SF 921

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/07/2019 02:23pm

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. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
new text end

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

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 deleted text begin last elected presiding officer deleted text end new text begin governor,
with the advice and consent new text end of the senate new text begin , new text end shall new text begin appoint a person to new text end become lieutenant
governor in case a vacancy occurs in that office. new text begin If the governor appoints a member of the
legislature to serve as lieutenant governor, the member must resign the member's legislative
office upon acceptance of the governor's appointment. new text end 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. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2020 general election.
The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require the governor to appoint, with
the consent of the senate, a person to fill a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor?
new text end

	new text begin Yes . new text end
	new text begin No . new text end	new text begin " new text end

new text begin (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."
new text end