HB151:

Emergency laws; limits powers and duties of Governor, executive orders.

Bill Summary:

Emergency laws; powers and duties of Governor;
executive orders. Limits the Governor's powers as the Director
of Emergency Management by requiring that emergency rules, regulations,
and executive orders be objectively necessary and required to control,
restrict, allocate, or regulate the use, sale, production, and distribution
of food, fuel, clothing and other commodities, materials, goods,
services, and resources under any state or federal emergency services
programs, rather than necessary in the Governor's judgment. The bill
also prohibits an emergency executive order from establishing any
moratoriums on the payment of rent to landlords in the Commonwealth
unless pursuant to a confirmed order of quarantine or isolation.
Finally, the bill limits the duration of any executive order issued
by the Governor to no more than 45 days from the date of issuance
and provides that if the General Assembly does not take any action
on the rule, regulation, or order within the 45 days during which
the rule, regulation, or order is effective, the Governor shall thereafter
be prohibited from issuing the same or a similar rule, regulation,
or order relating to the same emergency. Under current law, once
issued, such executive orders are effective until June 30 following
the next regular session of the General Assembly.