A bill by a State Senator from Santa Barbara which attempts to get more people signed up with county emergency alert systems has been passed by the State Senate.
The current system requires people to sign up for emergency text and voice alert systems operated by counties. SB 821 by Democratic State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara would allow counties to automatically enroll people.
Instead of having to opt in, people would be automatically enrolled, but they would still have the option of opting out, and not participating. Jackson says less than a third of residents were signed up for alert program when the Thomas brush fire broke out last December.
The bill now goes to the Assembly for consideration.