Bill > SB1326

This bill directs the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to establish three separate work groups to study critical aspects of emergency management in Virginia in response to lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first work group will examine the Commonwealth's reliance on federal grants for core emergency management functions, specifically looking at how essential systems like WebEOC and Crisis Track are funded and exploring potential dedicated state and local funding mechanisms. The second work group will develop a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for responding to declared emergencies, including pre-drafted executive orders and temporary regulatory adjustments that can be quickly implemented across different disaster scenarios. The third work group, in collaboration with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, will investigate solutions to address technological communication gaps between communities during emergencies, with a focus on integrating innovative approaches into emergency planning. Each work group is required to complete its study and submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by November 30, 2025, and will include representatives from relevant state agencies and stakeholder organizations. This bill stems from a recommendation by the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve emergency management strategies based on experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1326