Legislative Oversight Of Governor Emergency Powers

The concurrent resolution authorizes the governor to declare a state of disaster emergency that continues for up to 30 days. At the end of 30 days, if the governor has not previously terminated the state of disaster emergency, it automatically terminates unless extended by the general assembly. To extend a state of disaster emergency, the general assembly, prior to the date of automatic termination, must adopt a joint resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of each house. The joint resolution must specify the length of time for which the state of disaster emergency is extended and does not require approval by the governor. If the general assembly has not extended the state of disaster emergency before the date of termination and is not in session as of the date of termination, the governor may call the general assembly into special session to extend the state of disaster emergency. The governor may terminate the state of disaster emergency before the date to which it is extended, and the general assembly may adopt subsequent joint resolutions to further extend the state of disaster emergency if not previously terminated by the governor.
(Note: This summary applies to this concurrent resolution as introduced.)