§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. The Governor can use one or more existing state emergency groups for this. The commission should include people with emergency-response technical skills when possible. The commission must set up and oversee local emergency planning committees, make rules for handling public requests for information (including tier II information under section 11022), and name an official to coordinate those requests. 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 set up emergency planning districts to help make and carry out emergency plans. It can use existing local governments or multijurisdiction groups and work with other States when areas cross State lines. The commission must say which covered facilities are in each district. Local committees must be appointed no later than 30 days after a district is set up or 10 months after October 17, 1986, whichever is earlier. Each committee must include elected officials, emergency and health and transportation personnel, media, community groups, and facility owners/operators; pick a chair; make rules for public notices, meetings, comments and plan distribution; set up public information procedures (including under section 11044) and name an information coordinator. The State commission can change districts or committee appointments later, and people can petition to change a committee’s membership.