Public Safety and Legal Counsel

Governors legal counsel serve as senior staff, overseeing legal issues with legislation, policy, executive orders, administrative actions, and executive appointments. Additionally, Governors are focused on public safety, crime, delinquency and related social and economic consequences. NGA serves the needs of governors and their policy advisors in a broad range of criminal, sentencing, corrections and justice-related policies.

Latest

Meet the team

  • Ken Hardy, Program Director
  • Lauren Dedon, Senior Legal Policy Advisor
  • Erin Daneker, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Maria Kearl, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Aisley Wallace Harper, Policy Coordinator

Governors Criminal Justice Policy Advisors Network

The Governors Criminal Justice Policy Advisors (CJPAs) Network provides a forum for governors’ criminal and juvenile justice policy advisors to connect with their peers in other states, promote regional information sharing and collaboration, and learn about best practices and the latest research in the field. NGA convenes CJPAs for an annual institute and offers customized technical assistance to them as requested through research and strategic planning support.

Governors’ Legal Counsel
Network

The Governors’ Legal Counsel Network is comprised of chief legal counsel, general counsel, and legal deputies to Governors. As part of this network, counsel have the unique opportunity to share best practices and legal lessons learned with peers across the nation. NGA convenes legal counsel on regular briefing calls, hosts counsel at an annual meeting, and provides ad hoc technical assistance and research support to the network on a vast array of legal and policy issues.

Consortium Of State Public Safety Executives

The Consortium of State Public Safety Executives is a network of cabinet-level secretaries and commissioners from across the country who are responsible for oversight of their state’s public safety enterprise, including state police, fire, corrections, emergency management and/or other related agencies. Members connect with their peers to share lessons learned, receive briefings from national experts on best practices and receive ongoing technical support from NGA staff.

Resources

Governors Applaud Congressional Action on Drone Threats

Governors Applaud Congressional Action on Drone Threats

Washington, D.C. – NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore welcomed inclusion of the Safer Skies Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ...
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Building Strong State-Philanthropic Partnerships: Legal Insights and Engagement Strategies

Building Strong State-Philanthropic Partnerships: Legal Insights and Engagement Strategies

Governors are increasingly engaging and partnering with philanthropy to enhance state capacity, support innovation, and advance policy priorities across a range of areas, including workforce development, education, public health, emergency ...
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The Governor’s Clemency Authority: An Overview of State Pardon and Commutation Processes

The Governor’s Clemency Authority: An Overview of State Pardon and Commutation Processes

Clemency is a form of executive authority exercised by the President and by the Governors of each state to forgive or mitigate certain criminal penalties or to relieve individuals from ...
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Governors Issue Statement on Shooting of National Guard Members

Governors Issue Statement on Shooting of National Guard Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore have issued the following statement following the tragic shooting of National Guard members in ...
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Preparedness Starts at Home 

Preparedness Starts at Home 

National Preparedness Month is observed every September to promote disaster and emergency readiness among individuals, families and communities. Each year, the observance focuses on a specific theme aimed at encouraging ...
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Key Takeaways from the 2024–2025 U.S. Supreme Court Term: Implications for States and Territories

Key Takeaways from the 2024–2025 U.S. Supreme Court Term: Implications for States and Territories

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a number of decisions of interest to state and territorial governments during its 2024-2025 term. The Court handed down approximately 67 rulings, along with several ...
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Governors’ Spouses Call for Unity

Governors’ Spouses Call for Unity

(Download) As First Spouses of states and territories across the country, we are in a unique position to both witness and experience the contempt that has permeated our culture. Today, ...
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NGA Issues Statement Condemning Political Violence in Every Form

NGA Issues Statement Condemning Political Violence in Every Form

Washington, DC – NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore have issued the following statement condemning political violence in every form: “As Governors, we stand together—Republicans ...
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Governors Urge Federal Action to Address Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Governors Urge Federal Action to Address Unmanned Aircraft Systems

(Download) The Honorable John ThuneMajority LeaderUnited States SenateWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Charles SchumerDemocratic LeaderUnited States SenateWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike JohnsonSpeaker of the HouseUnited States House of RepresentativesWashington, ...
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2025 Governors’ Legal Counsel Convening

2025 Governors’ Legal Counsel Convening

The 2025 Governors’ Legal Counsel Convening was held on June 25-27 in Coronado, California. Hosted by the National Governors Association, the event brought together Governors’ chief legal counsel, general counsel, ...
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CJPA Briefing on ‘Domestic Violence Prevention’

CJPA Briefing on ‘Domestic Violence Prevention’

On Thursday, July 10th, the National Governors Association (NGA) hosted its monthly briefing for the Criminal Justice Policy Advisors (CJPA) network. The briefing discussed the state efforts to respond to ...
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NGA Issues Statement on Political Shootings in Minnesota

NGA Issues Statement on Political Shootings in Minnesota

Washington, DC – NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued the following statement condemning the political shootings in Minnesota: "We are deeply saddened by the ...
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