48-925. Powers of governor during state of disaster emergency; orders and proclamations, administered by adjutant general. (a) During any state of disaster emergency declared under K.S.A. 48-924, and amendments thereto, the governor shall be commander-in-chief of the organized and unorganized militia and of all other forces available for emergency duty. To the greatest extent practicable, the governor shall delegate or assign command authority by prior arrangement, embodied in appropriate executive orders or in rules and regulations of the adjutant general, but nothing herein shall restrict the authority of the governor to do so by orders issued at the time of a disaster.

(b) Under the provisions of this act and for the implementation thereof, the governor may issue orders and proclamations which shall have the force and effect of law during the period of a state of disaster emergency declared under subsection (b) of K.S.A. 48-924, and amendments thereto, and which orders and proclamations shall be null and void thereafter unless ratified by concurrent resolution of the legislature. Such orders and proclamations may be revoked at any time by concurrent resolution of the legislature.

(c) During a state of disaster emergency declared under K.S.A. 48-924, and amendments thereto, and in addition to any other powers conferred upon the governor by law, the governor may:

(1) Suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders or rules and regulations of any state agency which implements such statute, if strict compliance with the provisions of such statute, order or rule and regulation would prevent, hinder or delay in any way necessary action in coping with the disaster;

(2) utilize all available resources of the state government and of each political subdivision as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster;

(3) transfer the supervision, personnel or functions of state departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency management activities;

(4) subject to any applicable requirements for compensation under K.S.A. 48-933, and amendments thereto, commandeer or utilize any private property if the governor finds such action necessary to cope with the disaster;

(5) direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from any area of the state stricken or threatened by a disaster, if the governor deems this action necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response or recovery;

(6) prescribe routes, modes of transportation and destinations in connection with such evacuation;

(7) control ingress and egress of persons and animals to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons and animals within the area and the occupancy by persons and animals of premises therein;

(8) suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of alcoholic beverages, explosives and combustibles;

(9) make provision for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing;

(10) require and direct the cooperation and assistance of state and local governmental agencies and officials; and

(11) perform and exercise such other functions, powers and duties as are necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.

(d) The governor shall exercise the powers conferred by subsection (c) by issuance of orders under subsection (b). The adjutant general, subject to the direction of the governor, shall administer such orders.

History: L. 1975, ch. 283, § 5; L. 1994, ch. 248, § 13; L. 2001, ch. 163, § 12; L. 2008, ch. 97, § 2; July 1.