West Virginia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

Publication Date: September 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

The emergency management code for West Virginia (chapter 15-5) created a state emergency services agency and authorized creation of local and regional organizations for emergency services. The statute confers emergency powers upon the governor and the executive heads of governing bodies of political subdivisions, and provides for the rendering of mutual aid among the political subdivisions, other states, and with the federal government. The Emergency Interim Legislative Succession Act and Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act provide lines of succession for all levels of government.

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.