Bill > LB546

This bill modifies Nebraska's emergency management law by expanding the Governor's authority during disasters, emergencies, and civil defense emergencies. The key addition allows political subdivisions that provide essential utility services (electricity, natural gas, water, or sewer) to directly request an emergency proclamation covering one or more counties, without needing to first seek approval from a county or other governmental entity. The bill maintains the Governor's existing broad powers during emergencies, which include suspending regulatory statutes, utilizing state resources, transferring governmental functions, commandeering private property if necessary, ordering evacuations, controlling movement in disaster areas, and managing the sale of certain materials. The emergency proclamation remains in effect until the Governor determines the threat has passed, and the Legislature retains the ability to terminate such a proclamation by resolution. The bill also declares itself effective immediately upon passage, emphasizing the urgency of the proposed changes to emergency management procedures.

Military Affairs and Security

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59529