Governor (Exec. Order), Vol. 42 Iss. 13 Feb 09, 2026

GOVERNOR
Vol. 42 Iss. 13 - February 09, 2026

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER ONE (2026)

DIRECTING THE GOVERNOR'S SECRETARIES AND AGENCIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH TO DETERMINE COST-SAVINGS FOR VIRGINIANS

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, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby establish the procedure the Governor's Secretaries and executive branch agencies shall follow to prepare recommendations on reducing costs for Virginians.

Importance of the Initiative

Virginians—whether working parents, young people entering the workforce, or people close to retirement—are working longer hours but struggling to keep up with high prices. The ever-increasing cost of housing, healthcare, energy, childcare, groceries, and prescription drugs, among many other costs, is making it harder for Virginians to make ends meet. Affordability is critical to attracting and retaining the best workers, companies, and business leaders. Making Virginia more affordable requires immediate scrutiny by all Secretaries and executive branch agencies of all governmental actions that affect the cost of living in Virginia.

Directive

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and the laws of the Commonwealth, I hereby direct the following actions.

1. The Governor's Secretaries shall prepare a report to be delivered to the Office of the Governor within 90 days that identifies the Secretary's recommendations for changes that may be readily implemented across their Departments and agencies that will reduce costs for Virginians. As part of preparing their report, each Secretary shall:

a. holistically review the activities of their respective Secretariats to identify any actions, policies, or other changes that may readily reduce costs for Virginians, including evaluating the impact of all actions enumerated in the Code of Virginia for the relevant Secretariat (§ 2.2-200 through § 2.2-233.1); reports, guidance, recommendations, or other documentation published by commissions, strike forces, working groups, task forces, or other similar advisors over the past four years; and the impact and cost of cross-agency collaboration efforts.

b. identify any pending legislative proposals that if enacted would readily reduce costs for Virginians.

2. All executive branch agencies shall prepare a report to be delivered to the Office of the Governor within 90 days that identifies the agency's recommendations for changes that it may readily implement that will reduce costs for Virginians. As part of preparing its report, each executive branch agency shall:

a. review all regulations, guidance, policies, procedures, and any other formal or informal agency action that has been taken by the agency and identify any such action that, if modified, would readily reduce costs for Virginians without hindering access to or delivery of services; and

b. identify new regulations, guidance, policies, procedures, and any other formal or informal agency action that could be taken by the agency to readily reduce costs for Virginians.

3. All reports shall address and specifically enumerate cost reductions for the following areas, where relevant to the agency: (1) housing; (2) healthcare; (3) energy; (4) education; (5) childcare; and (6) living expenses (e.g., groceries). Reports shall not be limited to these enumerated areas where other costs to Virginians may be reduced.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWO (2026)

LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE FOR VIRGINIANS AND MAXIMIZING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH AND ITS CONSTITUENTS MONEY

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby direct the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (the "Secretary") and all executive branch agencies within the Department of Health and Human Resources, in coordination with other parts of the executive branch, to form the Interagency Health Financing Task Force and take action to ensure health care affordability for all Virginians.

Importance of the Initiative

The Commonwealth's health and human resources system is funded through a complex web of federal, state, and non-state dollars that have developed over time and are often managed in silos. This limits the Commonwealth's ability to maximize federal matching funds and creates inefficiencies and duplicative spending. At the same time, health care costs continue to rise due to higher member acuity following Medicaid redeterminations and increasing pharmacy and behavioral health expenditures, placing growing pressure on the General Fund.

The Interagency Health Financing Task Force addresses this challenge and ensures taxpayer resources are used efficiently by creating a coordinated, cross-agency financing strategy to fully leverage available federal dollars, align funding streams, and ensure existing resources are used as efficiently as possible without reducing eligibility or access to care. This approach allows Virginia to stabilize the system now and reinvest savings into critical priorities such as behavioral health, workforce capacity, and data modernization, strengthening Virginia's health care infrastructure for the long term.

Directive

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and the laws of the Commonwealth, I hereby direct the Secretary and all executive branch agencies within the Department of Health and Human Resources to take the following actions.

The Interagency Health Financing Task Force

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Finance, the Director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, the State Health Commissioner, the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Sciences, and the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, shall establish the cross-agency Interagency Health Financing Task Force. The Task Force shall create a financing strategy applicable to all executive branch agencies within the Department of Health and Human Resources that maximizes opportunities to leverage federal funds and eliminates duplicative spending to strengthen Virginia's long-term health care infrastructure programs, including behavioral health, workforce development, and data modernization. The strategy should include:

Identifying initiatives and services most at risk for losing funds, especially as a result of implementation of federal policies such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act;
Directing a comprehensive inventory of all federal and state health-related funding streams and programs to identify inefficiencies, overlapping programs, and opportunities to use non-state funds;
Conducting a comprehensive and transparent review of financing processes to ensure that federal appropriations are maximized and effectively distributed, and that state general funds are efficiently and effectively used in the future;
Directing a review of Managed Care Organization (MCO) performance and oversight, with a focus on outcomes and efficiency of spending; and
Identifying areas of current under-investment and potential consequences for loss of funds for foundational and high-priority initiatives.

The Task Force shall prepare an executive summary of their findings and recommendations to be delivered to the Office of the Governor by May 1, 2026.

In addition to creating the financing strategy, the Task Force shall coordinate with the Secretary of Administration and Chief Transformation Officer to review systems and processes used across covered agencies to (a) avoid duplication or inconsistency in systems, including technology and platforms; licensing processes; procurement processes; grant management; and other similar systems and processes, (b) improve the citizen experience when interacting with covered agencies, and (c) identify efficiency gains available through consistent use or adoption of existing systems and processes. An initial review of health care systems and technology platforms and suggestions for updates shall be delivered by the Chief Transformation Officer to the Office of the Governor by May 1, 2026.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER THREE (2026)

LOWERING THE COST OF HOUSING BY INCREASING SUPPLY

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, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby announce a comprehensive process for addressing housing affordability for all Virginians, including establishing the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production and directing the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, and the Secretary of Transportation to establish and lead a comprehensive process to address expedited housing production in Virginia.

Importance of the Initiative

Across Virginia, housing costs are rising faster than incomes and supply is not keeping pace with demand. Virginia faces a deficit of nearly 300,000 affordable rental homes, and thousands of supported rental homes are at risk of losing their affordability covenants in the next 5 years. At the same time, Virginia's median home price is now over $400,000, putting homeownership out of reach for many working families. Slow permitting, outdated zoning, labor shortages, and paper-based processes are driving up costs and delaying housing across the Commonwealth. As a result, a shortage of available and affordable homes creates cutthroat competition and drives up prices. This Administration will work to support, encourage, coordinate, and innovate using the fullest powers of state government in partnership with local governments and the nonprofit and private sectors to create practical solutions that meet the housing needs of Virginians.

Directive

State Regulatory Review

I hereby designate the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, and the Secretary of Transportation as the Co-Lead Secretaries responsible for implementation oversight and interagency coordination with the Covered Agencies that are required by this executive order to address regulatory barriers to housing production. The Covered Agencies shall include the Department of Housing and Community Development ("DHCD"), Department of Environmental Quality ("DEQ"), Department of Transportation ("VDOT"), Department of Wildlife Resources ("DWR"), Department of Conservation and Recreation ("DCR"), and Department of Historic Resources ("DHR").

The Co-Lead Secretaries shall promptly coordinate and direct each Covered Agency to conduct a comprehensive review of agency regulations, guidance documents, policies, procedures, and administrative practices affecting residential land development and housing construction in order to:

Identify and eliminate unnecessary, duplicative, or outdated requirements;
Improve the efficiency, predictability, and transparency of permitting processes;
Streamline coordination between agencies and between state and local authorities; and
Remove regulatory barriers that impede labor recruitment, materials sourcing, and workforce retention.

Each Covered Agency shall submit a written report addressing the agency's comprehensive review to the Co-Lead Secretaries and the Office of the Governor within 90 days of the Executive Order's effective date. Each Covered Agency's written report must:

Identify duplicative, obsolete, or outdated rules, regulations, and other administrative requirements that should be amended or repealed. For each identified item, the Covered Agency shall provide:
- a clear legal, operational, or policy rationale for removal or modification;
- the current impact on housing production timelines or development costs; and
- whether implementation requires statutory change, regulatory amendment, or other administrative action.
Identify outdated or conflicting agency guidance documents and implementation memoranda. For each identified item, the Covered Agency shall propose updated or consolidated versions that align with statutory requirements and ensure consistent interpretation and application.
Identify rules, regulations, program activities, or administrative practices that should be amended to streamline permit review and approval processes. For each recommendation, the Covered Agency shall provide:
- the current process and timeline;
- the proposed amendment;
- estimated time savings; and
- whether implementation requires statutory change, regulatory amendment, or other administrative action.
Provide recommendations to improve coordination and predictability, including:
- Consolidating or streamlining multi-agency permitting processes, including identification of overlapping or sequential review requirements;
- Improving coordination between state and local permitting authorities, including proposed mechanisms for alignment on standards and timelines;
- Establishing predictable and enforceable permitting timelines, including identifying any statutory or regulatory barriers to implementation; and
- Expanding the use of standardized review checklists, objective approval criteria, and pre-approved plans or designs.

Based on their review of the Covered Agencies' reports, the Co-Lead Secretaries shall jointly submit a final comprehensive written report to the Office of the Governor with the Secretaries' recommendations to address regulatory and other barriers related to housing production within 120 days of the Executive Order's effective date.

Establish the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production

I hereby establish the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production to advise on how state laws, regulations, and administrative practices could be revised to increase the production of housing in the Commonwealth. The Commission shall be chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade and consist of representatives from DHCD, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Resources Authority, Virginia Department of Taxation, DEQ, DWR, DCR, DHR, the Department of General Services, VDOT, and other representatives selected at the chair's discretion to ensure inclusion of local government and industry.

The Commission shall review and evaluate the reports submitted by the Covered Agencies to the Office of the Governor pursuant to this Executive Order. The Commission shall meet on an ongoing basis and provide updates to the Office of the Governor every six months on housing production, an evaluation of barriers to production, and suggestions for legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes to remove those barriers and facilitate housing production.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER FOUR (2026)

COMMITTING TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMONWEALTH'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS

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, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby announce a comprehensive approach to academic excellence in the Commonwealth and affirm the rights of parents, students, and teachers to a high-quality public education in a safe and welcoming environment conducive to learning.

Importance of the Initiative

Every child, along with their parents and guardians, deserves the assurance that their education will meet rigorous standards and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful future. As such, the Virginia Constitution directs the Commonwealth to seek to ensure its public schools deliver a high-quality education. Yet, despite progress, Virginia still has meaningful work to do.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our educators, principals, and school system leaders, Virginia has made significant gains in literacy since the General Assembly passed the landmark Virginia Literacy Act in 2022. However, far too many students still struggle to read at grade level. In the 2024-2025 school year, less than three-quarters of Virginia students met state benchmarks on the Standards of Learning (SOL) reading assessment. Rates are even lower for students who are low-income, Black, Hispanic, or have disabilities.

The challenges facing our Commonwealth's students extend beyond reading. According to the Education Recovery Scorecard, Virginia is ranked last in the nation in supporting students' math recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. One-third of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds could not meet grade-level benchmarks in math, and more than half of English learners and students with disabilities struggled to meet benchmark expectations.

Virginia students are as capable as any students in the nation. These numbers show the need to improve outcomes, better support our 87,000 educators, and continually measure progress along the way. Without immediate, focused action, these setbacks in learning will only compound, leaving students without the foundational skills necessary for post-secondary education, career, and civic life. To ensure every child is able to meet their full potential, the Commonwealth must maintain an accountability and support system that directs additional resources to schools with the greatest need. In the first year of implementation of the School Performance and Support Framework ("SPSF"), more than 350 schools were identified to receive additional support and resources because one or more individual groups of students, like students from low-income backgrounds or students with disabilities, were falling behind. Eighty Virginia schools were identified as needing comprehensive support.

These schools and educators proudly serve Virginia's most vulnerable students and communities. They require practical, effective resources and tools to ensure all their students have access to high-quality instruction every day. These schools should be the priority for supportive services that address the unique and diverse challenges their students face. The SPSF must provide useful tools, resources, and funding – and the impact must be measurable. Educators should be provided with high-quality instructional materials, receive targeted professional development and coaching from qualified individuals, and be supported by effective instructional leaders like principals or specialists at every level.

By investing in these schools and empowering educators with the practical and useful tools and guidance they need, we can support every student to read and do math on grade level, build their confidence, deepen their engagement in school, and ensure that they all – regardless of zip code and circumstance – have the opportunity to succeed.

Directive

Commonwealth Listening Tour

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall host a statewide listening tour within the first 100 days of this order to hear directly from students, parents, educators, school leaders, superintendents, school board members, and community members about the challenges and successes facing their schools. The Secretary and the Superintendent are directed to summarize the findings of these listening sessions and report back to the Office of the Governor.

Committing to Academic Excellence

Literacy

Since the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act, teachers, principals, system leaders, and partners have worked tirelessly to implement its directives and have made notable gains in literacy. To sustain and build upon these gains, the Superintendent of Public Instruction must promptly address operational challenges and deepen stakeholder engagement. To this end, the Superintendent shall convene a state advisory workgroup consisting of, at minimum, local school divisions, special education experts, English language learner experts, higher education, education associations, K-8 teachers, and literacy researchers to strengthen implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act. The workgroup shall:

Recommend improvements to the student reading plan process and implementation, especially in the middle grades;
Provide input to the Department of Education as they update student reading plan guidance and templates to align specific Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System skill deficits with evidence-based interventions;
Advise the Department of Education on ways to continue to strengthen VAConnects to ensure that the technology meets the needs of the field and that data are being used to improve student outcomes; and
Help the Department of Education elevate the importance of early literacy in partnership with associations, divisions, parents, and others.

Math

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide an update to the Office of the Governor on the Department of Education's mathematics work in response to directives in the 2025 state budget, including staffing and grant awards, within 30 days of the effective date of this Executive Order. This update shall also include information from all the Mathematics Advisory Task Force's 2025 and 2026 meetings and the current plan to develop a task force report. The Department of Education is further directed to expedite the implementation of credentialing changes to increase the number of educators qualified to teach advanced mathematics in middle school, as authorized in 2025 legislation.

School Accountability

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall present the results of an after-action report to the Office of the Governor and the Board of Education on lessons learned from year 1 of implementation of the SPSF and an action plan to consider and incorporate recommendations from the JLARC December 2025 report. This update must also address how the Superintendent will consistently and effectively implement a state program to support the improvement of schools in need of support, including clear and transparent implementation metrics. This update must be provided before submitting any accountability changes to the federal government.

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall consult, at minimum, accountability and technical experts, Virginia parents, division and school leaders, educators, representatives of students (including disability and civil rights groups), community organizations, and state and local officials.

Assessment

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall convene the innovative assessment workgroup within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order and shall continue to convene the workgroup on a quarterly basis. The innovative assessment workgroup shall serve as an advisory board to the Department of Education as the Department finalizes the legislatively mandated report on a new assessment system, in collaboration with WestEd, and to the Office of the Governor with respect to budgeting priorities for a new assessment contract.

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall evaluate the existing membership of the innovative assessment workgroup and appoint new members as needed to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and representation.

Affirming Student, Parent, and Teacher Protections and Rights in Virginia's Public Education System

The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction are directed to support local school divisions in affirming student, parent, and teacher protections and rights in Virginia's public education system by providing the following:

Excellent educational experiences to open up opportunities and enable every child and every student to fulfill their potential and achieve a successful future;
Recognition and elevation of educators, principals, and school leaders;
High-quality instruction and wraparound services centered on meeting all students' needs, regardless of their background or circumstances;
Policies and regulations aimed at increasing accessibility and preventing discrimination for all students, including historically marginalized students;
High-quality curricula that cover history accurately and completely to ensure Virginia learners are equipped to be active and informed citizens in their communities;
Services to support student well-being, independence, learning, and achievement;
Efforts to close gaps in learning and address contributing factors to disparities in outcomes, including discriminatory policies, resource inequities and opportunity gaps, and other factors;
Policies to expand and promote access and excellence in early childhood options and public schools, including schools that rely on selective admissions practices;
Reminders of the provisions in federal law barring federal involvement in curricula in the Every Student Succeeds Act, the General Education Provisions Act, and the Department of Education Organization Act;
Real-time and actionable data to support children and learners from birth through grade 12 and beyond to ensure that supports meet the individual needs of the students and schools; and
Technical assistance, timely responses, and meaningful dialogue with divisions to improve opportunities for children and students.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Executive Order No. 1 (2022) is hereby rescinded. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER FIVE (2026)

ESTABLISHING AN ECONOMIC RESILIENCY TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS IMPACTS OF FEDERAL ACTIONS ON VIRGINIA'S ECONOMY AND WORKFORCE

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, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby establish the Economic Resiliency Task Force to address the impacts of federal actions on Virginia's economy, workforce, and finances, and direct the Secretaries and executive branch agencies to address impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, promote job opportunities for fired federal employees and contractors, and expand Virginia agricultural exports.

Importance of the Initiative

Federal actions impacting workers, families, and businesses could lead to a slowdown of Virginia's economic growth. According to the September 2025 report issued by the House of Delegates' Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions, approximately 24% of Virginia's economy is dependent on federal spending. Virginia's businesses and households are also impacted by federal decisions related to tariffs and immigration.

The federal government is a major employer in Virginia, making it among the states with the largest federal workforce. In 2025, the Commonwealth experienced a significant reduction in federal jobs – with estimates showing a drop of more than 20,000 positions – directly affecting these workers and their families.

Moreover, Virginia supports the federal government through significant contracting work and is the state with the most federal contract spending per capita. Changing priorities in federal contract spending could also impact employment in the state.

Haphazard federal trade policy and higher tariffs have created economic disruption across the Commonwealth as well. The Port of Virginia, a critical economic engine, recorded an 8.1% year-over-year drop in cargo volume as of December 2025, signaling weaker trade activity. These disruptions have reduced exports that support tens of thousands of Virginia jobs, harmed farmers in rural areas, increased costs for businesses, and acted as a tax on Virginians, raising prices and exacerbating affordability issues.

Cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP") will harm Virginia families and their ability to learn and fully participate in our economy. These programs help families afford food and access health care they otherwise cannot afford, yet the federal government is making it more challenging for people to qualify for benefits and shifting the financial burden on to the states. An estimated 310,000 Virginians could lose health care coverage and leave many families and children hungry.

Immigrants play an important role in Virginia's economy, working in sectors from agriculture to child care to technology and paying hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local taxes each year. However, recent federal immigration actions, such as increasing H1-B visa fees for employers seeking to hire foreign workers with specialized expertise, risk harming Virginia businesses, ultimately impacting the Commonwealth's broader economy.

Directive

Establish the Economic Resiliency Task Force

I hereby establish the Economic Resiliency Task Force to address the impacts resulting from federal job losses, contractor disruptions, federal funding cuts and delays, federal tariffs, and immigration on Virginia's economy and its workforce. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall be the Chair of the Task Force. The Task Force shall include the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Education, or their designees, as well as other relevant executive branch agencies in the discretion of the Chair.

As part of the duties of the Task Force, the Secretary of Finance is directed to create a tracker for federal rescissions across state government in order to understand the full harm for calendar year 2025 and projected harm for calendar year 2026. This report shall be due within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order.

The Task Force shall deliver an action plan to the Office of the Governor by June 1, 2026. The Task Force's action plan shall include recommendations to mitigate the harm and projected harm from federal rescissions identified by the Secretary of Finance's report, as well as additional recommendations for long-term strategies to enhance Virginia's economic resiliency.

All executive branch agencies shall provide support, upon request, to the Task Force to advance the development of strategies and their implementation.

Addressing the Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Medicaid and SNAP in Virginia

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in coordination with the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education, shall form a cross-Secretariat working group on the implementation of new and updated work requirements in the Medicaid and SNAP program, as required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The cross-Secretariat working group shall develop a One Big Beautiful Bill Act implementation strategy with the goal of maintaining access to Medicaid and SNAP for Virginians who remain eligible for these services, while ensuring compliance with federal requirements.

The working group will first conduct a readiness assessment of relevant executive branch agencies to determine the current status of readiness to implement Medicaid work requirements.

The cross-Secretariat working group shall then develop and recommend strategies that ensure compliance with work requirements, based on the readiness assessment, that maximize exemptions and good-cause provisions; stabilize the eligibility workforce; modernize systems to improve accuracy and improve the customer experience; and publish transparent performance metrics.

The working group shall deliver a report on the results of the readiness assessment and subsequent recommendations to the Office of the Governor within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order.

Promoting Job Opportunities for Fired Federal Employees and Contractors

I hereby direct Virginia Works to coordinate with the Virginia Employment Commission, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and the Virginia Office of Education Economics to develop and report to the Office of the Governor within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order on innovative, data-driven approaches to expanding job opportunities for the tens of thousands of dedicated and experienced federal employees who live in Virginia, including through the creation of skills alignment, retraining, and job connector tools.

Virginia Works shall identify potential partnerships with the private sector that would allow the private sector to readily engage with the Virginia workforce that has demonstrated their commitment to public service. Virginia Works is directed to facilitate public-private partnerships that result in the placement of Virginia workers in new jobs with private entities. Virginia Works shall submit a report to the Office of the Governor within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order that identifies any legislative or regulatory changes necessary to enter into such public-private partnerships or where such changes would materially increase the number of placements.

Increasing Exports of Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Products

I hereby direct the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to collaborate with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Port of Virginia on strategies to grow Virginia agricultural and forestry exports. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in consultation with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Port of Virginia, shall submit a report to the Office of the Governor within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order with a list of recommendations for growing Virginia agricultural and forestry exports. In their recommendations, they shall also examine other strategies to mitigate the impacts of tariffs on Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SIX (2026)

EVALUATING THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO THE BOARDS OF VISITORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

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, §§ 2.2-103 and 2.2-110 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby direct the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to prepare a report and recommendations on changes to the Board of Visitors appointment process for the Commonwealth's public institutions of higher education as well as the process used by the Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments to evaluate potential appointees.

Importance of the Initiative

Virginia is home to some of the best, world-class public higher education institutions in the country that have long set the standard for academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, over 280,000 students applied to Virginia's public four-year institutions during the 2024-2025 school year. Yet under the current federal administration, Virginia colleges and universities have faced unprecedented challenges from shifts in federal policy to attacks on institutional autonomy and mission. These pressures underscore the urgent need for the Commonwealth to reevaluate how governing boards are appointed, ensuring they are composed of individuals dedicated to upholding the quality, independence, and reputation of our institutions.

Strong governance is essential not just for protecting academic excellence, but for ensuring that our colleges and universities continue to prepare students to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive world.

Directive

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth, and pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and the laws of the Commonwealth, I hereby direct the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to assess and prepare a report evaluating the existing process used to appoint members to the governing boards of public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The report shall specifically address:

Recommended legislative changes to the Board of Visitors appointment process, including but not limited to (a) the term length for members; (b) the reappointment process; and (c) the term start for new members; and
Recommended changes, whether legislative or policy, to the process used by the Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments to evaluate potential appointees under § 2.2-2521 of the Code of Virginia.

The report and recommendations shall be provided to the Office of the Governor within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SEVEN (2026)

DELEGATING THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY, TO CALL THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD TO ACTIVE SERVICE FOR EMERGENCIES OR DISASTERS, AND TO DECLARE THE GOVERNOR UNABLE TO DISCHARGE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF HER OFFICE WHEN THE GOVERNOR CANNOT BE REACHED OR IS INCAPACITATED

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under § 2.2-104 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to the provisions stated herein, I hereby affirm and delegate to the Chief of Staff, followed in protocol order by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the State Coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, my authorities under §§ 44-146.17 and 44-75.1 of the Code of Virginia, to declare a state of emergency and to call forth the Virginia National Guard or any part thereof to state-active duty in any of the circumstances outlined in subsections 4 and 5 of § 44- 75.1.A of the Code of Virginia.

I further hereby affirm and delegate to the Chief of Staff, my authority under Article V, § 16 of the Constitution of Virginia and under § 24.2-211 of the Code of Virginia to transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, a declaration I am unable to discharge the powers and duties of the Governor's office.

Each of these declarations is subject to the following conditions:

1. Such delegation is subject always to my continuing, ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, and in the case of a declaration that I am unable to discharge the powers and duties of my office, my ability to transmit to the Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Delegates my written declaration that no inability continues to exist and to resume the powers and duties of my office.

2. Use of this delegation is contingent upon my being unable to be reached so as to give my approval for the declaration of a state of emergency, as defined in § 44-146.16 of the Code of Virginia, or use of the Virginia National Guard.

3. Use of this delegation to declare that I am unable to discharge the powers and duties of my office is specifically contingent upon my being unable to be reached or otherwise incapacitated for over 24 hours and the unavailability of any one of the Attorney General, President pro tempore of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

4. This delegation is strictly standby in nature, to be held in abeyance until such time as there may be explicit circumstances involving an emergency whereby human lives and public and private property are threatened in the event of natural or man-made emergencies or disasters.

5. If the authority granted under this Executive Order is used, the Lieutenant Governor and I shall be informed of such use as soon as practicable.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 13 (2022) issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin on January 20, 2022. This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until January 31, 2030, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER EIGHT (2026)

AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V, §§ 1, 7, 8, and 10 of the Constitution of Virginia, and §§ 2.2-100 and 2.2-104 of the Code of Virginia, and subject always to my continuing ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters and to reserve to myself any and all such powers, I hereby affirm and delegate to my Chief of Staff the powers and duties enumerated below.

1. To direct, as the deputy planning and budget officer, the administration of the state government planning and budget process, except as to the responsibilities enumerated below, which are retained by me:

a. Submission of the budget and accompanying documents to the General Assembly;

b. Final review and determination of all proposed expenditures and of estimated revenues and borrowings to be included in the Executive Budget for each state department, division, office, board, commission, institution, or other agency or undertaking;

c. Amendment of Position Levels; and

d. Authorization of deficits.

2. To direct, as the deputy personnel officer, the administration of the state government personnel system, except as to the responsibility enumerated below, which are retained by me:

a. Final determination with respect to employee compensation plans;

b. Submission of reports to the General Assembly by the Governor as required by law;

c. Issuance, amendment, or suspension of the Rules for the Administration of the Virginia Personnel Act; and

d. Final action on appeals from appointing authorities to the Governor.

3. To review, in the event of my absence or unavailability, major planning, budgetary, personnel, policy, and legislative matters that require my decision.

4. To review, in the event of my absence or unavailability, policy or operational differences that may arise among or between my Secretaries and other Cabinet members.

5. To administer the direction and supervision of the Office of the Governor, as well as budgetary and personnel authority for the Office.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 14 (2022) issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin on January 20, 2022. This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER NINE (2026)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I hereby declare that it is the firm and unwavering policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure equal opportunity in all facets of state government. The foundational tenet of this Executive Order is premised upon a steadfast commitment to foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, and mutual respect for all Virginians.

Importance of the Initiative

This policy specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans.

State appointing authorities and other management principals are hereby directed to take affirmative measures, as determined by the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management, to emphasize the recruitment of qualified minorities, women, disabled persons, and older Virginians to serve at all levels of state government. This directive does not permit or require the lowering of bona fide job requirements, performance standards, or qualifications to give preference to any state employee or applicant for state employment.

Allegations of violations of this policy shall be brought to the attention of the Office of Equal Employment Services of the Department of Human Resource Management. No state appointing authority, other management principal, or supervisor shall take retaliatory actions against persons making such allegations.

Any state employee found in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

The Secretary of Administration is directed to review and update annually state procurement, employment, and other relevant policies to ensure compliance with the non-discrimination mandate contained herein, and shall report to the Governor his or her findings together with such recommendations as he or she deems appropriate. This review shall ensure that state procurement policies fully implement and align with the non-discrimination directives in the Virginia Public Procurement Act, including its prohibitions on discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, status as a service disabled veteran, or any other basis prohibited by state law relating to discrimination in employment. The Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall assist in this review.

No state employee or agent within the Executive Branch may engage in discrimination in the provision of public services based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or veteran status. Any state employee or agent who engages in such discrimination will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. The Department of Human Resource Management is directed to promulgate, review, and update appropriate policies in the Commonwealth's Standards of Conduct to implement these requirements in accordance with any other applicable laws and regulations.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 1 (2018) issued by Governor Ralph S. Northam on January 13, 2018. This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TEN (2026)

RESCISSION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. FORTY SEVEN (2025)

Ensuring public safety in Virginia requires state and local law enforcement to be focused on their core responsibilities of investigating and deterring criminal activity, staffing jails, and community engagement. Since 2025, Virginians have been deprived of critical public safety resources due to the directives in Executive Order No. 47 (2025) that require and encourage state and local law enforcement to divert their limited resources for use in enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Federal authorities should enforce federal civil immigration laws—law enforcement in the Commonwealth should prioritize the safety and security of all residents in Virginia, the enforcement of local and state laws, and coordination with federal entities on criminal matters.

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, I hereby rescind Executive Order No. 47 (2025), which is not an appropriate use of state or local resources.

Effective Date

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER ELEVEN (2026)

DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

Importance of the Issue

On January 22, 2026, I declare a state of emergency to exist for the Commonwealth of Virginia based on National Weather Service forecasts that indicate a severe winter storm with significant snow, along with sleet, ice, freezing rain, and temperatures below freezing for several days that could cause transportation difficulties and power outages.

The Virginia Emergency Operations Center ("VEOC") has been actively monitoring the movement of severe winter weather heading toward Virginia, with the anticipated arrival of the most severe impacts on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and into Sunday, January 25, 2026. Accordingly, the pre-positioning of response assets and supplies will be necessary to assist our local and state partners. The Virginia Emergency Support Team will activate for this incident.

The health and general welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth require that state action be taken to help alleviate the conditions caused by this situation. The effects of this storm constitute a disaster wherein human life and public and private property are imperiled, as described in § 44-146.16 of the Code of Virginia. Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, and §§ 44-146.17 and 44-75.1 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and Director of Emergency Management and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth's Armed Forces, I proclaim a state of emergency. Accordingly, I direct state and local governments to render appropriate assistance to prepare for this event, to alleviate any conditions resulting from the situation, and to implement recovery and mitigation operations and activities so as to return impacted areas to pre-event conditions as much as possible. Emergency services shall be conducted in accordance with § 44-146.13 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.

Following a declaration of a local emergency pursuant to § 44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, if a local governing body determines that evacuation is deemed necessary for the preservation of life or other emergency mitigation, response, or recovery, pursuant to § 44-146.17(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, I direct the evacuation of all or part of the populace therein from such areas and upon such timetable as the local governing body, in coordination with the VEOC, acting on behalf of the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I reserve the right to direct and compel evacuation from the same and different areas and determine a different timetable both where local governing bodies have made such a determination and where local governing bodies have not made such a determination. Violations of any order to citizens to evacuate shall constitute a violation of this Executive Order and are punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

This Executive Order also covers preparatory actions for this event that began on January 22, 2026.

Directive

In order to marshal all public resources and appropriate preparedness, response, and recovery measures, I order the following actions:

1. Implementation by state agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan, as amended, along with other appropriate state plans.

2. Activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and the Virginia Emergency Support Team, as directed by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, to coordinate the provision of assistance to state, local, and tribal governments and to facilitate emergency services assignments to other agencies; activation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact § 44-146.28:1 of the Code of Virginia as needed.

3. Authorization for the heads of executive branch agencies, on behalf of their regulatory boards as appropriate, and with the concurrence of their Cabinet Secretary, to waive any state requirement or regulation, and enter into contracts without regard to normal procedures or formalities, and without regard to application or permit fees or royalties. All waivers issued by agencies shall be posted on their websites.

4. Activation of § 59.1-525 et seq. of the Code of Virginia related to price gouging.

5. Authorization of a maximum of $2,750,000 in state sum sufficient funds for state and local government mission assignments and state response and recovery operations authorized and coordinated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, allowable by The Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq. Included in this authorization is $1,000,000 for the Department of Military Affairs.

6. Activation of the Virginia National Guard to State Active Duty.

Effective Date of this Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective January 22, 2026, and shall remain in full force and effect for 30 days pursuant to § 44-146.17(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, unless sooner amended or rescinded by further executive order. Termination of this Executive Order is not intended to terminate any federal-type benefits granted or to be granted due to injury or death as a result of service under this Executive Order. Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 22nd day of January 2026.

/s/ Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

GOVERNORVol. 42 Iss. 13 - February 09, 2026

GOVERNOR
Vol. 42 Iss. 13 - February 09, 2026