Cassidy’s bipartisan bill would prioritize emergency evacuation preparedness

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on Jan. 17 offered a bipartisan bill that would require the U.S. Transportation Secretary to develop guidelines and best practices for local evacuation route planning.

“Avoiding harm is part of weathering a storm,” Sen. Cassidy said. “Well-maintained evacuation routes keep our communities safe ahead of hurricanes. Our bill creates guidelines for infrastructure planning to help save lives.”

Sen. Cassidy signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Emergency Vehicle and Community (EVAC) Planning Act, S. 3605, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA).

If enacted, S. 3605 would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to develop and publicly disseminate guidance and best practices for states, territories, tribes, and local governments to utilize when conducting transportation infrastructure planning, according to the text of the bill.

“With wildfires, floods, and other disasters impacting our communities more frequently, Californians have seen firsthand the devastating consequences when emergency evacuation routes are overwhelmed,” said Sen. Padilla. “Well-planned emergency evacuation routes can be the difference between life and death. We must equip our communities with the tools to effectively develop these routes.”

S. 3605, which is supported by the National Association of Development Organizations and the National Association of Counties, has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.