Lamont's Emergency Powers Extended: Here's What It Means

CONNECTICUT — The state Senate approved legislation extending Gov. Ned Lamont's public health and civil preparedness emergency declarations and powers.

Senate Republicans offered a strike-all amendment to the bill, which required legislative ratification of any emergency declaration of more than seven days, within two weeks of the declaration. The amendment failed 23-10, along party lines.

In times of war, disease or other extraordinary conditions, a state empowers its governor to declare a state of emergency. While the declaration is in place, the governor's executive powers extend into authority normally reserved for the legislature, and can include creating new, albeit temporary, laws, and suspending existing statutes.

Lamont signed several executive orders on a near-daily basis when the pandemic unfolded in March, and has executed over 90 by current count.

These declarations have been in place in Connecticut since last March and renewed twice since. The legislation approved in the state Senate on Tuesday extends the declaration of emergency through May 20.

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly released a statement Tuesday, saying: "Our democracy is not set up for one-person rule. We are a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It's past time the legislature fulfills its constitutional responsibility to act as a coequal branch of government alongside the executive branch."

A committee of 10 legislative members can reject Lamont's state of emergency declaration within 72 hours, but that is unlikely as Democrats hold a 6 to 4 advantage and Democratic leaders said they want Lamont's powers extended.

"People’s health and safety deserves more than a month to month strategy of policies defined by executive orders that may or may not be there in June," Kelly said. "If we want policies like a vaccination program or telemedicine over the long term, these concepts must be codified in state law. That is the legislature’s responsibility and it should not be delayed again."

Lamont thanked the legislature for the extension, calling it "critical to ensuring our vaccine and testing programs remain nimble and accessible to all of our residents."

The legislation is House Bill 6672, "An Act Concerning Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies Declared and Renewed by the Governor." It will next be transmitted to the governor for his signature.