Interesting proposals, Councilor.
1. During a declared state of emergency, the chief executive of Lincoln may allow Lincoln highway routes to:
A) open the shoulders of the road to evacuating vehicles
B) reverse traffic patterns to create contraflow lanes for evacuating vehicles
C) suspend collection of tolls on evacuation routes
This all seems fine with me - although I may swap out "chief executive" with Governor.
2. During any mandatory evacuation in a declared emergency, any registered sex offender who enters a government shelter shall only be required to notify the shelter commander rather than every person in the shelter. The sex offender shall obey the shelter commander’s decisions regarding sleeping assignments, interaction with children, monitoring, and other decisions necessary to protect the safety of all evacuees in the government shelter.
Are "shelter commanders" codified in regional law? I'm not sure how those individuals would be appointed or if they are already assigned in the case of an emergency situation. Otherwise, if this can be done I'm in favor of it.
3. A person who may lawfully possess a firearm and who carries a concealed firearm, on or about his or her person while in the act of evacuating during a mandatory evacuation order issued during a state of emergency declared by the Chief Executive, pursuant to his or her power, or declared by a local authority pursuant to regional law, shall not be guilty of violating any State or local ordinances pertaining to the unlicensed concealed carrying of a weapon or firearm. As used in this subsection, the term “in the act of evacuating” means the immediate and urgent movement of a person away from the evacuation zone within 48 hours after a mandatory evacuation is ordered. The 48 hours may be extended by an order issued by the Governor. This act does not preclude any prosecution for the use of a weapon or firearm during the commission of any criminal offense, other than the unlicensed concealed carry or the transportation of a weapon or firearm through an area that traditionally restricts the presence of such weapons or firearms.
Why should a person be allowed to break the law in the case of an emergency? I would figure it should be the exact opposite, where the punishment would be harsher for concealing a weapon during a situation that already demands the strictest safety precautions possible. I do not believe that individuals evacuating should be allowed to bring concealed firearms, and especially not if it means they will bring a weapon into a government shelter.
4. It shall be unlawful for any Regional, State, or local law enforcement officer or employee to operate or otherwise order the use of a robot for the purpose of delivering an explosive device intended to be detonated near any person, unless specifically authorized by the Chief Executive of Lincoln. In the event that the Chief Executive cannot be reached after a good-faith effort is made by the Sheriff of the locality seeking to use the robot delivered explosive device, the Sheriff may authorize its use, provided that in his good-faith judgment, the circumstances requiring the use of the explosive device are an imminent threat to public safety and that waiting until the Regional Governor can be reached will result in loss of life. For the purposes of this act, an explosive device shall not include flash bangs or gas emitting devices intended solely to disorient a criminal suspect to enable live capture. Any person who violates this act, shall be guilty of 2nd degree murder if the suspect dies, and aggravated assault if the suspect is injured but does not die. This act does not prohibit the use of robots to disarm bombs, including the safe detonation of bombs which cannot be safely disabled without detonation. Any Officer or employee who violates this act shall not have qualified immunity for civil litigation arising from the violation.
I'm not aware of this taking place outside of Dallas several years ago. I suppose if the Council supports this measure I will do so as well, though I would ask Councilor Thr33 explain this provision a bit more.