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 Salary Commission
and approved by the General Assembly. Until 1990, the Governor's salary is $85,000 per year (Const.,
Art. II, secs. 1, 3, 5, 21, 21A).

The Governor must submit to each annual session of the General Assembly a budget for the next
ensuing fiscal year. The Governor may also inform the General Assembly at any time of the condition of
the State (Const., 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 following. If a bill is presented more than six days before the General Assembly adjourns and
is not vetoed within six days, or if a bill is presented within six days prior to the adjournment 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 appropriations bill, in the
same manner as other bills, without vetoing it in its entirety (Const., 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 addition
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 vacancies in the
offices of Attorney General, Comptroller, and seats in the General Assembly. Any officer appointed by the
Governor, except a member of the General Assembly, is removable by him for cause.