The Utah Legislature considered HB0188 during the 2020 General Session to amend the duties of the Division of Emergency Management. The bill, sponsored by Suzanne Harrison and Deidre M. Henderson, focused on emergency management administration and alerting protocols.
The legislation introduced several requirements for political subdivisions, including the mandate to have an emergency alert plan and provide a copy to the Division of Emergency Management. It also required each political subdivision to identify its alerting authority and any individuals authorized to send emergency alerts. Additionally, the bill required an annual report regarding the status of the state's emergency alert system to be submitted to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, and Political Subdivisions Interim Committees by October 31.
New definitions were established for terms such as alerting authority and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAW). The bill required coordination with municipalities and counties to ensure access to the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Furthermore, emergency service agencies, managers, and other organizations with the ability to send IPAWS messages were required to send verification of Federal Emergency Management Agency training to the Division every three years.
The bill also expanded the membership of the Emergency Management Administration Council. The council, which provides advice and coordination for state and local government agencies, was to include various state agency heads, the adjutant general of the National Guard, and representatives from the Utah Communications Authority, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and the Utah Association of Counties. The council also included provisions for representatives from the private sector, education, and volunteer or faith-based organizations.
Under the proposed changes, political subdivisions were required to designate three emergency interim successors for each officer and specify an order of succession. By July 1 of each year, these subdivisions were to provide a list of designated successors and individuals authorized to send alerts to the division.
