Arkansas Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

Publication Date: March 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

The Arkansas Emergency Services Act of 1973 confers emergency powers upon the governor and outlines extensive duties of the state Department of Emergency Management (DEM) as well as political subdivisions. Several funding mechanisms are established in state law, with initial capitalization levels specified and limits set on the use of the funds. Local governments may commit to interjurisdictional agreements for the provision of emergency services. An emergency volunteer reserve cadre is authorized to be established within the DEM. The Arkansas Emergency Interim Legislative Succession Act and Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act provide for lines of succession for all levels of government. The governor may change the location of legislative sessions and call an emergency session in the event of an attack.

This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant.