Governor Meyer Signs Executive Order Strengthening Conflict-of-interest Standards for Unclaimed Property Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Media Contact:

Jonah Anderson

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GOVERNOR MEYER SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER STRENGTHENING CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST STANDARDS FOR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY TASK FORCE

DOVER, Del. - Gov. Matt Meyer signed Executive Order 26 establishing enhanced conflict-of-interest standards for executive branch members serving on Delaware's Unclaimed Property Task Force, reinforcing the administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.

The executive order requires executive branch representatives on the task force to certify they have no financial interests related to Delaware's unclaimed property industry and directs the Department of State to publicly disclose conflict-of-interest information for task force members. It also encourages legislative leaders to apply the same standards to their appointments.

"Delaware's unclaimed property laws should be written for the people of Delaware, not for the industry that profits from them," said Governor Matt Meyer. "The recommendations of this task force should be guided by the public interest, free from conflicts of interest and focused on ensuring our unclaimed property system remains fair, transparent and accountable."

The General Assembly established the Unclaimed Property Task Force to study Delaware's unclaimed property system and make recommendations to improve its stability, predictability, fairness and transparency. The task force is required to submit its findings to the governor and legislative leadership by February 1, 2027.

Executive Order 26 prohibits executive branch representatives on the task force from having specified financial interests related to the unclaimed property industry during the previous five years, including compensated lobbying, consulting, audit, compliance, litigation, asset recovery or government relations work involving unclaimed property matters. The order also requires written certifications from executive branch participants before they begin serving on the task force.

The order directs the Department of State to develop a uniform conflict-of-interest disclosure form within 30 days, collect completed forms from executive branch members and designees, request voluntary disclosure from all other task force members and publish completed disclosures on the task force's public webpage before its first meeting. It also requires disclosure status to be reflected in the minutes of each task force meeting.

Executive Order 26 does not change the task force's membership or statutory responsibilities established by the General Assembly. Instead, it establishes additional ethical standards for executive branch participation while encouraging legislative appointing authorities to adopt the same conflict-of-interest standards for their own appointees.

The executive order took effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

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