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EO 13727Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13727

Facilitation of a Presidential Transition

This executive order establishes two coordinating bodies—the White House Transition Coordinating Council and the Agency Transition Directors Council—to improve planning and information sharing for presidential transitions. It mandates specific preparation activities including briefing materials, emergency exercises, and career employee readiness, with a hard deadline for agency materials before November 1 of election years.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 29465

Impact dates

  1. Regular Council meetings begin: 6 months before Presidential election

  2. Agency Transition Directors Council meets not less than once per year

  3. Briefing materials and information must be prepared (for 2016 election)

Key directives

  • Establish White House Transition Coordinating Council with specified membership and functions
  • Establish Agency Transition Directors Council with specified membership and functions
  • Prepare and host interagency emergency preparedness and response exercises
  • Ensure briefing materials prepared not later than November 1 of election years
  • Ensure agencies adequately prepare career employees to fill non-career positions during transition
  • Council to meet not less than once per year; regularly during 6 months pre-election through inauguration
  • Seek bipartisan/nonpartisan private expertise on transition best practices

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • White House Transition Coordinating Council established
  • Agency Transition Directors Council established

Near term (90d)

  • Council membership designations
  • Initial guidance to agencies on succession planning and briefing materials

Long term

  • Annual Council meetings ongoing
  • Pre-election transition preparations every 4 years
  • November 1 briefing materials deadline in election years

Risks & tensions

  • Advisory role of transition representatives may limit actual influence of candidate teams
  • Information sharing constrained by 'not otherwise prohibited by law' clause creates uncertainty
  • Dependent on appropriations availability (Sec. 4(b))
  • Non-enforceability disclaimer (Sec. 4(d)) weakens compliance incentives
  • Vague standard: 'useful and appropriate' information leaves discretion to Council
Executive Order 13727: Facilitation of a Presidential Transition · Executive Orders