Executive Order 12

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IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF IOWA

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EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWELVE

WHEREAS, the government of Iowa operates, year-to-year, pursuant to a balanced budget. The Governor, under the Budget and Financial Control Act, shall have “[t]he efficient and economical administration of all departments and establishments of government.” Iowa Code, § 8.3(2).

WHEREAS, this control allows the Governor to "take care that the laws are faithfully executed.” Iowa Cons. Art. IV, § 9.

WHEREAS, in Iowa’s 178 years since statehood, the government has become too big, our regulations and laws too burdensome, and the taxes on individuals and businesses too high.

WHEREAS, since 2018 the Reynolds Administration has reduced income taxes, business taxes, and property taxes and eliminated taxes on retirement and inheritance.

WHEREAS, even with the tax cuts, Iowa ended last year with a $2 billion surplus, more than $960 million in reserve funds, and $3.75 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund.

WHEREAS, the Reynolds Administration has also worked to align state government for efficiency and better service to lowans. In 2023, the Governor secured passage of legislation that reduced 37 executive-level cabinet agencies down to 16 through elimination or consolidation. In 2024, she secured passage of legislation eliminating or consolidating 83 state boards and comunissions.

WHEREAS, the Reynolds Administration rescinded 62 outdated or unnecessary executive orders through Executive Order No. 11.

WHEREAS, during the first year of the Red Tape Review, pursuant to Executive Order No. 10, the Reynolds Administration reduced the Iowa Administrative Code by more than 1,200 rules, 500,000 words, and 16,000 restrictive terms.

WHEREAS, Senate File 2370 was enacted in 2024, which requires a regulatory analysis for every new tule that details the potential economic impact for the proposed rule. Additionally, new 5- year automatic sunset provisions on all rule chapters will ensure that rules are constantly being reviewed and only those that are necessary will continue through a repromulgation process.

WHEREAS, the current efforts of the Reynolds Administration are working and have received national recognition. For the third year in a row, the Cato Institute named Iowa the most fiscally responsible state. This year, Governor Reynolds became the first sitting governor to win the Tax Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award.

WHEREAS, despite this progress, more needs to be done at the local, state, and federal level to improve efficiency, reduce the cost of government, and allow for further tax relief.

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WHEREAS, on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled Establishing and Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency, which creates the federal

DOGE.

WHEREAS, the Governor’s DOGE task force will serve as a valuable resource to advise the federal DOGE and the Governor on how to reduce the cost of government, maximize the return on taxpayer investment, and leverage new technology at all levels — federal, state, and local.

MISSION

I. The Governor’s DOGE task force shall expand on what Iowa has previously done to focus on the core function of government and reduce the cost of government at all levels.

Il. Iowa DOGE will be guided by the words of Former President and Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, who stated “[t]he government that governs least, governs best.”

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

1 The Governor’s DOGE task force is hereby established.

I. The duties of the Governor’s DOGE task force shall include, but are not limited to, advising the Governor on:

a. Utilizing private sector insights on how to improve Iowa’s workforce, including analyzing methods by which government can better support the private sector workforce, such as by streamlining and improving workforce training and work- based learning programs.

b. Analyzing ways to reduce the cost of government at all levels (state, local, and federal) and allow for a greater return on taxpayer investments in their government.

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Identifying methods and processes for key performance indicator reviews.

Reviewing all Iowa Code chapter 28E agreements, which allow for governmental entities to enter into contracts with one another in order “to cooperate in other ways of mutual advantage,” and “provide joint services and facilities”

Evaluating all regional and/or geographical boundary maps, layers of government, and unfunded mandates.

Assessing what activities, functions and/or services that government is performing that are outside of government’s core function and should be eliminated.

. Locating opportunities to encourage the streamlining and consolidation of

federal awards and grants, such as the use of block grants.

c. Evaluating opportunities to better utilize innovation and technology in government including, but not limited to, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other methods of advanced technology as a means for improving government efficiency and reducing the cost of government.

d. Advising the Governor on any other matters pertaining to the scope of this Executive Order.

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I.

Il.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

DOGE Membership: the Governor’s DOGE task force shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor. Members will include individuals with expertise in efficiency, management, and technology. The task force shall include at least two members from local government.

DOGE Chairperson: a chairperson shall be selected by the Governor. The chairperson shall preside over the Governor’s DOGE task force meetings and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Working Groups: the Governor’s DOGE task force may appoint, with the approval of the Governor, working groups to assist the task force. The working groups and members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and without compensation.

Meetings and Final Report: the Governor’s DOGE task force shall hold its first public meeting within 60 days of the date of this order and submit its report and recommendations to the Governor within 180.days of the date of the task force’s first public meeting.

Service as Members: each appointed member of the Governor’s DOGE task force shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor without compensation.

Staffing and Support: staffing and administration assistance for the Governor’s DOGE task force may be provided by the Governor’s office and/or by other agencies, persons, or organizations, from time to time, as deemed necessary and approved by the Governor.

Public Portal: the Division of Information Technology for the Department of Management shall work with the Governor’s DOGE task force to establish a public portal. Further, the Governor’s DOGE will operate an X social media account using the handle @lowaDOGE where the public can also provide feedback and recommendations. Public participation helps support efficiency and reduce bureaucracy, overregulation, and red tape.

IMPLEMENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

All departments, agencies, boards, commissions, or other political subdivisions of any state and local governments shall cooperate fully with the Governor’s DOGE task force. The task force may seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside of its membership for research, advice, and other needs, as necessary or appropriate, to accomplish its mission.

All work of the Governor’s DOGE task force shall be done in a manner consistent with laws and regulations of the State of lowa, and of the laws and regulations of the United States of America.

This Executive Order shall be interpreted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and shall not supersede any laws or regulations in place as of its effective date. If any provision of this Executive Order is found to be invalid, unenforceable, or otherwise contrary to applicable law, then the remaining provisions of this Executive Order, as applied to any person or circumstance, shall continue in full force and effect, and shall not be affected by such finding of invalidity or unenforceability.

This Executive Order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the State of Iowa, its departments, agencies, or political subdivisions, or its officers, employees, agents, or any other persons.

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XII. This Executive Order shall apply prospectively only as of its effective date.

XII. This Executive Order shall expire upon the submission of a final report to the Governor unless otherwise extended, in writing, by the Governor.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED AT DES MOINES, IOWA ON THIS TENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO

THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE. Y Kk. LDS GOVE R

SECRETARY OF STATE

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