Ark. Code Ann. § 21-1-302: Legislative intent

Because of the existing possibility of attack of unprecedented size and destructiveness upon the United States, and in order, in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority, and responsibility in offices of the government of the state and its political subdivisions, to provide for the effective operation of governments during an emergency, and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to be necessary to provide for:

(1) Additional officers who can exercise the powers and discharge the duties of Governor;

(2) Emergency interim succession to governmental offices of this state and its political subdivisions in the event the incumbents thereof and their deputies, assistants, or other subordinate officers authorized, pursuant to law, to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of those offices who are in this subchapter referred to as "deputies" are unavailable to perform the duties and functions of those offices; and

(3) Special emergency judges who can exercise the powers and discharge the duties of judicial offices in the event regular judges are unavailable.