38-211. Nominations by governor; consent of senate; appointment

A. When it is provided by law that a state officer shall be appointed pursuant to this section, the governor shall nominate and with the consent of the senate appoint such officer as prescribed in this section.

B. If the term of any state office that is appointive pursuant to this section expires, begins or becomes vacant during a regular legislative session, the governor shall during such session nominate a person who meets the requirements of law for such office and shall promptly transmit the nomination to the president of the senate. If the incumbent is capable of continuing to serve until his successor has qualified, a nominee to that position shall not assume and discharge the duties of the office, pending senate confirmation.  If the incumbent is unable to continue to discharge the duties of office, the nominee shall assume and discharge the duties of the office pending senate confirmation. If the senate consents to the nomination, the governor shall then appoint the nominee to serve for the term or, in the case of a vacancy, for the unexpired term in which the vacancy occurred. If the senate rejects the nomination the nominee shall not be appointed and the governor shall promptly nominate another person who meets the requirements for such office. If the senate takes no formal action on the nomination during such legislative session, or if a nomination other than one that is required to be sent to the senate during the first week of the legislative session is not received during the session, the governor shall after the close of such legislative session appoint the nominee to serve, and the nominee shall discharge the duties of office, subject to confirmation during the next legislative session.

C. If the term of any state office that is appointive pursuant to this section expires, begins or becomes vacant during a time in which the legislature is not in regular session, the governor shall nominate a person who meets the requirements of law for such office and shall transmit the nomination to the president of the senate during the first week of the next regular session. The nominee shall assume and discharge the duties of the office until rejection of the nomination or inaction of the senate.

D. Every officer who is subject to confirmation as provided in this section and whose term is not fixed by law shall hold office at the pleasure of the appointing power.

E. In no event shall a nominee serve longer than one year after nomination without senate consent.

F. Nominations made by the governor shall be in writing, designating the residence of the nominee and the office for which nominated.

G. When the senate consents to a nomination, its secretary shall deliver a copy of the resolution of consent, certified by the president of the senate, to the secretary of state, who shall notify the governor.  When the senate rejects a nomination, its secretary shall inform the governor promptly.

H. Before nomination or appointment by the governor pursuant to this section, the prospective nominee shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the governor for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544.  The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.