§ 63-685.5. Emergency interim succession to state offices other than Governor.

All state officers, other than the Governor, subject to such regulations as the Governor, or other official authorized under the Constitution and this act to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Office of Governor, may issue, upon approval of this act, in addition to any deputy, shall designate, by the title of their office or position, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession.  The officer shall review and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this act to ensure their current status.  The officer shall designate a sufficient number of such emergency interim successors so that there will be not less than three nor more than seven deputies or emergency interim successors or any combination thereof, at any time.  In the event that any state officer is unavailable following an emergency or disaster, and in the event a deputy, if any, is also unavailable, the said powers of the office shall be exercised and said duties of the office shall be discharged by the designated emergency interim successors in the order specified.  The authority of an emergency successor shall cease:

1.  When the incumbent of the office, or a deputy or an interim successor higher in designation becomes available to exercise the powers and to perform the duties of the office; or

2.  When a successor to the office has been duly elected or appointed and has qualified according to law.

Added by Laws 1959, p. 213, § 5, emerg. eff. June 5, 1959.  Amended by Laws 1963, c. 270, § 5, emerg. eff. June 13, 1963; Laws 2003, c. 329, § 32, emerg. eff. May 29, 2003.