§11001 Establishment of State commissions, planning districts, and local committees

Summary

Governors must create a state emergency response commission within six months after October 17, 1986. A governor can name one or more existing state emergency groups to serve. The governor should, when possible, pick members who know about emergency response. The commission must set up local emergency planning committees, run and coordinate them, and create a way for the public to request information (including tier II information) and name an information coordinator. If a governor does not name a commission in time, the governor will act as the commission until one is named. Within nine months after October 17, 1986, the commission must map out emergency planning districts, using existing political units if that makes sense and working with other states for multi‑state areas. Within 30 days after a district is set or by 10 months after October 17, 1986 (whichever is earlier), the commission must appoint a local planning committee for each district. Each local committee must include representatives such as elected officials, emergency responders and health staff, local environmental and transportation people, media, community groups, and owners or operators of covered facilities. The committee must choose a chair, write rules for its work (including public notice, meetings, public comments and responses, and sharing the plan), create procedures for public information requests (including tier II information), and name an information coordinator. The state commission can change districts or committee appointments later, and people can petition the commission to change a local committee’s membership.