Executive Order 2019-15

 

 

Section 2 of article 1 of the United States Constitution requires the federal government to count the number of people living in the United States and its territories every ten years.

 

Section 141 of Title 13 of the Census Act, Public Law 83-740, 13 USC 141(a), provides that the next federal census date will be April 1, 2020.

 

Census data are used by the federal government to allocate more than $675 billion in federal funds to states, counties, and communities each year, as well as to determine the number of representatives each state will have in the United States House of Representatives. Therefore, it is imperative that the census count in Michigan be complete and accurate.

 

The creation of a statewide Complete Count Committee in Michigan will heighten awareness of the 2020 Census, encourage the full participation of the residents of this state in the counting process, and help to ensure that all Michigan residents, including members of disadvantaged communities, receive appropriate representation in government.

 

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor.

 

Section 8 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 obligates the governor to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

 

Acting pursuant to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, I order the following:

 

1. Creation of the 2020 United States Census Complete Count Committee
    
   1. The 2020 United States Census Complete Count Committee (“Committee”) is created as an advisory body within the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (“Department”).

 

 

2. The Committee shall consist of:

 

1. The governor;

 

2. The lieutenant governor; and

 

3. At least 50 members appointed by the governor representing various sectors and communities within this state and reflecting the diverse geographic, economic, racial, cultural, gender, and occupational composition of this state.

 

3. The governor shall serve as the chairperson of the Committee. The lieutenant governor shall serve as the vice-chairperson of the Committee.

 

4. The governor may appoint one or more individuals to serve as honorary chairpersons of the Committee.
    
5. The governor may also appoint as non-voting ex officio members the directors of one or more principal departments and members of Congress that represent congressional districts in Michigan.
    

2. Charge to the Committee
    
   1. The Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the governor and shall do the following:

 

1. Provide public leadership to elevate and reinforce the importance of the 2020 Census;

 

2. Identify barriers that may impede the full participation of Michigan residents in the 2020 Census, which shall include, but not be limited to, identifying areas or groups within this state that are isolated geographically, socioeconomically, linguistically, racially, culturally, or otherwise may be difficult to count;

 

3. Develop, recommend, and assist in the administration of an outreach action plan designed to overcome these barriers and to ensure as complete a count as possible of Michigan’s population in the 2020 Census;

 

4. Develop, recommend, and assist in the distribution of educational and promotional materials designed to heighten awareness of, and encourage the full participation of Michigan residents in, the 2020 Census;

 

5. Identify opportunities to coordinate its efforts and resources with those of the various individuals and entities working on the federal, state, and local levels to ensure as complete a count as possible of Michigan’s population in the 2020 Census; and

 

6. Provide other advice and take other action as requested by the governor.

 

2. The Committee shall complete its work and submit a final report to the governor by October 1, 2020. This report shall summarize the efforts of the Committee and its conclusions, and shall suggest improvements for the Complete Count Committee for Census 2030. The Committee is dissolved on November 1, 2020.

 

3. Operations of the Committee
    
   1. The Committee shall be staffed by personnel from, and assisted by, the Department. Any budgeting, procurement, and related management functions shall be performed under the direction and supervision of the director of the Department.

 

2. The Committee shall adopt procedures, consistent with this order and applicable law, governing its organization and operations. The governor may delegate her responsibilities as chairperson to a committee member from section 1(b)(3) of this order.

 

3. The Committee shall comply with the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, as amended, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
    
4. The Committee shall comply with the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267, as amended, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

 

5. The Committee shall meet at the call of its chairperson and as otherwise provided in the procedures adopted by the Committee. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly until March 1, 2020, and as often thereafter as is required to complete its work.

 

6. The Committee may establish advisory workgroups, which may include committee members, representatives of state departments or agencies, or members of the public as deemed necessary by the Committee to assist the Committee in performing its duties and responsibilities. The Committee may adopt, reject, or modify any recommendations proposed by an advisory workgroup.

 

7. The Committee may, as appropriate, coordinate its efforts with those of the United States Census Bureau and other complete count committees established at the local level.

 

8. The Committee may, as appropriate, make inquiries, perform studies and investigations, hold hearings, and receive comments from the public. The Committee also may consult with outside experts in order to perform its duties, including experts in the private sector, organized labor, government agencies, and at institutions of higher education.

 

1. The Committee may hire or retain contractors, sub-contractors, advisors, consultants, and agents, and may make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of the powers of the Committee and the performance of its duties as the director of the Department deems advisable and necessary, consistent with this order and applicable law, rules, and procedures, subject to available funding.

 

10. The Committee may accept donations of labor, services, or other things of value from any public or private agency or person. Any donations shall be received and used in accordance with law.

 

11. Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation. Members of the Committee may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses consistent with applicable law, rules, and procedures, subject to available funding.

 

• Members of the Committee shall refer all legal, legislative, and media contacts to the Department.
   

4. Implementation
    
   1. All departments, committees, commissioners, or officers of this state shall give to the Committee, or to its chairperson, any necessary assistance required by the Committee, or its chairperson, in the performance of the duties of the Committee so far as is compatible with their duties and consistent with this order and applicable law. Free access also must be given to any books, records, or documents in their custody relating to matters within the scope of inquiry, study, or review of the Committee, consistent with applicable law.
       
   2. This order is not intended to abate a proceeding commenced by, against, or before an officer or entity affected by this order. A proceeding may be maintained by, against, or before the successor of any officer or entity affected by this order.
       
   3. If any portion of this order is found to be unenforceable, the rest of the order remains in effect.
       
   4. This order is effective upon filing.
       

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State of Michigan.