323.15(4)(4) Powers during an emergency. During a state of emergency declared by the governor, the head of emergency management for each local unit of government, on behalf of his or her respective local unit of government, may contract with any person to provide equipment and services on a cost basis to be used to respond to a disaster, or the imminent threat of a disaster.

323.16323.16 Powers of law enforcement officers. During any state of emergency declared by the governor or during any training program or exercises authorized by the adjutant general, any law enforcement officer, when legally engaged in traffic control, escort duty, or protective service, may carry out the functions anywhere in the state but shall be subject to the direction of the adjutant general through the sheriff of the county in which an assigned function is performed.

323.17323.17 State traffic patrol officers and conservation wardens. If the governor calls out the state traffic patrol or conservation warden service, or members of the patrol or service, under s. 323.12 (2) (c), the state traffic patrol officers or conservation wardens subject to the call shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer for the duration determined by the governor, except that the officers and wardens may not be used in or take part in any dispute or controversy between an employer and employee concerning wages, hours, labor, or working conditions.

323.18323.18 State agency volunteers. A state agency may register or preregister volunteers to assist the agency during a disaster, an imminent threat of a disaster, or a related training exercise.

323.19323.19 State official authority to grant variances to statutes and rules for a disaster.

323.19(1)(1) The secretary of health services may grant a hospital a variance to or a waiver from a requirement for hospitals as provided in s. 50.36 (6m).

323.19(2)(2) The pharmacy examining board may grant a variance to ch. 450 or a rule promulgated under ch. 450 in response to a disaster as provided in s. 450.02 (3m).

323.19(3)(3) Based on guidance provided by the secretary of health services, the head of each state agency and each local health department shall determine which public employee positions within the respective state agency or local government are critical during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, for the purposes of s. 40.26 (5m) and (6) (b).

323.19(4)(a)(a) In this subsection, “state entity” means any state agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature, the courts, and any authority.

323.19(4)(b)(b) During the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, the head or governing body of a state entity may waive a requirement imposed, administered, or enforced by the state entity that an individual appear in person if the head or governing body finds that the waiver assists in the state’s response to the public health emergency or that enforcing the requirement may increase the public health risk.

323.20323.20 Emergency use of vehicles. In responding to an official request for help during any declared state of emergency, any person may operate a boat or any motor vehicle, including a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle, that is not registered in this state.

323.24323.24 Prohibition against restricting firearms or ammunition during emergency. A person who is granted emergency powers under this subchapter may not use those powers to restrict the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during an emergency.

323.25323.25 Personnel restrictions.

323.25(1)(1) No personnel, while performing emergency management functions consistent with a plan adopted under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1., shall participate in any form of political activity or be employed directly or indirectly for any political activity.

323.25(2)(2) No personnel, while performing emergency management functions consistent with a plan adopted under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1., shall be employed to interfere with the orderly process of a labor dispute.

323.25(3)(3) No person may be employed or associated in any capacity in any state or local unit of government emergency management program under s. 323.13 (1) (b) or 323.14 (1) (a) 1. or (b) 1. who advocates a change by force or violence in the constitutional form of government of the United States or this state or who has been convicted of or is under indictment or information charging any subversive act against the United States.

323.26323.26 Electronic communications. The adjutant general shall provide an option for the head of emergency management for each local unit of government to elect to receive all emergency management correspondence via electronic mail, including project worksheets and other administrative documents.