Opinion ID: 2631838
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Immunity for local government entities under NRS 414.110

Text: The Nylunds next contend that Carson City cannot avail itself of the emergency management immunity provided by NRS 414.110 because the Governor had not declared the flood an emergency according to NRS 414.0345; the statute defines emergency as an occurrence or threatened occurrence for which, in the determination of the governor, the assistance of state agencies is needed. [11] Carson City does not counter the Nylunds' assertion that the governor had not declared the flood an emergency, but argues instead that it was empowered by its own municipal code to declare an emergency and claim immunity thereby: All functions under this chapter and all other activities relating to emergency management are hereby declared to be governmental functions. Pursuant to NRS 414.110, the city is not liable for the ... property damage as a result of any emergency service worker complying with or reasonably attempting to comply with this chapter. [12] Thus, we must next decide whether NRS 414.110 allows Carson City itself to declare an emergency, or whether the governor-determination procedure is the only procedure available for triggering immunity. As set forth above, when construing a statute we are guided first by the statute's plain language, and if that fails, by its policy, which we can infer from the context of the statute within its overall scheme. Construing NRS 414.0345 accordingly, we first observe that the plain language of the section itself does not state whether or not the governor-determination procedure is exclusive. Other sections of the Emergency Management chapter, however, indicate that the legislature intended to empower local governments with emergency management powers and immunity. Foremost, NRS 414.110(1) provides immunity for [a]ll functions under this chapter and all other activities relating to emergency management. [13] Correspondingly, NRS 414.090(1) indicates that emergency management at the local level constitutes one of the functions under this chapter that NRS 414.110 refers to: Each political subdivision of this state may establish a local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program for emergency management.... Each local organization for emergency management shall perform functions of emergency management within the territorial limits of the political subdivision within which it is organized, and, in addition, shall conduct such functions outside of such territorial limits as may be required. [14] In addition, the statement of the policy and procedure of the emergency management chapter reflects the legislature's intent to localize emergency management efforts: (a) To create a state agency for emergency management and to authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency management in the political subdivisions of the state. (b) To confer upon the governor and upon the executive heads or governing bodies of the political subdivisions of the state the emergency powers provided in this chapter. [15] Because the legislature clearly intended to empower local governments with the power to respond to emergencies, we conclude that the legislature also intended to grant the local governments immunity for their actions taken under the chapter. Accordingly, we conclude that Carson City was allowed to declare an emergency itself in accordance with its municipal code and thereby claim the immunity of NRS 414.110.