HF 3220

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/01/2018 03:22pm

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article V, section 5;
changing the process for filling a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.

An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the amendment
is adopted, article V, section 5, will read:

Sec. 5.

In case a vacancy occurs from any cause whatever in the office of governor, the
lieutenant governor shall be governor during such vacancy. The compensation of the
lieutenant governor shall be prescribed by law. The last elected presiding officer governor,
with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a person to become lieutenant
governor in case a vacancy occurs in that office. In case the governor is unable to discharge
the powers and duties of his office, the same devolves on the lieutenant governor. The
legislature may provide by law for the case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability
both of the governor and lieutenant governor to discharge the duties of governor and may
provide by law for continuity of government in periods of emergency resulting from disasters
caused by enemy attack in this state, including but not limited to, succession to the powers
and duties of public office and change of the seat of government.

Sec. 2. SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.

(a) The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2018 general election.
The question submitted must be:

"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require the governor to appoint, with
the consent of the senate, a lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy in the office of lieutenant
governor, instead of having the president of the senate automatically ascend to become the
lieutenant governor?

	Yes .
	No .	"

(b) The title required under Minnesota Statutes, section 204D.15, subdivision 1, for the
question submitted to the people under paragraph (a) shall be: “Filling a Vacancy for
Lieutenant Governor by Governor’s Appointment.”