2.2-200 - Appointment of Governor's Secretaries; general powers; severance.
§ 2.2-200. Appointment of Governor's Secretaries; general powers; severance.
A. The Governor's Secretaries shall be appointed by the Governor, subject toconfirmation by the General Assembly if in session when the appointment ismade, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. EachSecretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a termcoincident with that of the Governor making the appointment or until asuccessor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge ofduties, each Secretary shall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties ofthe office.
B. Each Secretary shall be subject to direction and supervision by theGovernor. Except as provided in Article 5 (§ 2.2-208 et seq.) of thischapter, the agencies assigned to each Secretary shall:
1. Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with the generalpolicy established by the Governor or by the Secretary acting on behalf ofthe Governor;
2. Provide such assistance to the Governor or the Secretary as may berequired; and
3. Forward all reports to the Governor through the Secretary.
C. Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself and except asprovided in Article 5 (§ 2.2-208 et seq.) of this chapter, each Secretary may:
1. Resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policyconflicts between agencies or officials assigned;
2. Direct the formulation of a comprehensive program budget for thefunctional area identified in § 2.2-1508 encompassing the services ofagencies assigned for consideration by the Governor;
3. Hold agency heads accountable for their administrative, fiscal and programactions in the conduct of the respective powers and duties of the agencies;
4. Direct the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans that arenecessary to the effective and efficient operation of government;
5. Sign documents on behalf of the Governor that originate with agenciesassigned to the Secretary; and
6. Employ such personnel and to contract for such consulting services as maybe required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the Secretary bylaw or executive order.
D. Severance benefits provided to any departing Secretary shall be publiclyannounced by the Governor prior to such departure.
E. As used in this chapter, "Governor's Secretaries" means the Secretary ofAdministration, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, the Secretary ofCommerce and Trade, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, theSecretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Natural Resources,the Secretary of Public Safety, the Secretary of Technology, and theSecretary of Transportation.
(1972, c. 641, § 2.1-51.7; 1975, c. 390; 1976, cc. 729, 730, 732, 733, 734,743, §§ 2.1-51.8:1, 2.1-51.13, 2.1-51.14, 2.1-51.16, 2.1-51.17, 2.1-51.26;1984, c. 720, § 2.1-51.33; 1986, c. 492, § 2.1-51.39; 1998, c. 646; 1990, cc.1, 317, §§ 2.1-51.41, 2.1-51.42; 1993, c. 699; 1996, cc. 500, 617; 1998, c.793; 1999, cc. 412, 421, 433, §§ 2.1-51.44, 2.1-51.45; 2000, c. 937; 2001, c.844; 2004, cc. 940, 963; 2006, c. 254.)