SRC-MAX S.J.R. 18 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.J.R. 18 By: Galloway State Affairs 4-21-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, elected officials in Texas may serve an unlimited number of terms in public office. There are 20 states that limit the terms of state lawmakers and executive branch officials. It is believed that term limits allow greater citizen participation and eliminate lifetime careers of public service. S.J.R. 18 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment authorizing term limits for certain statewide elected officials. PURPOSE As proposed, S.J.R. 18 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment to limit the time that a person may serve in legislative office or in a statewide elective executive office. 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, on the date of the election, the person has served as a member of the house during all or part of four regular sessions of the legislature. (b) Provides that a person is ineligible to be elected to the senate if, on the date of the election, the person has served as a member of the senate during all or part of four regular sessions of the legislature. (c) Provides that legislative service before the legislature convenes in regular session in 1997 is not considered in determining whether a person is disqualified from election to office. SECTION 2. Amends Article IV, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 27, as follows: Sec. 27. (a) Provides that a person is ineligible to be elected to an office in the executive department of state government that is filled by statewide election if the person has twice previously been elected at a statewide election to serve for a full term in the same office. (b) Provides that this section applies to an office in the executive department of state government without regard to whether the office is listed under Section 1. (c) Provides that separate elective positions on the governing board of a state agency are considered to be the same office. (d) Provides that election to office before January 1, 1996, is not considered in determining whether a person is eligible to be elected to the same 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.