Montana Law Article VI - THE EXECUTIVE
Montana Constitution – Article VI: The Executive (Summary)
Article VI of the Montana Constitution outlines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of the executive branch of the state government.
🔹 Key Components of Article VI:
Section 1: Executive Branch Structure
The executive power is vested in:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Auditor
These officials are elected by the people.
Section 2: Election and Term
Executive officers are elected every 4 years.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor run jointly on the same ticket.
No individual may serve more than 8 years in any 16-year period in the same office.
Section 4: Powers of the Governor
The Governor is the chief executive of the state.
Has the power to:
Ensure laws are faithfully executed
Act as commander-in-chief of the state militia
Appoint officials (with Senate confirmation)
Grant pardons and reprieves (with limitations)
Section 5: Duties of the Governor
Delivers a State of the State address
Recommends legislation and budgets
May call special sessions of the Legislature
Section 10: Veto Power
The Governor may veto bills, including:
Line-item veto on appropriation bills
Legislature can override vetoes with a 2/3 vote of each house
Section 14: Succession
If the Governor dies, resigns, or is removed, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor.
Further succession is determined by law.
Sections 7–13: Other Executive Officers
Define roles and duties of:
Secretary of State: record-keeping, elections
Attorney General: legal affairs of the state
State Auditor: financial oversight
Superintendent of Public Instruction: education leadership
✅ Purpose:
Article VI ensures that Montana’s executive branch is:
Democratically elected
Clearly defined in responsibilities
Accountable to the people and the law
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