01.01.2023.05
EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2023.05
Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact
A. Establishment. There is hereby established a Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact (“Council”), housed in the Executive Office of the Governor.
B. Function. The principal function of the Council, to the extent permitted by law, is:
(1) To ensure that the resources and expertise of innovative social sector organizations can be leveraged, deployed, and aligned with the efforts of the State to meet challenges;
(2) To infuse all of the State’s innovation and impact work with the best available evidence, and to ensure the State measures results and contributes to the existing evidence base where possible.
(3) To identify and explore ways in which partnerships can be developed and strengthened, ensuring the flow of innovation, talent, and resources across social and government sectors;
(4) To identify and encourage policies that increase and sustain charitable giving, volunteerism, and State service; and
(5) To bring ideas and policy options to the Governor for developing, leveraging, and maintaining partnerships across social and government sectors to deliver community services and accelerate the pace of positive change at the community level in Maryland.
C. Membership.
(1) There shall be a Senior Advisor on Innovation and Impact who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall chair the Council.
(2) The Governor may appoint additional individuals as honorary co-chairs of the Council.
(3) The Council shall consist of the heads of the following principal departments, or their designee, and the heads of any such other principal departments as the Governor may designate:
(a) The Department of Health;
(b) The Department of Human Services;
(c) The Department of Juvenile Services;
(d) The Department of Housing and Community Development;
(e) The Department of Service and Civic Innovation.
(4) The head of each principal department in the Executive Branch shall designate a liaison to support the work of the Council.
(5) Other State agencies, units, and offices may be asked to participate at the invitation of the Chair.
(6) The Council shall also consist of no more than twenty-five (25) members, appointed by the Governor, representing Maryland’s broad and diverse range of innovative and impactful organizations from all sectors.
(7) Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor for up to two consecutive two year terms.
(8) Council members shall serve without compensation.
(9) Staff members from the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will also be regular participants.
D. Duties.
(1) The Council shall continuously identify and explore the ways in which the relationship between social sector organizations, companies, and State government can be strengthened and improved;
(2) The Council shall foster and maintain relationships with social sector organizations;
(3) The Council shall develop recommendations for leveraging powerful cross-sector partnerships, including policy, regulatory, or legislative recommendations to facilitate such partnerships;
(4) The Council shall update the Governor within six months of this Executive Order, and biannually thereafter, on the Council’s efforts, goals, and impact on the state and residents.
E. Procedures.
(1) The Council Chair shall:
(a) Oversee the implementation of this Executive Order and the work of the Council;
(b) Determine the Council’s agenda; and
(c) Identify additional support as needed.
(2) The Council Chair may adopt other procedures as necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.
(3) The Council may seek advice and recommendations from an Advisory Board. The Council Chair will select members of the Advisory Board that have a deep understanding of issues facing the citizens and State of Maryland and experience in local, national, or international organizations. Advisory Board members shall provide such advice and recommendations voluntarily, free of any compensation.
(4) The Council shall meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if the members deem appropriate.
(5) A majority of the Council members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
(6) The Executive Office of the Governor shall provide administrative support for the Council, consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(7) The Council shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the public outlining the achievements of each partnership.
F. This Executive Order shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations. Nothing in this Executive Order shall operate to contravene any State or federal law or to affect the State's receipt of federal funding.
G. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions or applications of the Executive Order shall remain in effect to the extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
Effective date: May 5, 2023
