EXECUTIVE ORDER
24-03

WHEREAS, I have been advised by the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency that the State of Texas is requesting assistance under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to support the State of Texas with border operations; and

WHEREAS, the State of Texas requests assistance from the Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol to support the combined statewide operations along the 1,250 miles of the Texas/Mexico border by supplementing essential resources and capabilities, beginning on March 1, 2024, and continuing; and

WHEREAS, on February 13, 2024, I directed the Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol to initiate efforts to comply with the State of Texas’s request pursuant to the EMAC; and

WHEREAS, the EMAC is designed to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens in the affected participating EMAC states; and

WHEREAS, illegal crossings from Mexico into the United States of America have significant public safety and welfare impacts for the citizens of Missouri and the entire country, including the affected states within the EMAC; and

WHEREAS, protection of the safety and welfare of the citizens in the affected communities requires invoking the provisions of Section 44.415, RSMo, which provides for emergency mutual aid with other states, and Section 41.480, RSMo, which authorizes the Governor to call out the organized militia as he deems necessary to provide emergency relief to a distressed area in the event of an actual or threatened public catastrophe creating conditions of distress or hazard to public health and safety; and

WHEREAS, invoking the provisions of Sections 44.100 and 44.110, RSMo, is required to ensure the safety and welfare of the people of Missouri and to activate the resources necessary to keep Missourians safe.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL PARSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, including Sections 44.100 and 44.110, RSMo, do hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Missouri. This State of Emergency is limited solely to providing resources in support of securing the Texas/Mexico border. I further declare, under Sections 44.415 and 41.480, RSMo, that the State of Missouri will respond to the EMAC request by the State of Texas and provide the resources necessary to assist in securing the Texas/Mexico border. I hereby direct the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency to activate the EMAC plan, and I further authorize the use of the Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol to provide support to the State of Texas.

I further order, pursuant to Sections 41.480 and 41.690, RSMo, the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri, or his designee, to forthwith call and order into active service such portions of the organized militia as he deems necessary to aid the executive officials of Missouri, to protect life and property, and it is further directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of such organized militia so called into active service take such action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities, and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by the Governor of this State.

I further authorize state agencies to provide assistance as needed.

This Order shall remain in effect until June 13, 2024, unless extended in whole or in part.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 20th day of February, 2024.

[Michael L. Parson's signature]
MICHAEL L. PARSON
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
JOHN R. ASHCROFT
SECRETARY OF STATE

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