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<section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="14-106" title_number="14" title_name="Emergency Management" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Emergency Management Act">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Governor:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>has control of and is responsible for the Department; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is responsible for carrying out this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In the event of the threat or occurrence of an emergency, the Governor may assume direct operational control over all or part of an emergency management function created or authorized by this subtitle and Subtitles 2 and 4 of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Governor may delegate the powers the Governor sees fit to an individual who is employed:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>in the Executive Department of State government;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>as a secretary of a principal department; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>as the head of an independent State agency.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>In performing duties under this subtitle, the Governor:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may cooperate with the federal government, other states, and private agencies in all matters that relate to the emergency management operations of this State and the United States;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>may issue orders, rules, and regulations necessary or desirable to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>carry out this subtitle;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>prepare and revise, as necessary, a comprehensive plan and program for the emergency management operations of this State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>integrate the plan and program of this State with the emergency management operations plans of the federal government and other states; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for emergency management operations by the political subdivisions;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>may authorize the procurement of supplies and equipment, the institution of training programs including the process for licensing, certifying, or credentialing health care practitioners developed under § 18-903(c) of the Health - General Article, public information programs, and other steps to prepare for an emergency;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>may authorize studies and surveys of industries, resources, and facilities in the State as necessary or desirable to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>ascertain the State’s capabilities for emergency management operations; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>prepare plans for the emergency management of resources in accordance with the national plan for emergency preparedness;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>may appoint, in cooperation with local authorities, directors of local organizations for emergency management, may delegate to the directors any administrative authority vested in the Governor under this subtitle, and may provide for the subdelegation of that authority; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>may delegate the Governor’s authority under this subsection to an individual who is employed:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>in the Executive Department of State government;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>as a secretary of a principal department; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>as the head of an independent State agency.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In addition to emergency prevention measures included in the State, local, and interjurisdictional emergency plans, the Governor shall consider, on a continuing basis, steps that could be taken to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of potential emergencies.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>At the direction of the Governor, and in accordance with any other authority and competence they have, State agencies shall study matters related to emergency prevention.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>State agencies required to study matters related to emergency prevention include those charged with responsibilities in connection with flood plain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land-use planning, and construction standards.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
