Term limits for state legislature.

WORKING DRAFT
2005
STATE OF WYOMING
05LSO-0010

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
HJ0004

Term limits for state legislature.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Hinckley and Latta

A BILL

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution; imposing term limits upon the offices of state senator and state representative.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.
The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 2 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 3, Section 2.

Members' terms and qualifications.

(a)

Senators shall be elected for the term of four (4) years and representatives for the term of two (2) years. The senators elected at the first election shall be divided by lot into two classes as nearly equal as may be. The seats of senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first two years, and of the second class at the expiration of four years. No person shall be a senator who has not attained the age of twenty-five years, or a representative who has not attained the age of twenty-one years, and who is not a citizen of the United States and of this state and who has not, for at least twelve months next preceding his election resided within the county or district in which he was elected.

(b)

No person shall be a senator or representative if the person by the end of the current term of office will have served, or but for resignation, would have served twelve (12) or more years in any twenty-four (24) year period in that same office, except that any time served as a senator or representative prior to January 3, 2007, shall not be counted for purposes of this term limit.

Section 2.
That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment will impose term limits for the state senate and state house of representatives. If a person will have served, or but for resignation would have served, twelve (12) or more years in any twenty-four (24) year period in the same office, he would not be eligible to be elected or appointed to that office. Election or appointment to any other office, including the other house of the state legislature, would not be counted for determining term limits. Time in any office before January 3, 2007, including the office sought, would not be counted for determining term limits.

(END)

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HJ0004