ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION · CSG’s Articles of Organization – adopted December 2012 (Proposed Revisions, Track Change – Nov. 13, 2015) 8 . 1 I. Two Attorneys General designated

CSG’s Articles of Organization – adopted December 2012 (Proposed Revisions, Track Change – Nov. 13, 2015)

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 1

OF 2

THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS 3

4

ARTICLE I 5

NAME, PURPOSE AND MEMBERSHIP 6

7

Section 1. Name, Principal Office, Registered Agent: The name of this organization is The 8

Council of State Governments (“CSG”). CSG will maintain its headquarters office in Lexington, 9

Kentucky. CSG’s registered agent at that address will be its Executive Director. 10

11

Section 2. Purpose: The Council of State Governments, the multi-branch organization of the 12

states and U.S. territories, champions excellence in state government, bringing state leaders from 13

across the nation and through its regions together to put the best ideas and solutions into practice. 14

To this end, CSG: builds leadership skills to improve decision-making; advocates multistate 15

problem-solving and partnerships; fosters collaboration and understanding among and between 16

the branches of government; interprets changing national and international conditions to better 17

prepare states for the future; advances the exchange of ideas and information among state 18

governments and their subnational counterparts in other countries; provides opportunities for 19

public- and private-sector leaders to interact on public policy issues; and promotes the 20

sovereignty of the states and advocates their interests in the American federal system. CSG is 21

organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes as permitted 22

under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future 23

federal tax code and will be operated as such. No part of the net earnings of CSG will inure to 24

the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, 25

except that CSG will be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services 26

rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these 27

Articles. 28

29

Section 3. Membership: The membership of CSG will comprise the states of the United States, 30

District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Territory of American Samoa, Territory of 31

Guam, Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 32

hereinafter referred to as member jurisdictions. Wherever the word “state” or “states” appears 33


2

herein, it will be meant to reference a state, commonwealth, federal district and/or territory. 1

2

Section 4. Participation by Member Jurisdictions: CSG, as the community of the states, respects 3

and acknowledges the authority of state leaders to determine and appoint delegates to represent 4

their jurisdiction on the CSG Governing Board, CSG Executive Committee, CSG Leadership 5

Council, CSG’s Standing Committees and CSG’s Public Policy Committees. 6

7

The following state leaders will be recognized as the appropriate authorities responsible for 8

making such appointments: 9

10

A. Executive Branch – governor of each member jurisdiction or other state-wide elected 11

official whose jurisdiction covers the appointed participant; 12

13

B. Legislative Branch - the highest ranking legislative leader elected by each legislative 14

chamber from each member jurisdiction; and 15

16

C. Judicial Branch - the highest ranking judicial official from each member jurisdiction. 17

18

Section 5. International Partners: Subnational state, provincial or territorial governments in other 19

countries may, subject to the review, approval and conditions set by the CSG Executive 20

Committee, participate with CSG as “International Partners.” 21

22

Section 6. Authority, Procedures and Rules: CSG will must conduct its business in accordance 23

with these Articles and other authorized governance documents. In all other respects, the CSG 24

Governing Board, the CSG Executive Committee, the CSG Leadership Council and CSG’s 25

Standing Committees and Public Policy Committees will adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order 26

when conducting business. Relying on Robert’s Rules of Order, CSG’s General Counsel or other 27

designee of the CSG Executive Director will serve as Parliamentarian. 28

29


3

ARTICLE II 1

FUNCTIONS 2

3

Section 1. Functions: CSG will be a community of the states. Its function will be to enhance the 4

governance of its member jurisdictions by serving as a neutral, non-partisan convener of state 5

officials and provide forums for a diverse, civil and productive engagement among state leaders 6

of all political parties and ideological perspectives. To that end, CSG will, to the extent its 7

resources allow: 8

9

A. Serve as a catalyst to express the views of the member jurisdictions on matters of major 10

concern, including state-federal issues; 11

12

B. Act as a coordinating agency to analyze legislation and programs of the federal 13

government and for advancing the role of the member jurisdictions in state-federal 14

relations; 15

16

C. Work in concert with organizations of city, county, and state officials and with federal 17

agencies for effective intergovernmental and interbranch cooperation; 18

19

D. Engage in research on major issues and challenges facing state government and develop 20

programs to enhance governance of the member jurisdictions; 21

22

E. Study techniques of state administration in order to improve governmental processes 23

and administrative management; 24

25

F. Arrange and convene meetings and provide other services requested by legislators, 26

executive officials, judicial officials, and commissions on interstate and interbranch 27

cooperation, and their staff; 28

29

G. Promote more effective regional cooperation, the development of programs of mutual 30

interest to adjacent member jurisdictions, and the solution of problems common to an 31


4

area; 1

2

H. Provide programs for the training and development of state officials, legislators, judges; 3

4

I. Gather, analyze, and disseminate information, including data on governmental policies, 5

innovations, practices, legislation, transformations, and other items of interest to 6

member jurisdictions; 7

8

J. Serve as a resource for affiliated organizations, legislative service agencies of the 9

member jurisdictions, and the news media; and 10

11

K. Act as a catalyst for cooperation of member jurisdictions with foreign governments and 12

their political subdivisions. 13

14


5

ARTICLE III 1

CSG GOVERNING BOARD 2

3

Section 1. Membership: The CSG Governing Board will be composed of the fifty-six member 4

jurisdictions represented by the following delegates from each member jurisdiction: 5

6

A. Executive – the Governor. 7

8

B. Legislative – 9

10

1. the two highest ranking majority party legislative leaders and the highest ranking 11

minority party legislative leader of each legislative chamber from each member 12

jurisdiction or their designees; or 13

14

2. the legislative leader, or their designee, plus five legislators designated by the 15

legislative leader in member jurisdictions with a non-partisan, unicameral 16

legislature; or 17

18

3. the legislative leader, or their designee, plus two legislators designated by the 19

legislative leader in a legislative chamber that lacks majority and/or minority 20

parties. 21

22

C. Judicial – the highest ranking judicial official. 23

24

D. All other CSG Executive Committee members entitled to vote. 25

26

Section 2. Term, Appointments and Vacancies: CSG Governing Board appointments will be 27

made biennially for a two-year term beginning January 1 of odd numbered years. Delegates to 28

CSG’s Governing Board serve at the pleasure of their designated appointing authority. 29

30

Section 3. Voting and Quorum: In any action of the CSG Governing Board, the votes will be 31


6

taken by member jurisdiction, with each member jurisdiction having one vote. A quorum will 1

consist of thirty member jurisdictions present and voting. No member jurisdiction or delegate 2

thereof may vote by a proxy. A member jurisdiction will be considered present for purposes of 3

calculating a quorum if at least one delegate of that jurisdiction is present and eligible to vote. A 4

member jurisdiction’s vote on any matter will be determined by a majority vote of that 5

jurisdiction’s delegates present and voting. 6

7

Section 4. Meetings: The CSG Governing Board will be convened at the call of the CSG 8

Executive Committee, or upon written request from CSG Governing Board members 9

representing no fewer than thirty member jurisdictions. The CSG Governing Board will not act 10

on any motion without prior written notice to all member jurisdictions. 11

12

Section 5. Powers and Duties: The CSG Governing Board will have sole jurisdiction over the 13

dissolution of CSG or its corporate merger with another entity. The CSG Executive Committee 14

may refer other issues to the CSG Governing Board for consideration. No other matters will be 15

in order. 16

17


7

ARTICLE IV 1

CSG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2

3

Section 1. Membership: The CSG Executive Committee will be composed of the following 4

persons: 5

A. CSG National Chair , CSG National President , CSG National Chair-Elect, CSG 6

National President-Elect , CSG National Vice Chair, CSG National Vice President, 7

and CSG National Immediate Past Chair and CSG National Immediate Past 8

President. 9

10

B. The chairs and immediate past chairs of each of CSG’s four regions. 11

12

C. Eight Legislators, two from each of CSG’s four regions, designated by the region’s 13

governing authority. 14

15

D. One Chief Justice of a member jurisdiction appointed by the CSG National Chair. 16

17

E. One state court administrator of a member jurisdiction appointed by the CSG 18

National Chair after consultation with the Conference of State Court 19

Administrators. 20

21

F. Two Lieutenant Governors or other official second in line of gubernatorial 22

succession designated appointed by the CSG National Chair after consultation with 23

the National Lieutenant Governors Association. 24

25

G. Two Secretaries of State designated appointed by the CSG National Chair after 26

consultation with the National Association of Secretaries of State. 27

28

H. Two State Treasurers designated appointed by the CSG National Chair after 29

consultation with the National Association of State Treasurers. 30

31


8

I. Two Attorneys General designated appointed by the CSG National Chair after 1

consultation with the National Association of Attorneys General. 2

3

J. Four Legislators designated by the National Conference of State Legislatures. 4

5

K. The chair or co-chairs of each CSG Standing and Public Policy Committee. 6

7

L. Two members of the board of directors of the CSG Justice Center, as designated by 8

the chair of the CSG Justice Center Board of Directors. 9

10

M. Two representativesTwo representatives from CSG’s Affiliate organizations , from 11

among those CSG Affiliates not otherwise represented on the CSG Executive 12

Committee, appointed by the CSG National Chair. 13

14

N. One member of state legislative staff from each of CSG’s four regions appointed 15

by that region’s governing authority. 16

17

O. All CSG Past National Chairs and CSG Past National Presidents, so long as they 18

are an elected or appointed state official. 19

20

P. The CSG National Chair may appoint up to ten additional elected or appointed 21

state officials in order to enhance diversity, inclusion, geographic or partisan 22

balance. 23

24

Q. The CSG National Chair may appoint up to two non-voting representatives from 25

among CSG’s International Partners. 26

27

Section 2. Term and, Appointments: Appointments to the CSG Executive Committee will be 28

for a one-year term, beginning January 1. Persons, organizations or other entities responsible for 29

appointing persons to the CSG Executive Committee will make such appointments no later than 30

April 1 of each year. The CSG National Chair may extend this deadline when warranted. 31


9

Delegates to CSG’s Executive Committee serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. 1

2

Section 3. Officers and Authority: The officers of CSG will include the CSG National Chair, 3

CSG National Chair-Elect, CSG National Vice Chair, CSG Immediate Past National Chair, CSG 4

National President, and CSG National President-Elect., CSG National Vice President, and CSG 5

Immediate Past National President. All CSG officers will serve as officers of CSG’s Governing 6

Board, CSG’s Executive Committee, and CSG’s Leadership Council. 7

8

A. Qualifications: The CSG National Chair, CSG National Chair-Elect, CSG National Vice 9

Chair, and CSG Immediate Past National Chair will be incumbent legislators representing 10

CSG member jurisdictions. The CSG National President and, CSG National President-11

Elect , CSG National Vice President, and CSG Immediate Past National President will be 12

incumbent governors or other jurisdiction-wide elected officials representing CSG 13

member jurisdictions. 14

15

B. Terms of Office: All officers will serve one-year terms beginning on January 1. 16

17

C. Nominations and Elections: The offices of CSG Immediate Past National Chair and CSG 18

Immediate Past National President will be filled by automatic succession. All other CSG 19

officers will be elected annually by the CSG Executive Committee during the CSG 20

National Annual Meeting, or at such other time as designated by the CSG Executive 21

Committee. Written notice of any alternate date will be provided to the CSG Executive 22

Committee at least thirty days in advance. Candidates for election to serve as CSG 23

officers will be nominated by the CSG Leadership Council, as provided herein. The CSG 24

Leadership Council will forward to the CSG Executive Committee a nominee for each 25

national office. A CSG Executive Committee member may submit other nominations 26

with at least three calendar days prior written notice to the CSG National Chair and CSG 27

National President so long as such nominees are from the same CSG region as the 28

nominee of the CSG Leadership Council. 29

30

D. Regional Nomination and Rotation of Legislative Officers: The regional designation of a 31


10

nominee for CSG National Chair, National Chair-Elect and National Vice Chair will 1

rotate annually in the following order, beginning January 1, 2013: National Chair – CSG-2

West; National Chair-Elect – CSG-South; National Vice Chair – CSG-East; and 3

Immediate Past National Chair – CSG-Midwest. The appropriate CSG region will 4

designate a qualified nominee from among its member jurisdictions to serve as the next 5

CSG National Vice-Chair in accordance with its own rules, provided such designation is 6

made at least two weeks prior to the CSG Executive Committee meeting at which 7

consideration of such nomination is scheduled. The designated nominee will be 8

nominated by the CSG Leadership Council to the CSG Executive Committee. In the 9

event that a CSG region fails to timely recommend a nominee, the CSG Leadership 10

Council will nominate a candidate from that region after consulting with that region’s 11

officers. CSG officers serving in the positions of CSG National Chair-Elect and CSG 12

National Vice Chair will be nominated by the CSG Leadership Council for election to the 13

positions of CSG National Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect, respectively. 14

15

E. Vacancies: In the event that a CSG officer or nominee resigns, is ineligible, or declines 16

to serve, the office held or nomination will be vacated. In the event of a vacancy in the 17

office of CSG National Chair, the CSG Leadership Council may appoint a temporary 18

CSG National Chair from the appropriate CSG region. That temporary CSG National 19

Chair’s term expires at the earlier of the completion of the unexpired term, or the 20

appropriate CSG region designates a successor and the successor is ratified by the CSG 21

Leadership Councilduties of CSG National Chair will be performed by the officer next in 22

line of succession. In the event of a vacancy in the office of CSG National President, the 23

duties of CSG National President will be performed by the officer next in line of 24

succession. In the event of a vacancy in the office of CSG National Chair, CSG National 25

Chair-Elect or CSG National Vice Chair, the CSG Leadership Council will request that 26

the appropriate region designate a nominee to fill the vacancy, in accordance with its own 27

rules. A nominee designated by the region will be reported to, and nominated ratified by, 28

the CSG Leadership Council. 29

30

F. Removal from Office: With prior written notice and an opportunity to be heard, any CSG 31


11

officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members present and 1

voting at any CSG Executive Committee meeting. 2

3

Section 4. Duties of Officers: The CSG National Chair will preside at all meetings of the CSG 4

Executive Committee and CSG Leadership Council. The CSG National Chair-Elect will serve as 5

CSG Acting National Chair in the absence of the CSG National Chair. In the absence of the 6

CSG National Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect, the CSG National Vice Chair will serve as 7

CSG Acting National Chair. The CSG National President will preside at meetings of the CSG 8

Governing Board, maintain general responsibility for CSG's Annual Meeting, and represent CSG 9

at regional or national meetings. The CSG National President-Elect will serve as CSG Acting 10

National President in the absence of the CSG National President. In the absence of the CSG 11

National President and CSG National President-Elect, the CSG National Vice President will 12

serve as CSG Acting National President. In the absence of the CSG National President and , 13

CSG National President-Elect, and CSG National Vice President, the CSG National Chair, CSG 14

National Chair-Elect or the CSG National Vice Chair may perform the functions of the CSG 15

National President. In the absence of the CSG National Chair, CSG National Chair-Elect or the 16

CSG National Vice Chair, the CSG National President, CSG National President-Elect or the 17

CSG National Vice President may perform the functions of the CSG National Chair. The CSG 18

National officers will perform such other duties as approved by the CSG Governing Board, CSG 19

Executive Committee, CSG Leadership Council and these Articles. 20

21

22

Section 5. Voting and Quorum of Executive Committee: A quorum for the purpose of 23

conducting business will consist of those members present; except, a quorum for the purpose of 24

adopting policy resolutions, adjusting member jurisdiction dues, imposing sanctions for non-25

payment of dues, convening the CSG Governing Board, reassigning a member jurisdiction from 26

one region to another and reversing an action of the CSG Leadership Council will consist of 27

twenty-five members of the CSG Executive Committee. No votes may be cast by proxy. 28

29

Section 6. Meetings of Executive Committee: The CSG Executive Committee will meet at the 30

call of the CSG National Chair, but at least once annually, or upon a written request from at least 31


12

twenty-five CSG Executive Committee members, either in person or by sanctioned electronic 1

means. The CSG Executive Committee will not meet without prior written notice to the 2

members. 3

4

Section 7. Powers and Duties of Executive Committee: Except as otherwise provided in these 5

Articles, the CSG Executive Committee will have general authority over the funds, property, and 6

management of CSG, including to: 7

8

A. Establish ‘Policy Resolution Guidelines’ prescribing the types and nature of policy 9

resolutions or statements that place CSG on public record with regard to a matter of local, 10

state or federal policy. All CSG policy statements and resolutions not updated or renewed 11

within three years from the date of adoption will expire, unless an earlier expiration is 12

otherwise provided in the policy statement or resolution; 13

14

B. Consider, approve or rescind statements of policy that represent the official policy 15

position of CSG; 16

17

C. Consider, approve or rescind statements of policy adopted on an interim basis by the 18

CSG Leadership Council; 19

20

D. Consider, adopt or amend CSG’s annual biennial operating budget and review and 21

approve all interim budget decisions made by the CSG Leadership Council; 22

23

E. Adopt financial management rules governing the submission of budget recommendations, 24

investment of CSG funds and financial controls; 25

26

E.F. Determine an equitable dues allocation formula for the member jurisdictions, advocate 27

for the payment thereof and impose appropriate sanctions on any non-dues paying 28

member jurisdictions; 29

30

F.G. Appoint and assign responsibilities to the CSG Executive Director; 31


13

1

G.H. Amend the regional structure of CSG as provided herein; 2

3

H.I. Consider and approve the terms and conditions of participation by foreign nations and 4

their political subdivisions; 5

6

I.J. Consider and approve the terms and conditions of participation by private-sector entities 7

and their representatives; 8

9

J.K. Call meetings of the CSG Governing Board; 10

11

K.L. Delegate to the CSG Leadership Council, for a time certain, authority to exercise CSG 12

Executive Committee powers; and 13

14

L.M. Veto any action authorized or undertaken by the CSG Leadership Council, except as 15

provided under Article V, Section 3. 16

17

All powers, functions, and duties not otherwise delegated herein, are reserved to the CSG 18

Executive Committee. 19

20

Section 8. CSG Executive Director: 21

22

A. Responsibilities: The CSG Executive Director: 23

24

1. Serves as the chief executive officer of CSG responsible for all management 25

functions. The CSG Executive Director is responsible for directing CSG activities 26

and programs, including day-to-day operations of CSG, and carrying out CSG’s 27

strategic mission under the direction of CSG’s officers, the CSG Leadership 28

Council, the CSG Executive Committee and the CSG Governing Board. 29

30

2. Serves as the Secretary of CSG and will designate appoint a Treasurer for CSG. 31


14

1

3. Develops and timely submits the biennial budget for all components of the CSG 2

organization, including CSG’s headquarters, CSG’s regions, CSG’s Washington, 3

DC office and the CSG Justice Center, to the CSG Finance Committee for review, 4

adjustment, and approval. 5

6 3.4.Establishes, pursuant to Article IX, the terms and conditions of an affiliation by 7

and between CSG and another association provided the mission and purpose of 8

that association is compatible with and advances the mission and purpose of CSG. 9

10

4.5.Serves as CSG’s staff liaison to other associations of state and local government 11

officials. 12

13

5.6.Serves as President of CSG’s 21st Century Foundation. 14

15

6.7.Employs, discharges and establishes the terms and conditions of employment of 16

all CSG employees, except CSG Regional Directors and Affiliate Directors and 17

employees of same. 18

19

7.8.Establishes, after consultation with the Regional Directors and the directors of 20

CSG’s affiliated organizations, the human resource policies for all CSG 21

employees, and establishes the financial, accounting, information technology and 22

other administrative policies and procedures for CSG. 23

24

B. Appointment and Compensation: The CSG Leadership Council will establish the terms 25

and conditions of the employment contract for the CSG Executive Director. The CSG 26

National Chair will annually appoint a temporary committee from current CSG national 27

officers and past CSG national officers, so long as members are an elected or appointed 28

state official, to and provide anfor the annual performance evaluation of the CSG 29

Executive Director, and provide a summary to the CSG Leadership Council. Any action 30

to employ or discharge a CSG Executive Director will require the affirmative vote of at 31

least two-thirds of the members of the CSG Leadership Council. A CSG Leadership 32


15

Council action to employ or discharge the CSG Executive Director will be conveyed in 1

writing to the members of the CSG Executive Committee and the CSG Executive 2

Committee may amend, repeal or affirm such action upon a majority vote. 3

4

C. Deputy Executive Directors: The Regional Director of each CSG region will also serve as 5

a Deputy Executive Director of CSG. In this role they will consult and collaborate with 6

the CSG Executive Director in support of the mission and goals of CSG. The CSG 7

Executive Director may appoint such other Deputy Executive Directors as appropriate. 8

9

Section 9. Vacancies: In the event any appointing authority, including CSG region(s), fails to 10

make a timely appointment to the CSG Executive Committee, the CSG Leadership Council, 11

CSG standing or public policy committee(s), or other authorized position(s); or, if a vacancy 12

exists, the CSG National Chair may fill those positions, except as provided in Article IV, 13

Section 3, Subsection E, ‘Vacancies.’ 14

15


16

ARTICLE V 1

CSG LEADERSHIP COUNCIL 2

3

Section 1. Membership: The CSG Leadership Council will be composed as follows: 4

5

A. CSG National Chair 6

B. CSG National President 7

C. CSG National Chair-Elect 8

D. CSG National Vice Chair 9

E. CSG Immediate Past National Chair 10

F. CSG Immediate Past National President 11

G. CSG Regional Chair or their designees; one from each of CSG’s four (4) regions 12

H. One member appointed by the National Lieutenant Governors Association 13

I. One member appointed by the National Association of State Treasurers 14

J.H. One member appointed by and representing CSG’s Affiliated organizations 15

K.I. Chair of the CSG Justice Center Board of Directors or designee 16

L.J. Co-Chairs of theOne CSG Finance Committee member appointed by the CSG National 17

Chair 18

M.K. One CSG Intergovernmental Affairs Committee member appointed by the CSG National 19

Chair 20

L. One CSG Interbranch Affairs Committee member appointed by the CSG National Chair 21

N.M. Two past CSG National Chairs, appointed by the CSG National Chair, if the past CSG 22

National Chair is an elected or appointed state official 23

24

Section 2. Term and, Appointments and Vacancies: CSG Leadership Council appointments will 25

be made annually for a one-year term, beginning on January 1. Persons, organizations or other 26

entities responsible for appointing persons to the CSG Leadership Council will make such 27

appointments no later than February 1 of each year. The CSG National Chair may extend this 28

deadline when warranted. Members of CSG’s Leadership Council serve at the pleasure of their 29

appointing authority. Members of CSG’s Leadership Council shall will carry out their duties as 30

leaders of CSG and exercise such duties not as a representative of their appointing authority, but 31


17

in the best interests of CSG. 1

2

Section 3. Exclusive Powers and Duties: 3

4

The CSG Leadership Council will establish the terms and conditions of the employment contract 5

for the CSG Executive Director and provide for the annual performance evaluation of the CSG 6

Executive Director. 7

8

Section 4. Provisional Powers and Duties: 9

10

The CSG Leadership Council will: 11

12

A. Establish the official policies, approve the acquisition, transfer or sale of any interest in 13

real property, and confirm or cancel legal contracts or obligations referred to it by the 14

CSG Executive Director. Such actions will be reported to the CSG Executive Committee 15

within three business days by the CSG Executive Director and the CSG Executive 16

Committee may, by a majority vote, reverse such a decision by the CSG Leadership 17

Council within ten business days of receiving the report; and 18

19

B. Authorize the initiation, defense or settlement of legal claims or potential legal claims. 20

Such actions will be reported to the CSG Executive Committee within three business 21

days by the CSG Executive Director and the CSG Executive Committee may, by a 22

majority vote, reverse such a decision by the CSG Leadership Council within ten 23

business days of receiving the report; 24

25

Section 5. Other Powers and Duties: 26

27

The CSG Leadership Council will: 28

29

A. Consider and adopt any interim statements of policy which will expire at the next 30

meeting of the CSG Executive Committee unless affirmed by the CSG Executive 31


18

Committee; 1

2

B. Create Public Policy Committees as may be necessary to advance of the mission of CSG; 3

4

C. Engage in strategic planning, including approval of CSG’s mission and vision. The CSG 5

Leadership Council will establish strategic priorities for CSG’s products, programs and 6

services, and provide a report to the CSG Executive Committee; 7

8

D. Consider and approve interim changes to the biennialannual operating budget, subject to 9

approval of the CSG Executive Committee; 10

11

E. Adopt guidelines for the affiliation of associations with CSG; 12

13 Adopt guidelines for the acceptance and use of external funds by CSG; 14

E.F. 15

16

F.G. Review appropriate financial reports including CSG’s IRS Form 990 prior to filing and 17

all reports of auditors; and 18

19

G.H. Take other interim actions necessary to govern CSG, subject to review by the CSG 20

Executive Committee. 21

22

Section 6. Voting: Each member of the CSG Leadership Council will be entitled to one vote. 23

No vote may be cast by a proxy. 24

25

Section 7. Meetings: The CSG Leadership Council will meet at the call of the CSG National 26

Chair or upon the petition of one-third of its members, either in person or by sanctioned 27

electronic means. 28

29

Section 8. Quorum: A majority of the members will constitute a quorum for conducting 30

business of the CSG Leadership Council. 31

32


19

ARTICLE VI 1

CSG STANDING AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEES 2

3

Section 1. Standing Committees: 4

A. To conduct business on behalf of the organization and to fulfill its purpose, CSG will 5

maintain the following the Standing Committees: 6

7

1. Finance Committee: The Finance Committee will monitor the fiscal affairs of CSG, 8

review the financial implications of proposed plans before implementation, and 9

recommend an biennial annual budget for all components of CSG, including CSG’s 10

headquarters, CSG’s regions, CSG’s Washington DC office, and the CSG Justice 11

Center, and schedule of state appropriations to the CSG Executive Committee. In 12

its role of providing financial oversight, the Finance Committee serves as fiduciary, 13

maintaining financial management rules for CSG. The membership of the Finance 14

Committee will include public-sector members only and will consist of: the chair 15

and chair-elect (or vice chair in regions having no chair-elect) of each CSG region; 16

one member from each region designated by the chair of each region; four 17

members-at large designated appointed by the CSG National Chair; up to four 18

members of CSG Affiliate organizations represented on the CSG Executive 19

Committee to be designated appointed by the CSG National Chair; two advisors 20

(non-voting), one each representing the executive and legislative branches of state 21

government. The CSG National Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect will appoint 22

the committee Co-Chairs and Vice Chair. The Co-Chairs will be legislators of 23

different political parties and the Vice Chair will be an elected executive branch 24

official. 25

26

2. Intergovernmental Affairs Committee: the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee 27

will review and monitor major intergovernmental issues and relevant court cases 28

and decisions impacting the states. The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will 29

review all policy positions or resolutions approved by CSG’s Public Policy 30

Committees and may recommend these and other resolutions and policy statements 31


20

to the CSG Executive Committee. The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will 1

periodically review and update its resolutions and policy statements and request 2

other committees to review and update theirs as necessary. The membership of the 3

Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will consist of two members from each CSG 4

region, one member from each CSG affiliate; and other public-sector members 5

from CSG member jurisdictions, all of which are appointed by the CSG National 6

Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect. The membership of the Intergovernmental 7

Affairs Committee will be appointed bi-annually by the CSG National Chair, and 8

will include two members from each CSG region and one member from each CSG 9

affiliate organization. Membership may also include non-voting private-sector 10

representatives from CSG’s Associates Program and non-voting representatives 11

from CSG International Partners as designated appointed by the CSG National 12

Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect. The CSG National Chair, in consultation with 13

the CSG National Chair-Elect, will appoint the committee Co-Chairs and Vice 14

Chair. The Co-Chairs will be legislators of different political parties and the Vice 15

Chair will be an elected executive branch official. 16

17

3. Interbranch Affairs Committee: the Interbranch Affairs Committee will review and 18

monitor major interbranch issues and seek to foster collaboration and understanding 19

among and between the branches of state government. The membership of the 20

Interbranch Affairs Committee will be appointed by the CSG National Chair and 21

CSG National Chair-Elect bi-annually by the CSG National Chair in consultation 22

with the CSG Leadership Council and will include public-sector members from 23

CSG member jurisdictions and may include non-voting representatives from 24

International Partners as designated appointed by the CSG National Chair. The 25

CSG National Chair, in consultation with the CSG National Chair-Elect, will 26

appoint three Interbranch Affairs Committee Co-Chairs, one from each branch of 27

state government. 28

29

4. Emerging Suggested State Legislation (SSLESL) Committee: With the goal of 30

sharing innovations in state governancepolicy, the SSL ESL Committee will 31


21

identify, review curate and disseminate state legislation on topics of major interest. 1

The consideration or dissemination of such legislation will not constitute an 2

endorsement nor will CSG advocate for the enactment of any such legislation in 3

any member jurisdictions. The SSL ESL Committee’s membership will include 4

public-sector members only and will include one member from each legislative 5

chamber in each member jurisdiction; or two legislative members from a 6

unicameral legislature; and one legislative staff member from each member 7

jurisdiction appointed by the CSG National Chair from recommendations of the 8

appropriate legislative appointing authorities in the member jurisdictions. The CSG 9

National Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect will appoint the SSL ESL Committee 10

Co-Chairs or one Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair or Co-Chairs will be legislators 11

of different political parties and the Vice Chair will be non-partisan legislative 12

staff. Five members present and voting will constitute a quorum for conducting 13

business of the SSL ESL Committee. Any replacement of a SSL ESL Committee 14

member by a member jurisdiction’s legislative appointing authority or the 15

appointment of a proxy will be made no later than two weeks prior to the date of 16

any SSL ESL Committee meeting for that member to be eligible to participate at 17

that meeting. 18

5. 19

National Meetings Committee: The National Meetings Committee will coordinate and 20

recommend the dates and locations for CSG’s national meetings. The National 21

Meetings Committee will seek bids from member jurisdictions to host a meeting at 22

least one year, and preferably two to three years, in advance and make 23

recommendations to the CSG Executive Committee for future sites and dates of 24

CSG national meetings. The membership members of the National Meetings 25

Committee will be appointed annually for a one-year term beginning on January 1 26

by the CSG National Chair and will include, but is not limited to, the CSG National 27

President and CSG National Chair, representatives of the three pastthree past host 28

jurisdictions, one representativeone representative from each of CSG's four 29

regionsfour regions and non-voting representation from CSG’s Associates 30

Program. The CSG National Chair, in consultation with the CSG National Chair-31


22

Elect, will appoint two National Meetings Committee Co-Chairs of different 1

political parties and the Vice Chair will be an elected executive branch official. 2

6. The CSG National Chair, in consultation with the CSG National Chair-Elect, will 3

appoint the National Meetings Committee Co-Chairs or Chair and Vice Chair. 4

Committee members representing a member jurisdiction competing for selection will 5

not be eligible to vote on any question arising in the course of such consideration. 6

7

7.6.International Committee: the International Committee will be responsible for 8

coordination and development of activities in the international arena of importance 9

to U.S. states. Those activities will include, as appropriate, coordination of 10

exchanges and discussions between U.S. state and foreign government officials; 11

development and oversight of research and other projects involving international 12

issues and concerns; coordination of international activities involving more than 13

one CSG region or affiliate; and development of special meetings and symposia on 14

appropriate international issues of importance to state governments. Membership of 15

the International Committee will consist of legislators and other elected and 16

appointed state officials from all areas of the United States, appointed by the CSG 17

National Chair and CSG National Chair-Elect and to include members from all 18

CSG regions. Membership may also include non-voting representatives from 19

CSG’s Associates Program. All CSG International Partners designated by the CSG 20

Executive Committee will be entitled to one voting member on the International 21

Committee as appointed by the highest elected official of that subnational 22

government and subject to approval by the CSG National Chair. The CSG National 23

Chair, in consultation with the CSG National Chair-Elect, will appoint the 24

International Committee Co-Chairs or Chair and Vice Chair. Members of the CSG 25

Global Associates Program will serve as non-voting members. The Co-Chairs will 26

be legislators of different political parties and the Vice Chair will be an elected 27

executive branch official. 28

29

8.7.CSG Associates Advisory Committee: The CSG Associates Advisory Committee 30

will work to marshal private-sector support of CSG’s mission of service to the 31


23

states. It will cultivate meaningful partnerships between CSG and private-sector 1

entities and promote excellence in state government and sound public policy. The 2

Committee will be chaired by the CSG National Chair-Elect and the CSG 3

Immediate Past National Chair will serve as Vice Chair. The CSG National Chair, 4

in consultation with the CSG National Chair-Elect, will appoint the members of the 5

committee. All members of the committee will be entitled to one vote on matters 6

coming before the committee. A majority of the committee members will be 7

public-sector representatives of member jurisdictions. 8

9

B. Standing Committee Membership: Unless otherwise noted in these Articles or provided 10

for by the CSG Executive Committee, only representatives from CSG member 11

jurisdictions will be eligible to serve on CSG Standing Committees. Unless otherwise 12

provided, Appointments appointments to CSG Standing Committees will be made 13

biennially for a two-year term beginning January 1, and, provided all appointees serve 14

at the pleasure of their appointing authority. Appointments to a CSG Standing 15

Committee made during the two-year term will expire at the conclusion of the 16

biennium. A proxy may be recognized upon written authorization from the appropriate 17

state appointing authority. In order to be valid, such proxy must be presented to the 18

appropriate Standing Committee Chair or Co-Chairs prior to the call to order of any 19

meeting. CSG does not recognize proxies granted solely by Standing Committee 20

members. CSG’s National Officers, Past National Chairs and CSG Past National 21

Presidents will be ex officio, voting members of all CSG Standing Committees so long 22

as they remain a state official. CSG’s National Officers, CSG Past National Chairs and 23

CSG Past National Presidents not in attendance at a CSG Standing Committee meeting 24

will not be included when counting to determine the presence of a quorum. 25

26

C. Standing Committee Voting and Quorum: Except as otherwise noted in this Article, 27

each member of a CSG Standing Committee will be entitled to one vote. No vote may 28

be cast by a proxy. At any meeting of a CSG Standing Committee the presence (either 29

physical or through sanctioned electronic means) of Committee members representing 30

greater than one-fourth of the total CSG member jurisdictions with appointments to the 31


24

Committee will constitute a quorum. 1

2

D. Standing Committee Meetings and Notice: CSG Standing Committees will meet on 3

the call of the Standing Committee Chair or Co-Chairs or the CSG National Chair. All 4

Standing Committee members will be provided two-weeks notice of any proposed 5

policy positions or resolutions to be considered at a meeting of the committee. No 6

Standing Committee may waive the two week prior notification rule. 7

8

Section 2. Public Policy Committees: The CSG Leadership Council, subject to the review of the 9

CSG Executive Committee, will create such Public Policy Committees and designate such 10

members to committees as may be necessary to advance the mission of CSG. Public Policy 11

Committees will exist for the biennium, unless renewed. 12

13

A. Public Policy Committee Membership: CSG Public Policy Committee membership 14

may include both public-sector representatives from CSG’s member jurisdictions, non-15

voting representatives from CSG’s International Partners and private-sector, non-voting 16

representatives from CSG’s Associates Program. The CSG National Chair, in 17

consultation with the CSG National Chair-Elect, will appoint two legislative Co-Chairs 18

of different political parties and a Vice Chair that is an executive branch official to each 19

CSG Public Policy Committee. Public-sector appointments to CSG Public Policy 20

Committees will be made biennially for a two-year term provided all appointees serve 21

at the pleasure of the appropriate state appointing authority. Appointments to a CSG 22

Public Policy Committee made during the two-year term will expire at the conclusion 23

of the biennium. Terms of private-sector members will be for one-year. Private-sector 24

membership on any Public Policy Committee may not exceed twenty-five percent of 25

the total committee membership roster. A public-sector member’s proxy may be 26

recognized upon written authorization from the appropriate state appointing authority. 27

In order to be valid, such a proxy must be presented to the appropriate Public Policy 28

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs prior to the call to order of any meeting. CSG does not 29

recognize proxies granted solely by Public Policy Committee members. Private-sector 30

non-voting representatives to Public Policy Committees will be appointed by the CSG 31


25

National Chair from among the members in good standing of CSG’s Associates 1

Program. CSG’s National Officers, Past National Chairs and CSG Past National 2

Presidents will be ex officio, voting members of all CSG Standing Committees so long 3

as they remain a state official. CSG’s National Officers, CSG Past National Chairs and 4

CSG Past National Presidents not in attendance at a CSG Standing Committee meeting 5

will not be included when counting to determine the presence of a quorum. 6

7

B. Policy Committee Voting and Quorum: Except as otherwise noted in this Article, each 8

public-sector member of a CSG Public Policy Committee will be entitled to one vote. 9

At any meeting of a CSG Public Policy Committee the presence (either physical or 10

through sanctioned electronic means) of public-sector committee members representing 11

greater than one-fourth of the total CSG member jurisdictions with appointments to the 12

committee will constitute a quorum. 13

14

C. Public Policy Committee Meetings and Notice: CSG Public Policy Committees will 15

meet at the call of the Public Policy Committee Chair or Co-Chairs or the CSG 16

National Chair. All Public Policy Committee members will be provided two-weeks 17

noticeweeks’ notice of any proposed policy positions or resolutions to be considered at 18

a meeting of the committee. No Public Policy Committee may waive the two week 19

notification rule. 20

21

ARTICLE VII 22

REGIONAL ORGANIZATION 23

24

Section 1. CSG Regions: CSG will have four regions to foster a greater understanding of issues 25

unique to each region and to provide a regionally based forum for state officials. Each region 26

will be governed by a governing authority established pursuant to that region’s enacted 27

governing documents. A region may exercise such duties and powers not in conflict with or 28

otherwise prohibited in these Articles. 29

30

Section 2. Regional Rules: 31


26

1

A. Each CSG region will adopt governing rules including: 2

1. Purpose Statement 3

2. Membership 4

3. Officers and Elections 5

4. Executive Committee 6

5. National Leadership Nomination Process 7

6. Committees 8

7. Policy Resolution Process 9

8. Meetings 10

9. Regional Director and, Staff and Annual Evaluations 11

10. Amendment Process 12

13

B. Each CSG regional governing authority will annually approve a budget for the region 14

which will be timely submitted to the CSG Executive DirectorFinance Committee. 15

16

Section 3. Regional Director: The Regional Director is an at-will employee of CSG and serves 17

at the pleasure of the regional governing authority as specified in that region’s governing 18

documents. 19

20

A. Responsibilities: Each region’s Regional Director: 21

1. Is responsible for directing regional activities and programs, including day-to-day 22

operations of that region. 23

1.2.Is responsible for developing a staff leadership succession plan for their region. 24

2.3.Will serve as a Deputy Executive Director of CSG. 25

3.4.Employs and discharges other CSG employees of that region. 26

27

B. Appointment, Compensation and Review: Each CSG region will, pursuant to that 28

region’s governing documents: 29

1. Appoint and assign responsibilities to a Regional Director. 30


27

2. The Chair of a region must provide for the annualAnnually performance evaluation 1

review the performance of a Regional Director and provide its a written review to 2

CSG’s human resources director. 3

3. Establish compensation for a Regional Director pursuant to CSG’s human resource 4

policies. 5

6

Section 4. Regional Composition: Regions of CSG will comprise the following member 7

jurisdictions: 8

9

A. CSG East: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 10

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the 11

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Territory of the U.S. 12

Virgin Islands. 13

14

B. CSG Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North 15

Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin. 16

17

C. CSG South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 18

Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West 19

Virginia. 20

21

D. CSG West: Alaska, the Territory of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, the 22

Territory of Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, 23

Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 24

25

Section 5. Amendments to Regional Structure: The regional structure defined in Article VII, 26

Section 4 will not be amended except by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members 27

present and voting at a meeting of the CSG Executive Committee, as specified in Article IV, 28

Section 5. A motion to reassign a member jurisdiction from one region to another will be in 29

order only if endorsed in writing by that member jurisdiction’s Governor, and the highest 30

legislative leader elected by each legislative chamber. Written notice of any proposed 31


28

amendment to Article VII, Section 4 will be provided to all CSG Executive Committee members 1

at least thirty days prior to the meeting during which the amendment is to be considered. The 2

proposed amendment may not thereafter be further amended without similar written notice and 3

endorsements, except by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. 4

5

Section 6. Regional Organization and Services: The regions may render assistance to regionally 6

focused organizations in partnership with CSG, be of assistance to individual member 7

jurisdictions comprising the regions, and perform such other duties to advance the mission of 8

CSG. The enumeration of member jurisdictions by regions in Article VII, Section 4 will not 9

preclude cooperation among member jurisdictions in different regions, and regional office 10

support to such groups of member jurisdictions will be allowed. 11

12

Section 7. Regional Annual Meetings: With the goal of avoiding conflict withting other CSG 13

region’sal annual meeting dates and other organizations that CSG’s members may attend, the 14

dates of each regional annual meeting will be coordinated in advance with the CSG Executive 15

Director. 16

17


29

ARTICLE VIII 1

CSG JUSTICE CENTER 2

3

Section 1. Purpose: CSG will have a Justice Center whose purpose is to provide information and 4

assistance to member jurisdictions on criminal justice and public safety matters and to advance 5

the mission of CSG. The CSG Justice Center will be governed by a governing authority 6

established pursuant to governing documents enacted by the CSG Justice Center with the 7

approval of CSG’s Executive Committee. The CSG Justice Center may exercise such duties and 8

powers not otherwise in conflict with or prohibited herein. The CSG Executive Committee may 9

amend or revise the governing documents of the CSG Justice Center. 10

11

12

Section 2. Justice Center Rules: The Justice Center’s governing documents will make provision 13

for: 14

1. Purpose Statement 15

2. Establishment of Justice Center Governing Authority, including Powers and Duties 16

3. Membership of Justice Center Governing Authority, including tenure and selection 17

criteria 18

4. Committees 19

5. Policy Resolution Process and Guidelines 20

6. Lobbying Guidelines and Restrictions 21

7. Meetings 22

8. Amendment Process 23

24

Section 3. Justice Center Director Responsibilities 25

26

The Justice Center Director is: 27

1. Responsible for directing the activities and programs, including day-to-day operations, of 28

the Justice Center. 29

2. Responsible for developing a strategic plan and staff leadership succession plan for the 30

Justice Center. 31


30

3. Employing and discharging other CSG employees of the Justice Center. 1

2

Section 4. Appointment, Compensation and Review of the Justice Center Director 3

The Justice Center director is an at-will employee of CSG and serves at the pleasure of the CSG 4

Executive Director. 5

6

The CSG Executive Director will, in consultation with the Justice Center governing authority: 7

1. Appoint and assign responsibilities to the Justice Center director. 8

2. Provide for the annual performance evaluation of the Justice Center Director and provide 9

a written review to CSG’s human resources director. 10

3. Establish compensation for the Justice Center director pursuant to CSG’s human resource 11

policies. 12

13

14


31

ARTICLE IX 1

RELATED ORGANIZATIONS 2

3

Section 1. Affiliated Organizations: Upon the approval of the CSG Executive Committee, CSG 4

is authorized to grant affiliate status to qualified petitioning organizations and may, as agreed, 5

provide financial assistance, secretariat and other staff services to such affiliated organizations. 6

CSG’s relationships with such affiliated organizations will be defined, established and 7

terminated by the CSG Executive Committee. 8

9


32

ARTICLE X 1

CSG ASSOCIATES PROGRAM 2

3

Section 1. Associates Program: CSG will have an Associates Program. The purpose of the 4

program will be to establish meaningful partnerships between CSG and private-sector or non-5

governmental entities. Members of the Associates Program will pay dues in an amount 6

established by the CSG Leadership Council to support the non-profit mission of CSG and may 7

participate in CSG activities as provided herein or as approved by the CSG Executive 8

Committee, so long as such approval is not in conflict with these Articles. The CSG Associates 9

Program will be administered in accordance with the guidelines for the acceptance and use of 10

external funds as adopted by the CSG Leadership Council. 11

12


33

ARTICLE XI 1

CSG 21st CENTURY FOUNDATION 2

3

Section 1. 21st Century Foundation: The 21st Century Foundation provides funding for CSG 4

initiatives and priorities overseen by a Board of Trustees. The 21st Century Foundation will be 5

governed by a Board of Trustees and administered by CSG staff. The Board of Trustees will be 6

composed of not less than thirty-five, but not more than fifty members and will include both 7

public- and private-sector members and members of CSG’s Associates Program, with the 8

majority of participants of which the majority will bebeing public-sector officialsmembers. 9

Public-sector members will be appointed by the CSG National Chair and CSG National Chair-10

Elect and appointments will be made biennially for a two-year term beginning January 1 of an 11

odd-numbered year. CSG Associates Program Private-sector members making qualifying 12

contributions to the 21st Century Foundation as established by CSG’s Executive Committee will 13

be the Board of Trustees will be entitled eligible to serve for a period of one year and such 14

membership may be renewedas trustees for a five-year term. The Chair of the Board of Trustees 15

will be the CSG National Chair-Elect. The Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees will be the CSG 16

National Vice Chair. The CSG Executive Director will act as president and chief executive 17

officer of the 21st Century Foundation. The 21st Century Foundation will submit an annual 18

report of its activities to the CSG Leadership Council and the CSG Executive Committee. 19


34

ARTICLE XII 1

CSG LEGAL TASK FORCE 2

Section 1. Legal Task Force: CSG will have an independent Legal Task Force to review 3

litigation in federal courts that may potentially impact the states and/or impact the fundamental 4

tenets of the American federalism system. In this role the Legal Task Force will, subject to a 5

majority vote of its members, approve CSG’s participation on amicus curiae briefs to the courts 6

and/or join such briefs as may be submitted by other organizations. The Legal Task Force will, 7

upon the submission or endorsement of an amicus brief, provide written notice to the CSG 8

Leadership Council and will provide a regular written update to the CSG Leadership Council. 9

The membership of the Legal Task Force will consist of three public-sector members designated 10

by each region. The CSG National Chair will appoint a chair of the Legal Task Force from 11

among the group’s membership. All appointments to the Legal Task Force will be for a two-year 12

term beginning on January 1 of odd-numbered years. CSG, excluding CSG affiliates acting in 13

their own name, will not approve or endorse any amicus briefs without the prior approval of the 14

CSG Legal Task Force. 15


35

ARTICLE XIII 1

DISSOLUTION 2

3

Section 1. Distribution of Assets: In the event of the dissolution of The Council of State 4

Governments, and following the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities in accordance with CSG’s 5

Rules for Financial Management as established by the CSG Executive Committee, any assets 6

managed by CSG will be distributed to the member jurisdictions in the proportion to which each 7

member jurisdiction contributed to the support of CSG during the five-year period immediately 8

preceding dissolution. Any assets so distributed to a member jurisdiction will be used for a 9

qualified, tax-exempt, public purpose. 10

11


36

ARTICLE XIV 1

AMENDMENTS 2

3

Section 1. Method: The CSG Executive Committee at any meeting may amend these Articles, 4

unless otherwise provided herein, by a majority vote of those present, but at least one 5

affirmative vote must be cast from not less than twenty-six member jurisdictions. Article VII, 6

Section 4 may only be amended as provided in Article VII, Section 5. Written notice of any 7

proposed amendment, including an explanatory statement, will be provided to all CSG Executive 8

Committee members at least thirty days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be 9

submitted to a vote. The proposed amendment may not thereafter be further amended without 10

similar written notice, except by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. 11

12

Section 2. Suspension: The provisions of Section 1 of this Article may only be suspended by 13

unanimous consent of those present and voting. 14

Documents

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION · CSG’s Articles of Organization – adopted December 2012 (Proposed Revisions, Track Change – Nov. 13, 2015) 8 . 1 I. Two Attorneys General designated