323.52 Temporary locations of government for local units of government.

(1) Designation of temporary locations. Whenever during a state of emergency it becomes imprudent, inexpedient, or impossible to conduct the affairs of local government at the regular or usual place, the governing body of each local unit of government may meet at any place within or without the territorial limits of the local unit of government on the call of the presiding officer or his or her successor, and shall proceed to establish and designate by ordinance, resolution, or other manner, alternate or substitute places as the temporary locations of government where all, or any part, of the public business may be transacted and conducted during the emergency situation. Such alternate or substitute places may be within or without the territorial limits of the local unit of government and may be within or without those of the state. If practicable, they shall be the places designated as the temporary locations of government in the current emergency management plan.

(2) Exercise of governmental authority. While the public business is being conducted at a temporary location, the governing body and other officers of a local unit of government shall possess and exercise all of the executive, legislative, administrative, and judicial powers and functions conferred upon the body and officers under state law. Those powers and functions, except judicial, may be exercised in the light of the exigencies of the emergency situation without regard to or compliance with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law. All acts of the body and officers shall be as valid and binding as if performed within the territorial limits of their local unit of government.

History: 1979 c. 361 ss. 56, 112; Stats. 1979 s. 166.06; 1995 a. 247; 2009 a. 42 ss. 126 to 128; Stats. 2009 s. 323.52.