§ 2.2-304. Office created; purpose; appointment of Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness; st...
A. There is created in the Office of the Governor, the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (the Office). The purpose of the Office is to work with and through others, including federal, state, and local officials, as well as the private sector, to develop a seamless, coordinated security and preparedness strategy and implementation plan. The Office shall serve as the liaison between the Governor and the federal Department of Homeland Security.
B. The Office shall consist of an Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness (the Assistant to the Governor) who shall be appointed by the Governor, for a term commencing on the Monday after the third Wednesday in January, after the Governor's inauguration. The Assistant to the Governor shall be appointed for a term of four years. The appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly as provided in § 2.2-106. After the Assistant to the Governor is confirmed by the General Assembly, the Governor shall fill vacancies only in the event of the Assistant to the Governor's resignation, death, disability, or upon removal by the Governor after notification to the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the President pro tempore of the Senate of the reason for removal. Upon such vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term that shall be effective until 30 days after the next meeting of the ensuing General Assembly and, if confirmed, thereafter for the remainder of the term.
The Assistant to the Governor shall, by reason of professional background have knowledge of military, law enforcement, public safety, or emergency management and preparedness issues, in addition to familiarity with the structure and operations of the federal government and of the Commonwealth. The Assistant to the Governor shall be responsible for the general management of the Office and shall perform such duties as may be provided by law or assigned by the Governor. The Assistant to the Governor may appoint such persons as he deems necessary for the efficient conduct of the Office, and apportion, out of the appropriation for the Office, such salaries among such persons as he deems proper, but the aggregate amount paid them shall not exceed the amount provided by law. The Assistant to the Governor shall appoint an interoperability coordinator to review all communications-related grant requests from state agencies and localities to ensure federal grants are used to enhance interoperability.
(2006, cc. 860, 901.)
Sections: 2.2-304 2.2-305 2.2-306 NextLast modified: April 16, 2009