Bill

SJR 13

83(R) - 2013
State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Negative

Author(s)

Kevin Eltife

Bill Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment limiting to two the number of consecutive terms for which a person may be elected or appointed to hold certain state offices.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.($108,921). No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipate.

Bill Analysis

Summary: This legislation proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to term limit a person who has been elected or appointed to serve in the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the general land office, or attorney general or any other state office normally filled by the voters at a statewide election, excluding judicial offices, to two terms. However this will not affect a person's eligibility for election or appointment in nonconsecutive terms. Additionally this bill would prohibit a termed out individual from being eligible to be appointed to serve in the absence of a successor.

Analysis: Term limits reduce choices and eliminate the opportunity for voters to keep well qualified candidates in office if they so choose. Regularly scheduled elections serve as term limits themselves, therefore statutory term limits are not needed. Furthermore, the Legislature would exempt itself from term limits by passing a bill that only applies term limits to statewide elected officials. We oppose SB 210.