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CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS

Current through 2010

Ordinance and Preamble

ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, The government of the United States is the proprietor of a large portion of the lands included in the limits of the state of Kansas as defined by this constitution; and,

WHEREAS, The state of Kansas will possess the right to tax said lands for purposes of government, and for other purposes; Now, therefore,

Be it ordained by the people of Kansas:

That the right of the state of Kansas to tax such lands is relinquished forever, and the state of Kansas will not interfere with the title of the United States to such lands, nor with any regulation of congress in relation thereto, nor tax nonresidents higher than residents: Provided always, That the following conditions be agreed to by congress:

§ 1: School sections. Sections numbered sixteen and thirty-six in each township in the state, including Indian reservations and trust lands, shall be granted to the state for the exclusive use of common schools; and when either of said sections, or any part thereof, has been disposed of, other lands of equal value, as nearly contiguous thereto as possible, shall be substituted therefor.

§ 2: University lands. That seventy-two sections of land shall be granted to the state for the erection and maintenance of a state university.

§ 3: Lands for public buildings. That thirty-six sections shall be granted to the state for the erection of public buildings.

§ 4: Lands for benevolent institutions. That seventy-two sections shall be granted to the state for the erection and maintenance of charitable and benevolent institutions.

§ 5: Salt springs and mines. That all salt springs, not exceeding twelve in number, with six sections of land adjacent to each, together with all mines, with the lands necessary for the full use, shall be granted to the state for works of public improvement.

§ 6: Proceeds to schools. That five percentum of the proceeds of the public lands in Kansas, disposed of after the admission of the state into the union, shall be paid to the state for a fund, the income of which shall be used for the support of common schools.

§ 7: School lands. That the five hundred thousand acres of land to which the state is entitled under the act of congress entitled "An act to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of public lands and grant pre-emption rights," approved September 4th, 1841, shall be granted to the state for the support of common schools.

§ 8: Selection of lands. That the lands hereinbefore mentioned shall be selected in such manner as may be prescribed by law; such selections to be subject to the approval of the commissioner of the general land office of the United States.

PREAMBLE

We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas, with the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point on the western boundary of the state of Missouri, where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the same; thence running west on said parallel to the twenty-fifth meridian of longitude west from Washington; thence north on said meridian to the fortieth parallel of north latitude; thence east on said parallel to the western boundary of the state of Missouri; thence south with the western boundary of said state to the place of beginning.

§ 1. Equal rights

All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

§ 2. Political power; privileges

All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and are instituted for their equal protection and benefit. No special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted by the legislature, which may not be altered, revoked or repealed by the same body; and this power shall be exercised by no other tribunal or agency.

§ 3. Right of peaceable assembly; petition

The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, for the redress of grievances.

§ 4. Bear arms

A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose.[

Note: Amended by Constitutional Amendment 1, approved by the voters on 11/2/2010.

§ 5. Trial by jury

The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate.

§ 6. Slavery prohibited

There shall be no slavery in this state; and no involuntary servitude, except for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

§ 7. Religious liberty

The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed; nor shall any person be compelled to attend or support any form of worship; nor shall any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, nor any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship. No religious test or property qualification shall be required for any office of public trust, nor for any vote at any elections, nor shall any person be incompetent to testify on account of religious belief.

§ 8. Habeas corpus

The right to the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless the public safety requires it in case of invasion or rebellion.

§ 9. Bail

All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties except for capital offenses, where proof is evident or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted.

§ 10. Trial; defense of accused

In all prosecutions, the accused shall be allowed to appear and defend in person, or by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witness face to face, and to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of the witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. No person shall be a witness against himself, or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.

§ 11. Liberty of press and speech; libel

The liberty of the press shall be inviolate; and all persons may freely speak, write or publish their sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such rights; and in all civil or criminal actions for libel, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury, and if it shall appear that the alleged libelous matter was published for justifiable ends, the accused party shall be acquitted.

§ 12. No forfeiture of estate for crimes

No conviction within the state shall work a forfeiture of estate.

§ 13. Treason

Treason shall consist only in levying war against the state, adhering to its enemies, or giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the evidence of two witnesses to the overt act, or confession in open court.

§ 14. Soldiers' quarters

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the occupant, nor in time of war, except as prescribed by law.

§ 15. Search and seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable searches and seizures shall be inviolate; and no warrant shall issue but on probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or property to be seized.

§ 16. Imprisonment for debt

No person shall be imprisoned for debt, except in cases of fraud.

§ 17. Property rights of citizens and aliens

No distinction shall ever be made between citizens of the state of Kansas and the citizens of other states and territories of the United States in reference to the purchase, enjoyment or descent of property. The rights of aliens in reference to the purchase, enjoyment or descent of property may be regulated by law.

§ 18. Justice without delay

All persons, for injuries suffered in person, reputation or property, shall have remedy by due course of law, and justice administered without delay.

§ 19. Emoluments or privileges prohibited

No hereditary emoluments, honors, or privileges shall ever be granted or conferred by the state.

§ 20. Powers retained by people

This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers not herein delegated remain with the people.

Article 1. Executive

Current through 2010

§ 1. Executive officers; selection; terms

The constitutional officers of the executive department shall be the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, who shall have such qualifications as are provided by law. Such officers shall be chosen by the electors of this state at the time of voting for members of the legislature in the year 1974 and every four years thereafter, and such officers elected in 1974 and thereafter shall have terms of four years which shall begin on the second Monday of January next after their election, and until their successors are elected and qualified. In the year 1974 and thereafter, at all elections of governor and lieutenant governor the candidates for such offices shall be nominated and elected jointly in such manner as is prescribed by law so that a single vote shall be cast for a candidate for governor and a candidate for lieutenant governor running together, and if such candidates are nominated by petition or convention each petition signature and each convention vote shall be made for a candidate for governor and a candidate for lieutenant governor running together. No person may be elected to more than two successive terms as governor nor to more than two successive terms as lieutenant governor.

§ 3. Executive power of governor

The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor, who shall be responsible for the enforcement of the laws of this state.

§ 4. Reports to governor

The governor may require information in writing from the officers of the executive department, upon any subject relating to their respective duties. The officers of the executive department, and of all public state institutions, shall, at least ten days preceding each regular session of the legislature, severally report to the governor, who shall transmit such reports to the legislature.

§ 5. Governor's duties for legislature; messages; special sessions; adjournment

The governor may, on extraordinary occasions, call the legislature into special session by proclamation; and shall call the legislature into special session, upon petition signed by at least two-thirds of the members elected to each house. At every session of the legislature the governor shall communicate in writing information in reference to the condition of the state, and recommend such measures as he deems expedient. In case of disagreement between the two houses in respect of the time of adjournment, the governor may adjourn the legislature to such time as he deems proper, not beyond its next regular session.

§ 6. Reorganization of state agencies of executive branch

(a) For the purpose of transferring, abolishing, consolidating or coordinating the whole or any part of any state agency, or the functions thereof, within the executive branch of state government, when the governor considers the same necessary for efficient administration, he may issue one or more executive reorganization orders, each bearing an identifying number, and transmit the same to the legislature within the first thirty calendar days of any regular session. Agencies and functions of the legislative and judicial branches, and constitutionally delegated functions of state officers and state boards shall be exempt from executive reorganization orders.

(b) The governor shall transmit each executive reorganization order to both houses of the legislature on the same day, and each such order shall be accompanied by a governor's message which shall specify with respect to each abolition of a function included in the order the statutory authority for the exercise of the function. Every executive reorganization order shall provide for the transfer or other disposition of the records, property and personnel affected by the order. Every executive reorganization order shall provide for all necessary transfers of unexpended balances of appropriations of agencies affected by such order, and such changes in responsibility for and handling of special funds as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of such order. Transferred balances of appropriations may be used only for the purposes for which the appropriation was originally made.

(c) Each executive reorganization order transmitted to the legislature as provided in this section shall take effect and have the force of general law on the July 1 following its transmittal to the legislature, unless within sixty calendar days and before the adjournment of the legislative session either the senate or the house of representatives adopts by a majority vote of the members elected thereto a resolution disapproving such executive reorganization order. Under the provisions of an executive reorganization order a portion of the order may be effective at a time later than the date on which the order is otherwise effective.

(d) An executive reorganization order which is effective shall be published as and with the acts of the legislature and the statutes of the state. Any executive reorganization order which is or is to become effective may be amended or repealed as statutes of the state are amended or repealed.

§ 7. Pardons

The pardoning power shall be vested in the governor, under regulations and restrictions prescribed by law.

§ 9. State seal and commissions

There shall be a seal of the state, which shall be kept by the governor, and used by him officially, and which shall be the great seal of Kansas. All commissions shall be issued in the name of the state of Kansas; and shall be signed by the governor, countersigned by the secretary of state, and sealed with the great seal.

§ 11. Vacancies in executive offices

When the office of governor is vacant, the lieutenant governor shall become governor. In the event of the disability of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall assume the powers and duties of governor until the disability is removed. The legislature shall provide by law for the succession to the office of governor should the offices of governor and lieutenant governor be vacant, and for the assumption of the powers and duties of governor during the disability of the governor, should the office of lieutenant governor be vacant or the lieutenant governor be disabled. When the office of secretary of state or attorney general is vacant, the governor shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term. If the secretary of state or attorney general is disabled, the governor shall name a person to assume the powers and duties of the office until the disability is removed. The procedure for determining disability and the removal thereof shall be provided by law.

§ 12. Lieutenant governor

The lieutenant governor shall assist the governor and have such other powers and duties as are prescribed by law.

§ 13. Compensation of officers

The officers mentioned in this article shall at stated times receive for their services a such compensation as is established by law, which shall not be diminished during their terms of office, unless by general law applicable to all salaried officers of the state. Any person exercising the powers and duties of an office mentioned in this article shall receive the compensation established by law for that office.

Article 2. Legislative

Current through 2010

§ 1. Legislative power

The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a house of representatives and senate.

§ 2. Senators and representatives

The number of representatives and senators shall be regulated by law, but shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five representatives and forty senators. Representatives and senators shall be elected from single-member districts prescribed by law. Representatives shall be elected for two year terms. Senators shall be elected for four year terms. The terms of representatives and senators shall commence on the second Monday of January of the year following election.

§ 3. Compensation of members of legislature

The members of the legislature shall receive such compensation as may be provided by law or such compensation as is determined according to law.

§ 4. Qualifications of members

During the time that any person is a candidate for nomination or election to the legislature and during the term of each legislator, such candidate or legislator shall be and remain a qualified elector who resides in his or her district.

§ 5. Eligibility and disqualification of members

No member of congress and no civil officer or employee of the United States or of any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof shall be eligible to be a member of the legislature. Any member of the legislature who accepts any appointment or election contrary to the foregoing shall be disqualified as a member of the legislature.

§ 8. Organization and sessions

The legislature shall meet in regular session annually commencing on the second Monday in January, and all sessions shall be held at the state capital. The duration of regular sessions held in even-numbered years shall not exceed ninety calendar days. Such sessions may be extended beyond ninety calendar days by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Bills and concurrent resolutions under consideration by the legislature upon adjournment of a regular session held in an odd-numbered year may be considered at the next succeeding regular session held in an even-numbered year, as if there had been no such adjournment.

The legislature shall be organized concurrently with the terms of representatives except that the senate shall remain organized during the terms of senators. The president of the senate shall preside over the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall preside over the house of representatives. A majority of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified of the house of representatives or the senate shall constitute a quorum of that house. Neither house, without the consent of the other, shall adjourn for more than two days, Sundays excepted. Each house shall elect its presiding officer and determine the rules of its proceedings, except that the two houses may adopt joint rules on certain matters and provide for the manner of change thereof. Each house shall provide for the expulsion or censure of members in appropriate cases. Each house shall be the judge of elections, returns and qualifications of its own members.

§ 9. Vacancies in legislature

All vacancies occurring in either house shall be filled as provided by law.

§ 10. Journals

Each house shall publish a journal of its proceedings. The affirmative and negative votes upon the final passage of every bill and every concurrent resolution for amendment of this constitution or ratification of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States shall be entered in the journal. Any member of either house may make written protest against any act or resolution, and the same shall be entered in the journal without delay or alteration.

§ 12. Origination by either house

Bills and concurrent resolutions may originate in either house, but may be amended or rejected by the other.

§ 13. Majority for passage of bills

A majority of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified of each house, voting in the affirmative, shall be necessary to pass any bill. Two-thirds (2/3) of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified in each house, voting in the affirmative, shall be necessary to ratify any amendment to the Constitution of the United States or to make any application for congress to call a convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

§ 14. Approval of bills; vetoes

(a) Within ten days after passage, every bill shall be signed by the presiding officers and presented to the governor. If the governor approves a bill, he shall sign it. If the governor does not approve a bill, the governor shall veto it by returning the bill, with a veto message of the objections, to the house of origin of the bill. Whenever a veto message is so received, the message shall be entered in the journal and in not more than thirty calendar days (excluding the day received), the house of origin shall reconsider the bill. If two-thirds of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified shall vote to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the veto message, to the other house, which shall in not more than thirty calendar days (excluding the day received) also reconsider the bill, and if approved by two-thirds of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the governor's veto.

If any bill shall not be returned within ten calendar days (excluding the day presented) after it shall have been presented to the governor, it shall become a law in like manner as if it had been signed by the governor.

(b) If any bill presented to the governor contains several items of appropriation of money, one or more of such items may be disapproved by the governor while the other portion of the bill is approved by the governor. In case the governor does so disapprove, a veto message of the governor stating the item or items disapproved, and the reasons therefor, shall be appended to the bill at the time it is signed, and the bill shall be returned with the veto message to the house of origin of the bill. Whenever a veto message is so received, the message shall be entered in the journal and, in not more than thirty calendar days, the house of origin shall reconsider the items of the bill which have been disapproved. If two-thirds of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified shall vote to approve any item disapproved by the governor, the bill, with the veto message, shall be sent to the other house, which shall in not more than thirty calendar days also reconsider each such item so approved by the house of origin, and if approved by two-thirds of all the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified, any such item shall take effect and become a part of the bill.

§ 15. Requirements before bill passed

No bill shall be passed on the day that it is introduced, unless in case of emergency declared by two-thirds of the members present in the house where a bill is pending.

§ 16. Subject and title of bills; amendment or revival of statutes

No bill shall contain more than one subject, except appropriation bills and bills for revision or codification of statutes. The subject of each bill shall be expressed in its title. No law shall be revived or amended, unless the new act contain the entire act revived or the section or sections amended, and the section or sections so amended shall be repealed. The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed to effectuate the acts of the legislature.

§ 17. Uniform operation of laws of a general nature

All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation throughout the state: Provided, The legislature may designate areas in counties that have become urban in character as "urban areas" and enact special laws giving to any one or more of such counties or urban areas such powers of local government and consolidation of local government as the legislature may deem proper.

§ 18. Election or appointment of officers; filling vacancies

The legislature may provide for the election or appointment of all officers and the filling of all vacancies not otherwise provided for in this constitution.

§ 19. Publication of acts

No act shall take effect until the enacting bill is published as provided by law.

§ 20. Enacting clause of bills; laws enacted only by bill

The enacting clause of all bills shall be "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:". No law shall be enacted except by bill.

§ 21. Delegation of powers of local legislation and administration

The legislature may confer powers of local legislation and administration upon political subdivisions.

§ 22. Legislative immunity

For any speech, written document or debate in either house, the members shall not be questioned elsewhere. No member of the legislature shall be subject to arrest -- except for treason, felony or breach of the peace -- in going to, or returning from, the place of meeting, or during the continuance of the session; neither shall he be subject to the service of any civil process during the session, nor for fifteen days previous to its commencement.

§ 24. Appropriations

No money shall be drawn from the treasury except in pursuance of a specific appropriation made by law.

§ 27. Impeachment

The house of representatives shall have the sole power to impeach. All impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and when sitting for that purpose, the senators shall take an oath to do justice according to the law and the evidence. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators then elected (or appointed) and qualified.

§ 28. Officers impeachable; grounds; punishment

The governor and all other officers under this constitution, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

§ 30. Delegation of powers to interstate bodies

The legislature may confer legislative powers upon interstate bodies, comprised of officers of this state or its political subdivisions acting in conjunction with officers of other jurisdictions, relating to the functions thereof. Any such delegation, and any agreement made thereunder shall be subject to limitation, change or termination by the legislature, unless contained in a compact approved by the congress.

Article 3. Judicial

Current through 2010

§ 1. Judicial power; seals; rules

The judicial power of this state shall be vested exclusively in one court of justice, which shall be divided into one supreme court, district courts, and such other courts as are provided by law; and all courts of record shall have a seal. The supreme court shall have general administrative authority over all courts in this state.

§ 2. Supreme court

The supreme court shall consist of not less than seven justices who shall be selected as provided by this article. All cases shall be heard with not fewer than four justices sitting and the concurrence of a majority of the justices sitting and of not fewer than four justices shall be necessary for a decision. The term of office of the justices shall be six years except as hereinafter provided. The justice who is senior in continuous term of service shall be chief justice, and in case two or more have continuously served during the same period the senior in age of these shall be chief justice. A justice may decline or resign from the office of chief justice without resigning from the court. Upon such declination or resignation, the justice who is next senior in continuous term of service shall become chief justice. During incapacity of a chief justice, the duties, powers and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the justice who is next senior in continu ous service.

§ 3. Jurisdiction and terms

The supreme court shall have original jurisdiction in proceedings in quo warranto, mandamus, and habeas corpus; and such appellate jurisdiction as may be provided by law. It shall hold one term each year at the seat of government and such other terms at such places as may be provided by law, and its jurisdiction shall be co-extensive with the state.

§ 4. Reporter; clerk

There shall be appointed, by the justices of the supreme court, a reporter and clerk of said court, who shall hold their offices two years, and whose duties shall be prescribed by law.

§ 5. Selection of justices of the supreme court

(a) Any vacancy occurring in the office of any justice of the supreme court and any position to be open thereon as a result of enlargement of the court, or the retirement or failure of an incumbent to file his declaration of candidacy to succeed himself as hereinafter required, or failure of a justice to be elected to succeed himself, shall be filled by appointment by the governor of one of three persons possessing the qualifications of office who shall be nominated and whose names shall be submitted to the governor by the supreme court nominating commission established as hereinafter provided.

(b) In event of the failure of the governor to make the appointment within sixty days from the time the names of the nominees are submitted to him, the chief justice of the supreme court shall make the appointment from such nominees.

(c) Each justice of the supreme court appointed pursuant to provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall hold office for an initial term ending on the second Monday in January following the first general election that occurs after the expiration of twelve months in office. Not less than sixty days prior to the holding of the general election next preceding the expiration of his term of office, any justice of the supreme court may file in the office of the secretary of state a declaration of can didacy for election to succeed himself. If a declaration is not so filed, the position held by such justice shall be open from the expiration of his term of office. If such declaration is filed, his name shall be submitted at the next general election to the electors of the state on a separate judicial ballot, without party designation, reading substantially as follows:

"Shall ________________________________________________

(Here insert name of justice.)

_________________________________________________

(Here insert the title of the court.)

be retained in office?"

If a majority of those voting on the question vote against retaining him in office, the position or office which he holds shall be open upon the expiration of his term of office; otherwise he shall, unless removed for cause, remain in office for the regular term of six years from the second Monday in January following such election. At the expiration of each term he shall, unless by law he is compelled to retire, be eligible for retention in office by election in the manner prescribed in this section.

(d) A nonpartisan nominating commission whose duty it shall be to nominate and submit to the governor the names of persons for appointment to fill vacancies in the office of any justice of the supreme court is hereby established, and shall be known a s the "supreme court nominating commission." Said commission shall be organized as hereinafter provided.

(e) The supreme court nominating commission shall be composed as follows: One member, who shall be chairman, chosen from among their number by the members of the bar who are residents of and licensed in Kansas; one member from each congressional dist rict chosen from among their number by the resident members of the bar in each such district; and one member, who is not a lawyer, from each congressional district, appointed by the governor from among the residents of each such district.

(f) The terms of office, the procedure for selection and certification of the members of the commission and provision for their compensation or expenses shall be as provided by the legislature.

(g) No member of the supreme court nominating commission shall, while he is a member, hold any other public office by appointment or any official position in a political party or for six months thereafter be eligible for nomination for the office of justice of the supreme court. The commission may act only by the concurrence of a majority of its members.

§ 6. District courts

(a) The state shall be divided into judicial districts as provided by law. Each judicial district shall have at least one district judge. The term of office of each judge of the district court shall be four years. District court shall be held at such times and places as may be provided by law. The district judges shall be elected by the electors of the respective judicial districts unless the electors of a judicial district have adopted and not subsequently rejected a method of nonpartisan selection. The legislature shall provide a method of nonpartisan selection of district judges and for the manner of submission and resubmission thereof to the electors of a judicial district. A nonpartisan method of selection of district judges may be adopted, and o nce adopted may be rejected, only by a majority of electors of a judicial district voting on the question at an election in which the proposition is submitted. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of district judge, it shall be filled by appointment by the governor until the next general election that occurs more than thirty days after such vacancy, or as may be provided by such nonpartisan method of selection.

(b) The district courts shall have such jurisdiction in their respective districts as may be provided by law.

(d) Provision may be made by law for judges pro tem of the district court.

(e) The supreme court or any justice thereof shall have the power to assign judges of district courts temporarily to other districts.

(f) The supreme court may assign a district judge to serve temporarily on the supreme court.

§ 7. Qualifications of justices and judges

Justices of the supreme court and judges of the district courts shall be at least thirty years of age and shall be duly authorized by the supreme court of Kansas to practice law in the courts of this state and shall possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by law.

§ 8. Prohibition of political activity by justices and certain judges

No justice of the supreme court who is appointed or retained under the procedure of section 5 of this article, nor any judge of the district court holding off ice under a nonpartisan method authorized in subsection (a) of section 6 of this article, shall directly or indirectly make any contribution to or hold any office in a political party or organization or take part in any political campaign.

§ 12. Extension of terms until successor qualified

All judicial officers shall hold their offices until their successors shall have qualified.

§ 13. Compensation of justices and judges; certain limitation

The justices of the supreme court and judges of the district courts shall receive for their services such compensation as may be provided by law, which shall not be diminished during their terms of office, unless by general law applicable to all salaried officers of the state. Such justices or judges shall receive no fees or perquisites nor hold any other office of profit or trust under the authority of the state, or the United States except as may be provided by law, or practice law during their continuance in office.

§ 15. Removal of justices and judges

Justices of the supreme court may be removed from office by impeachment and conviction as prescribed in article 2 of this constitution. In addition to removal by impeachment and conviction, justices may be retired after appropriate hearing, upon certification to the governor, by the supreme court nominating commission that such justice is so incapacitated as to be unable to perform adequately his duties. Other judges shall be subject to retirement for incapacity, and to discipline, suspension and removal for cause by the supreme court after appropriate hearing.

§ 16. Savings clause

Nothing contained in this amendment to the constitution shall: (a) Shorten the term of office or abolish the office of any justice of the supreme court, any judge of the district court, or any other judge of any other court who is holding office at the time this amendment becomes effective, or who is holding office at the time of adoption, rejection, or resubmission of a nonpartisan method of selection of district judges as provided in subsection (a) of section 6 hereof, and all such justices and judges shall hold their respective offices for the terms for which elected or appointed unless sooner removed in the manner provided by law; (b) repeal any statute of this state relating to the supreme court, the supreme court nominating commission, district courts, or any other court, or relating to the justices or judges of such courts, and such statutes shall remain in force and effect until amended or repealed by the legislature.