§ 2001. Power of Governor
The Governor may make such changes in the organization of the Executive Branch or
in the assignment of functions among its units as he or she considers necessary for
efficient administration. (1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 4, 1970.)
§ 2002. Executive Orders
(a) The Governor may propose by executive order changes in the organization of the Executive
Branch of government that are not consistent with or will supersede existing organization
provided for by law. The executive order shall be submitted to both houses of the
General Assembly.
(b) An executive order issued under this chapter shall be presented to the General Assembly
not later than January 15th of the year in which the General Assembly sits. The executive
order shall become effective unless disapproved by resolution of either House of the
General Assembly within 90 days, or before final adjournment of that annual session,
whichever comes first.
(c) Executive orders that become effective under this chapter shall be printed with the
session laws and published as an appendix to the Vermont Statutes Annotated.
(d)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Governor may revise existing
executive orders to use respectful language consistent with Vermont Statutes Annotated
and the respectful language study produced in accordance with 2012 Acts and Resolves
No. 24, Sec. 1. The authority pertains only to nonsubstantive revisions using respectful
language and does not confer authority to make other changes.
(2) All new executive orders proposed by the Governor shall use, to the fullest extent
possible, respectful language consistent with the Vermont Statutes Annotated and the
respectful language study produced in accordance with 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 24,
Sec. 1, where appropriate. (Added 1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3-5, eff. April 4, 1970; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 7(a).)
§ 2003. Transfer of personnel and appropriations
In effecting any change or modification in the organization of the Executive Branch
by executive order, the following limitations and provisions shall apply:
(1) New agencies, departments, and divisions shall be staffed so far as possible by personnel
from those agencies, departments, or divisions that are integrated in, consolidated
with, or transferred to the new units or whose functions in whole or in part are transferred
to those new units. The Governor is authorized to make such transfers under the terms
of this chapter.
(2) Upon the transfer of personnel or any function of any agency, department, or any division
thereof, the Governor may transfer or reallocate in whole or in part, by executive
order, the appropriations affected thereby to the unit of government to which the
function or personnel were transferred consistent with the purpose for which the appropriations
were made. (1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 6(1), (2), eff. April 4, 1970.)
§ 2004. Terms of Governor’s appointees
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all commissioners of State departments
and all members of State boards and commissions appointed by the Governor, with the
advice and consent of the Senate when this provision so applies, shall serve at the
pleasure of the Governor until the end of the term, if any, for which they were appointed
and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. (1969, No. 244 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 4, 1970; amended 1991, No. 248 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 9, 1992.)
§ 2005. Continuing functions
When any unit of government is transferred by executive order to another unit without
substantial change in its functions it shall be deemed to have continued in force
without any interruption in its functions. (1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 6(4), eff. April 4, 1970.)
§ 2006. Prospective effect
The transfer of any agency, department, or division or any other governmental unit
or its functions shall not affect any act done, liability incurred, or any right accrued
or vested, or affect, abate, or prevent any action or prosecution pending or to be
instituted to enforce any right or penalty or punish any offense nor shall it affect
the validity of any contract to which the State, or any unit of the State, is a party
in interest. (1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 6(5), eff. April 4, 1970.)
§ 2007. Effective dates of transfers
For the purpose of effecting an orderly transfer of the authority, duties, powers,
responsibilities, and functions to any newly created governmental unit or units, the
Governor may by executive order or orders determine the date on which the transfer
shall become effective. Until so ordered any State agency, department, or division
and its functions shall remain operating as constituted prior to the effective date
in the order. (1969, No. 245 (Adj. Sess.), § 6(3), eff. April 4, 1970.)