Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/145

This page needs to be proofread.

PUBLIC LAW 97-000—MMMM. DD, 1981

PUBLIC LAW 9 7 - 2 1 - J U L Y 9, 1981

95 STAT. 119

(e) For purposes of this section bonds shall mean bonds, notes, or other obligations and shall be deemed to include bonds to refund any bonds, notes, or other obligations. (f) Aggregate bonds issued in support of a single project pursuant to section (b) above, which exceed 20 percent of the average Government revenue for the previous three years, shall be approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands voting on the question at a referendum. (g) Bonds may not be issued for the operating expenses of the Government of the Virgin Islands, except that short-term bonds which are required to be repaid within one year may be issued by law to meet appropriations for any fiscal period in anticipation of the collection of revenue for that period or to meet casual deficits. AUDITOR GENERAL

4. (a) There shall be an Auditor General, who shall be 48 USC i54i appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate '^°*^ and shall serve for a term of six years. (b) The Auditor General shall be a United States citizen, a Virgin Islands citizen, a qualified voter of the Virgin Islands, a domiciliary of the Virgin Islands for at least five years, and shall have such other qualifications as may be provided by law. (c) The Auditor General shall audit all revenues, accounts, expenditures, and programs of the Government, its departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities; shall make a public annual report and any special reports that may be required by the Governor or the Senate, and shall perform other duties as may be provided by law. In the performance of official duties, the Auditor General shall have the authority to administer oaths, take evidence, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, letters, papers, records, and all other necessary articles. (d) The Auditor General may not hold any other public position while in office, nor engage in any activity that would conflict with official duties and responsibilities. The salary of the Auditor General may not be decreased during a term of office. (e) The Auditor General may be removed from office for cause by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or by impeachment. SECTION

ARTICLE XII. INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL

All political power is inherent in the people, who reserve the power 48 USC 1541 to propose, adopt, or reject laws, and also the power to adopt or reject "°*^ any act or section of any act passed by the Senate. INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

1. (a) Initiative and referendum is the power of the electors 48 USC 1541 to propose the enactment, amendment, or repeal of laws of the Virgin "°*^' Islands, except public exigency laws and laws involving operating expenses. An initiative shall be instituted by a petition containing the full text of the proposal, and be signed by at least 10 percent of the qualified voters of each legislative district or by 41 percent of the qualified voters of the Virgin Islands. (b) An initiative petition shall be filed with the Senate. If adopted by the Senate within thirty days of the filing of the petition, the proposal contained in the petition shall take effect in accordance with SECTION

-194 0—82

10: QL3