Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/138

 95 STAT. 112

PUBLIC LAW 97-21—JULY 9, 1981 ARTICLE V L EXECUTIVE BRANCH EXECUTIVE POWER

48 USC 1541 "°^^

1. The executive power of the Virgin Islands is vested in the Governor. SECTION

ELECTION OF GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

48 USC 1541 "° ®

2. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be elected bythequalified voters of the Virgin Islands and shall serve for a term of four years. Each qualified voter shall cast a single vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, who shall be elected upon receiving a majority of the votes cast. Runoff elections shall be as provided by law. A Governor may not serve more than two successive full terms and may not serve as Lieutenant Governor immediately following two successive full terms. SECTION

QUALIFICATIONS FOR GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

48 USC 1541 ^°^-

3. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor each shall be— (a) a United States citizen, (b) a Virgin Islands citizen, (c) a qualified voter of the Virgin Islands, (d) at least thirty-five years of age, and (e) a domiciliary of the Virgin Islands for fifteen years, five of which must immediately precede the date of taking office.

SECTION

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GOVERNOR

48 USC 1541 ^°^^-

4. (a) The Governor shall supervise the executive branch and shall be responsible for the faithful execution of the laws of the Virgin Islands. (b) The Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and may remove the heads of all executive branch departments. The Governor shall appoint and may remove all other employees of the executive branch subject to law. (c) The Governor shall report annually to the Senate on the state of Virgin Islands affairs and, at any time, may recommend bills or other measures. (d) The Governor shall prepare and submit to the Senate, at a time prescribed by law, a budget for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget shall state the estimated funds available for appropriation and the estimated receipts, expenditures, and obligations for every department, agency, and Government instrumentality. The budget shall state the public debt and contingent liabilities and shall include other information as may be required by law. (e) The Governor shall have the power to issue executive orders consistent with law. (f) Except in cases of impeachment, the Governor shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations, pardons, and to remit fines and forfeitures. Each exercise of this power shall be reported to the Senate. (g) In the event of a natural disaster, invasion, or insurrection, or imminent danger thereof, the Governor may call out the militia or, when the public safety requires, proclaim martial law. Upon such proclamation, the Senate shall meet forthwith and may, upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members, revoke the proclamation of martial law then or at any other time. During an SECTION

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