Store Research
SENATE BILL 555 (ALQUIST – 1979)
CHAPTER 1131, STATUTES OF 1979, SB 555
Some bill research does not include the Governor's file because at the time we researched the bill, the sitting Governor had not released his chaptered bill file. If the Governor's file is not included with this particular research, please contact our office (1-530-666-1917 or quote@legintent.com) and we will be happy to provide this file at no charge if it is available. Please Note: Governor files did not exist prior to 1943.
Senate Bill 555 as enacted was entitled, “An act to amend Section 955.1 of the Government Code, to amend Section 19167, as added by Senate Bill No. 445, of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 2621.5 and 2621.6 of the Public Resources Code, relating to geologic hazards.” (See Exhibit #1f) Senator Alfred Alquist introduced the bill on March 12, 1979 at the request of the Seismic Safety Commission. (See Exhibits #1a; #6; and #14, document PE-2)
Senate Bill 555 was assigned to the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Assembly Committee on Resources, Land Use and Energy where policy issues raised by the bill were considered. (See Exhibits #3 and #7) The fiscal ramifications of the bill were considered by the Senate Committee on Finance and the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. (See Exhibits #2 and #8) Four amendments were made to Senate Bill 555 during the legislative process. (See Exhibits #1b through #1e and #2) Subsequent to legislative approval, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., signed Senate Bill 555 on September 27, 1979, and it was recorded by the Secretary of State on September 28, 1979 as Chapter 1131 of the Statutes of 1979. (See Exhibits #1f and #2)
The Enrolled Bill Memorandum to Governor provides the following digest of Senate Bill 555:
1. Broadens immunity of State agencies and employees from liability for action or inaction taken in issuing earthquake warnings or in response to earthquake warning issued.
2. Provides similar immunity from liability to local governments if earthquake damage occurs to buildings reconstructed under local government standards.
3. Clarifies Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones Act, 1975, specifying the hazard of building atop an active fault.
(See Exhibit #14, document PE-2)