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EO 13537Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13537

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 for Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The IGIA replaces a 2003 Bush-era body with a similar structure, co-chaired by the Interior Secretary and a White House intergovernmental affairs director, and is tasked with advising the President and consulting annually with territorial governors.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 20237

Impact dates

  1. Annual report to President with recommendations on insular area policies

  2. At least one annual meeting with territorial governors who wish to attend

Key directives

  • Establish IGIA within Department of Interior for administrative purposes
  • Secretary of Interior and Deputy Assistant to President/Director of Intergovernmental Affairs serve as Co-Chairs
  • IGIA to meet at least once annually with any territorial governors who wish to attend
  • IGIA to submit annual report to President with policy recommendations
  • IGIA to provide recommendations to President from time to time on federal programs and policies affecting insular areas
  • Executive departments and agencies to assist and provide information to IGIA
  • Each department/agency bears its own expenses of participation
  • Supersedes Executive Order 13299 of May 8, 2003

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • IGIA established within Department of Interior
  • Executive Order 13299 of May 8, 2003 superseded

Near term (90d)

  • Co-Chairs to convene initial meetings and establish subgroups
  • agency heads to designate senior officials for IGIA functions

Long term

  • Annual reports to President on insular area policy recommendations
  • ongoing solicitation of advice from territorial governors and other stakeholders

Risks & tensions

  • Non-binding advisory structure limits direct policy impact; no enforcement mechanism for IGIA recommendations
  • Vague 'from time to time' language for non-annual recommendations reduces accountability
  • Explicit disclaimer that order creates no enforceable rights limits legal leverage for territorial residents
  • Subject to availability of appropriations may constrain agency participation if budgets are tight
  • Requirement for Co-Chair approval to review agency proposals (Sec. 2(e)) could create bottleneck
Executive Order 13537: Interagency Group on Insular Areas · Executive Orders