Governor Henry McMaster has signed Executive Order 2025-17, introducing a revised policy for the closure of state government offices in Richland and Lexington counties due to hazardous weather or dangerous conditions. This decision follows a study carried out by the Department of Administration’s Division of State Human Resources at the request of the Governor, initiated in November 2024.
The study involved examining state policies, comparing them with those of 11 other states, and offering recommendations aimed at updating the process for state government office closures. Under the newly implemented policy, Governor McMaster, in collaboration with state emergency management officials, will decide whether state government offices, including colleges, universities, and technical colleges supported by the state in Richland and Lexington counties, should be closed due to hazardous conditions.
For the remaining 44 counties, there will be no changes in the closure policy. State government offices will continue to adhere to the closure decisions made by the respective county government officials, unless directed otherwise by the Governor.
Governor McMaster emphasized the need to update the policy, stating, “For years, our policy has appropriately deferred to local officials when making closure decisions, but as more state agencies move or expand their operations into Lexington County, it’s time we modernize our approach to make it more consistent for state employees living and working in the Midlands. This change will also ensure that citizens in all parts of the state have consistent access to the critical state government services their tax dollars pay for, especially during emergencies.”
The responsibility to communicate the Governor’s closure decisions will lie with the Department of Administration’s Division of State Human Resources. Furthermore, the order maintains that agency heads hold the discretion to assign essential or mission-critical personnel to ensure continuity of essential government operations during closures. Agencies are encouraged to continue supporting telecommuting or work-from-home arrangements for nonessential employees, and local governments are prohibited from blocking these essential personnel from accessing state facilities during a State of Emergency.
