A bill before state lawmakers would impact the governor’s power to declare a State of Emergency. The governor declared one almost a year ago when the COVID -19 pandemic first hit and it gave him greatere authority. Last summer, lawmakers asked for a special session to discuss $1.25 billion in federal CARES Act funding, but the governor never called the special session. The goal of the new bill is to find a balance between an executive needing to act quickly during a state of emergency, and how long that power can be used. The bill has made it out of the House Judiciary Committee and now goes to the full house for consideration.