2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
January 22, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Wasserman, Ziegelbauer, Bies,
Kerkman, Ainsworth
and Suder, cosponsored by Senator A. Lasee. Referred
to Committee on Government Operations and Spending Limitations.
AJR4,1,51 To amend so as in effect to repeal section 10 (2) of article XIII; to renumber section
210 (1) of article XIII; and to amend section 1 of article V, section 2 of article V,
3section 3 of article V, section 7 of article V, section 8 of article V and section 1
4of article VII of the constitution; relating to: abolishing the office of lieutenant
5governor (first consideration).
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2003 legislature on
first consideration, abolishes the office of lieutenant governor.
Presently, the constitution provides that, upon the governor's death,
resignation, or removal from office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. It
also provides that, if the governor is absent from the state, impeached, or, from
mental or physical disease, becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office,
the lieutenant governor serves as acting governor. This joint resolution provides that
the speaker of the assembly, instead, shall become governor or acting governor under
those circumstances.
A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by 2 successive
legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
AJR4,1,6 6Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:
AJR4, s. 1 7Section 1. Section 1 of article V of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,2,3
1[Article V] Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a governor who
2shall hold office for 4 years; a lieutenant governor shall be elected at the same time
3and for the same term
.
AJR4, s. 2 4Section 2. Section 2 of article V of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,2,75 [Article V] Section 2. No person except a citizen of the United States and a
6qualified elector of the state shall be eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant
7governor
.
AJR4, s. 3 8Section 3. Section 3 of article V of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,2,209 [Article V] Section 3. The governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected by
10the qualified electors of the state at the times and places of choosing members of the
11legislature. They shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote
12applicable to both offices beginning with the general election in 1970.
The persons
13respectively having
person for whom the highest number of votes is cast jointly for
14them
for governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected; but in case two or more
15slates persons shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for governor and
16lieutenant governor
, the two houses of the legislature, at its next annual session,
17shall forthwith, by joint ballot, choose one of the slates persons so having an equal
18and the highest number of votes for governor and lieutenant governor. The returns
19of election for governor and lieutenant governor shall be made in such manner as
20shall be provided by law.
AJR4, s. 4 21Section 4. Section 7 of article V of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,2,2422 [Article V] Section 7 (1) Upon the governor's death, resignation or removal from
23office, the lieutenant governor speaker of the assembly shall become governor for the
24balance of the unexpired term.
AJR4,3,7
1(2) If the governor is absent from this state, impeached, or from mental or
2physical disease, becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the
3lieutenant governor speaker of the assembly shall serve as acting governor for the
4balance of the unexpired term or until the governor returns, the disability ceases or
5the impeachment is vacated. But when the governor, with the consent of the
6legislature, shall be out of this state in time of war at the head of the state's military
7force, the governor shall continue as commander in chief of the military force.
AJR4, s. 5 8Section 5. Section 8 of article V of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,3,119 [Article V] Section 8 (1) If there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor
10speaker of the assembly and the governor dies, resigns or is removed from office, the
11secretary of state shall become governor for the balance of the unexpired term.
AJR4,3,1612 (2) If there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor speaker of the
13assembly
and the governor is absent from this state, impeached, or from mental or
14physical disease becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the
15secretary of state shall serve as acting governor for the balance of the unexpired term
16or until the governor returns, the disability ceases or the impeachment is vacated.
AJR4, s. 6 17Section 6. Section 1 of article VII of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR4,3,2418 [Article VII] Section 1. (1) The court for the trial of impeachments shall be
19composed of the senate. The assembly shall have the power of impeaching all civil
20officers of this state for corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors; but
21a majority of all the members elected shall concur in an impeachment. On the trial
22of an impeachment against the governor, the lieutenant governor shall not act as a
23member of the court.
No judicial officer shall exercise his that office, after he shall
24have
the judicial officer has been impeached, until his acquittal acquitted.
AJR4,4,4
1(2) Before the trial of an impeachment the members of the court shall take an
2oath or affirmation truly and impartially to try the impeachment according to
3evidence; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of
4the members present.
AJR4,4,8 5(3) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal
6from office, or removal from office and disqualification to hold any office of honor,
7profit or trust under the state; but the party impeached shall be liable to indictment,
8trial and punishment according to law.
AJR4, s. 7 9Section 7. Section 10 (1) of article XIII of the constitution is renumbered
10section 10 of article XIII.
AJR4, s. 8 11Section 8. Section 10 (2) of article XIII of the constitution is amended so as in
12effect to repeal said subsection:
AJR4,4,1613 [Article XIII] Section 10 (2) Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of
14lieutenant governor, the governor shall nominate a successor to serve for the balance
15of the unexpired term, who shall take office after confirmation by the senate and by
16the assembly.
AJR4,4,19 17Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
18legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
19months previous to the time of holding such election.
AJR4,4,2020 (End)
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