SRC-MAX S.J.R. 7 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.J.R. 7
By: Nelson
State Affairs
2-6-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, elected officials in Texas may serve an unlimited number of
terms in public office. Proponents of term limits believe that term limits
are necessary to keep elected officials more responsive to the communities
they serve.  S.J.R. 7  requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment authorizing term limits for all statewide elected
officials, with the exception of the judiciary.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.J.R. 7 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment to limit the time a person may serve in
legislative office or in certain elective executive offices. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article III, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 7a,
as follows: 

Sec.  7a.  (a) Provides that a person is ineligible to be elected to the
house of representatives if, before the date of the election, the person
has previously served as a member of the house during all or part of six
regular sessions of the legislature. 

(b)  Provides that a person is ineligible to be elected to the senate if,
before the date of the election, the person has served as a member of the
senate during all or part of six regular sessions of the legislature, with
an exception. 

(c)  Provides that legislative service before the legislature convenes in
regular session in 1999 is not counted in determining whether a person is
disqualified from election to office.  

SECTION 2. Amends Article IV, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 2a, as
follows: 

Sec.  2a.  (a)  Provides that a person is ineligible to a full or partial
term in certain elective offices if on the date the term begins the person
has served in the office during any part of each of 12 or more calendar
years, with exceptions. 

(b)  Provides that a person is ineligible for a full or partial term on
certain statewide elected governing bodies if on the date that the term
begins the person has served as a member of the board, commission, or body
during any part of each of  12 or more calendar years. 

(c)  Authorizes a person to continue to serve in an office covered by this
section after the end of a term as a holdover under Section 17, Article
XVI, of this constitution until a successor is qualified. 

(d)  Provides that the calendar year begins January 1 and ends December 31.

 (e)  Provides that service in office before January 1, 1999, does not
count for purposes of determining whether a person is disqualified from
office. 

SECTION 3.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.  Sets
forth the required language for the ballot.