Bill > SJR45

This Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to alter the powers of the Governor, the Legislature, and the Supreme Court when a state of disaster or emergency is declared. Specifically, it requires the Governor to convene a special session of the Legislature if a disaster or emergency declaration meets certain criteria, such as affecting at least two-fifths of the counties or half of the state's population, or impacting at least two-thirds of the counties in three or more designated trauma service areas. During this special session, the Legislature would have the authority to renew or extend the disaster or emergency declaration, pass laws and resolutions related to it, and address other matters specified by the Governor. The amendment also limits the duration of a Governor's disaster or emergency declaration to 30 days (or 90 days for nuclear or radiological events) unless renewed or extended by the Legislature, with the same geographic or population thresholds applying. Furthermore, it grants members of the Legislature the right to sue the Governor in the Supreme Court for failing to convene the Legislature as required, and the Supreme Court would have original jurisdiction over such cases.