SEATTLE (AP) - Only one seismic-safety bill has passed in Washington state government, and it will make earthquake drills optional in schools.
The Seattle Times reported (https://bit.ly/2pk2GJn ) Sunday that Gov. Jay Inslee has signed the bill. Reports say the move comes after state leaders discussed earthquake preparedness.
The original version of the bill included mandatory annual tsunami evacuation drills for coastal schools and annual earthquake drills for all school. Its final draft made earthquake drills optional.
Other related bills that died in the legislature sought to require seismic evaluations of school buildings and orders for transit systems to develop plans to restore services after quakes.
According to the report, lawmakers do little to address earthquake risks in Washington, which are ranked second to California.
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Information from: The Seattle Times, https://www.seattletimes.com
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