ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13299Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13299

Interagency Group on Insular Areas

This executive order establishes the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) within the Department of Interior to coordinate federal policy affecting American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The IGIA consists of executive department heads and designated agency heads, meets with territorial governors annually, and provides yearly written policy advice to the President. The order explicitly disclaims creating any legally enforceable rights.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 25477

Impact dates

  1. Annual written report to President

  2. Annual meeting with territorial governors

Key directives

  • Establish IGIA within Department of Interior for administrative purposes
  • IGIA membership: heads of executive departments plus agency heads designated by Secretary of Interior
  • Secretary of Interior (or designee) convenes and presides at meetings, sets agenda, directs work
  • Members may designate Presidential appointees or Senior Executive Service members to perform IGIA functions
  • Provide written reports to President at least once each year through White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Provide advice to Secretary of Interior
  • Meet at least once each year with governors of Insular Areas who wish to attend
  • Obtain individual advice from governors and elected officials without collective judgment or consensus deliberation
  • Obtain information from other entities/individuals as IGIA determines appropriate
  • Promptly review and provide advice on agency policy actions affecting Insular Areas upon request (unless Secretary of Interior declines)
  • Secretary of Interior may make recommendations to President or agency heads on federal policy affecting Insular Areas

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • IGIA established within Department of Interior
  • Secretary of Interior authorized to convene meetings and establish subgroups

Near term (90d)

  • First annual report to President potentially due within first year (no specific deadline set)

Long term

  • Ongoing annual reporting obligation to President
  • Ongoing annual meetings with territorial governors
  • Continuous policy coordination across federal agencies

Risks & tensions

  • Explicit disclaimer of judicial enforceability (Section 4) renders all obligations advisory only
  • Vague 'at least once each year' timing lacks specific calendar deadlines for reports or meetings
  • No sunset clause or review mechanism specified
  • Potential tension: Secretary of Interior controls membership designation (1(a)(ii)) and can decline agency requests for review (2(d)), concentrating gatekeeping power
  • 'Individual advice' requirement (2(b)) may limit collaborative problem-solving but appears designed to avoid Federal Advisory Committee Act implications
Executive Order 13299: Interagency Group on Insular Areas · Executive Orders