2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 2. Government Structure and Administration › Chapter 15. Executive Branch Officers and Agencies › Part 2. Governor › 2-15-201. Powers and duties of governor

2-15-201. Powers and duties of governor.
(1) In addition to the duties prescribed by the constitution, the governor shall:
(a) supervise the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers; and
(b) ensure that all offices are filled and that the duties of the offices are performed or, in default of the performance, apply a remedy that the law allows. If the remedy is imperfect, the governor shall acquaint the legislature with the issue at its next session.
(2) The governor shall make the appointments and fill the vacancies as required by law. When a vacancy in a position on a council, board, commission, or committee has occurred or is expected to occur and must be filled by gubernatorial appointment, the governor shall post a notice by electronic means:
(a) announcing the actual or anticipated vacancy in the position;
(b) describing the qualifications for the position, if any; and
(c) describing the procedure for applying for appointment to the position.
(3) The governor is the sole official organ of communication between the government of this state and the government of any other state or of the United States.
(4) Whenever any suit or legal proceeding is pending against this state that may affect the title of this state to any property or that may result in any claim against the state, the governor may direct the attorney general to appear on behalf of the state and may employ additional counsel that the governor may judge expedient.
(5) The governor may require the attorney general or the county attorney of any county to inquire into the affairs or management of any corporation existing under the laws of this state.
(6) The governor may require the attorney general to aid the county attorney in the discharge of the county attorney's duties.
(7) The governor may offer rewards not exceeding $1,000 each, payable out of the general fund, for the apprehension of any convict who has escaped from the state prison or any person who has committed or is charged with an offense punishable by death.
(8) The governor shall perform the duties respecting fugitives from justice that are prescribed by Title 46, chapter 30.
(9) The governor shall issue land warrants and patents, as prescribed in 77-2-342.
(10) The governor may require any officer or board to make special reports, upon demand, in writing.
(11) The governor shall discharge the duties of a member of the board of examiners, of a nonvoting ex officio member of the state board of education, and of a member of the board of land commissioners.
(12) The governor has the other powers and shall perform the other duties that are devolved upon the governor by this section or any other law of this state.
History: En. Sec. 370, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 145, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 124, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 380; re-en. Sec. 124, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 94, Ch. 199, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 82-1301; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 184, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 125, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 142, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 76, Ch. 61, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 289, L. 2023.