HF 22 Summary

• Defines "public health emergency" as an occurrence or imminent threat of illness caused by bioterrorism or a new, novel, previously controlled or eradicated airborne infectious agent that poses high probability of large-scale deaths, serious disabilities, or widespread exposure to airborne agents posing significant future harm.

• Clarifies governor authority to declare peacetime emergencies for public health emergencies and requires immediate notification to legislative leaders; peacetime emergencies limited to 5 days unless extended by Executive Council up to 30 days, with legislature able to terminate by majority vote if extending beyond 30 days.

• Prohibits legislature from adjourning sine die during peacetime emergencies extending beyond 30 days and requires governor to immediately report rationale and legal authority for all emergency orders and rules to legislators.

• Establishes process for legislative oversight: Legislative Coordinating Commission must hold public hearings within 10 days and recommend whether orders or rules should be maintained, modified, or terminated; legislature may terminate orders or rules by majority vote with 21-day implementation delay.

• Requires emergency orders and rules to be written in specific formats approved by revisor of statutes and subjects governor's emergency powers to judicial review; act effective August 1, 2021.