§ 182. Definitions
Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:
(1) The term “unavailable” means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no
deputy authorized to exercise 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 his or her duly
authorized deputy are unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the
office.
(2) The term “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) The term “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) The term “catastrophic incident” means any natural or manmade incident, including
an incident of terrorism or a pandemic, that results in extraordinary levels of mass
casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure,
environment, economy, or any governmental entity.
(5) The term “political subdivision” includes counties, cities, towns, villages, school
districts, fire districts, authorities, and other public corporations and entities
whether organized and existing under charter or general law. (Added 1959, No. 13, § 3, eff. March 4, 1959; amended 2007, No. 47, § 18.)