DOO 10-12

SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

.01 This Order prescribes the organization, authority, functions, and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.

.02 This revision changes the title of the Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs to the Director of Legislative Affairs; removes Intergovernmental Affairs tasks from the duties description; and provides an exception to the Order for the Office of Inspector General.

SECTION 2. ORGANIZATION.

.01 The Department of Commerce official responsible for the overall execution and management of the provisions of this Order is the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (the Assistant Secretary). The Assistant Secretary is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall report to and be responsible to the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary).

.02 The Assistant Secretary shall be assisted by:

a. A Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (the Deputy Assistant Secretary), who shall be the principal deputy to the Assistant Secretary on all operational matters, and who shall perform the duties of the Assistant Secretary during the latter's absence.

b. A Director of Legislative Affairs, who shall advise and assist the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary regarding the Department's relationship with Congress, congressional committees and individual Members of Congress.

c. A Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, who shall advise and assist the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary regarding State, county and municipal governments and other intergovernmental affairs matters.

.03 The Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA) is a constituent operating unit of the Office of the Secretary established for the purpose of providing adequate staff and resources to enable the Assistant Secretary to fulfill responsibilities and assigned duties. SECTION 3. AUTHORITY, FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. .01 The Assistant Secretary shall serve as the principal adviser to the Secretary on matters pertaining to legislative issues, except for those functions assigned to the Office of the General Counsel under Sections 3 and 4 of Department Organization Order (DOO) 10-6. The Assistant Secretary shall also serve as the principal adviser to the Secretary on matters pertaining to congressional relations, except for those functions assigned to the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration under Section 4 of DOO 10-5, and on the Department's relationship with State, county, and municipal governments and their associations; and shall supervise and direct the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and, in conjunction with the Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Director of Legislative Affairs, and the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

.02 The Assistant Secretary shall be the focal point within the Department for coordinating all activities involving legislative and congressional relations and activities, except for those functions assigned to the Office of the General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Administration and detailed in this Order. The Assistant Secretary is delegated authority to provide policy guidance and oversight of Department legislative and congressional relations and activities and to develop an integrated Department plan to collect, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate information relating to those relations and activities to the Secretary and the Department.

.03 The directors of congressional or legislative offices of the Department's operating units shall consult with, advise, and obtain advance clearance from the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Director of Legislative Affairs, or OLIA legislative specialists on new and major congressional and legislative matters.

.04 The directors or heads of intergovernmental affairs offices of the Department's operating units shall consult with, advise, and obtain advance clearance from the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, or the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on new and major intergovernmental affairs matters.

.05 The Assistant Secretary shall provide 50 percent input into the Department's operating unit congressional, legislative, and intergovernmental affairs directors' annual performance plans and appraisals.

.06 The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, requires the Inspector General to keep both the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed of its activities. To preserve this independent reporting relationship, the terms of this Order do not apply to the Office of Inspector General.

SECTION 4. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary serves as the principal deputy to the Assistant Secretary on all operational matters, and performs the duties of the Assistant Secretary during the latter's absence. The Deputy Assistant Secretary shall:

a. Provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary on all legislative and congressional activities, except for those functions assigned to the Office of the General Counsel under Sections 3 and 4 of DOO 10-6, and the functions assigned to the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration under Section 4 of DOO 10-5; and

b. Provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary regarding the Department's relations and activities with State, county, municipal governments and their associations.

SECTION 5. DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.

The Director of Legislative Affairs is responsible for liaison and coordination on matters regarding the Department's relationships with the Congress, congressional committees, and individual Members of Congress. The Director shall:

a. Provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary on all legislative and congressional activities, except for functions assigned to the Office of the General Counsel under Sections 3 and 4 of DOO 10-6, and the functions assigned to the Assistant Secretary for Administration under Section 4 of DOO 10-5;

b. Provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, and other Department officials regarding relationships with Congress, and the views of Congress regarding specific legislative strategies and issues; and

c. Ensure Department responsiveness to inquiries or requests for information, reports, or other assistance from Members of Congress and their staffs.

SECTION 6. DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

The Director of Intergovernmental Affairs shall be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of relationships with State, county and municipal governments and for liaison and coordination with State, county, municipal governments and their associations (local governments). The Director shall:

a. Provide a central point of contact and assistance for local governments seeking information on Department programs;

b. Provide and coordinate outreach functions to local governments, including convening meetings of appropriate officials to obtain information on their needs and concerns, to promote their involvement in Department policymaking and program development, and to keep them informed of Department resources, policies, and programs;

c. Provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, and other Department officials regarding matters of interest to local government officials and, as appropriate, convene Department officials on matters of concern to local governments involving two or more operating units; and

d. Provide oversight of Department officials' implementation of the President's Federalism proposals and objectives and, as directed, coordinate the actions of two or more operating units regarding a significant issue or activity affecting local governments.

SECTION 7. EFFECT ON OTHER ORDERS.

This Order supersedes Department Organization Order 10-12, dated February 7, 2006. Signed by: Secretary of Commerce