This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act."
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7801; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7802. Statement of policy.
Because of the existing possibility of attack upon the United States of unprecedented size and destructiveness, and in order,
in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority and responsibility
in offices of the government of the State and its political subdivisions; to provide for the effective operation of governments
during an emergency; and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to
be necessary to provide for emergency interim succession to governmental offices of this State and its political subdivisions
in the event the incumbents thereof (and their deputies, assistants or other subordinate officers authorized, pursuant to
law, to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of such offices hereinafter referred to as deputies) are unavailable
to perform the duties and functions of such offices.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7802; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7803. Definitions.
Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:
(1) "Attack" means any attack or series of attacks by an enemy of the United States causing, or which may cause, substantial
damage or injury to civilian property or persons in the United States in any manner by sabotage or by the use of bombs, missiles,
shellfire or atomic, radiological, chemical, bateriological or biological means or other weapons or processes.
(2) "Emergency interim successor" means a person designated pursuant to this chapter, in the event the officer is unavailable,
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of an office until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as may
be provided by the Constitution, statutes, charters and ordinances or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
(3) "Office" includes all state and local offices, the powers and duties of which are defined by the Constitution, statutes,
charters and ordinances, except the office of Governor and except those in the General Assembly and the judiciary.
(4) "Political subdivision" includes counties, cities, towns, districts, authorities and other public corporations and entities
whether organized and existing under charter or general law.
(5) "Unavailable" means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers
and discharge the duties of the office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office (including any deputy exercising the powers
and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy) and the lawful incumbent's duly authorized deputy are absent
or unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7803; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7804. Emergency interim successors for state officers.
All state officers, subject to such regulations as the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may issue, shall, upon approval of this chapter, in addition
to any deputy authorized pursuant to law to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the office, designate by
title emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review and revise as necessary
designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate a sufficient number
of such emergency interim successors so that there will be not less than 3 nor more than 7 such deputies or emergency interim
successors or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any state officer is unavailable following an attack,
and in the event the officer's deputy, if any, is also unavailable, the said powers of the officer's office shall be exercised
and said duties of the officer's office shall be discharged by the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the
order specified. Such emergency interim successors shall exercise said powers and discharge said duties only until such time
as the Governor under the Constitution or authority other than this chapter (or other official authorized under the Constitution
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may, where a vacancy exists, appoint a successor
to fill the vacancy or until a successor is otherwise appointed, or elected and qualified as provided by law, or an officer
(or the officer's deputy or a preceding named emergency interim successor) becomes available to exercise or resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7804; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7805. Enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices.
With respect to local offices for which the legislative bodies of cities, towns and counties may enact resolutions or ordinances
relative to the manner in which vacancies will be filled or temporary appointments to office made, such legislative bodies
are hereby authorized to enact resolutions or ordinances providing for emergency interim successors to offices of the aforementioned
governmental units. Such resolutions and ordinances shall not be inconsistent with this chapter.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7805; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7806. Emergency interim successors for local officers.
This section shall be applicable to officers of political subdivisions (including, but not limited to, cities, towns and counties,
as well as school and drainage districts) not included in § 7805 of this title. Such officers, subject to such regulations
as the executive head of the political subdivision may issue, shall upon the enactment of this chapter, designate by title
(if feasible) or by named person, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review
and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate
a sufficient number of persons so that there will be not less than 3, nor more than 7, deputies or emergency interim successors
or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any officer of any political subdivision (or the officer's deputy
provided for pursuant to law) is unavailable, the powers of the office shall be exercised and duties shall be discharged by
the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the order specified. The emergency interim successor shall exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which designated until such time as a vacancy which may exist shall be
filled in accordance with the Constitution or statutes, or until the officer (or the officer's deputy or a preceding emergency
interim successor) again becomes available to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7806; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7807. Formalities of taking office.
At the time of their designation, emergency interim successors shall take such oath as may be required for them to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which they may succeed. Notwithstanding any other law, no person, as
a prerequisite to the exercise of the powers or discharge of the duties of an office to which such person succeeds, shall
be required to comply with any other law relative to taking office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7807; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7808. Period in which authority may be exercised.
Officials authorized to act as emergency interim successors are empowered to exercise the powers and discharge the duties
of an office as herein authorized only after an attack upon the United States, as defined herein, has occurred. The General
Assembly by concurrent resolution, may at any time terminate the authority of said emergency interim successors to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of office as herein provided.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7808; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7809. Removal of designees.
Until such time as the persons designated as emergency interim successors are authorized to exercise the powers and discharge
the duties of an office in accordance with this chapter, including § 7808 of this title, said persons shall serve in their
designated capacities at the pleasure of the designating authority and may be removed or replaced by said designating authority
at any time, with or without cause.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7809; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7810. Disputes.
Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under this chapter with respect to an office in the executive branch of
the state government shall be adjudicated by the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) and the decision shall be final.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7810; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act."
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7801; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7802. Statement of policy.
Because of the existing possibility of attack upon the United States of unprecedented size and destructiveness, and in order,
in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority and responsibility
in offices of the government of the State and its political subdivisions; to provide for the effective operation of governments
during an emergency; and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to
be necessary to provide for emergency interim succession to governmental offices of this State and its political subdivisions
in the event the incumbents thereof (and their deputies, assistants or other subordinate officers authorized, pursuant to
law, to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of such offices hereinafter referred to as deputies) are unavailable
to perform the duties and functions of such offices.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7802; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7803. Definitions.
Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:
(1) "Attack" means any attack or series of attacks by an enemy of the United States causing, or which may cause, substantial
damage or injury to civilian property or persons in the United States in any manner by sabotage or by the use of bombs, missiles,
shellfire or atomic, radiological, chemical, bateriological or biological means or other weapons or processes.
(2) "Emergency interim successor" means a person designated pursuant to this chapter, in the event the officer is unavailable,
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of an office until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as may
be provided by the Constitution, statutes, charters and ordinances or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
(3) "Office" includes all state and local offices, the powers and duties of which are defined by the Constitution, statutes,
charters and ordinances, except the office of Governor and except those in the General Assembly and the judiciary.
(4) "Political subdivision" includes counties, cities, towns, districts, authorities and other public corporations and entities
whether organized and existing under charter or general law.
(5) "Unavailable" means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers
and discharge the duties of the office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office (including any deputy exercising the powers
and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy) and the lawful incumbent's duly authorized deputy are absent
or unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7803; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7804. Emergency interim successors for state officers.
All state officers, subject to such regulations as the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may issue, shall, upon approval of this chapter, in addition
to any deputy authorized pursuant to law to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the office, designate by
title emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review and revise as necessary
designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate a sufficient number
of such emergency interim successors so that there will be not less than 3 nor more than 7 such deputies or emergency interim
successors or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any state officer is unavailable following an attack,
and in the event the officer's deputy, if any, is also unavailable, the said powers of the officer's office shall be exercised
and said duties of the officer's office shall be discharged by the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the
order specified. Such emergency interim successors shall exercise said powers and discharge said duties only until such time
as the Governor under the Constitution or authority other than this chapter (or other official authorized under the Constitution
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may, where a vacancy exists, appoint a successor
to fill the vacancy or until a successor is otherwise appointed, or elected and qualified as provided by law, or an officer
(or the officer's deputy or a preceding named emergency interim successor) becomes available to exercise or resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7804; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7805. Enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices.
With respect to local offices for which the legislative bodies of cities, towns and counties may enact resolutions or ordinances
relative to the manner in which vacancies will be filled or temporary appointments to office made, such legislative bodies
are hereby authorized to enact resolutions or ordinances providing for emergency interim successors to offices of the aforementioned
governmental units. Such resolutions and ordinances shall not be inconsistent with this chapter.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7805; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7806. Emergency interim successors for local officers.
This section shall be applicable to officers of political subdivisions (including, but not limited to, cities, towns and counties,
as well as school and drainage districts) not included in § 7805 of this title. Such officers, subject to such regulations
as the executive head of the political subdivision may issue, shall upon the enactment of this chapter, designate by title
(if feasible) or by named person, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review
and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate
a sufficient number of persons so that there will be not less than 3, nor more than 7, deputies or emergency interim successors
or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any officer of any political subdivision (or the officer's deputy
provided for pursuant to law) is unavailable, the powers of the office shall be exercised and duties shall be discharged by
the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the order specified. The emergency interim successor shall exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which designated until such time as a vacancy which may exist shall be
filled in accordance with the Constitution or statutes, or until the officer (or the officer's deputy or a preceding emergency
interim successor) again becomes available to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7806; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7807. Formalities of taking office.
At the time of their designation, emergency interim successors shall take such oath as may be required for them to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which they may succeed. Notwithstanding any other law, no person, as
a prerequisite to the exercise of the powers or discharge of the duties of an office to which such person succeeds, shall
be required to comply with any other law relative to taking office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7807; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7808. Period in which authority may be exercised.
Officials authorized to act as emergency interim successors are empowered to exercise the powers and discharge the duties
of an office as herein authorized only after an attack upon the United States, as defined herein, has occurred. The General
Assembly by concurrent resolution, may at any time terminate the authority of said emergency interim successors to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of office as herein provided.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7808; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7809. Removal of designees.
Until such time as the persons designated as emergency interim successors are authorized to exercise the powers and discharge
the duties of an office in accordance with this chapter, including § 7808 of this title, said persons shall serve in their
designated capacities at the pleasure of the designating authority and may be removed or replaced by said designating authority
at any time, with or without cause.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7809; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7810. Disputes.
Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under this chapter with respect to an office in the executive branch of
the state government shall be adjudicated by the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) and the decision shall be final.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7810; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act."
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7801; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7802. Statement of policy.
Because of the existing possibility of attack upon the United States of unprecedented size and destructiveness, and in order,
in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority and responsibility
in offices of the government of the State and its political subdivisions; to provide for the effective operation of governments
during an emergency; and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to
be necessary to provide for emergency interim succession to governmental offices of this State and its political subdivisions
in the event the incumbents thereof (and their deputies, assistants or other subordinate officers authorized, pursuant to
law, to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of such offices hereinafter referred to as deputies) are unavailable
to perform the duties and functions of such offices.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7802; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7803. Definitions.
Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:
(1) "Attack" means any attack or series of attacks by an enemy of the United States causing, or which may cause, substantial
damage or injury to civilian property or persons in the United States in any manner by sabotage or by the use of bombs, missiles,
shellfire or atomic, radiological, chemical, bateriological or biological means or other weapons or processes.
(2) "Emergency interim successor" means a person designated pursuant to this chapter, in the event the officer is unavailable,
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of an office until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as may
be provided by the Constitution, statutes, charters and ordinances or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
(3) "Office" includes all state and local offices, the powers and duties of which are defined by the Constitution, statutes,
charters and ordinances, except the office of Governor and except those in the General Assembly and the judiciary.
(4) "Political subdivision" includes counties, cities, towns, districts, authorities and other public corporations and entities
whether organized and existing under charter or general law.
(5) "Unavailable" means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers
and discharge the duties of the office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office (including any deputy exercising the powers
and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy) and the lawful incumbent's duly authorized deputy are absent
or unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7803; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7804. Emergency interim successors for state officers.
All state officers, subject to such regulations as the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may issue, shall, upon approval of this chapter, in addition
to any deputy authorized pursuant to law to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the office, designate by
title emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review and revise as necessary
designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate a sufficient number
of such emergency interim successors so that there will be not less than 3 nor more than 7 such deputies or emergency interim
successors or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any state officer is unavailable following an attack,
and in the event the officer's deputy, if any, is also unavailable, the said powers of the officer's office shall be exercised
and said duties of the officer's office shall be discharged by the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the
order specified. Such emergency interim successors shall exercise said powers and discharge said duties only until such time
as the Governor under the Constitution or authority other than this chapter (or other official authorized under the Constitution
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) may, where a vacancy exists, appoint a successor
to fill the vacancy or until a successor is otherwise appointed, or elected and qualified as provided by law, or an officer
(or the officer's deputy or a preceding named emergency interim successor) becomes available to exercise or resume the exercise
of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7804; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7805. Enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices.
With respect to local offices for which the legislative bodies of cities, towns and counties may enact resolutions or ordinances
relative to the manner in which vacancies will be filled or temporary appointments to office made, such legislative bodies
are hereby authorized to enact resolutions or ordinances providing for emergency interim successors to offices of the aforementioned
governmental units. Such resolutions and ordinances shall not be inconsistent with this chapter.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7805; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7806. Emergency interim successors for local officers.
This section shall be applicable to officers of political subdivisions (including, but not limited to, cities, towns and counties,
as well as school and drainage districts) not included in § 7805 of this title. Such officers, subject to such regulations
as the executive head of the political subdivision may issue, shall upon the enactment of this chapter, designate by title
(if feasible) or by named person, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The officer shall review
and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this chapter to insure their current status. The officer will designate
a sufficient number of persons so that there will be not less than 3, nor more than 7, deputies or emergency interim successors
or any combination thereof, at any time. In the event that any officer of any political subdivision (or the officer's deputy
provided for pursuant to law) is unavailable, the powers of the office shall be exercised and duties shall be discharged by
the officer's designated emergency interim successors in the order specified. The emergency interim successor shall exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which designated until such time as a vacancy which may exist shall be
filled in accordance with the Constitution or statutes, or until the officer (or the officer's deputy or a preceding emergency
interim successor) again becomes available to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7806; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7807. Formalities of taking office.
At the time of their designation, emergency interim successors shall take such oath as may be required for them to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which they may succeed. Notwithstanding any other law, no person, as
a prerequisite to the exercise of the powers or discharge of the duties of an office to which such person succeeds, shall
be required to comply with any other law relative to taking office.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7807; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 7808. Period in which authority may be exercised.
Officials authorized to act as emergency interim successors are empowered to exercise the powers and discharge the duties
of an office as herein authorized only after an attack upon the United States, as defined herein, has occurred. The General
Assembly by concurrent resolution, may at any time terminate the authority of said emergency interim successors to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of office as herein provided.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7808; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7809. Removal of designees.
Until such time as the persons designated as emergency interim successors are authorized to exercise the powers and discharge
the duties of an office in accordance with this chapter, including § 7808 of this title, said persons shall serve in their
designated capacities at the pleasure of the designating authority and may be removed or replaced by said designating authority
at any time, with or without cause.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7809; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108.;
§ 7810. Disputes.
Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under this chapter with respect to an office in the executive branch of
the state government shall be adjudicated by the Governor (or other official authorized under the Constitution to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of the office of Governor) and the decision shall be final.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 7810; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
