The bill amends the Emergency Management Act of 1976 by updating its title and sections 18 and 19, while also adding a new section, 18a. Key changes include the establishment of a disaster and emergency contingency fund, which will now be administered by the director, with an increased cap of $25 million and a minimum balance of $10 million to be maintained. The bill also introduces a state hazard mitigation fund, which will be funded through the disaster contingency fund and other sources, and will be used for hazard mitigation programs administered by the Department of State Police.

Additionally, the bill outlines the criteria for local governments to apply for state assistance during disasters, including the requirement for a timely implementation of emergency operations plans and the demonstration of exhaustion of local resources. The maximum assistance grants have been increased based on population size, with specific amounts set for counties and municipalities of varying sizes. The bill emphasizes the importance of preemptive disaster resiliency programs and mandates the director to submit recommendations for their funding. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the state's preparedness and response capabilities for both natural and human-made disasters.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 30.418, 30.419