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EO 13781Executive OrderTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13781

Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch

This executive order directs the OMB Director to develop a comprehensive plan to reorganize the executive branch, eliminate unnecessary agencies, and improve efficiency. Agency heads must submit reorganization plans within 180 days, and the Director must submit a final proposal to the President within 180 days after the public comment period closes.

Federal Register Open PDF 82 FR 13959

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register notice for public suggestions (triggers subsequent 180-day period)

  2. OMB Director submits proposed reorganization plan to President

  3. Agency heads submit proposed reorganization plans to OMB Director

Key directives

  • Each agency head to submit proposed reorganization plan to OMB Director within 180 days of March 13, 2017
  • OMB Director to publish Federal Register notice inviting public suggestions for executive branch improvements
  • OMB Director to submit proposed reorganization plan to President within 180 days after public comment period closes
  • Plan must include recommendations for legislation or administrative measures needed to achieve reorganization
  • Director must consider: appropriateness of federal vs. state/local/private sector functions; redundancy across agencies; cost-benefit of operations; costs of shutdown/merger including employee equities

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO issuance; OMB Director tasked with initiating reorganization planning process
  • Federal Register notice to invite public suggestions

Near term (90d)

  • Agency heads developing proposed reorganization plans
  • Public comment period opens via Federal Register

Long term

  • Agency plans due to OMB Director (180 days)
  • Director's final plan to President (180 days after public comment closes)
  • Potential agency eliminations, mergers, or function transfers to state/local/private sector if implemented

Risks & tensions

  • Final plan deadline to President is relative to unspecified closing date of public comment period, making exact date indeterminate
  • Mass reorganization requires congressional action for most agency eliminations/creations, creating implementation uncertainty
  • 'Unnecessary agencies' criterion may conflict with statutory mandates established by Congress
  • Employee equity considerations (Sec. 2(d)(v)) may clash with cost-cutting goals
  • Devolution to state/local/private sector (Sec. 2(d)(i)) may face partisan and institutional resistance
  • Sec. 3(b) 'subject to availability of appropriations' and Sec. 3(c) non-enforceability language weakens binding force
Executive Order 13781: Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch · Executive Orders