Chapter 323

323.13(1) (1) Ongoing duties. The adjutant general shall do all of the following:

323.13(1)(a) (a) Serve as the governor’s principal assistant for directing and coordinating emergency management activities.

323.13(1)(b) (b) Subject to approval by the governor, develop and adopt a state plan of emergency management for the security of persons and property. In developing the plan, the adjutant general shall seek the advice of the administrator, shall seek the advice of the department of health services with respect to the emergency medical aspects of the plan, and shall seek the advice of the department of administration with respect to aspects of the plan related to computer or telecommunication systems. The plan shall specify equipment and personnel standards, and shall require the use of the incident command system, and specify the type of incident command system, by all emergency response agencies, including local health departments, during a state of emergency declared under s. 323.10 or 323.11.

323.13(1)(c) (c) Prescribe and carry out statewide training programs and exercises to develop emergency management proficiency, disseminate information, and coordinate emergency management programs. The training programs shall include training in managing emergency operations utilizing the incident command system for local unit of government officials, officers, and employees whose duties include responding to a disaster or the imminent threat of a disaster, including officers and employees of local health departments, and shall include training on how to create an account with and use the federal System for Award Management Internet site to apply for federal emergency management assistance. The adjutant general shall consult with the administrator, with the department of health services regarding the provision of incident command system training to local health department personnel, and with the department of administration regarding the provision of incident command system training for emergencies related to computer or telecommunication systems. To the extent possible, the adjutant general shall utilize federal funding to provide incident command system training.

323.13(1)(d) (d) Furnish guidance and establish standards for emergency management programs for local units of government, and prescribe nomenclature for all levels of emergency management, with the advice of the administrator. The standards shall include a requirement that local unit of government emergency management programs adopted under s. 323.14 (1) (a) 1. and (b) 1. utilize the incident command system during a state of emergency declared under s. 323.10 or 323.11 or in any other multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response. The standards for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services shall include the adoption of the intergovernmental cooperation Mutual Aid Box Alarm System as a mechanism that may be used for deploying personnel and equipment in a multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response. The standards for agencies that manage public works shall include the suggestion that the local unit of government, or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, adopt the mutual assistance agreement created by the division for the intergovernmental collaboration of public works personnel, equipment, and resources in a multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response. The adjutant general shall consult with representatives of public works professional associations and organizations regarding the content of that agreement.

323.13(1)(dm) (dm) If the adjutant general finds that a local unit of government has not developed, adopted, and implemented an emergency management plan as required under s. 323.14 (1), refuse to approve grants of funds or items of equipment awarded under this chapter to the local unit of government until the local unit of government does so. If the local unit of government fails to use the funds or items of equipment granted in accordance with the agreement under which the grant was made, the adjutant general may refuse to make any additional grants to the local unit of government until it has complied with the conditions of the prior grant, and he or she may start recovery proceedings on the funds and items of equipment that have not been used in accordance with the conditions of the grant.

323.13(1)(e) (e) Provide assistance to the Wisconsin wing of the civil air patrol from the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (f) for the purpose of enabling the patrol to perform its assigned missions and duties as prescribed by U.S. air force regulations. Expenses eligible for assistance are aircraft acquisition and maintenance, communications equipment acquisition and maintenance and office staffing and operational expenses. The civil air patrol shall submit vouchers for expenses eligible for assistance to the division.

323.13(1)(f) (f) No later than 90 days after a state of emergency relating to public health is declared and the department of health services is not designated under s. 323.10 as the lead state agency to respond to that emergency and no later than 90 days after the termination of this state of emergency relating to public health, submit to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the governor a report on all of the following:

323.13(1)(f)1. 1. The emergency powers used by the department of military affairs or its agents.

323.13(1)(f)2. 2. The expenses incurred by the department of military affairs and its agents in acting under the state of emergency related to public health.

323.13(2) (2) Ongoing powers. The adjutant general may do all of the following:

323.13(2)(a) (a) Divide the state into emergency management regions composed of whole counties, subject to approval by the governor, and modify the boundaries of those regions as changed conditions warrant.

323.13(2)(b) (b) Appoint a director of emergency management for each region under par. (a) under the classified service on either a part-time or full-time basis, or ask the governor to designate any state officer or employee as acting regional director on a part-time basis.

323.13(2)(c) (c) Designate and post highways as emergency management routes closed to all but authorized vehicles when required for training programs and exercises.

323.13(2)(d) (d) Prescribe traffic routes and control traffic during a state of emergency.

323.13(2)(e) (e) Organize and train state mobile support units to aid any region during a state of emergency. The units may participate in training programs and exercises within or outside the state.

323.13(2)(f) (f) Request the department of health services to inspect or provide for the inspection of shipments of radioactive waste, obtain and analyze data concerning the radiation level of shipments of radioactive waste and issue reports concerning these shipments and radiation levels. The adjutant general may assess and collect and receive contributions for any costs incurred under this paragraph from any person who produced the radioactive waste which is the subject of the activity for which the costs are incurred. In this paragraph, “radioactive waste” has the meaning given in s. 293.25 (1) (b).

323.13(2)(g) (g) Assess and collect and receive contributions for any costs incurred by state agencies to establish and maintain radiological emergency response plans related to nuclear generating facilities.

323.13(2)(h) (h) Make payments for disaster assistance under ss. 323.30 (1) and 323.31.

323.13 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. WEM 7 and 8, Wis. adm. code.

323.13 History History: 2009 a. 42 ss. 80 to 83, 85 to 94, 120, 290 to 293; Stats. 2009 s. 323.13; 2019 a. 159.

323.14 323.14 Local government; duties and powers.

323.14(1) (1) Ongoing duties.

323.14(1)(a) (a)

323.14(1)(a)1. 1. Subject to subd. 3., each county board shall develop and adopt an emergency management plan and program that is compatible with the state plan of emergency management under s. 323.13 (1) (b).

323.14(1)(a)2. 2. Each county board shall designate a head of emergency management. In counties having a county executive under s. 59.17, the county board shall designate the county executive or confirm his or her appointee as county head of emergency management. Notwithstanding sub. (2) (b), an individual may not simultaneously serve as the head of emergency management for 2 or more counties.

323.14(1)(a)3. 3. Each county board shall designate a committee of the board as a county emergency management committee. The chairperson of the county board shall designate the chairperson of the committee. In counties having a county executive under s. 59.17, the committee shall retain policy-making and rule-making powers in the establishment and development of county emergency management plans and programs.

323.14(1)(b) (b)

323.14(1)(b)1. 1. The governing body of each city, village, or town shall develop and adopt an emergency management plan and program that is compatible with the state plan of emergency management adopted under s. 323.13 (1) (b).

323.14(1)(b)2. 2. The governing body of each city, village, or town shall designate a head of emergency management.

323.14(2) (2) Ongoing powers.

323.14(2)(a) (a) The governing body of a local unit of government may appropriate funds and levy taxes for its emergency management program under sub. (1).

323.14(2)(b) (b) Local units of government may cooperate under s. 66.0301 to furnish services, combine offices, and finance emergency management programs.

323.14(2)(c) (c) Local units of government may contract for emergency management services with political subdivisions, agencies, and federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands of this state, and, upon prior approval of the adjutant general, with such entities in bordering states. A copy of each agreement shall be filed with the adjutant general within 10 days after execution of that agreement.

323.14(3) (3) Duties during an emergency.

323.14(3)(a) (a) If the governing body of a local unit of government declares an emergency under s. 323.11 and intends to make use of volunteer health care practitioners, as specified in s. 257.03, the governing body or its agent shall, as soon as possible, notify the department of health services of this intent.

323.14(3)(b) (b) During a state of emergency declared by the governor, a local unit of government situated within the area to which the governor’s executive order applies may employ personnel, facilities, and other resources consistent with the plan adopted under sub. (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1. to cope with the problems that resulted in the governor declaring the emergency. Nothing in this chapter prohibits local units of government from employing their personnel, facilities, and resources consistent with the plan adopted under sub. (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1. to cope with the problems of local disasters except where restrictions are imposed by federal regulations on property donated by the federal government.

323.14(4) (4) Powers during an emergency.

323.14(4)(a) (a) The emergency power of the governing body conferred under s. 323.11 includes the general authority to order, by ordinance or resolution, whatever is necessary and expedient for the health, safety, protection, and welfare of persons and property within the local unit of government in the emergency and includes the power to bar, restrict, or remove all unnecessary traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, from the highways, notwithstanding any provision of chs. 341 to 349.

323.14(4)(b) (b) If, because of the emergency conditions, the governing body of the local unit of government is unable to meet promptly, the chief executive officer or acting chief executive officer of any local unit of government shall exercise by proclamation all of the powers conferred upon the governing body under par. (a) or s. 323.11 that appear necessary and expedient. The proclamation shall be subject to ratification, alteration, modification, or repeal by the governing body as soon as that body can meet, but the subsequent action taken by the governing body shall not affect the prior validity of the proclamation.

323.14 History History: 2009 a. 42 ss. 98 to 102, 111, 112, 234 to 236, 294 to 299; Stats. 2009 s. 323.14; 2021 a. 243.

323.15 323.15 Heads of emergency management; duties and powers.

323.15(1) (1) Ongoing duties.

323.15(1)(a) (a) The head of emergency management for each local unit of government shall implement the plan adopted under s. 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1., whichever is applicable, and perform such other duties related to emergency management as are required by the governing body and the emergency management committee of the governing body when applicable. The emergency management plans shall require the use of the incident command system by all emergency response agencies, including local health departments, during a state of emergency declared under s. 323.10 or 323.11.

323.15(1)(b) (b) The head of emergency management for each county shall coordinate and assist in developing city, village, and town emergency management plans within the county, integrate the plans with the county plan, advise the department of military affairs of all emergency management planning in the county and submit to the adjutant general the reports that he or she requires, direct and coordinate emergency management activities throughout the county during a state of emergency, and direct countywide emergency management training programs and exercises.

323.15(1)(c) (c) The head of emergency management in each city, village and town shall do all of the following:

323.15(1)(c)1. 1. Direct local emergency management training programs and exercises.

323.15(1)(c)2. 2. Direct participation in emergency management programs and exercises that are ordered by the adjutant general or the county head of emergency management.

323.15(1)(c)3. 3. Advise the county head of emergency management on local emergency management programs.

323.15(1)(c)4. 4. Submit to the county head of emergency management any reports he or she requires.

323.15(4) (4) Powers during an emergency. During a state of emergency declared by the governor, the head of emergency management for each local unit of government, on behalf of his or her respective local unit of government, may contract with any person to provide equipment and services on a cost basis to be used to respond to a disaster, or the imminent threat of a disaster.

323.15 History History: 2009 a. 42 ss. 104 to 107, 300, 301; Stats. 2009 s. 323.15.

323.16 323.16 Powers of law enforcement officers. During any state of emergency declared by the governor or during any training program or exercises authorized by the adjutant general, any law enforcement officer, when legally engaged in traffic control, escort duty, or protective service, may carry out the functions anywhere in the state but shall be subject to the direction of the adjutant general through the sheriff of the county in which an assigned function is performed.

323.16 History History: 2009 a. 42 s. 118; Stats. 2009 s. 323.16.

323.17 323.17 State traffic patrol officers and conservation wardens. If the governor calls out the state traffic patrol or conservation warden service, or members of the patrol or service, under s. 323.12 (2) (c), the state traffic patrol officers or conservation wardens subject to the call shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer for the duration determined by the governor, except that the officers and wardens may not be used in or take part in any dispute or controversy between an employer and employee concerning wages, hours, labor, or working conditions.

323.17 History History: 2009 a. 42.

323.18 323.18 State agency volunteers. A state agency may register or preregister volunteers to assist the agency during a disaster, an imminent threat of a disaster, or a related training exercise.

323.18 History History: 2009 a. 42.

323.19 323.19 State official authority to grant variances to statutes and rules for a disaster.

323.19(1) (1) The secretary of health services may grant a hospital a variance to or a waiver from a requirement for hospitals as provided in s. 50.36 (6m).

323.19(2) (2) The pharmacy examining board may grant a variance to ch. 450 or a rule promulgated under ch. 450 in response to a disaster as provided in s. 450.02 (3m).

323.19(3) (3) Based on guidance provided by the secretary of health services, the head of each state agency and each local health department shall determine which public employee positions within the respective state agency or local government are critical during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, for the purposes of s. 40.26 (5m) and (6) (b).

323.19(4) (4) 

323.19(4)(a) (a) In this subsection, “state entity” means any state agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature, the courts, and any authority.

323.19(4)(b) (b) During the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, the head or governing body of a state entity may waive a requirement imposed, administered, or enforced by the state entity that an individual appear in person if the head or governing body finds that the waiver assists in the state’s response to the public health emergency or that enforcing the requirement may increase the public health risk.

323.19 History History: 2009 a. 42; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 236; 2019 a. 185.

323.20 323.20 Emergency use of vehicles. In responding to an official request for help during any declared state of emergency, any person may operate a boat or any motor vehicle, including a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle, that is not registered in this state.

323.20 History History: 2009 a. 42 s. 109; Stats. 2009 s. 323.20; 2011 a. 208.

323.24 323.24 Prohibition against restricting firearms or ammunition during emergency. A person who is granted emergency powers under this subchapter may not use those powers to restrict the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during an emergency.

323.24 History History: 2007 a. 87; 2009 a. 42 s. 237; Stats. 2009 s. 323.24.

323.25 323.25 Personnel restrictions.

323.25(1) (1) No personnel, while performing emergency management functions consistent with a plan adopted under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1., shall participate in any form of political activity or be employed directly or indirectly for any political activity.

323.25(2) (2) No personnel, while performing emergency management functions consistent with a plan adopted under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1., shall be employed to interfere with the orderly process of a labor dispute.

323.25(3) (3) No person may be employed or associated in any capacity in any state or local unit of government emergency management program under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1. who advocates a change by force or violence in the constitutional form of government of the United States or this state or who has been convicted of or is under indictment or information charging any subversive act against the United States.

323.25 History History: 2009 a. 42 ss. 114, 115; Stats. 2009 s. 323.25.

323.26 323.26 Electronic communications. The adjutant general shall provide an option for the head of emergency management for each local unit of government to elect to receive all emergency management correspondence via electronic mail, including project worksheets and other administrative documents.

323.26 History History: 2019 a. 159.

323.265 323.265 Suspension of certain deadlines and training requirements during a public health emergency.

323.265(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

323.265(1)(a) (a) “Agency” means any office, department, agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including any authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 232, 233, 234, 237, 238, or 279, the legislature, or the courts.

323.265(1)(b) (b) “Deadline” means any date certain by which, or any other limitation as to time within which, an action or event is required to occur.

323.265(1)(c) (c) “Emergency period” means the period covered by the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, plus 30 days.

323.265(1)(d) (d) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an agency or corporation of a political subdivision or special purpose district, or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing.

323.265(2) (2) Deadlines.

323.265(2)(a) (a) Each agency or local governmental unit may toll for the duration of an emergency period any deadline falling within that period that the agency or local governmental unit administers or enforces. The agency or local governmental unit may not charge any interest or penalty that would otherwise apply with respect to the tolled deadline.

323.265(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to all of the following:

323.265(2)(b)1. 1. Any deadline with respect to the filing or payment of a tax for which the revenue is deposited or is expected to be deposited in the general fund, a tax or fee for which the revenue is deposited or is expected to be deposited in the transportation fund, or a property tax.

323.265(2)(b)2. 2. The date on which an election, as defined in s. 5.02 (4), is to be held, and any deadline relating to an election.

323.265(3) (3) Training requirements. During an emergency period, each agency or local governmental unit may suspend any training requirement associated with any program the agency or local unit of government administers or enforces.