SJR 15 (LSB 1505SV (1) 89)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 15

BY  COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1211)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernatorial line of succession. 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is proposed:
   Section 17 of Article IV of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
   Sec. 17.  Lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect to become or act as governor or governor-elect.  If there is a temporary disability of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall act as governor until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. In case of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall become governor for the remainder of the term, which shall create a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. This section shall also apply, as appropriate, to the governor-elect and the lieutenant governor-elect.
    Sec. 2.
  REFERRAL AND PUBLICATION.
  The foregoing proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is referred to the general assembly to be chosen at the next general election for members of the general assembly, and shall be published as provided by law for three consecutive months previous to the date of that election.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernatorial line of succession. The amendment creates a system of succession in the case of a permanent or temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect. In the case of a temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect, the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect shall act as governor or governor-elect until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. In the case of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the governor or governor-elect, the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect shall become governor or governor-elect for the residue of the term, and the office of lieutenant governor shall become vacant. 
   The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (90th) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.