HB 673 Summary

• Prohibits the governor or mayor from suspending response deadlines for public records requests (under Chapter 92F) or vital records requests (under Section 338-18) during a declared state of emergency.

• Adds a definition of "severe warning" to include notifications from the National Weather Service, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and other authorities regarding dangerous conditions such as coastal inundation, high surf, flash flooding, volcanic activity, tsunami, or hurricane.

• Requires that any suspension of law during an emergency be narrowly tailored, identify the specific statute suspended, specify which emergency management functions are facilitated, and justify the suspension based on protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

• Allows permit, authorization, and approval suspensions to continue beyond the emergency period to complete infrastructure repairs, reconstruction, rebuilding, or construction that would otherwise be delayed.

• Grants the state legislature and county councils authority to terminate a state of emergency (in whole or in part) by a two-thirds affirmative vote, and requires governors and mayors to terminate emergencies at the earliest possible date warranted by conditions.