SJR75: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3990/1

MPG:kjf

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 75

December 7, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Stroebel and Moulton, cosponsored by Representatives Gannon, Quinn, Tittl, Steffen, Jarchow, Neylon, Brandtjen, Sanfelippo, Allen, Rohrkaste, Heaton and R. Brooks. Referred to Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection.

SJR75,1,4 To renumber section 6 of article IV and section 2 of article V; and to create section 6 (2) of article IV and section 2 (2) of article V of the constitution; relating to: limiting the number of terms permitted for members of the state legislature and the governor and lieutenant governor (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2015 legislature on first consideration, limits members of the legislature to 12 years of service in the same office and limits the governor and lieutenant governor to eight years of service in the same office. Time served in an initial partial term in the same office, and time served in a different office, is not counted as part of the 12-year and eight-year limits. Additionally, the term limits do not apply to a senator or representative to the assembly, or the governor or lieutenant governor, holding office on the date of ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment, with respect to that office.

A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.

SJR75,1,5 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That:

SJR75,1 Section 1. Section 6 of article IV of the constitution is renumbered section 6 (1) of article IV.

SJR75,2 Section 2. Section 6 (2) of article IV of the constitution is created to read:

SJR75,2,8 [Article IV] Section 6 (2) Beginning with the term commencing after 2020, a person may not serve more than 3 4-year terms as a senator or more than 6 2-year terms as a representative to the assembly. Time served during a partial term in the same house, if it is the person's first term in that house, and time served in the other house, shall not be counted as part of the 12-year limit. This subsection does not apply to any senator or representative to the assembly holding office on the date of ratification of this subsection, with respect to that office.

SJR75,3 Section 3. Section 2 of article V of the constitution is renumbered section 2 (1) of article V.

SJR75,4 Section 4. Section 2 (2) of article V of the constitution is created to read:

SJR75,2,18 [Article V] Section 2 (2) Beginning with the term commencing after 2020, a person may not serve more than 2 4-year terms as governor or lieutenant governor. Time served during a partial term in the same state office, if it is the person's first term in that office, and time served in a different state office, shall not be counted as part of the 8-year limit. This subsection does not apply to the governor or lieutenant governor holding office on the date of ratification of this subsection, with respect to that office.

SJR75,5 Section 5. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.

SJR75,3,3 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for three months previous to the time of holding such election.

SJR75,3,4 (End)