The Legislature finds and declares that:

1. (a) It is generally accepted that various areas of the state will experience moderate and severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future.
2. (b) A serious threat to life and property resulting from these earthquakes is the threat of fire resulting from earthquake damage.
3. (c) In order to mitigate, as much as possible, the effects of a major earthquake, including fire resulting from an earthquake, local governments should be authorized to adopt ordinances requiring installation of earthquake sensitive gas shutoff devices in buildings.