(a) (1) (A) By executive order, the Governor may combine two (2) or more established local offices of emergency management as an interjurisdictional office of emergency management.

(B)

(i) Before a combination under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section, the jurisdictions involved shall prepare for the Governor's approval a written mutual interjurisdictional agreement that specifies how and by whom the emergency management coordinator shall be appointed.

(ii) The interjurisdictional agreement shall also include specific provisions addressing the funding, administration, staff, and operational control of the interjurisdictional office of emergency management.

(C) The interjurisdictional office of emergency management shall meet the same minimum standards and requirements as a single-jurisdiction local office of emergency management in order to maintain eligibility for state and federal emergency management funding and program assistance.

(2) A finding of the Governor pursuant to this subsection shall be based on an assessment conducted by the Director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management using one (1) or more factors related to the difficulty of maintaining an efficient, effective, and economical system for disaster and emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery such as:

(A) Small or sparse population;

(B) Limitations on public financial resources severe enough to make maintenance of a separate established local office of emergency management unreasonably burdensome;

(C) Unusual vulnerability to disasters and emergencies based on geographical, geological, hydrological, meteorological, or technological disaster potential; and

(D) Other relevant conditions or circumstances.

(b)

(1) If the Governor finds that a vulnerable area lies only partly within this state and includes territory in another state or states and that it would be desirable to establish an interstate relationship, mutual aid, or an area organization for disaster, he or she shall take steps toward that end as may be desirable.

(2) If this action is taken with jurisdictions having enacted the Interstate Civil Defense and Disaster Compact, § 12-76-101 et seq., any resulting agreement or agreements may be considered supplemental agreements pursuant to Article VI of that compact.

(3)

(A) If the other jurisdiction or jurisdictions with which the Governor proposes to cooperate pursuant to subdivisions (b)(1) and (2) of this section have not enacted that compact, then he or she may negotiate a special agreement with the jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

(B) Any agreement, if sufficient authority for the making thereof does not otherwise exist, becomes effective only after its text has been communicated to the General Assembly and neither house of the General Assembly has disapproved it by adjournment of the next ensuing session competent to consider it or within thirty (30) days of its submission, whichever is longer.