Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-683.8

A. The Governor shall have general direction and control of the

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and shall be responsible

for carrying out the provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management

Act of 2003. In the event of an emergency that exceeds local

capability, the Governor may assume direct operational control over

all or any part of the emergency management functions within this

state.

B. The Governor shall have general direction and control of

emergency management within the state and all officers, boards,

agencies, individual or groups established under the Emergency

Operations Plan. The Governor shall have the authority pursuant to

the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003 to establish such

offices, boards, agencies or positions as may be necessary to carry

into effect the Emergency Operations Plan.

C. The Governor is authorized to cooperate with the federal

government, with other states and with private agencies in all

matters pertaining to the emergency management of this state and of

the nation.

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D. To effect the policy and purpose of the Oklahoma Emergency

Management Act of 2003, the Governor is further authorized and

empowered to:

1. Make, amend and rescind the necessary orders and rules to

carry out the provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of

2003 within the limits of authority conferred upon the Governor

herein, with due consideration of the emergency management plans of

the federal government;

2. Cause to be prepared and updated annually a comprehensive

plan and program for emergency management of this state, such plans

and programs to be integrated into and coordinated with the plans of

the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible

extent, and to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for

emergency management by the political subdivisions of this state;

3. Procure supplies and equipment in accordance with such plans

and programs, institute training programs and public information

programs, take all other preparatory steps including the partial or

full activation of emergency management organizations in advance of

actual disaster, and to ensure the furnishing of adequately trained

and equipped personnel in time of need, during periods of national

emergency or man-made or natural disasters that might occur in this

state, or which develop into emergency situations;

4. On behalf of this state, enter into mutual aid arrangements

with other states and coordinate mutual aid plans between political

subdivisions of this state;

5. Delegate any administrative authority vested in the Governor

pursuant to the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003, and

provide for subdelegation of any such authority;

6. Confirm the appointment of qualified emergency managers upon

recommendations of local authorities as provided in Section 683.11

of this title;

7. Cooperate with the President of the United States and the

heads of the Armed Forces, the Federal Emergency Management Agency

and other appropriate federal officers and agencies, with the

officers and agencies of other states in matters pertaining to the

emergency management of the state and nation including the direction

and control of:

a. state emergency management activations and exercises,

b. warnings for actual or exercise events and the

equipment to be used in connection therewith,

c. the conduct of civilians and the movement of and

cessation of movement of pedestrians and vehicular

traffic during, prior and subsequent to natural and

man-made disasters and emergencies,

d. public meetings or gatherings, and

e. the evacuation and reception of the civil population;

and

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8. Prescribe uniform signals, warnings, alerts, credentials and

insignia.

E. In addition to prevention measures included in the state and
r

traffic during, prior and subsequent to natural and

man-made disasters and emergencies,

d. public meetings or gatherings, and

e. the evacuation and reception of the civil population;

and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety Page 1226

8. Prescribe uniform signals, warnings, alerts, credentials and

insignia.

E. In addition to prevention measures included in the state and

local comprehensive plans and programs for emergency management, the

Governor shall consider on a continuing basis steps that could be

taken to mitigate the harmful consequences of emergencies and

natural disasters. At the Governor’s direction and pursuant to any

other authority specified by law, state agencies including, but not

limited to, those charged with responsibilities in connection with

floodplain 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, shall make studies of matters related to potential

emergency and man-made or natural disasters or to mitigate emergency

and natural disasters. The Governor, from time to time, shall make

such recommendations to the Legislature, to political subdivisions

and to other appropriate public and private entities as may

facilitate measures for mitigation of the harmful consequences of

emergencies and natural disasters.

F. Pursuant to the Inherent Rights clause in Section 2 of

Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution which states “All persons

have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness,

and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry”, during a

pandemic under a declared state of emergency by the Governor or the

President of the United States, the Governor of this state shall not

close or force the closing of any business without documented

scientific evidence that the nature of a particular business

actually contributes to the direct spreading of disease relating to

the pandemic. The Governor shall be required to give notice and

hearing to any business determined to be nonessential or detrimental

to the health and safety of citizens during a pandemic before

issuing an executive order against keeping such business open.