Oklahoma § 63-685.3 - Definitions

§ 63-685.3. Definitions

As used in this act:

1. "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

duly authorized deputy are absent or unable to exercise the powers

and discharge the duties of the offices;

2. "Emergency interim successor" means a person designated

pursuant to this act, 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 Legislature and the judiciary;

4. “Emergency” means any occasion or instance for which, in the

determination of the President of the United States or the Governor

of the State of Oklahoma, federal or state assistance is needed to

supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives

and protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or

avert threat or catastrophe in any part of the state;

5. "Political subdivision" includes counties, cities, towns,

districts, authorities and other public corporations and entities

whether organized and existing under charter or general law;

6. "Deputy" means a person legally authorized by an officer to

exercise the office or right which the official possesses, for and

in place of the officer; and

7. “Man-made disaster” means a disaster caused by acts of man

including, but not limited to, an act of war, terrorism, chemical

spill or release, and power shortage that require assistance in

addition to the assistance of the local political subdivision.

Added by Laws 1959, p. 212, § 3, emerg. eff. June 5, 1959. Amended

by Laws 1963, c. 270, § 3, emerg. eff. June 13, 1963; Laws 2003, c.

329, § 30, emerg. eff. May 29, 2003.