Kemp has new ‘powers’ as coronavirus cases multiply in Georgia. Here’s what that means.
The Georgia General Assembly has granted Gov. Brian Kemp expansive new powers to address the novel coronavirus pandemic that has sickened 121 residents here as of March 16.
Monday’s special session vote came after Kemp declared a public health emergency Saturday in response to the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state. Kemp’s office said it is the first time in history that a Georgia governor has issued this declaration, and the measure passed unanimously in the state House and Senate, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The emergency powers spelled out in Georgia’s statutes give the governor the ability to, among other measures:
- Suspend laws and regulations
- Take over or force healthcare facilities to provide services
- Commandeer private property
- Direct or force evacuations if deemed necessary
- Take money from the state treasury
Since declaring the emergency, Kemp has used his authority to call as many as 2,000 members of the Georgia National Guard to active service. He’s also said he will suspend regulations to allow health care workers to quickly gain Georgia licenses, the Associated Press reports.
The AJC reports the vote makes Kemp “the most powerful governor in modern Georgia history, at least temporarily.” Kemp has yet to signal what other steps he could soon take to address the new coronavirus.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, state lawmakers were debating over whether to give Kemp the powers past April 13. Senate members proposed allowing Kemp to renew the state of emergency himself. However, House members say their interpretation of state law requires them to vote again, according to multiple reports.
The Georgia Department of Public Health on Monday confirmed 121 cases of COVID-19 in the state — up by 22 from Sunday’s count.
A majority of the confirmed cases are in the Atlanta metro area. Of the confirmed cases, 44% are ages 60 and older, and 44% percent are between the ages of 18 and 59. One person who tested positive for the new coronavirus in Georgia has died since the disease first appeared here.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Kemp has new ‘powers’ as coronavirus cases multiply in Georgia. Here’s what that means.."