20 V.S.A. § 181

Because of the existing possibility of a catastrophic incident in the United States of unprecedented size and destructiveness, and in order, in the event of a catastrophic incident, to ensure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority, and responsibility in offices of the government of the State and its political subdivisions; to provide for the effective operation of governments during an emergency; and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to be necessary to provide for additional officers who can exercise the powers and discharge the duties of Governor; to provide for emergency interim succession to offices of this State in the event the incumbents of those offices, and their deputies, assistants, or other subordinate officers authorized, pursuant to law, to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of such offices (deputies) are unavailable to perform the duties and functions of such offices; and to provide for special emergency district judges who can exercise the powers and discharge the duties of such judges in the event regular judges are unavailable.