HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 Section 137 (2) (a) (ii) of the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, S.B.C. 2023, c. 37, is amended by striking out "no later than 90 days" and substituting "no later than 120 days".

2 Section 169 is amended by adding the following paragraphs:

(e.1) setting the following for the purposes of determining eligibility for disaster financial assistance:

(i) a jurisdictional area, or portion thereof, in which insurance is deemed to be unavailable;

(ii) a cost at which insurance is deemed to be unavailable;

(iii) any other criteria under which insurance is deemed to be unavailable;

(e.2) setting a maximum amount of disaster financial assistance that may be paid in respect of an eligible expense without proof of incurring the eligible expense;

(e.3) setting criteria in respect of which a prescribed portion of the cost related to the purchase or maintenance of insurance will be an eligible expense; .

3 Section 173 (1) is amended by adding the following paragraph:

(i) defining words or expressions used but not defined in this Act.

Transitional Provision

Transition – appeals submitted prior to date of commencement

4 If, prior to the date of commencement, an appeal is made after the period referred to in section 137 (2) (a) (ii), the appeal is deemed to be received within that period if, on the date of commencement, it is not more than 120 days after the person in respect of whom the determination was made received a notice of determination respecting financial assistance under section 136.

Commencement

5 This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council or on the date that is six months after the date of Royal Assent, whichever is earlier.

Explanatory Notes

CLAUSE 1: [Emergency and Disaster Management Act, section 137] extends the time limit to appeal a determination made under section 136 from 90 days to 120 days.

CLAUSE 2: [Emergency and Disaster Management Act, section 169] adds regulation-making authority in relation to

• eligibility for disaster financial assistance,
• maximum amounts of disaster financial assistance payable without proof of incurring an eligible expense, and
• eligible insurance expenses for disaster financial assistance.

CLAUSE 3: [Emergency and Disaster Management Act, section 173] adds regulation-making authority in relation to defining words or expressions.

CLAUSE 4: [Transition – appeal submitted] provides a transitional rule respecting appeals made prior to the date of commencement.