AGREEMENTS ON ALL HAZARD INCIDENTS
House Bill 5198 (reported from committee as H-1)
Sponsor: Rep. Sue Allor
Committee: Natural Resources
Complete to 1-17-18 (Enacted as Public Act 80 of 2018)
BRIEF SUMMARY: House Bill 5198 would amend Part 515 (Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to enter into agreements with other states, the federal government, and Canada to provide and accept assistance in all hazard incidents.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of House Bill 5198 is indeterminate. It is unclear whether providing assistance to other states or the federal government in all hazard incidents would necessarily result in increased or decreased costs or revenues for the DNR. Potential fiscal impacts would vary with the nature of the “agreement to provide assistance” and the magnitude of the all hazard event. It is unlikely that this bill would affect local government revenues or costs.
THE APPARENT PROBLEM:
The DNR receives many requests from other states to assist in hazard incidents each year. However, Michigan only allows the DNR to assist in the control of forest fires. This legislation was introduced to allow the DNR to help other jurisdictions in all hazardous incidents.
THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:
Currently, the DNR may enter into agreements with other states and the federal government to provide and accept assistance in the control solely of forest fires, including the training of personnel. Additionally, all employee benefits and compensation apply to DNR employees assigned to fire control duties or training programs outside of Michigan as if they were working within Michigan.
House Bill 5198 would extend those provisions so that the DNR would be able to enter into agreements for all hazard incidents, including with territories of the United States, Canada, or provinces of Canada. Furthermore, the DNR employees assigned to out-of-state all hazard incidents would be entitled to the same compensation and employee benefits as they would be in Michigan.
All hazard incident would be defined in the bill as an incident, whether natural or human-caused, that requires an organized response by a public, private, or government entity to protect life, public health or safety, or other values or to minimize any disruption of governmental, social, or economic services. One or more kinds of incident, such as fire, flood, mass casualty, search, rescue, or evacuation, may occur simultaneously as a part of an all hazard incident.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
MCL 324.51501 and 324.51514
ARGUMENTS:
For:
Supporters of the bill argue that Michigan should help other jurisdictions during any hazard, not just forest fires. Extending a helping hand when our neighbors need it is not only the right thing to do, but it also helps Michigan DNR gain knowledge and expertise that could help our own state in the future. The DNR personnel deployed to assist other jurisdictions during a hazard incident would learn how to better deal with the aftermath. Because Michigan is not immune to floods or tornados, those skills learned across our borders could be applied within out borders when needed.
Against:
No arguments or concerns were presented in opposition of the bill.
POSITIONS:
Representatives from the following organizations indicated support for the bill:
· Department of Natural Resources (12-6-17)
· Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs (12-6-17)
Legislative Analysts: Jenny McInerney
Emily S. Smith
Fiscal Analyst: Austin Scott
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.