Heather worked on this constitution. I worked on 9/34/03 This is ready to go. *** CSTART MN 11/05/1974 1/1/2003 *** *** MSTART 001 009.0 007.0 0 MN 1974 1980 *** Ratified November 4, 1980 Sec. 9. The amount that may be spent by candidates for constitutional and legislative offices to campaign for nomination or election shall be limited by law. The legislature shall provide by law for disclosure of contributions and expenditures made to support or oppose candidates for state elective offices. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 002 001.0 006.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Section 1. The judicial power of the state is vested in a supreme court, a court of appeals, if established by the legislature, a district court and such other courts, judicial officers and commissioners with jurisdiction inferior to the district court as the legislature may establish. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 003 002.0 006.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 2. The supreme court consists of one chief judge and not less than six nor more than eight associate judges as the legislature may establish. It shall have original jurisdiction in such remedial cases as are prescribed by law, and appellate jurisdiction in all cases, but there shall be no trial by jury in the supreme court. The legislature may establish a court of appeals and provide by law for the number of its judges, who shall not be judges of any other court, and its organization and for the review of its decisions by the supreme court. The court of appeals shall have appellate jurisdiction over all courts, except the supreme court, and other appellate jurisdiction as prescribed by law. As provided by law judges of the court of appeals or of the district court may be assigned temporarily to act as judges of the supreme court upon its request and judges of the district court may be assigned temporarily by the supreme court to act as judges of the court of appeals. The supreme court shall appoint to serve at its pleasure a clerk, a reporter, a state law librarian and other necessary employees. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 004 005.0 006.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 5. Judges of the supreme court, the court of appeals and the district court shall be learned in the law. The qualifications of all other judges and judicial officers shall be prescribed by law. The compensation of all judges shall be prescribed by the legislature and shall not be diminished during their term of office. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 005 006.0 006.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 6. A judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals or the district court shall not hold any office under the United States except a commission in a reserve component of the military forces of the United States and shall not hold any other office under this state. His term of office shall terminate at the time he files as a candidate for an elective office of the United States or for a nonjudicial office of this state. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 006 002.0 008.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 2. The governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general and the judges of the supreme court, court of appeals and district courts may be impeached for corrupt conduct in office or for crimes and misdemeanors; but judgment shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in this state. The party convicted shall also be subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 007 011.0 014.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 11. The legislature may provide by law for the sale of bonds to carry out the provisions of section 2. The proceeds shall be paid into the trunk highway fund. Any bonds shall mature serially over a term not exceeding 20 years and shall not be sold for less than par and accrued interest. If the trunk highway fund is not adequate to pay principal and interest of these bonds when due, the legislature may levy on all taxable property of the state in an amount sufficient to meet the deficiency or it may appropriate to the fund money in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 008 008.0 010.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 8. The legislature may authorize on-track parimutuel betting on horse racing in a manner prescribed by law. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 009 005.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1982 *** Ratified November 2, 1982 Sec. 5. Public debt may be contracted and works of internal improvements carried on for the following purposes: (a) to acquire and to better public land and buildings and other public improvements of a capital nature and to provide money to be appropriated or loaned to any agency or political subdivision of the state for such purposes if the law authorizing the debt is adopted by the vote of at least three-fifths of the members of each house of the legislature; (b) to repel invasion or suppress insurrection; (c) to borrow temporarily as authorized in section 6; (d) to refund outstanding bonds of the state or any of its agencies whether or not the full faith and credit of the state has been pledged for the payment of the bonds; (e) to establish and maintain highways subject to the limitations of article XIV; (f) to promote forestation and prevent and abate forest fires, including the compulsory clearing and improving of wild lands whether public or private; (g) to construct, improve and operate airports and other air navigation facilities; (h) to develop the state's agricultural resources by extending credit on real estate security in the manner and on the terms and conditions prescribed by law; (i) to improve and rehabilitate railroad rights-of-way and other rail facilities whether public or private, provided that bonds issued and unpaid shall not at any time exceed $200,000,000 par value; and (j) as otherwise authorized in this constitution. As authorized by law political subdivisions may engage in the works permitted by (f), (g), and (i) and contract debt therefor. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 010 008.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1984 *** Ratified November 6, 1984 Sec. 8. The permanent school fund of the state consists of (a) the proceeds of lands granted by the United States for the use of schools within each township, (b) the proceeds derived from swamp lands granted to the state, (c) all cash and investments credited to the permanent school fund and to the swamp land fund, and (d) all cash and investments credited to the internal improvement land fund and the lands therein. No portion of these lands shall be sold otherwise than at public sale, and in the manner provided by law. All funds arising from the sale or other disposition of the lands, or income accruing in any way before the sale or disposition thereof, shall be credited to the permanent school fund. Within limitations prescribed by law, the fund shall be invested to secure the maximum return consistent with the maintenance of the perpetuity of the fund. The principal of the permanent school fund shall be perpetual and inviolate forever. This does not prevent the sale of investments at less than the cost to the fund; however, all losses not offset by gains shall be repaid to the fund from the interest and dividends earned thereafter. The net interest and dividends arising from the fund shall be distributed to the different school districts of the state in a manner prescribed by law. A board of investment consisting of the governor, the state auditor, the state treasurer, the secretary of state, and the attorney general is hereby constituted for the purpose of administering and directing the investment of all state funds. The board shall not permit state funds to be used for the underwriting or direct purchase of municipal securities from the issuer or the issuer's agent. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 011 010.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1984 *** Ratified November 6, 1984 Sec. 10. As the legislature may provide, any of the public lands of the state, including lands held in trust for any purpose, may be exchanged for any publicly or privately held lands with the unanimous approval of the governor, the attorney general and the state auditor. Lands so acquired shall be subject to the trust, if any, to which the lands exchanged therefor were subject. The state shall reserve all mineral and water power rights in lands transferred by the state. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 012 014.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1988 *** Ratified November 8, 1988 Sec. 14. A permanent Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund is established in the state treasury. The principal of the environment and natural resources trust fund must be perpetual and inviolate forever, except appropriations may be made from up to 25 percent of the annual revenues deposited in the fund until fiscal year 1997 and loans may be made of up to five percent of the principal of the fund for water system improvements as provided by law. This restriction does not prevent the sale of investments at less than the cost to the fund, however, all losses not offset by gains shall be repaid to the fund from the earnings of the fund. The net earnings from the fund shall be appropriated in a manner prescribed by law for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 013 006.0 001.0 0 MN 1874 1988 *** Ratified November 8, 1988 Sec. 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which county or district shall have been previously ascertained by law. In all prosecutions of crimes defined by law as felonies, the accused has the right to a jury of 12 members. In all other criminal prosecutions, the legislature may provide for the number of jurors, provided that a jury have at least six members. The accused shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor and to have the assistance of counsel in his defense. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 014 004.0 001.0 0 MN 1874 1988 *** Ratified November 8, 1988 Sec. 4. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, and shall extend to all cases at law without regard to the amount in controversy. A jury trial may be waived by the parties in all cases in the manner prescribed by law. The legislature may provide that the agreement of five-sixths of a jury in a civil action or proceeding, after not less than six hours' deliberation, is a sufficient verdict. The legislature may provide for the number of jurors in a civil action or proceeding, provided that a jury have at least six members. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 015 005.0 013.0 0 MN 1974 1988 *** Ratified November 8, 1988 Sec. 5. The legislature shall not authorize any lottery or the sale of lottery tickets, other than authorizing a lottery and sale of lottery tickets for a lottery operated by the state. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 016 014.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1990 *** Ratified November 6, 1990 Sec. 14. A permanent Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund is established in the state treasury. The principal of the environment and natural resources trust fund must be perpetual and inviolate forever, except appropriations may be made from up to 25 percent of the annual revenues deposited in the fund until fiscal year 1997 and loans may be made of up to five percent of the principal of the fund for water system improvements as provided by law. This restriction does not prevent the sale of investments at less than the cost to the fund, however, all losses not offset by gains shall be repaid to the fund from the earnings of the fund. The net earnings from the fund shall be appropriated in a manner prescribed by law for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Not less than 40 percent of the net proceeds from any state- operated lottery must be credited to the fund until the year 2001. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 017 008.0 013.0 0 MN 1974 1996 *** Ratified November 5, 1996 Sec. 8. The state may pay an adjusted compensation to persons who served in the armed forces of the United States during the period of the Vietnam conflict or the Persian Gulf War. Whenever authorized and in the amounts and on the terms fixed by law, the state may expend monies and pledge the public credit to provide money for the purposes of this section. The duration of the Vietnam conflict and the Persian Gulf War may be defined by law. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 018 006.0 008.0 0 MN 1974 1996 *** Ratified November 5, 1996 Sec. 6. A member of the senate or the house of representatives, an executive officer of the state identified in section 1 of article V of the constitution, or a judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, or a district court is subject to recall from office by the voters. The grounds for recall of a judge shall be established by the supreme court. The grounds for recall of an officer other than a judge are serious malfeasance or nonfeasance during the term of office in the performance of the duties of the office or conviction during the term of office of a serious crime. A petition for recall must set forth the specific conduct that may warrant recall. A petition may not be issued until the supreme court has determined that the facts alleged in the petition are true and are sufficient grounds for issuing a recall petition. A petition must be signed by a number of eligible voters who reside in the district where the officer serves and who number not less than 25 percent of the number of votes cast for the office at the most recent general election. Upon a determination by the secretary of state that a petition has been signed by at least the minimum number of eligible voters, a recall election must be conducted in the manner provided by law. A recall election may not occur less than six months before the end of the officer's term. An officer who is removed from office by a recall election or who resigns from office after a petition for recall issues may not be appointed to fill the vacancy that is created. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 019 014.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 14. A permanent environment and natural resources trust fund is established in the state treasury. Loans may be made of up to five percent of the principal of the fund for water system improvements as provided by law. The assets of the fund shall be appropriated by law for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The amount appropriated each year of a biennium, commencing on July 1 in each odd- numbered year and ending on and including June 30 in the next odd-numbered year, may be up to 5-1/2 percent of the market value of the fund on June 30 one year before the start of the biennium. Not less than 40 percent of the net proceeds from any state-operated lottery must be credited to the fund until the year 2025. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 020 012.0 013.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 12. Hunting and fishing and the taking of game and fish are a valued part of our heritage that shall be forever preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 021 001.0 005.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Section 1. The executive department consists of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, and attorney general, who shall be chosen by the electors of the state. The governor and lieutenant governor shall be chosen jointly by a single vote applying to both offices in a manner prescribed by law. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 022 003.0 005.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 3. The governor shall communicate by message to each session of the legislature information touching the state and country. He is commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces and may call them out to execute the laws, suppress insurrection and repel invasion. He may require the opinion in writing of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to his duties. With the advice and consent of the senate he may appoint notaries public and other officers provided by law. He may appoint commissioners to take the acknowledgment of deeds or other instruments in writing to be used in the state. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. He shall fill any vacancy that may occur in the offices of secretary of state, auditor, attorney general and the other state and district offices hereafter created by law until the end of the term for which the person who had vacated the office was elected or the first Monday in January following the next general election, whichever is sooner, and until a successor is chosen and qualified. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 023 004.0 005.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 4. The term of office of the secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor is four years and until a successor is chosen and qualified. The duties and salaries of the executive officers shall be prescribed by law. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 024 002.0 008.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 2. The governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general and the judges of the supreme court, court of appeals and district courts may be impeached for corrupt conduct in office or for crimes and misdemeanors; but judgment shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in this state. The party convicted shall also be subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 025 007.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 7. Public debt other than certificates of indebtedness authorized in section 6 shall be evidenced by the issuance of bonds of the state. All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall mature not more than 20 years from their respective dates of issue and each law authorizing the issuance of bonds shall distinctly specify the purposes thereof and the maximum amount of the proceeds authorized to be expended for each purpose. A separate and special state bond fund shall be maintained on the official books and records. When the full faith and credit of the state has been pledged for the payment of bonds, the state auditor shall levy each year on all taxable property within the state a tax sufficient with the balance then on hand in the fund to pay all principal and interest on bonds issued under this section due and to become due within the ensuing year and to and including July 1 in the second ensuing year. The legislature by law may appropriate funds from any source to the state bond fund. The amount of money actually received and on hand pursuant to appropriations prior to the levy of the tax in any year shall be used to reduce the amount of tax otherwise required to be levied. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 026 008.0 011.0 0 MN 1974 1998 *** Ratified November 3, 1998 Sec. 8. The permanent school fund of the state consists of (a) the proceeds of lands granted by the United States for the use of schools within each township, (b) the proceeds derived from swamp lands granted to the state, (c) all cash and investments credited to the permanent school fund and to the swamp land fund, and (d) all cash and investments credited to the internal improvement land fund and the lands therein. No portion of these lands shall be sold otherwise than at public sale, and in the manner provided by law. All funds arising from the sale or other disposition of the lands, or income accruing in any way before the sale or disposition thereof, shall be credited to the permanent school fund. Within limitations prescribed by law, the fund shall be invested to secure the maximum return consistent with the maintenance of the perpetuity of the fund. The principal of the permanent school fund shall be perpetual and inviolate forever. This does not prevent the sale of investments at less than the cost to the fund; however, all losses not offset by gains shall be repaid to the fund from the interest and dividends earned thereafter. The net interest and dividends arising from the fund shall be distributed to the different school districts of the state in a manner prescribed by law. A board of investment consisting of the governor, the state auditor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general is constituted for the purpose of administering and directing the investment of all state funds. The board shall not permit state funds to be used for the underwriting or direct purchase of municipal securities from the issuer or the issuer's agent. [Note: The office of the state treasurer will be abolished on the first Monday in January 2003. Laws 1998, chapter 387, article 1, section 2.] *** MEND *** *** CEND ***