§127A-12 Emergency management powers, in general. (a) The governor or mayor, as applicable, may exercise the following powers pertaining to emergency management:
(b) The governor may exercise the following powers pertaining to emergency management:
(c) The mayor may exercise the following powers pertaining to emergency management:
(d) Media access shall be permitted in emergency areas closed pursuant to this section; provided that the designated emergency management authority for the affected area has determined that media access is reasonable and safe and does not hinder ongoing response and recovery activities. Media access shall be limited to duly authorized representatives of any news service, newspaper, radio station, television station, or online news distribution network. The State and counties shall not be held liable for any injury or damage to persons or property arising from media representatives entering a closed emergency area. When full access cannot be reasonably granted to all media representatives, one pool writer, one pool photographer, and one pool videographer shall be designated by the media representatives from among themselves to gather and disseminate information. Any decision regarding media access shall be at the sole discretion of the designated emergency management authority for the affected emergency area. Media representatives who are granted access to the closed emergency area shall do so at their own risk and acknowledge that the State or county may seek reimbursement pursuant to chapter 137 for search and rescue expenses incurred on their behalf. The State, counties, and any designated emergency management authority shall not be responsible for providing copies, equipment, telephone or internet access, or any other logistical support, including sharing or distribution of content, associated with media access in closed emergency areas. [L 2014, c 111, pt of §2; am L 2017, c 168, §1; am L 2022, c 99, §4]