Executive Order #3

WHEREAS, public service is a privilege as well as a responsibility, and with that responsibility comes a duty to operate with the highest level of integrity, honesty, transparency, ethics, and efficacy; and

WHEREAS, state employees and elected officials work for the people; and

WHEREAS, Delaware state employees and public officials serve our state with honor and distinction; and

WHEREAS, the agencies of the State of Delaware provide critical services and oversee programs that are critical to the life, liberty, health, welfare and safety of the people of the State; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Delaware deserve a government that is conducted with the highest standards of honesty and ethics; and

WHEREAS, the people of Delaware should expect that the agencies and employees of this State operate efficiently, effectively, and in full compliance with the law; and

WHEREAS, all Delaware state employees should act in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, all Delaware state employees and all state contractors should act in accordance with the spirit and letter of the laws and regulations of the State.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW MEYER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDER the following:

1. All state employees shall demonstrate exemplary conduct and be honest and ethical in the performance of their duties.
2. All state employees shall report waste, fraud, abuse and corruption in accordance with the law.
3. All state employees shall be treated with dignity and respect and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.
4. As used in this Executive Order, “state agency” means any office, department, agency, board, commission or authority of the Executive Branch of the State of Delaware under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
5. The Office of the Governor will work with state agencies to expand best practices in the areas of transparency, ethics and efficiency in state government, with a focus on how to improve state mechanisms in order to respond to and prevent misconduct, as well as streamline government services.
6. The Office of the Governor shall as soon as feasible collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Finance to complete a performance review of all services of state government within the Executive Branch to create greater value for Delawareans.
7. All state agencies shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, conduct an internal review and identify areas where improvements in service can be made, and submit a report to the Office of the Governor.
8. All state agencies shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, review all audit findings within the last four years and provide a plan to the Office of the Governor detailing steps to ensure statutory compliance and to address audit findings.
9. The Director of Boards and Commissions shall work with the Department of Human Resources and collaboratively with all Executive Branch agencies, as well as the legislature, to identify boards, commissions, task forces, working groups, and other similar entities, established by the Executive Branch, that are engaged in redundant work, that have failed to meet in one year or more, or otherwise should be subject for review.
10. Any ethics complaints within state government will be handled with the highest level of care, attention, review, and consideration.
11. The Office of the Governor will work with the appropriate state agencies to develop a statewide policy for ethics training for state employees. A draft of this plan will be completed by April 1, 2025.
12. State agencies shall be as transparent with policies, data, and information as the law allows.
13. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any law or regulation. Nothing in this Executive Order shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency.
14. This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any other prior Executive Order.