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The Executive
ARTICLE III
THE EXECUTIVE
SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The
executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor,
secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general,
superintendent of public instruction, and a commissioner of public
lands, who shall be severally chosen by the qualified electors of the
state at the same time and place of voting as for the members of the
legislature.
SECTION 2 GOVERNOR, TERM OF OFFICE.
The
supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor,
who shall hold his office for a term of four years, and until his
successor is elected and qualified.
SECTION 3 OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, TERMS OF OFFICE.
The
lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney
general, superintendent of public instruction, and commissioner of
public lands, shall hold their offices for four years respectively, and
until their successors are elected and qualified.
SECTION 4 RETURNS OF ELECTIONS, CANVASS, ETC.
The
returns of every election for the officers named in the first Section
of this article shall be sealed up and transmitted to the seat of
government by the returning officers, directed to the secretary of
state, who shall deliver the same to the speaker of the house of
representatives at the first meeting of the house thereafter, who shall
open, publish and declare the result thereof in the presence of a
majority of the members of both houses. The person having the highest
number of votes shall be declared duly elected, and a certificate
thereof shall be given to such person, signed by the presiding officers
of both houses; but if any two or more shall be highest and equal in
votes for the same office, one of them shall be chosen by the joint
vote of both houses. Contested elections for such officers shall be
decided by the legislature in such manner as shall be determined by
law. The terms of all officers named in Section one of this article
shall commence on the second Monday in January after their election
until otherwise provided by law.
SECTION 5 GENERAL DUTIES OF GOVERNOR.
The
governor may require information in writing from the officers of the
state upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective
offices, and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed.
SECTION 6 MESSAGES
He
shall communicate at every session by message to the legislature the
condition of the affairs of the state, and recommend such measures as
he shall deem expedient for their action.
SECTION 7 EXTRA LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
He
may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the legislature by
proclamation, in which shall be stated the purposes for which the
legislature is convened.
Extraordinary sessions to reconsider vetoes: Art. 3 Section 12.
SECTION 8 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
He
shall be commander-in-chief of the military in the state except when
they shall be called into the service of the United States.
SECTION 9 PARDONING POWER.
The pardoning power shall be vested in the governor under such regulations and restrictions as may be prescribed by law.
SECTION 10 VACANCY IN OFFICE OF GOVERNOR
In
case of the removal, resignation, death or disability of the governor,
the duties of the office shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor;
and in case of a vacancy in both the offices of governor and lieutenant
governor, the duties of the governor shall devolve upon the secretary
of state. In addition to the line of succession to the office and
duties of governor as hereinabove indicated, if the necessity shall
arise, in order to fill the vacancy in the office of governor, the
following state officers shall succeed to the duties of governor and in
the order named, viz.: Treasurer, auditor, attorney general,
superintendent of public instruction and commissioner of public lands.
In case of the death, disability, failure or refusal of the person
regularly elected to the office of governor to qualify at the time
provided by law, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the person
regularly elected to and qualified for the office of lieutenant
governor, who shall act as governor until the disability be removed, or
a governor be elected; and in case of the death, disability, failure or
refusal of both the governor and the lieutenant governor elect to
qualify, the duties of the governor shall devolve upon the secretary of
state; and in addition to the line of succession to the office and
duties of governor as hereinabove indicated, if there shall be the
failure or refusal of any officer named above to qualify, and if the
necessity shall arise by reason thereof, then in that event in order to
fill the vacancy in the office of governor, the following state
officers shall succeed to the duties of governor in the order named,
viz: Treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public
instruction and commissioner of public lands. Any person succeeding to
the office of governor as in this Section provided, shall perform the
duties of such office only until the disability be removed, or a
governor be elected and qualified; and if a vacancy occur more than
thirty days before the next general election occurring within two years
after the commencement of the term, a person shall be elected at such
election to fill the office of governor for the remainder of the
unexpired term. [AMENDMENT 6, 1909 p 642 Section 1. Approved November,
1910.]
Governmental continuity during emergency periods: Art. 2 Section 42.
Original
text - Art. 3 Section 10 VACANCY IN - In case of the removal,
resignation, death, or disability of the governor, the duties of the
office shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor, and in case of a
vacancy in both the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the
duties of governor shall devolve upon the secretary of state, who shall
act as governor until the disability be removed or a governor elected.
SECTION 11 REMISSION OF FINES AND FORFEITURES.
The
governor shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, under such
regulations as may be prescribed by law, and shall report to the
legislature at its next meeting each case of reprieve, commutation or
pardon granted, and the reasons for granting the same, and also the
names of all persons in whose favor remission of fines and forfeitures
shall have been made, and the several amounts remitted and the reasons
for the remission.
SECTION 12 VETO POWERS.
Every
act which shall have passed the legislature shall be, before it becomes
a law, presented to the governor. If he approves, he shall sign it; but
if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which
it shall have originated, which house shall enter the objections at
large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider. If, after such
reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present shall agree to pass
the bill it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other
house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by
two-thirds of the members present, it shall become a law; but in all
such cases the vote of both houses shall be determined by the yeas and
nays, and the names of the members voting for or against the bill shall
be entered upon the journal of each house respectively. If any bill
shall not be returned by the governor within five days, Sundays
excepted, after it shall be presented to him, it shall become a law
without his signature, unless the general adjournment shall prevent its
return, in which case it shall become a law unless the governor, within
twenty days next after the adjournment, Sundays excepted, shall file
such bill with his objections thereto, in the office of secretary of
state, who shall lay the same before the legislature at its next
session in like manner as if it had been returned by the governor:
Provided, That within forty-five days next after the adjournment,
Sundays excepted, the legislature may, upon petition by a two-thirds
majority or more of the membership of each house, reconvene in
extraordinary session, not to exceed five days duration, solely to
reconsider any bills vetoed. If any bill presented to the governor
contain several Sections or appropriation items, he may object to one
or more Sections or appropriation items while approving other portions
of the bill: Provided, That he may not object to less than an entire
Section, except that if the Section contain one or more appropriation
items he may object to any such appropriation item or items. In case of
objection he shall append to the bill, at the time of signing it, a
statement of the Section or Sections, appropriation item or items to
which he objects and the reasons therefor; and the Section or Sections,
appropriation item or items so objected to shall not take effect unless
passed over the governor's objection, as hereinbefore provided. The
provisions of Article II, Section 12 insofar as they are inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed. [AMENDMENT 62, 1974 Senate Joint
Resolution No. 140, p 806. Approved November 5, 1974.]
Veto power withheld from initiated and referred measures: Art. 2 Section 1.
Original
text - Art. 3 Section 12 VETO POWER - Every act which shall have passed
the legislature shall be, before it becomes a law, presented to the
governor. If he approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return
it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have
originated, which house shall enter the objections at large upon the
journal and proceed to reconsider. If, after such reconsideration,
two-thirds of the members present shall agree to pass the bill it shall
be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it
shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of the
members present, it shall become a law; but in all cases the vote of
both houses shall be determined by the yeas and nays, and the names of
the members voting for or against the bill shall be entered upon the
journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned
by the governor within five days, Sundays excepted, after it shall be
presented to him, it shall become a law without his signature, unless
the general adjournment shall prevent its return, in which case it
shall become a law unless the governor, within ten days next after the
adjournment, Sundays excepted, shall file such bill with his objections
thereto, in the office of secretary of state, who shall lay the same
before the legislature at its next session in like manner as if it had
been returned by the governor. If any bill presented to the governor
contain several Sections or items, he may object to one or more
Sections or items while approving other portions of the bill. In such
case he shall append to the bill, at the time of signing it, a
statement of the Section, or Sections; item or items to which he
objects and the reasons therefor, and the Section or Sections, item or
items so objected to, shall not take effect unless passed over the
governor's objection, as hereinbefore provided. Veto power does not
extend to initiated or referred measures: Art. 2 Section 1(d).
SECTION 13 VACANCY IN APPOINTIVE OFFICE.
When,
during a recess of the legislature, a vacancy shall happen in any
office, the appointment to which is vested in the legislature, or when
at any time a vacancy shall have occurred in any other state office,
for the filling of which vacancy no provision is made elsewhere in this
Constitution, the governor shall fill such vacancy by appointment,
which shall expire when a successor shall have been elected and
qualified.
Appointment of governing boards of educational, reformatory and penal institutions: Art. 13 Section 1.
Governmental continuity during emergency periods: Art. 2 Section 42.
SECTION 14 SALARY.
The
governor shall receive an annual salary of four thousand dollars, which
may be increased by law, but shall never exceed six thousand dollars
per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 15 COMMISSIONS, HOW ISSUED
All
commissions shall issue in the name of the state, shall be signed by
the governor, sealed with the seal of the state, and attested by the
secretary of state.
SECTION 16 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DUTIES AND SALARY.
The
lieutenant governor shall be presiding officer of the state senate, and
shall discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall
receive an annual salary of one thousand dollars, which may be
increased by the legislature, but shall never exceed three thousand
dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 17 SECRETARY OF STATE, DUTIES AND SALARY.
The
secretary of state shall keep a record of the official acts of the
legislature, and executive department of the state, and shall, when
required, lay the same, and all matters relative thereto, before either
branch of the legislature, and shall perform such other duties as shall
be assigned him by law. He shall receive an annual salary of
twenty-five hundred dollars, which may be increased by the legislature,
but shall never exceed three thousand dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 18 SEAL.
There
shall be a seal of the state kept by the secretary of state for
official purposes, which shall be called, "The Seal of the State of
Washington."
Design of the Seal: Art. 18 Section 1. State seal: RCW 1.20.080.
SECTION 19 STATE TREASURER, DUTIES AND SALARY.
The
treasurer shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by law. He
shall receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars, which may be
increased by the legislature, but shall never exceed four thousand
dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 20 STATE AUDITOR, DUTIES AND SALARY.
The
auditor shall be auditor of public accounts, and shall have such powers
and perform such duties in connection therewith as may be prescribed by
law. He shall receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars, which
may be increased by the legislature, but shall never exceed three
thousand dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 21 ATTORNEY GENERAL, DUTIES AND SALARY
The
attorney general shall be the legal adviser of the state officers, and
shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall
receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars, which may be
increased by the legislature, but shall never exceed thirty-five
hundred dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 22 SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, DUTIES AND SALARY.
The
superintendent of public instruction shall have supervision over all
matters pertaining to public schools, and shall perform such specific
duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall receive an annual salary
of twenty-five hundred dollars, which may be increased by law, but
shall never exceed four thousand dollars per annum.
Compensation of legislators, elected state officials, and judges: Art. 28 Section 1, Art. 30.
SECTION 23 COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS - COMPENSATION.
The commissioner of public lands shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as the legislature may direct.
SECTION 24 RECORDS, WHERE KEPT, ETC.
The
governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, superintendent of
public instruction, commissioner of public lands and attorney general
shall severally keep the public records, books and papers relating to
their respective offices, at the seat of government, at which place
also the governor, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor shall
reside.
Governmental continuity during emergency periods: Art. 2 Section 42.
SECTION 25 QUALIFICATIONS, COMPENSATION, OFFICES WHICH MAY BE ABOLISHED.
No
person, except a citizen of the United States and a qualified elector
of this state, shall be eligible to hold any state office. The
compensation for state officers shall not be increased or diminished
during the term for which they shall have been elected. The legislature
may in its discretion abolish the offices of the lieutenant governor,
auditor and commissioner of public lands. [AMENDMENT 31, 1955 Senate
Joint Resolution No. 6, p 1861. Approved November 6, 1956.]
Authorizing compensation increase during term: Art. 30 Section 1.
Increase
or diminution of compensation during term of office prohibited. county,
city, town or municipal officers: Art. 11 Section 8. judicial officers:
Art. 4 Section 13. public officers: Art. 2 Section 25.
Original
text - Art. 3 Section 25 QUALIFICATIONS - No person, except a citizen
of the United States and a qualified elector of this state, shall be
eligible to hold any state office, and the state treasurer shall be
ineligible for the term succeeding that for which he was elected. The
compensation for state officers shall not be increased or diminished
during the term for which they shall have been elected. The legislature
may in its discretion abolish the offices of the lieutenant governor,
auditor and commissioner of public lands. |
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