2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 10. Military Affairs and Disaster and Emergency Services › Chapter 3. Disaster and Emergency Services › Part 5. Emergency Resource Management › 10-3-505. Proclamation of emergency -- effect and termination

10-3-505. Proclamation of emergency -- effect and termination.
(1) Following an attack, if the governor finds that action is necessary to deal with the danger to the public safety caused by the attack or to aid in the postattack recovery or rehabilitation of the United States or any part of the United States, the governor shall declare by proclamation the existence of a postattack recovery and rehabilitation emergency. A proclamation is ineffectual unless the legislature is then in session or the governor simultaneously issues an order convening the legislature in special session within 45 days.
(2) During the period when the proclamation issued under subsection (1) is in force or during the continuance of any emergency declared by the president of the United States or the congress calling for postattack recovery and rehabilitation activities, subject to the limitations set forth in this part and in a manner consistent with any rules or orders and policy guidance issued by the federal government, the governor may issue, amend, and enforce rules and orders to:
(a) 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;
(b) 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; and
(c) take other action that may be necessary for the management of resources following an attack.
(3) All rules and orders issued under authority conferred by this part have the effect of law during the continuance of a proclamation or declaration of emergency as contemplated by this section when a copy of the rule or order is filed in the office of the secretary of state or, if issued by a local or area official, when filed in the office or offices of the county clerk and recorder. If, by reason of destruction or disruption attendant upon or resulting from attack, the filing requirements of this subsection cannot be met, public notice by means that may be available must be considered a complete and sufficient substitute. All existing laws, ordinances, rules, and orders inconsistent with the provisions of this part or any rule or order issued under the authority of this part is inoperative during the period of time and to the extent that inconsistency exists.
(4) Any authority exercised under a proclamation of emergency contemplated by this section may be exercised with respect to the entire territory over which the governor or other official, as the case may be, has jurisdiction or to any specified part of the territory.
(5) The governor's power and authority to issue a proclamation following an attack must be terminated by the passage of a joint resolution of the legislature or by declaration of the termination of the emergency by the president or by the congress. However, the proclamation must terminate automatically 6 months after issuance and a similar proclamation may not be issued unless concurrence is given by a joint resolution of the legislature.
History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 297, L. 1967; Sec. 77-1506, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 77-2404 by Sec. 22, Ch. 94, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 49, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 77-2404; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 56, L. 2009.