In my understanding, "government" here means the legislation has a role to govern, administer or manage the prompt response of relevant government agencies to the need or requirement of the community. So legislation will regulate that any response of government should take place and do within a reasonable timeframe.
Do I understand right ?:?:
Not so. It is government that frames and passes the legislation to meet the requirements of the community. Legislation has a role in every government but does not control government (except where any particular legislation has been passed specifically for government, as opposed to the community).
'Time's response' refers to the government in power at any particular time, not to legislation. The time frame is dependent upon what is set out in the legislation.
For example: a government needs to introduce new rules for, say, selling online. To do so without causing massive immediate disruption the legislation is set out in an Act of Parliament in which it is stated that the new legislation will come into effect in three months time ( a specific date will be given).
Does this help?