Effective 28 Aug 2008

44.100. Emergency powers of governor. — 1. The emergency powers of the governor shall be as follows:

(1) The provisions of this section shall be operative only during the existence of a state of emergency (referred to in this section as "emergency" ). The existence of an emergency may be proclaimed by the governor or by resolution of the legislature, if the governor in his proclamation, or the legislature in its resolution, finds that a natural or man-made disaster of major proportions has actually occurred within this state, and that the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of this state require an invocation of the provisions of this section;

(2) Any emergency, whether proclaimed by the governor or by the legislature, shall terminate upon the proclamation thereof by the governor, or the passage by the legislature, of a resolution terminating such emergency;

(3) During the period that the state of emergency exists or continues, the governor shall:

(a) Enforce and put into operation all plans, rules and regulations relating to disasters and emergency management of resources adopted under this law and to assume direct operational control of all emergency forces and volunteers in the state;

(b) Take action and give directions to state and local law enforcement officers and agencies as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of this law and with the orders, rules and regulations made pursuant thereof;

(c) Seize, take or requisition to the extent necessary to bring about the most effective protection of the public:

a. Any means of transportation, other than railroads and railroad equipment and fuel, and all fuel necessary for the propulsion thereof;

b. Any communication system or part thereof necessary to the prompt and efficient functioning of the emergency management of the state;

c. All stocks of fuel;

d. Facilities for housing, feeding and hospitalization of persons, including buildings and plants;

(d) Control, restrict and regulate by rationing, freezing, use of quotas, prohibitions on shipments, price fixing, allocation or other means the use, sale or distribution of food, feed, fuel, clothing and other commodities, materials, goods or services;

(e) Prescribe and direct activities in connection with but not limited to use, conservation, salvage and prevention of waste of materials, services and facilities, including production, transportation, power and communication facilities, training and supply of labor, utilization of industrial plants, health and medical care, nutrition, housing, including the use of existing and private facilities, rehabilitation, education, welfare, child care, recreation, consumer protection and other essential civil needs;

(f) Use or distribute all or any of this property among the inhabitants of the state in any area adversely affected by a natural or man-made disaster and to account to the state treasurer for any funds received thereof;

(g) Waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule regarding the licensing, certification or issuance of permits evidencing professional, mechanical or other skills;

(h) Waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule prescribing procedures for conducting state business, where strict compliance with such requirements and rules would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action by the department of health and senior services to respond to a declared emergency or increased health threat to the population;

(i) In accordance with rules or regulations, provide that all law enforcement authorities and other emergency response workers and agencies of other states who may be within this state at the request of the governor or pursuant to state or local mutual-aid agreements or compacts shall have the same authority and possess the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities as are possessed by like law enforcement authorities and emergency response workers and agencies of this state;

(j) Perform and exercise such other functions, powers and duties as may be necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population;

(k) Authorize the director of finance and the director of credit unions to waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule applicable to the division of finance, banking, financial services, or the division of credit unions and take action and give direction to banks, credit unions, and financial institutions, including coordinating actions with emergency responders, federal agencies, and state banking and credit union associations as may be reasonable and necessary to preserve the safety and soundness of banks, credit unions, and financial institutions; and facilitate disaster response and recovery efforts to serve essential civil needs and protect the public interest.

2. When any property is seized, taken or requisitioned under this section, the circuit court of the county in which the property was taken may on the application of the owner thereof or on the application of the governor in cases where numerous claims may be filed, appoint three disinterested commissioners in the manner provided by section 523.040 to assess the damages which the owners may have sustained by reason of the appropriation thereof. Upon the application the amount due because of the seizure of property shall be determined in the manner provided in chapter 523 for the determination of damages in case of the exercise of the power of eminent domain.

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(L. 1951 p. 536 § 26.230, Reenacted L. 1953 p. 553, Reenacted L. 1955 p. 607, A.L. 1961 p. 483, A.L. 1967 p. 122, A.L. 1998 S.B. 743, A.L. 2007 H.B. 579, A.L. 2008 S.B. 951)