1. In accordance with the provisions of Section 37 of Article 4 of the Nevada Constitution, the Nevada Legislature hereby establishes a plan for continuation of state and local governmental operations. The provisions set forth in this section apply only in, and must be used in accordance with, the circumstances described in subsection 2.

2. In the event that this State or a portion of this State is stricken by a catastrophic emergency of such magnitude that, in the opinion of the Governor or, in the absence of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the existing provisions of the Nevada Constitution and the statutes of this State relating to the filling of vacancies in office are not able to provide for a sufficiently expedient continuity of government and temporary succession of power as a result of vacancies in office created by the catastrophic emergency, the provisions of subsections 3 to 11, inclusive, apply.

3. If a vacancy occurs in the Office of Governor as a result of a catastrophic emergency and none of the successors described in NRS 223.080 are able or available to act as Governor, the Legislature shall elect a person to serve as Governor. If the Legislature is not in session at the time the vacancy occurs, the members of the Legislature may convene a special session to elect a person to serve as Governor.

4. If vacancies occur in more than 15 percent of the seats in either house of the Legislature as a result of a catastrophic emergency:

(a) The remaining Legislators available for duty constitute the Legislature and have full power to act in separate or joint assembly by majority vote of those present;

(b) Any requirements for a quorum applicable to the Legislature must initially be suspended and must subsequently be adjusted as vacant offices are filled pursuant to NRS 218A.260; and

(c) If the affirmative vote of a specified proportion of members of the Legislature is required for the approval of a legislative measure, the same proportion of remaining members of the Legislature is sufficient for approval of that measure.

5. If vacancies occur in more than 15 percent of the positions held by justices on the Supreme Court as a result of a catastrophic emergency, the vacancies must be filled by appointment of the Governor.

6. If vacancies occur in more than 50 percent of the positions held by judges on the Court of Appeals as a result of a catastrophic emergency, the vacancies must be filled by appointment of the Supreme Court.

7. If vacancies occur in more than 15 percent of the positions held by the district judges in any one judicial district as a result of a catastrophic emergency, the vacancies must be filled by appointment of the Supreme Court.

8. If vacancies occur on a board of county commissioners as a result of a catastrophic emergency:

(a) The remaining members of the board available for duty constitute the board and have full power to act by majority vote of those present; and

(b) Any requirements for a quorum applicable to the board must initially be suspended and must subsequently be adjusted as vacant offices are filled.

If a board of county commissioners is rendered entirely vacant as a result of a catastrophic emergency, such other elected officers of the county as may be available to serve on the board have full authority to act in all matters as a board of county commissioners.

9. If vacancies occur on a city council as a result of a catastrophic emergency:

(a) The remaining members of the council available for duty constitute the council and have full power to act by majority vote of those present; and

(b) Any requirements for a quorum applicable to the council must initially be suspended and must subsequently be adjusted as vacant offices are filled.

If a city council is rendered entirely vacant as a result of a catastrophic emergency, such other elected officers of the city as may be available to serve on the council have full authority to act in all matters as a city council.

10. If, during or following a catastrophic emergency, a majority of the members of a legislative body described in this section determines that, for purposes of safety or to address related concerns, the legislative body should meet at a location other than the location at which the legislative body ordinarily meets, the legislative body may arrange to meet at an alternate location.

11. After a catastrophic emergency has taken place, the Governor or, in the absence of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, shall:

(a) Determine and announce publicly when conditions have normalized within this State or the portion thereof affected by the catastrophic emergency.

(b) In cooperation with the Secretary of State, develop procedures and a reasonable schedule for filling by regular election the various offices filled temporarily pursuant to this section.

12. As used in this section, “catastrophic emergency” means an emergency resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack, in accordance with Section 37 of Article 4 of the Nevada Constitution.

(Added to NRS by 2003, 2458; A 2013,1769, 3754)