Executive Order 16

Sale

Executive ine ‘

IN THE NAME AND By THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF lowa

Wy

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SIXTEEN

WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States of America;

WHEREAS, the President of the United States on January 29, 2025, issued Executive Order 14189 titled “Celebrating America’s 250" Birthday” to provide a grand celebration worthy of the 250" anniversary of American Independence which occurs on July 4, 2026.

WHEREAS, the State of Iowa, Iowans and Iowa’s communities, cultural institutions, historical societies and local government, are proud partners in the remembrance of the events of

the American Revolutionary War and those who fought so bravely for our country’s independence;

WHEREAS, a task force can serve as a valuable resource to the State of Iowa to advise

the Governor on Iowa’s participation in this celebration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Goveror of the State of Iowa, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of

Iowa do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:

MISSION

The Governor’s Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday (“Task Force Celebrating 250”) shall plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Iowa's integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation's past, present, and future.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

Task Force Celebrating 250 Established: the Governor's Task Force Celebrating 250 is hereby established. The task force shall consist of twenty-one (21) members appointed by the Governor. The members are:

@ Lieutenant Governor;

(ii) Secretary of Agriculture;

(iii) Secretary of State;

(iv) Director of the Department of Administrative Services;

(v) Director of the Department of Management;

(vi) Director of the Department of Economic Development;

(vii) Director of the Department of Education; :

(viii) Director of the Department of Natural Resources;

(ix) Director of the Department of Public Defense;

(x) Director of the Department Veteran Affairs;

(xi) Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa State Fair Board;

(xii) Six (6) non-government members, including a member selected by the Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member selected by the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution;

(xiii) One Republican member of the house of representatives, to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one Democrat member of the house of representatives, to be selected by the minority leader of the

Il.

house of representatives, both of whom shall serve in an ex officio capacity; and

(xiv) One Republican member of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate, and one Democrat member of the senate, to be selected by the minority leader of the senate, both of whom shall serve in an ex officio capacity.

Chairperson: the Lieutenant Governor shall serve as chairperson and preside over task force meetings. The Secretary of Agriculture shall serve as vice-chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.

Meetings: the task force shall hold its first meeting when called to do so by the Lieutenant Governor.

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

Staffing and Support: staffing and administration assistance for the 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. The task force cannot enter into any contracts nor expend any public money.

Public Portal: the Division of Information Technology for the Department of Management shall work with the task force to establish a public portal. Further, the task force will operate an X social media account using the handle @America250IA where the public can also provide feedback and recommendations.

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

Duties: the duties of the task force shall include, but are not limited to, advising the Governor on:

a. Planning, coordinating, and implementing a program to commemorate the 25 OF anniversary of the founding of the United States in the year 2026, specifically highlighting the role of Iowa and Iowans in, and the events succeeding, the historic event;

b. Coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies on projects to welcome regional, national, and international opportunities;

c. Giving due consideration to related plans and programs developed by federal, state, local, and private groups;

d. Showcasing all counties in this state; and

e. Drawing attention to the achievements, honors, innovations, and impacts of Iowans; and

f. Addressing any other matters pertaining to the scope of this Executive Order.

Final Report: no later than 120 days after the effective date of this order, the task force shall submit a final report to the Governor. The final report must include detailed timeline of the task force's plan for the event through December 31, 2026.

Gifts of Money, Pursuant to the authority provided in lowa Code section 565.3, I

accept, on behalf of the state, any gifts of money made to the state that are to be used for purposes of celebrating America’s 25 0" birthday.

IMPLEMENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

All departments, agencies, boards, commissions, or other political subdivisions of any state and local governments shall cooperate fully with requests made by the 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.

I. All work of the task force shall be done in a manner consistent with laws and regulations of the State of Iowa, and of the laws and regulations of the United States of America.

lll. 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.

IV. 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 person.

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

Vi. This Executive Order shall expire upon the submission of the final report to the Governor unless 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 THIS SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND

TWENPY-FIVE WK. RE DS GOVE R

ATTEST:

PA . PATE SECRETARY OF STATE