Executive Branch Records

The Executive Branch of State Government is organized into the separate offices of the elected State officers and the administrative agencies and departments as created by law. Records created and received by state officials, whether elected or appointed, are highly likely to be permanent (archival) as they often provide written evidence of:

1. Persistent legal status, rights, and entitlements of individuals, groups, organizations, and public agencies.
2. Deliberations, decisions, and actions relating to major social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
3. Significant effects of state programs and actions on individuals, communities, and the man-made and natural resources of the State.
4. Significant policies and procedures.

Prior to 2008, there was no statutory requirement for state officers and administrative secretaries and commissioner to transfer their archival administrative records to the Office of Secretary of State, with the exception the Governor (who has long been required to transfer his or her "official correspondence" upon retirement). Authorization from the Public Records Advisory Board, however, was required under state law to destroy any records.

In 2008, Vermont public records laws, including those related record management and the state archives, were expanded to assure that all state archival records are managed and preserved in accordance with record schedules approved by the state archivist and eligible for transfer into the state archives.