Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/140

 95 STAT. 114

PUBLIC LAW 97-21—JULY 9, 1981 PERMANENT VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OR UEUTENANT GOVERNOR

48 USC 1541 note.

10. (a) In the event of a permanent vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor, (b) In the event of a permanent vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person within fortyfive days who, upon confirmation by the Senate, shall become Lieutenant Governor. Until such a permanent appointment is made and confirmed, the next available person in the order of succession shall act as Lieutenant Governor. (c) If simultaneous vacancies occur in the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor and more than one year remains in the unexpired term of office, a special election shall be held within sixty days to fill both offices. Between the occurrence of the vacancies and the election of successors, the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively shall be filled by the next two available persons in the order of succession. (d) If vacancies occur in the positions of both Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect, a special election shall be held within sixty days to fill both vacancies. The incumbent Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall remain in office until such election is held in accordance with law. SECTION

EXECUTIVE BRANCH DEPARTMENTS 48 USC 1541 note.

11. (a) The functions, powers, and duties of the executive branch offices, agencies, and instrumentalities shall be as provided by law. These shall be organized, as far as practicable, in departments according to major purposes. Independent, regulatory, quasi-judicial, and temporary offices, agencies, and instrumentalities need not be attached to a department. (b) The Governor by executive order may make such changes in the functions, powers, and duties of offices, agencies, and instrumentalities as are considered necessary for efficient administration. Any changes that are inconsistent with law shall be presented to the Senate and, unless modified or disapproved by a majority of the members, shall become effective sixty days after presentation. (c) The head of the department of law shall be the Attorney General, who shall prosecute all violations of laws in the name of the people of the Virgin Islands. The Attorney General shall be a citizen of the United States and the Virgin Islands and licensed to practice law in the Virgin Islands for at least five years. SECTION

ARTICLE VII. JUDICIAL BRANCH JUDICIAL POWER 48 USC 1541 note.

1. The judicial power of the Virgin Islands shall be vested in an appellate court and in such lower courts as may be created by law. SECTION

APPELLATE COURT 48 USC 1541 note.

2. The appellate court shall consist of not less than three judges, and shall have appellate jurisdiction over all cases arising under this Constitution and such other appellate and original jurisdiction as may be provided by law. Decisions of the appellate court on questions arising under this Constitution and the laws of the Virgin Islands shall be final, except as Federal law may provide for review of SECTION

�