HB2796 Summary

• Establishes a new Department of Civil Defense as a separate principal department of state government, removing civil defense functions from the Department of Defense.

• Transfers all powers, responsibilities, and functions related to civil defense, disaster relief, and emergency planning from the state Department of Defense to the new Department of Civil Defense.

• Requires the governor to prepare an organizational and functional plan for the new department and submit it to the legislature no later than 30 days before the 2013 regular legislative session.

• Directs the governor to appoint a task force to assist with the transition, including representatives from defense, civil defense agencies, attorney general, budget and finance, accounting and general services, and human resources development departments.

• Takes effect upon approval, with the structural changes effective July 1, 2013.