 AM -- Discussion of Interim Schedule

Senator Sandoval discussed different state facilities that could be beneficial for the committee to visit, including the Multi-Agency Coordination Center, under the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Local Affairs, and the Operations Center under the Department of Public Health and Environment. Committee members discussed potential topics and presenters for the committee's 2009 interim schedule. Representative Lambert discussed the need to have a contact with the Governor's office to respond to an emergency epidemic that the Governor declares to be a disaster emergency. Senator Sandoval discussed the committee's role in recommending legislation on various topics related to the General Assembly and emergency epidemic declarations.

07:58 AM

Representative J. Kerr addressed the committee to discuss methods, such as school closures, that are being implemented in border states to prevent the spread of swine flu.

08:00 AM

Committee discussion ensued concerning the charge of the committee and the need to meet in the interim.

08:02 AM

The committee adjourned.