- (1) As used in this Article, "catastrophic disaster" means a natural or human-caused event that:
- (a) Results in extraordinary levels of death, injury, property damage or disruption of daily life in this state; and
- (b) Severely affects the population, infrastructure, environment, economy or government functioning of this state.
- (2) As used in this Article, "catastrophic disaster" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following events if the event meets the criteria listed in subsection (1) of this section:
- (a) Act of terrorism.
- (b) Earthquake.
- (c) Flood.
- (d) Public health emergency.
- (e) Tsunami.
- (f) Volcanic eruption.
- (g) War.
- (3) The Governor may invoke the provisions of this Article if the Governor finds and declares that a catastrophic disaster has occurred. A finding required by this subsection shall specify the nature of the catastrophic disaster.
- (4) At the time the Governor invokes the provisions of this Article under subsection (3) of this section, the Governor shall issue a proclamation convening the Legislative Assembly under section 12, Article V of this Constitution, unless:
- (a) The Legislative Assembly is in session at the time the catastrophic disaster is declared; or
- (b) The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to convene in regular session within 30 days after the date the catastrophic disaster is declared.
- (5) If the Governor declares that a catastrophic disaster has occurred, the Governor shall manage the immediate response to the disaster. The actions of the Legislative Assembly under sections 3 and 4 of this Article are limited to actions necessary to implement the Governor's immediate response to the disaster and to actions necessary to aid recovery from the disaster.
[Created through H.J.R. 7, 2011, and adopted by the people Nov. 6, 2012]