TERRORISM DRILLS S.B. 1108: COMMITTEE SUMMARY






Senate Bill 1108 (as introduced 3-2-06)
Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II
Committee: Education


Date Completed: 5-10-06

CONTENT The bill would amend the Fire Prevention Code to require all State-supported schools, colleges, and universities, and all school dormitories to conduct one or more terrorism drills each school year, and to conduct some of the drills required under the Code during lunch, recess, or other periods when students were present but not in the classroom.
Specifically, the bill would require one or more terrorism drills, as determined by the governing body of a school, college, or university, or the owner of a school dormitory, acting with the advice of the local emergency management coordinator, for each school year at all State-supported schools, colleges, and universities, and at all school dormitories.


In addition, the Code requires a school or facility to conduct a minimum of eight fire drills and two tornado drills at a school or facility each school year. Under the bill, some of the required fire, tornado, or terrorism drills would have to be conducted during lunch and recess periods, or at other times when a significant number of the students were gathered but not in the classroom.


Under the bill, "terrorism drill" would mean a drill conducted for the purpose of preparing to respond to an act of terrorism. "Act of terrorism" would mean that term as defined in Section 543b of the Michigan Penal Code, i.e., a willful and deliberate act that is all of the following: an act that would be a violent felony under the laws of this State, whether or not committed in this State; an act that the person knows or has reason to know is dangerous to human life; and an act that is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence or affect the conduct of government or a unit of government through intimidation or coercion.

"Local emergency management coordinator" would mean the local emergency management coordinator appointed under the Emergency Management Act.
MCL 29.19 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
There would be no direct fiscal impact on the State but there would be an indeterminate fiscal impact on K-12 school districts, community colleges, and universities, which could incur the cost of training staff in conducting terrorism drills. Costs could be more for universities with large numbers of campus buildings and dormitories. For example, at the 15 public universities, there are more than 2,000 campus buildings, including over 800 dormitories.

Fiscal Analysts: Joe Carrasco Ellen Jeffries Michael Hansen

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1108/0506