On Wednesday, the Arizona Senate approved Sen. Warren Petersen’s legislation, S.C.R. 1003, which would terminate a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor after 30 days, unless extended by Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature. Should the measure pass out of House, it would go to the voters for final approval in the next general election.
S.C.R. 1003 also requires the governor to call a special session of the Legislature within 10 days of proclaiming a state of emergency.
My resolution to terminate emergency orders after 30 days unless there is legislative approval just passed the Senate!
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) February 10, 2021
“A recent report revealed that Arizona is one of the worst states in the country in handling emergency declarations. Most states require the legislature to extend emergency orders beyond a short period,” Petersen told the ADI. “My SCR that just passed the Senate will expire all emergency orders after 30 days unless the legislature extends them. This will bring the voice of the people to the table when an emergency order is issued so they can protect their freedom and livelihood.”
Currently, the Governor may declare a state of emergency if the governor finds conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons or property within the state caused by air pollution, fire, flood, epidemic, riot, earthquake or other causes that are likely to be beyond the control of any single county or municipality. During a state of emergency, the governor has complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise all police power vested in the state by the Constitution. Additionally, the governor may direct all agencies to utilize and employ personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of activities designed to prevent or alleviate actual or threatened damage due to the emergency. The governor’s state of emergency powers end when the state of emergency proclamation has been terminated by proclamation of the governor or Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature.