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JOINT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE STATE OF

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EMERGENCY DUE TO 5.7 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

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2020 THIRD SPECIAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Susan Duckworth

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Senate Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This joint resolution extends the state of emergency due to the 5.7 magnitude
11     earthquake that occurred on March 18, 2020, near Magna, Utah.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     recognizes the Governor's executive order, issued on March 20, 2020, declaring a
15     state of emergency due to the 5.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred on March 18,
16     2020, near Magna, Utah;
17          ▸     finds that an extension of the state of emergency is necessary to protect the health
18     and welfare of the citizens of the state of Utah; and
19          ▸     extends the state of emergency, due to the earthquake, to May 18, 2020.
20     Special Clauses:
21          None
22     

23     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24          WHEREAS, on March 20, 2020, Governor Gary R. Herbert declared a state of
25     emergency due to a magnitude 5.7 earthquake, centered near the Township of Magna, Salt
26     Lake County, that occurred on March 18, 2020;
27          WHEREAS, the earthquake caused significant damage in multiple counties along the
28     Wasatch Front;
29          WHEREAS, there have been over a thousand aftershocks, several of significant

30     magnitude to contribute to further damage;
31          WHEREAS, state agencies, counties, and communities continue to identify and inspect
32     damage caused by the earthquake and aftershocks, and damage assessments for requesting a
33     Presidential Disaster Declaration are ongoing;
34          WHEREAS, many of the communities and voluntary agencies affected by the
35     earthquake are also impacted by, and responding to, the COVID-19 pandemic, placing strains
36     on their resources;
37          WHEREAS, local communities continue to request resources and support from the
38     state of Utah's departments and agencies to assist them in dealing with the emergencies caused
39     by the earthquake, the aftershocks, and the pandemic;
40          WHEREAS, the State Emergency Operations Center continues to operate at Level 1 to
41     coordinate operations and recovery for both emergencies;
42          WHEREAS, Utah Code Subsection 53-2a-206(3) provides that "[a] state of emergency
43     may not continue for longer than 30 days unless extended by joint resolution of the
44     Legislature";
45          WHEREAS, extending the state of emergency will allow the continued facilitation of
46     the use of state level resources, as well as the deployment of federal and interstate resources, if
47     necessary;
48          WHEREAS, extending the declaration of emergency will also permit the state of Utah
49     to request and receive mutual aid assistance from other states through the Emergency
50     Management Assistance Compact, if necessary; and
51          WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that it is necessary to extend the state of emergency
52     due to the earthquake until May 18, 2020, to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect
53     the health and welfare of the citizens of the state of Utah:
54          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the state of Utah that
55     the state of emergency declared by the Governor on March 20, 2020, due to the 5.7 magnitude
56     earthquake that occurred on March 18, 2020, near Magna, Utah, is extended to May 18, 2020.