Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 16. PUBLIC OFFICERS

Part 5. Vacancy and Succession

Filling Vacancies -- Recess Appointments

2-16-506. Filling vacancies -- recess appointments. (1) When any office becomes vacant and no mode is provided by law for filling the vacancy, the governor shall fill the vacancy by appointing a qualified person to fill the unexpired term of the person whose office became vacant.

(2) If the legislature or one house of the legislature must confirm an appointment of a person appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy, the governor may appoint the person to assume office before the legislature meets in its next regular session to consider the appointment. A person so appointed is vested with all the functions of the office upon assuming the office and is a de jure officer, notwithstanding the fact that the legislature has not yet confirmed the appointment. If the legislature does not confirm the appointment, the governor shall make a new appointment to fill the unexpired term.

History: En. Sec. 1104, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 423, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 514, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 999; re-en. Sec. 514, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 388, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 59-605.