GOVERNORVol. 31 Iss. 8 - December 15, 2014
GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 33 (2014)
Designation of Executive Branch Officers and Employees Required to File Financial Disclosure Statements
Important of the Issue
The State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act reflects the Commonwealth's steadfast commitment to ensure that designated public officers and employees file financial disclosure statements in order to prevent inappropriate conflicts between personal economic interests and the official duties of Virginia's public servants.
In furtherance of the purposes of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, Section 2.2-3100 et seq. of the Code of Virginia (hereinafter, "the Act"), and by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to Sections 2.2-104, 2.2-110, and 2.2-3114 of the Code of Virginia, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters and to reserve powers, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of the Commonwealth the power and duty to implement the Act with respect to Executive Branch agencies, institutions, boards, commissions, councils, and authorities through the following policies and procedures:
1. A comprehensive system for specifying Executive Branch officers and employees who shall file a disclosure form, as follows:
Office of the Governor
• Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and Assistant Secretaries
• Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff
• Counsel and Deputy Counsel
• Legislative Director and Deputy Legislative Director
• Policy Director and Deputy Policy Director
• Scheduler and Deputy Scheduler
• Policy Analysts
• Special Assistants
Executive Branch Agencies
• Agency Heads, Chief Deputies, and Deputies
• Legislative Liaisons and Policy Advisors
• Division/Department/Section Chiefs
• Chief Administrative Officers and Deputies
• Chief Financial Officers and Deputies
• Chief Technology Officers and Deputies
• Human Resource Management Directors
• Procurement Officers and Deputies
• Any persons with approval authority over contracts or audits
Institutions of Higher Education
• Presidents/Vice Presidents/Provosts
• Deans/Department Chairs
• Associate/Assistant Deans
• Any persons designated under Executive Branch Agencies, and those with approval authority over contracts or audits
Executive Branch Authorities
• Authorities established within the Executive Branch
• All persons within this group will file the form set forth in Section 2.2-3118, unless required by law to file the form set forth in Section 2.2-3117
Executive Branch Appointees
• All non-salaried citizen members of Executive Branch advisory boards, commissions, councils, and authorities are hereby designated to file the financial disclosure form included in Section 2.2-3118
• Appointees to boards or commissions who are salaried, such as the Parole Board or ABC Board, shall file the form set forth in Section 2.2-3117
2. Each of the Governor's Secretaries and the head of each agency, institution, board, commission, council and authority within the Executive Branch shall annually submit to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth by April 1st, a report identifying:
(a) Each position, whether classified or non-classified, that involves substantive responsibility for inspection, investigation, licensure, or other regulation of the activities of private firms, organizations, or professions; and
(b) Each position, whether classified or non-classified, that involves substantive responsibility for procurement, audit, investment, or other activities that could be subject to abuse or improper influence as a result of the personal economic interests of the officeholder or employee.
3. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall prepare from the reports submitted, pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this order a comprehensive list of officers and employees, including their position titles, who shall be required to file the statement of economic interests set out in the Act. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, with the assistance and cooperation of the parties listed in Paragraph 2, shall maintain this list, review and revise it annually to reflect the creation and abolition of offices and positions, and inform each officer and employee listed of his or her obligation to file the statement of economic interests in accordance with Section 2.2-3114 of the Code of Virginia.
4. The Governor's Secretaries and the heads of each agency, institution, board, commission, council and authority within the Executive Branch shall assist the Secretary of the Commonwealth in compiling the information required by this Executive Order, ensuring that appropriate additions to and deletions from the list of those designated to file the statement of economic interests are recommended in a timely fashion, and ensuring that designated officers and employees file their statements of economic interests in accordance with Section 2.2-3114 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The head of each agency, institution, board, commission, council and authority within the Executive Branch shall be responsible for obtaining a statement of economic interests from each new officer or employee so long as the officer or employee is hired for a position previously designated. Agency heads shall also be responsible for ensuring that appropriate employees receive the necessary orientation on the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act in accordance with the provisions Section 2.2-3128 of the Code of Virginia.
6. The head of each agency, institution, board, commission, council and authority within the Executive Branch shall communicate to the officers, employees, and members within his or her organization the importance and necessity of maintaining the highest standards of conduct, and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety arising out of personal economic interests and the conduct of the business of the Commonwealth.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order replaces Executive Order Number 16 (2010) issued on June 29, 2010, by Governor Robert F. McDonnell.
This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until June 30, 2018, unless amended or rescinded by further Executive Order.
Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 14th day of November 2014.
/s/ Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 34 (2014)
The Commonwealth Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide
Importance of the Initiative
The foundation for a new Virginia economy rests upon the pillars of a world-class education system, infrastructure, business climate, and workforce. In order to cultivate and sustain economic success, all Virginians, especially children and young adults, must have access to nutritious, affordable, and locally-sourced foods that will enable them to learn, grow, and thrive. We must work to bridge the nutritional divide in Virginia by pursuing these objectives with a cross-Secretariat, public-private approach, relying on the Commonwealth's vast resources and the vibrancy of our large agriculture sector.
Establishment of the Council
Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby establish the Commonwealth Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide ("Council").
Initiative
The Council will seek to achieve three major objectives through partnerships across the Governor's Cabinet, with state agencies, national, regional, and local nonprofits, local governments, schools, and private businesses, and with increased data sharing and research:
1. Eliminate childhood hunger in Virginia by increasing participation in nutrition assistance programs:
• Increase school division and community participation in a) the Community Eligibility Provision, b) the Summer Food Service Program, c) the Child and Adult Care Food Program, d) alternative breakfast models, and e) additional pathways to expand meal access as determined by the Council.
• Increase eligible household participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Promote Virginia's leading industry – agriculture – and increase access to affordable, healthy, and local foods:
• Improve food distribution systems to better serve a diversifying Virginia agricultural economy
• Improve accessibility to farmers' markets
• Increase acceptance of SNAP/Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and WIC/EBT at farmers' markets
• Encourage the development of innovative and sustainable retail models to provide access to healthy foods in areas classified as food deserts
• Increase farm-to-school and other farm-to-institution programs
3. Facilitate efficient and effective local initiatives related to community nutrition, food access, and health strategies and programs across the Commonwealth:
• Support the development of regional agricultural councils, nutrition education programs, and additional community and learning gardens
• Serve as a communications hub for initiatives and convener of partners, and recognize and promote innovative local programs, that align with the council's mission
Composition of the Council
The Chair of the Council will be the First Lady of Virginia and consist of representatives of the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, Veterans and Defense Affairs, state and local agencies, the agriculture and business communities, leaders in education and health, and others with appropriate expertise, as appointed by the Governor.
Staffing
Staff support for the Council will be provided by the Office of the Governor, and any other agencies or offices as may be designated by the Governor. The Council will serve in an advisory role, in accordance with § 2.2-2100 of the Code of Virginia, and will meet upon the call of the Chair at least four times per year.
Accountability
The Council shall develop a three-year plan to achieve its objectives and shall regularly report to the Governor and the Children's Cabinet. The plan shall include quantifiable metrics and associated goals for each objective, and progress toward achieving these goals shall be made available to the public via an online scorecard.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in force and effect until January 12, 2018, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.
Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 20th day of November, 2014.
/s/ Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor
