ARTICLE V: REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Section 1: Resident Representative to the
United States. A resident representative to the United
States shall be elected to represent the Commonwealth in the
United States and perform those related duties provided by
law. The governor shall provide a certification of selection
promptly to the United States Department of State and to the
resident representative.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 2: Term of Office. The term of
office of the resident representative shall be two years,
except that on the second Monday of January 1990, the term
of office of the resident representative shall be increased
to four years. In the event that the United States confers
the status of member or non-voting delegate in the United
States Congress on the resident representative and such
status requires a different term, the term of office of
the resident representative shall be that required by such
status.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 3: Qualifications. The resident
representative shall be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth,
a citizen of the United States, at least twenty-five years
of age, and a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth
for at least seven years, immediately preceding the date
on which the resident representative takes office. A different
period of residence and domicile may be provided by law.
No person convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth or in
any area under the jurisdiction of the United States may
be eligible for this office unless a full pardon has been
granted.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 4: Annual Report. The resident
representative shall submit a written report by the first
day of March of each year, except that an outgoing resident
representative shall submit a final written report by the
second Monday of January of the year he or she leaves office,
to the governor and legislature on the resident representative's
official activities during the preceding year and matters
requiring the attention of the government or people of the
Commonwealth.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 5: Compensation. The resident
representative shall receive an annual salary and reasonable
allowance for expenses provided by law. The salary may not
be changed during a term of office. The staff of the office
of the resident representative shall be exempted from the
civil service.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 6: Vacancy. In the event of a
vacancy in the office of resident representative to the
United States, the governor shall appoint a successor with
the advice and consent of the legislature unless the United
States confers the status of member or non-voting delegate
in the United States Congress on the resident representative
and such status requires a different method of filling vacancies,
in which case vacancies shall be filled in the manner required
by such status.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
Section 7: Impeachment. The resident representative
is subject to impeachment as provided in article II, section
8, of this Constitution for treason, commission of a felony,
corruption or neglect of duty.
Source: Original provision (ratified 1977, effective
1978); amended by Second Const. Conv. Amend. 24 (1985).
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