The bill aims to address the significant earthquake risk faced by Washington State, particularly due to the Cascadia subduction zone and crustal fault zones along the Puget Sound. It emphasizes the importance of functional recovery for buildings and infrastructure, which ensures that they can support their intended use immediately following an earthquake. The legislature recognizes that preparing for such natural disasters can mitigate potential damage to people, property, and the economy.

To facilitate this preparation, the bill mandates the military department to conduct a study on statewide building code and construction standards related to earthquake and tsunami resilience. This study will assess existing functional recovery standards, evaluate the feasibility and costs of adopting new standards, and consider equity in the development of these codes. The military department is required to submit a preliminary report by December 1, 2025, and a final report by May 1, 2026, which will include policy recommendations. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if specific funding for its purposes is not provided by June 30, 2024, the act will become null and void.