Section 8690.45.

The Controller shall establish the following special account in the Disaster Assistance Fund.

The Earthquake Emergency Investigations Account, into which shall be paid all moneys appropriated by the Legislature to the Seismic Safety Commission for allocation for the purpose of enabling immediate investigation of damaging earthquakes. Allocations may be made by the commission to assist organizations that have incurred expenses in the course of conducting earthquake investigations. Allocations may be made to cover the following expenses:

(a) Travel, meals, and lodging.

(b) Publishing of findings.

(c) Contractor assistance in the investigation.

(d) Other expenses that the commission may allow as necessary to assist the investigation.

The unpredictable nature of earthquakes necessitates immediate access to funds for investigative purposes. For this reason, notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds in the Earthquake Emergency Investigations Account shall be available for expenditure without regard to fiscal years.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 461, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2003.)