HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 33
INTRODUCED BY D. GALLIK
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING THAT THE MONTANA HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE DESIGNATE INDUSTRIES OR CATEGORIES OF INDUSTRY THAT ARE OF HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT WITH REGARD TO CHEMICAL SAFETY, STORAGE, AND CONTAINMENT.
WHEREAS, the chemical industry is a crucial part of the critical infrastructure of Montana in its own right, and that industry supplies resources essential to the functioning of other critical parts of the infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the possibility of terrorist and criminal attacks on chemical sources, such as industrial facilities, poses a serious threat to public health, safety, and welfare, critical infrastructure, national security, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the possibility of theft of dangerous chemicals from chemical sources for use in terrorist attacks poses a further threat to public health, safety, and welfare, critical infrastructure, national security, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, there are significant opportunities to prevent theft from and criminal attack on chemical sources and reduce the harm that these acts would produce by:
(1) reducing usage and storage of chemicals by changing production methods and processes;
(2) employing inherently safer technologies in the manufacture, transport, and use of chemicals;
(3) enhancing secondary containment and other existing mitigation measures; and
(4) improving security; and
WHEREAS, the Montana Homeland Security Task Force has been created to coordinate the development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide strategy to strengthen Montana's capabilities to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from any terrorist threats or attacks within the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Montana Homeland Security Task Force, in consultation with the State Emergency Response Commission, be requested to designate those industries or categories of industry that are of highest priority for further assessment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Homeland Security Task Force be requested to encourage an assessment of safer alternatives and increased security at high-priority facilities in Montana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that high-priority ranking be based on:
(1) the severity of the harm that could be caused by an accidental release or criminal release of chemicals;
(2) the proximity of the facility to population centers;
(3) the threat to national security;
(4) the threat to critical infrastructure;
(5) threshold quantities of substances of concern that pose a serious threat; and
(6) other safety or security factors that the Homeland Security Task Force determines to be appropriate.
- END -
Latest Version of HJ 33 (HJ0033.01)
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