Each year, a slew of new task forces, advisory groups, commissions and executive branch offices are created by governors, especially ones who are new to the state’s top job.

The first five months of 2025 are no exception. Favorite topics so far this year focus particularly on education, public safety and government efficiency, including state versions of the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Here’s what we found by scouring through gubernatorial executive orders from January 1 through May 31, 2025.

EDUCATION

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey established a K-12 Graduation Council on January 17.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe created the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force on January 28.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein established the Teacher Advisory Committee on May 7; the Governor’s Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being on April 7 and the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education on March 10.

EFFICIENCY

Delaware Gov. Meyer ordered the creation of a Working Group to Develop, Fast Track and Streamline Permit Processes on January 23 with the intent of “collaboration, predictability, public awareness, and efficiency for projects that will increase the stock of workforce and affordable housing”. 

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds launched the Iowa DOGE Task Force on February 10. 

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte created the Commission on Government Efficiency on January 9.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt created the Oklahoma Division of Government Efficiency (“DOGE-OK”) within the Office of Management and Enterprise Services on February 3.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox called on the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to set up an Efficiency Process and Improvement Collaborative, on May 9 (among other government-wide efficiency efforts). 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Arizona Gov. Hobbs directed the Arizona departments of Homeland Security, Public Safety and Emergency and Military Affairs to establish the Operation Desert Guardian Joint Task Force on March 31, as part of the fight against “Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) that profit from the illegal smuggling and trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people across the border between Arizona and Mexico.”

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer created the Office of Gun Violence and Community Safety on May 1.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz added a new Financial Crimes and Fraud Section to the Department of Public Safety on January 3.

Utah Gov. Cox created a Criminal Justice Task Force on March 27, with the purpose of developing a framework “to better inform criminal justice policy.”

Vermont Governor Phil Scott created the Agency of Public Safety on January 15.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers established the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention on January 14.

MISCELLANEOUS

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey ordered the establishment of the Alabama Office of Disability within the Department of Rehabilitation Services on May 30.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ordered the creation of a Workplace Heat Safety Task Force by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health on May 22.

Delaware Gov. Meyer established the Office of Workforce Development on May 27; the Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness, as an advisory group to the governor on April 17, and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy on January 28.

Illinois Governor J.B Pritzker created a new Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery on February 14.

Maryland Gov. Moore established a Digital Infrastructure Group in the Department of Information Technology on January 7 to “promote, and facilitate a statewide vision for wired and wireless communications and digital information technology infrastructure.” On the same day, he also created the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and the Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council.

Missouri Gov. Kehoe ordered the Department of Corrections and the Missouri Parole Board to form a Working Group to Develop Recommendations for Parole Board Rule Changes on January 13.

North Carolina Gov. Stein created the Advisory Committee on Western NC Recovery on January 2, with the purpose of advising the governor on the needs of communities affected by the destructive force of Hurricane Helene in late September 2024.

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden created the South Dakota Commission on Child Support on March 21 and launched the Prison Project Reset Advisory Council on February 27.

Utah Gov. Cox established the BUILD Coordinating Council on May 28. “BUILD” -- to provide a “Blueprint for Utah’s Infrastructure, Land, and Development”. 

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson created the Data Center Workgroup on February 3.

To find more about the new groups or offices mentioned above, see our gubernatorial executive order map, which provides links to the orders signed this year. (The dates we provide should help readers locate more information about the goals, structure and reasoning for the establishment of these new government bodies in the individual executive orders.)

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