{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-200.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-200.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-200.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-200.html"}],"law_id":87238,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87238,"structure_id":16584,"section_number":"2.2-200","catch_line":"Appointment of Governor’s Secretaries; general powers; severance","history":"1972, c. 641, \u00a7 2.1-51.7; 1975, c. 390; 1976, cc. 729, 730, 732, 733, 734, 743, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.8:1, 2.1-51.13, 2.1-51.14, 2.1-51.16, 2.1-51.17, 2.1-51.26; 1984, c. 720, \u00a7 2.1-51.33; 1986, c. 492, \u00a7 2.1-51.39; 1998, c. 646; 1990, cc. 1, 317, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.41, 2.1-51.42; 1993, c. 699; 1996, cc. 500, 617; 1998, c. 793; 1999, cc. 412, 421, 433, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.44, 2.1-51.45; 2000, c. 937; 2001, c. 844; 2004, cc. 940, 963; 2006, c. 254; 2011, cc. 780, 858; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2020, c. 738; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 401, 453.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Governor’s Secretaries shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly if in session when the appointment is made, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. Each Secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coincident with that of the Governor making the appointment or until a successor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties, each Secretary shall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of the office.B\n\nEach Secretary shall be subject to direction and supervision by the Governor. Except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), the agencies assigned to each Secretary shall:1\n\nExercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with the general policy established by the Governor or by the Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor;2\n\nProvide such assistance to the Governor or the Secretary as may be required; and3\n\nForward all reports to the Governor through the Secretary.C\n\nUnless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself and except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), each Secretary may:1\n\nResolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned;2\n\nDirect the formulation of a comprehensive program budget for the functional area identified in § 2.2-1508 encompassing the services of agencies assigned for consideration by the Governor;3\n\nHold agency heads accountable for their administrative, fiscal and program actions in the conduct of the respective powers and duties of the agencies;4\n\nDirect the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans that are necessary to the effective and efficient operation of government;5\n\nSign documents on behalf of the Governor that originate with agencies assigned to the Secretary; and6\n\nEmploy such personnel and to contract for such consulting services as may be required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the Secretary by law or executive order.D\n\nSeverance benefits provided to any departing Secretary shall be publicly announced by the Governor prior to such departure.E\n\nAs used in this chapter, “Governor’s Secretaries” means the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312387,"text":"The Governor’s Secretaries shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly if in session when the appointment is made, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. Each Secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coincident with that of the Governor making the appointment or until a successor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties, each Secretary shall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of the office.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":312388,"text":"Each Secretary shall be subject to direction and supervision by the Governor. Except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), the agencies assigned to each Secretary shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":312389,"text":"Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with the general policy established by the Governor or by the Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":312390,"text":"Provide such assistance to the Governor or the Secretary as may be required; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":312391,"text":"Forward all reports to the Governor through the Secretary.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":312392,"text":"Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself and except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), each Secretary may:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C1"},"6":{"id":312393,"text":"Resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"7":{"id":312394,"text":"Direct the formulation of a comprehensive program budget for the functional area identified in § 2.2-1508 encompassing the services of agencies assigned for consideration by the Governor;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"8":{"id":312395,"text":"Hold agency heads accountable for their administrative, fiscal and program actions in the conduct of the respective powers and duties of the agencies;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"9":{"id":312396,"text":"Direct the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans that are necessary to the effective and efficient operation of government;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"10":{"id":312397,"text":"Sign documents on behalf of the Governor that originate with agencies assigned to the Secretary; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"11":{"id":312398,"text":"Employ such personnel and to contract for such consulting services as may be required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the Secretary by law or executive order.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"D"},"12":{"id":312399,"text":"Severance benefits provided to any departing Secretary shall be publicly announced by the Governor prior to such departure.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C6","next_prefix":"E"},"13":{"id":312400,"text":"As used in this chapter, “Governor’s Secretaries” means the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16584,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13579,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:25:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:25:31","permalink":{"id":171627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16584,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13579,"edition_id":1,"name":"Governor's Secretaries","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13132,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:18","permalink":{"id":171625,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13579,"identifier":"2","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13132,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the Governor","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":171457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13132,"identifier":"A","token":"2.2\/I\/A","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87238,"structure_id":16584,"section_number":"2.2-200","catch_line":"Appointment of Governor's Secretaries; general powers; severance","url":"\/2.2-200\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-200","metadata":false},{"id":71804,"structure_id":16584,"section_number":"2.2-201","catch_line":"Secretaries; general; compensation","url":"\/2.2-201\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-201","metadata":false},{"id":77226,"structure_id":16584,"section_number":"2.2-202","catch_line":"Payment of expenses of office","url":"\/2.2-202\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-202","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":71804,"structure_id":16584,"section_number":"2.2-201","catch_line":"Secretaries; general; compensation","url":"\/2.2-201\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-201","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-200\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 641 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 17 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1975, chapter 390; in 1976, chapters 729, 730, 732, 733, 734, and 743; in 1984, chapter 720; in 1986, chapter 492; in 1998, chapter 646<\/a>; in 1990, chapters 1 and 317; in 1993, chapter 699; in 1996, chapters 500<\/a> and 617<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 793<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 412<\/a>, 421<\/a>, and 433<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 937<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 940<\/a> and 963<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 254<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 780<\/a> and 858<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 115<\/a> and 490<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 738<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81890,"section_number":"2.2-2630","catch_line":"Council on Women; purpose; membership; terms; chairman","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2630\/"},{"id":72424,"section_number":"2.2-2698","catch_line":"Modeling and Simulation Advisory Council; purpose; membership; chairman","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2698\/"},{"id":77218,"section_number":"2.2-2699.3","catch_line":"Broadband Advisory Council; purpose; membership; compensation; chairman","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2699.3\/"},{"id":72200,"section_number":"2.2-2699.5","catch_line":"Information Technology Advisory Council; membership; terms; quorum; compensation; staff","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2699.5\/"},{"id":86386,"section_number":"30-279","catch_line":"Public-Private Partnership Advisory Commission established; membership; terms; compensation; staff; quorum","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-279\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57376,"section_number":"2.2-1508","catch_line":"Submission of executive budget to General Assembly","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1508\/"},{"id":85841,"section_number":"2.2-208","catch_line":"Position established; agencies for which responsible; powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-208\/"}],"permalink":{"id":171629,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87238,"identifier":"2.2-200","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-200","url":"\/2.2-200\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-200\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/1\/2.2-200","dublin_core":{"Title":"Appointment of Governor’s Secretaries; general powers; severance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-200","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Governor’s Secretaries shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly if in session when the appointment is made, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. Each Secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coincident with that of the Governor making the appointment or until a successor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties, each Secretary shall take an oath<\/span> to faithfully execute the duties of the office. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Each Secretary shall be subject to direction and supervision by the Governor. Except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208<\/a> et seq.), the agencies assigned to each Secretary shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with the general policy established by the Governor or by the Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Provide such assistance to the Governor or the Secretary as may be required; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Forward all reports to the Governor through the Secretary. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself and except as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208<\/a> et seq.), each Secretary may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Direct the formulation of a comprehensive program budget for the functional area identified in § 2.2-1508<\/a> encompassing the services of agencies assigned for consideration by the Governor; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Hold agency heads accountable for their administrative, fiscal and program actions in the conduct of the respective powers and duties of the agencies; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Direct the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans that are necessary to the effective and efficient operation of government; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Sign documents on behalf of the Governor that originate with agencies assigned to the Secretary; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Employ such personnel and to contract<\/span> for such consulting services as may be required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the Secretary by law<\/span> or executive order<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Severance benefits provided to any departing Secretary shall be publicly announced by the Governor prior to such departure. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> As used in this chapter, “Governor’s Secretaries” means the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAPPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIES; GENERAL POWERS; SEVERANCE (\u00a7\n2.2-200)\n\nA. The Governor’s Secretaries shall be appointed by the Governor, subject\nto confirmation by the General Assembly if in session when the appointment is\nmade, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. Each Secretary\nshall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coincident with\nthat of the Governor making the appointment or until a successor is appointed\nand qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties, each Secretary\nshall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of the office.\n\nB. Each Secretary shall be subject to direction and supervision by the Governor.\nExcept as provided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), the agencies assigned to\neach Secretary shall:\n\n 1. Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with the general\n policy established by the Governor or by the Secretary acting on behalf of the\n Governor;\n\n 2. Provide such assistance to the Governor or the Secretary as may be\n required; and\n\n 3. Forward all reports to the Governor through the Secretary.\n\nC. Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself and except as\nprovided in Article 4 (\u00a7 2.2-208 et seq.), each Secretary may:\n\n 1. Resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy\n conflicts between agencies or officials assigned;\n\n 2. Direct the formulation of a comprehensive program budget for the functional\n area identified in § 2.2-1508 encompassing the services of agencies\n assigned for consideration by the Governor;\n\n 3. Hold agency heads accountable for their administrative, fiscal and program\n actions in the conduct of the respective powers and duties of the agencies;\n\n 4. Direct the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans that are\n necessary to the effective and efficient operation of government;\n\n 5. Sign documents on behalf of the Governor that originate with agencies\n assigned to the Secretary; and\n\n 6. Employ such personnel and to contract for such consulting services as may\n be required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the Secretary by\n law or executive order.\n\nD. Severance benefits provided to any departing Secretary shall be publicly\nannounced by the Governor prior to such departure.\n\nE. As used in this chapter, “Governor’s Secretaries” means the\nSecretary of Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, the\nSecretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of\nFinance, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Labor,\nthe Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Public Safety\nand Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of\nVeterans and Defense Affairs.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 641, \u00a7 2.1-51.7; 1975, c. 390; 1976, cc. 729, 730, 732, 733,\n734, 743, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.8:1, 2.1-51.13, 2.1-51.14, 2.1-51.16, 2.1-51.17,\n2.1-51.26; 1984, c. 720, \u00a7 2.1-51.33; 1986, c. 492, \u00a7 2.1-51.39; 1998, c. 646;\n1990, cc. 1, 317, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.41, 2.1-51.42; 1993, c. 699; 1996, cc. 500, 617;\n1998, c. 793; 1999, cc. 412, 421, 433, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-51.44, 2.1-51.45; 2000, c. 937;\n2001, c. 844; 2004, cc. 940, 963; 2006, c. 254; 2011, cc. 780, 858; 2014, cc.\n115, 490; 2020, c. 738; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 401, 453.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}