S.20.2-3: Governor Terms Amendment (Statute)

[Senator Spark]

Introducing a constitutional amendment:

Governor Terms Amendment
Article V, sections 5 and 6 of the Southern Constitution are amended to read as follows:

5. Should the office of governor fall vacant at any point during the term, the chief officer of the legislature, or, should none be available, the longest continually-serving available member of the legislature, shall assume the role of acting governor until a special election can be organized by the appropriate election administrator. If the vacancy occurs less than three weeks before the next regularly scheduled election, however, the chief officer of the legislature, or, should none be available, the longest continually-serving available member of the legislature, shall immediately become the governor and serve for the remainder of the term, vacating their position within the legislature. The governor shall appoint a designated successor from among the members of the legislature. Should the office of governor fall vacant at any point during the term, the designated successor shall become governor for the remainder of the term, vacating their position within the legislature. Should the governor fail to appoint a designated successor, the longest continually-serving available member of the legislature, shall immediately become the governor and serve for the remainder of the term, vacating their position within the legislature.

6. In the event that the office of governor falls vacant three or more weeks before the next scheduled gubernatorial election, a special election shall be held to fill the remainder of the term, organized by the appropriate election administrator. The election shall be held on the first Friday following the vacancy, except where the Friday falls within two days of the position becoming vacant, in which case the election will take place the following Friday, and be held in the same manner as a regular gubernatorial election. Upon certification of the results, the governor-elect shall immediately assume office upon swearing in.

Section V.7 shall be redesignated V.6 and all subsequent sections shall be renumbered accordingly.

Sponsor: MB

Debate to last 48 hours

[Senator Spark]

I am opposed to this amendment as the governor can basically select their successor. It should not be the decision of the governor in handpicking someone to lead the region.

[Senator Spark]

As debate has ceased, and if delegates do not have anything further, I motion to bring this bill to a vote. The objection period shall last 24 hours.

[Senator Spark]

As debate has ceased, and if delegates do not have anything further, I bring this bill to a vote to last 48 hours.

You can't vote on a bill immediately, you need to open an objection period first


"The presiding officer shall open a vote if no other member of the Chamber of Delegates objects within 24 hours of the call for a vote."

-----from the Rules Package


And you didn't even motion for a vote.

As debate has ceased, and if delegates do not have anything further, I motion to bring this bill to a vote to last 48 hours.

Must have left that word out. But I appreciate your willingness to officiate our Chamber. Please remain in Lincoln.

[Senator Spark]

The Governor (and the sponsor of this amendment) has expressed a willingness to change it. Perhaps a delegate should offer up an amendment(?) to do this.

Yeah someone should do that. Spark?

What would you like to change?

[Senator Spark]

24 hours for objections to be heard, otherwise the amendment proposed by the Governor shall pass.

[Senator Spark]

24 hours objection period for the Governor's new amendment. If no delegate objects, the amendment shall pass. Then I will bring the bill to a vote.

[Senator Spark]

Aye

[Senator Spark]

The ages have it. The bill passed.