§20.  Appointment of Officials; Merger, Consolidation of Offices and Departments

Section 20.  After the first election of state officials following the effective date of this constitution, the legislature may provide, by law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house, for appointment, in lieu of election, of the commissioner of agriculture, the commissioner of insurance, the superintendent of education, the commissioner of elections¹, or any of them.  In that event, the legislature shall prescribe qualifications and method of appointment and by similar vote, may provide by law for the merger or consolidation of any such office, its department, and functions with any other office or department in the executive branch.  No action of the legislature pursuant hereto shall reduce the term or compensation of any incumbent elected official.  By law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house, the legislature may reestablish any such office as elective and, in that event, shall prescribe qualifications.  

¹NOTE:  Acts 2001, No. 451, provided, effective January 12, 2004, for the appointment in lieu of election of the commissioner of elections and for the merger and consolidation of the Department of Elections and Registration with the Department of State pursuant to Art. IV, §20 of the constitution.