Montana Code Annotated
Part 3. State Planning and Execution
10-3-303. Declaration of emergency or disaster -- effect and termination

10-3-303. Declaration of emergency or disaster -- effect and termination. (1) A state of emergency may be declared by the governor when the governor determines that an emergency as defined in 10-3-103 exists. A state of disaster may be declared by the governor when the governor determines that a disaster, as defined in 10-3-103, has occurred. The governor may not declare another state of emergency or disaster based on the same or substantially similar facts and circumstances without legislative approval.
(2) (a) An executive order or proclamation of a state of emergency activates the emergency response and disaster preparation aspects of the state disaster and emergency plan.
(b) An executive order or proclamation of a state of disaster activates the disaster response and recovery aspects of the state disaster and emergency plan.
(c) Both the disaster preparation aspects and disaster response and recovery aspects of the plans in subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) are the programs applicable to the political subdivision or area and are authority for the deployment and use of any forces to which the plans apply and for the distribution and use of any supplies, equipment, and materials and facilities assembled, stockpiled, or arranged to be made available pursuant to parts 1 through 4 of this chapter or any other provision of law pertaining to disaster and disaster-related emergencies. An executive order or proclamation may authorize the practice of disaster medicine. The provisions of 10-3-110 do not apply to the state of emergency or disaster unless the order or proclamation includes a provision authorizing the practice of disaster medicine.
(3) (a) Except as provided in subsection (3)(b), a state of emergency or disaster may not continue for longer than 45 days unless continuing conditions of the state of emergency or disaster exist, which must be determined through a poll of the legislature as provided in 10-3-122 or by the declaration of the legislature by joint resolution of continuing conditions of the state of emergency or disaster.
(b) A state of emergency or disaster may continue for a drought, an earthquake, flooding, or a wildfire as long as continuing conditions of the state of emergency or disaster exist unless terminated by the declaration of the legislature by joint resolution of termination of the state of emergency or disaster.
(4) The governor shall terminate a state of emergency or disaster when:
(a) the emergency or disaster has passed;
(b) the emergency or disaster has been dealt with to the extent that emergency or disaster conditions no longer exist; or
(c) at any time the legislature terminates the state of emergency or disaster by joint resolution. However, after termination of the state of emergency or disaster, disaster and emergency services required as a result of the emergency or disaster may continue.
(5) The legislature may, by joint resolution in a regular or special session:
(a) terminate a state of emergency or disaster as provided in subsection (4)(c);
(b) extend a state of disaster;
(c) provide conditions or limits on the governor's actions taken pursuant to 10-3-104; and
(d) approve or disapprove the continuation of any executive order, proclamation, or regulation that was enacted based on a state of emergency or disaster.
History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 218, L. 1951; Sec. 77-1306, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 77-2304 by Sec. 11, Ch. 94, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 335, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 77-2304(5), (6); amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 255, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 252, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 504, L. 2021.