1. All departments and agencies shall avoid encumbering or spending appropriations except for activities that are absolutely essential for the remainder of this fiscal year. Department and agency heads shall advise their employees of the provisions of Rhode Island General Laws, section 35-3-24, "Control of State spending."

2. All department and agency heads shall personally review requests to fill positions/ purchases of services, and consultant contracts/ and shall forward to the Budget Office for payment only those requests that are absolutely essential to the operation of their department. Vacant and new positions for which authorization to recruit and fill was obtained prior to the date of this Executive Order will not be filled unless specifically allowed by the State Budget Officer.

3. Department and agency heads shall follow proper fiscal and purchasing procedures. Fiscal managers shall timely report receipts and process payments in order to accurately project the State's financial position.

4. Department and agency heads shall reduce purchasing and contracting to the minimum levels necessary for the orderly operation of programs and services to the public, including the full use of available inventories and careful inventory management to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

5. Department and agency heads shall personally review and approve all overtime, taking appropriate steps to avoid unnecessary overtime.

6. No new commitments for projects financed by the Rhode Island Capital Fund or general revenues shall be made, except as may be authorized by the State Budget Officer.

7. Expenditures for conferences and travel by state officials and employees must be avoided unless determined essential. All expenditures that would be funded in whole or in part by state funds for:

a. Travel on commercial carriers (except bus and train travel within a 100-mile radius of Providence, Rhode Island) ;

b. Conferences and/or seminars; or

c. Overnight lodging and/or meals are prohibited in all the departments of state government enumerated in Rhode Island General Laws section 42-6-1 (except the departments of State, Attorney General, Treasury and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor), unless approved as hereinafter provided.

8. Such travel expenditures may be approved, if deemed essential and if preauthorized by the State Budget Officer, after recommendation by the department head setting forth:

a. The essential nature of, and the timely interest of the State in making the proposed expenditure;

b. The number of persons traveling or attending; and

c. An itemized list of the estimated expenditures.

9. As to those state entities whose conduct and operation are not directly covered by this Executive Order/ their voluntary adherence to the measures set forth in this Order is - on behalf of the people of the State - respectfully requested.