GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWENTY-ONE (2018)

Establishing the Governor's Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction

Importance of the Initiative

The disease of addiction is devastating our communities and taking the lives of too many Virginians. Since 2013, drug overdoses have been the leading cause of accidental death in the Commonwealth. Over 1,500 individuals in Virginia died as a result of drug overdoses just last year. Of those 1,500 fatalities, nearly 80 percent involved prescription opioid painkillers, heroin, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Opioid and heroin abuse continues to pose an immense public health and safety threat to Virginians and remains a public health emergency for the Commonwealth.

In addition to opioids and heroin, data shows that abuse of other potentially deadly drugs, particularly stimulants, is on the rise. In addition to maintaining a focus on opioids, Virginia's leaders must also focus on the biological, psychological, and social factors that foster addiction in an individual so that those factors can be addressed and mitigated. The disease of addiction is not exclusive to any substance and addiction will always find another drug.

Virginia cannot solve these problems through state intervention alone. The knowledge and experiences of providers, peers, local leadership, and other community partners is imperative as we work to reduce the impact of addiction and reduce the number of those who die from it. Under the authority established by Executive Directive Nine (2016), the Governor's Executive Leadership Team on Opioids and Addiction implements strategies, programs, and policies aimed at reducing overdose deaths. It is necessary to look to our partners to strengthen our understanding of the issue and share learned successes. Therefore, I direct relevant secretariats, agencies, health and behavioral health providers and organizations, education professionals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to work together to identify and execute strategies to increase harm reduction opportunities, intensify prevention activities, enhance access to evidence-based treatment, and support individuals in recovery in Virginia.

Key Objectives

This advisory commission shall provide comments to the co-chairs of the Governor's Executive Leadership Team on Opioids and Addiction regarding the development of policies, programs, and other initiatives designed to impact the ongoing drug overdose epidemic in Virginia.

The advisory commission shall meet upon the call of the co-chairs. The co-chairs shall call the advisory commission to meet no less than twice per year. At such meeting, the Executive Leadership Team on Opioids and Addiction shall provide updates and metrics regarding opioid and addiction initiatives. Therefore, supplemental meetings may be held to review specific topics, initiatives, and programs.

Establishment of the Opioid and Addiction Commission

Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia under the laws of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby establish the Governor's Advisory Commission on Opioids and Addiction (Opioid and Addiction Commission).

The Opioid and Addiction Commission will serve in a consultative role, in accordance with § 2.2-2100 of the Code of Virginia, and will be responsible for advising the Governor's Executive Leadership Team on Opioids and Addiction and providing guidance on the following initiatives related to addressing the opioid and addiction public health emergency in the Commonwealth:

a. Building the capacity of Virginia's communities to address the addiction epidemic through community mobilization and coalition development;

b. Limiting availability of prescription opioids for misuse;

c. Establishing pathways to treatment and recovery supports in Virginia;

d. Establishing operational comprehensive harm reduction programs in Virginia; and

e. Developing model protocols for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals being released from correctional settings that local/regional jails and community services boards can use.

Composition of the Opioid and Addiction Commission

The Opioid and Addiction Commission's membership shall be appointed by the Governor. The Secretaries of Health and Human Resources and Public Safety and Homeland Security will co-chair the Opioid and Addiction Commission. Membership for the Opioid and Addiction Commission will be composed of representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, the General Assembly, and the judiciary, as well as community leaders in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, including individuals with lived experiences. The Governor may appoint any other person(s) deemed necessary and proper to carry out the assigned functions.

The Secretariat of Health and Human Resources shall provide a Staff Director to support the Opioid and Addiction Commission. The Secretariats of Public Safety and Homeland Security and Health and Human Resources shall provide other staff support as necessary. An estimated 100 hours of staff time will be required to support the work of the Opioid and Addiction Commission.

Effective Date

This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and, pursuant to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, shall remain in full force and effect for a year from its signing, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 26th day of September, 2018.

/s/ Ralph S. Northam
Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWENTY-TWO (2018)

Establishment of the Governor's Conservation Cabinet:

A United Effort to Protect and Conserve Virginia's Natural Resources

Importance of the Initiative

Conservation of natural resources and protection of the environment are key components of my plan as Governor to ensure that Virginia becomes an even better place to live, work, play, start a business, and raise a family. While many of our conservation responsibilities fall under the Secretary of Natural Resources, state agencies overseen by other secretariats play important roles, as well.

Coordination across state government is critical to ensuring that state sponsored or permitted activities do not harm the environment. Systemic coordination is also imperative to identifying and engaging in conservation-related economic development and community enhancement opportunities. Many service or functional areas, like agriculture and forestry, transportation and local infrastructure, energy use and development, and outdoor recreation and tourism, interact with our land, air, water, and related ecosystems. It is up to us to determine what impacts such interactions will have.

Establishment of the Cabinet

Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chief Executive by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby establish Virginia's Conservation Cabinet ("Conservation Cabinet").

The Conservation Cabinet shall be established within the Office of the Governor, to better protect Virginia's natural resources and to improve environmental quality across the Commonwealth. Through increased coordination of Virginia agencies, departments and programs the Conservation Cabinet will work to ensure a healthy environment and continued economic opportunity for all Virginians.

The Conservation Cabinet shall meet on a quarterly basis to discuss conservation issues related to the responsibilities of multiple secretariats, including but not limited to: clean air, clean water, energy, climate change, land conservation, tourism, and sustainable natural resource use. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall be the chair of the Conservation Cabinet, and, in consultation with other members of the Conservation Cabinet, shall develop and deliver to the Governor, no later than June 30th of 2019, a report describing collaboration across state government on conservation issues. Such report shall be made available digitally to the public.

Composition of the Conservation Cabinet

The members of the Conservation Cabinet shall be appointed by the Governor. The Conservation Cabinet shall be comprised of the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce and Trade, Finance, Natural Resources, and Transportation. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall serve as the Chair of the Cabinet.

The members of the Conservation Cabinet, in addition to discussing topics detailed above, shall share updates on programs, projects and opportunities to protect and improve conservation of Virginia's natural resources, public health, and other relevant topics as they arise.

The Conservation Cabinet shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources on issues of the environment and public health, particularly with respect to environmental justice and the impacts of air pollution, drinking water contamination, and adverse effects of climate change.

The Conservation Cabinet shall consult with the Secretary of Education on issues related to environmental education and on conservation initiatives at public schools, colleges, and universities to teach environmental sciences and to ensure students have meaningful outdoor experiences.

The Conservation Cabinet will consult with experts and stakeholders within the scientific, economic, and other fields as necessary to carry out its mission.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 4th day of October, 2018.

/s/ Ralph S. Northam
Governor