Executive Order  No. 624: Establishing the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and the Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure

WHEREAS, Massachusetts can secure much needed funding to support prosperity and critical state projects by seeking and winning competitive grants from federal partners;  

WHEREAS, Massachusetts already receives over $13 billion in federal grants and reimbursements each year, comprising a significant source of support for our state’s budget;

WHEREAS, Massachusetts has a historic opportunity to compete for unprecedented levels of federal funding now available to benefit our state, including under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act;

WHEREAS, with intentionality and leadership, Massachusetts must pursue an ambitious, whole-of-government approach to competing for federal funds that will leverage federal funding opportunities to advance priorities related to infrastructure, jobs, economic competitiveness, affordable housing, clean energy, decarbonization, climate resilience, equity, and workforce development;

WHEREAS, all agencies and offices of the executive department must compete aggressively for federal dollars to support critical projects to benefit Massachusetts and the state’s residents and taxpayers;

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to maximizing federal resources at every level, including by supporting municipalities, recognized tribes, and other state entities competing for new sources of federal funding;

WHEREAS, municipalities and other important partners can do more to compete for and win federal funding with assistance from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, including through resources for technical assistance and state matching funds;

WHEREAS, Massachusetts must be not only competitive, but also equity-focused, systematic, consistent, collaborative, and strategic in pursuing and securing federal funding opportunities;

WHEREAS, the creation of a Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and an Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure will strengthen and enhance the state’s ability to advance the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s policy of aggressively competing for federal funding for Massachusetts;

            NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1: Obligation to Maximize Federal Funding Opportunities

All offices and agencies of the executive department are directed to compete aggressively for and maximize all appropriate federal funding opportunities.

Section 2: The Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office

There is hereby established within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance a Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (“FFIO”).  The FFIO shall be led by the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, who is the Governor’s principal advisor on federal funding and infrastructure, reporting directly to the Governor.

(a)  Purpose.  The FFIO shall be responsible for: (i) maximizing federal funding opportunities by facilitating and leading necessary partnerships and planning efforts; (ii) identifying key funding opportunities for advancing state priorities, and evaluating the consistency of proposed federally assisted projects with state plans; (iii) offering guidance and input for secretariats, agencies, departments, boards, commissions, authorities and other bodies within the executive department applying for federal grants; (iv) offering guidance and input for municipalities, tribes, regional planning agencies, labor partners, nonprofit partners, environmental justice communities, and private sector partners in their efforts to pursue federal funding opportunities; and (v) operating a centralized database of executive department applications for federal assistance (the “State Clearinghouse”).

(b)  State Clearinghouse.  The State Clearinghouse shall support tracking of the status and success of executive department applications for federal assistance, and facilitate review and comment on such applications by the FFIO.  The FFIO may require offices and agencies of the executive department to submit to the State Clearinghouse: (i) advance notice of their intent to apply for certain discretionary federal grants, as designated by the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure; and (ii) completed copies of such applications once filed.  The FFIO will define the timelines and content for required submissions.  The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security is directed to assist in the operation of the State Clearinghouse.   

(c)  Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership.  There shall be a Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership within the FFIO dedicated to supporting municipalities and tribes.  The Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership shall provide design, technical assistance, planning, and other enabling work to assist municipalities and tribes with the development of competitive funding applications.  The Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership shall periodically convene municipal and tribal partners to share best practices, review relevant funding opportunities, and identify resources available for matching funds.

            (d)  Reports.  The FFIO shall provide reports to the Governor and the Secretary for Administration and Finance summarizing the Office’s work and progress towards its goals.   

Section 3:  Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure

There is hereby established within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance an Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure (the “Advisory Council”). 

(a)  Purpose.  The Advisory Council shall be responsible for strengthening the work of the FFIO and the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure by supporting and enhancing their efforts to maximize federal funding opportunities.  The Advisory Council shall advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on strategies and approaches for maximizing federal funds for Massachusetts.

(b)  Membership and Organization.  The Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure shall chair the Advisory Council.  The Secretaries of the executive offices, the Climate Chief in the Governor’s Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience, and the Governor’s Director of Federal Affairs, or their designees, shall serve on the Advisory Council ex officio.  The Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure may appoint up to ten additional well-qualified persons to serve on the Advisory Council.  Any person so appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, in an advisory capacity and without compensation.  The Advisory Council shall meet at least six times each year or more frequently as determined by the Chair. 

 The Chair may convene working committees, as needed.  Working committees shall be comprised of members of the Advisory Council and non-members drawn from executive department offices and agencies, independent agencies and authorities, offices of constitutional officers, municipalities, tribes, public entities, private businesses, and other stakeholder organizations.  Working committees shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the Chair or the Chair’s designee.  The members of working committees shall represent a diverse cross-section of individuals and geographic regions from across Massachusetts.

Section 4: Compatibility with Existing Executive Orders and Laws

Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed as inconsistent with Executive Order No. 604 or to require action inconsistent with any applicable state or federal law, or any federal designation as a State Administrative Agency. 

Section 5: Agency Assistance

All offices and agencies of the executive department shall, to the maximum extent possible, assist the Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure, the FFIO, and the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure by sharing documents, information, and expertise, as requested.

This Executive Order shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.