South Dakota Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

Publication Date: June 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Two sections of the South Dakota code, chapter 33 (“Emergency Management”) of title 33 (“Military Affairs”) and chapter 5 (“Disaster Relief Protective Measures”) of title 34 (“Public Health and Safety”) primarily address disasters and emergencies. The Secretary of Public Safety coordinates the state’s emergency management organizations, but only the governor is authorized to declare a disaster. The state reimburses political subdivisions for costs associated with emergency management activities. Funding for emergency requirements is obtained from the special revenue fund; each county must also establish an emergency management revenue fund. In the event of an attack, state officials must plan for the appointment of emergency interim successors.

This report is one of a series that profiles 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, 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.