The Governor is the chief executive officer of the State and the commander in chief of its military
forces. Elected by popular vote for a term of four years, the Governor's term of office begins on the
third Wednesday of January following election. No person may serve as Governor for more than two
consecutive terms. To be eligible for the office of Governor, a person must be at least thirty years of age
and must have been a resident and registered voter of the State for five years immediately preceding
election. The Governor receives the salary recommended prior to each election by the Governor's Sala-
ry Commission and approved by the General Assembly. Until 1990, the Governor's salary is $85,000
per year (Const. 1867, Art. II, sees. 1, 3, 5, 21, 21 A).

The Governor must submit to each annual session of the General Assembly a budget for the next en-
suing fiscal year. The Governor may also inform the General Assembly at any time of the condition of
the State (Const. 1867, Art. II, sec. 19; Art. Ill, sec. 52(3)).

Every bill passed by the General Assembly, except the annual Budget Bill, must be presented to the
Governor before it becomes law. If the Governor approves the bill he may sign it, and if he disapproves
he may veto it. Any bill that the Governor vetoes may be passed without his signature by three-fifths of
the total number of members of each house of the General Assembly, either at the current session or at
the session next following. If a bill is presented more than six days before the General Assembly ad-
journs and is not vetoed within six days, or if a bill is presented within six days prior to the adjourn-
ment of the General Assembly and is not vetoed within thirty days after its presentment, then the bill
becomes law without the Governor's signature. The Governor has the power to veto any part of an ap-
propriations bill, in the same manner as other bills, without vetoing it in its entirety (Const. 1867, Art.
II, sec. 17; Art. Ill, sec. 52(6)).

The Governor is commander in chief of the military forces of the State—the National Guard—except
when such forces are called into the national service. If the National Guard is thus called, the Governor
may establish a State Guard.

The Governor appoints all military and civil officers of the State subject to the advice and consent of
the Senate, except when the election or appointment of such officers is otherwise provided for. In addi-
tion to appointing the heads of major departments, boards, and commissions of the State government,
the Governor appoints certain boards and commissions in each county and the City of Baltimore, as
provided for by law. The Governor also commissions notaries public and appoints persons to fill vacan-
cies in the offices of Attorney General, Comptroller, and members of the General Assembly. Any officer
appointed by the Governor, except members of the General Assembly, is removable by him for cause.

The Governor may grant pardons to persons convicted of criminal acts against the State, commute
the sentences of prisoners of the State, and remit fines and forfeitures for offenses against the State. The
Governor may extradite prisoners or persons wanted by other states upon the presentation of a writ of
extradition and may issue a warrant for the arrest of any person so wanted. The Governor may also ask
for the return to this State of any prisoner or person of another state wanted for the violation of the
laws of Maryland (Const. 1867, Art. II, sec. 20).