SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) on April 15 announced that Senate pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) appointed her to serve on the newly established Senate Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response. The bipartisan committee of eleven senators is tasked with reviewing the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis – what has gone right and what could be improved. The committee will also make findings and recommendations for future preparedness if the coronavirus returns later in the year, or if the state faces another pandemic.
“California’s swift and decisive action responding to the COVID-19 threat helped our state slow the spread of the virus and prepare for its impacts on our healthcare system. This leadership without a doubt saved lives. However, there are always lessons to be learned and ways we could have managed the crisis better. Having served on the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management for the last seven years, I look forward to discussing how our state can improve our pandemic emergency response and better prepare should we face such a crisis again,” said Senator Jackson.
Senator Jackson has served as Chair and Vice Chair on the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management for the past seven years, four of which as Chair. She is the author of legislation to improve California’s emergency notifications, reduce the state’s risk of deadly wildfires, and ensure emergency plans address the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of residents, among other emergency management bills. She represents the 19th Senate District, which includes all of Santa Barbara County and western Ventura County.