82R2985 DRH-D
 
  By: Hunter H.J.R. No. 140
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment on the length of legislative
  terms and number of years a person may serve in the legislature.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 3, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 3.  (a)  The Senators shall be chosen by the qualified
  voters for the term of six [four] years; but a new Senate shall be
  chosen after every apportionment, and the Senators elected after
  each apportionment shall be divided by lot into two classes. The
  seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the
  expiration of the first four [two] years[,] and those of the second
  class at the expiration of six [four] years[, so that one half of
  the Senators shall be chosen biennially thereafter].
         (b)  Senators shall take office following their election, on
  the day set by law for the convening of the Regular Session of the
  Legislature, and shall serve thereafter for the full term of years
  to which elected.
         SECTION 2.  Section 4, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 4.  (a)  The Members of the House of Representatives
  shall be chosen by the qualified voters for the term of four [two]
  years; but a new House of Representatives shall be chosen after
  every apportionment, and the Members elected after each
  apportionment shall be divided by lot into two classes. The Members
  of the first class shall vacate their seats after the expiration of
  two years, and the Members of the second class shall vacate their
  seats after the expiration of four years after the date on which
  their term of office begins, so that half of the Members will be
  elected biennially.
         (b)  Representatives shall take office following their
  election, on the day set by law for the convening of the Regular
  Session of the Legislature, and shall serve thereafter for the full
  term of years to which elected.
         SECTION 3.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 7a to read as follows:
         Sec. 7a.  (a) A person is not eligible to be elected to the
  senate if, on the date the term to which the person seeks election
  begins, the person will have in the preceding 18 years served 12 or
  more consecutive years as a member of the senate.
         (b)  A person is not eligible to be elected to the house of
  representatives if, on the date the term to which the person seeks
  election begins, the person will have in the preceding 12 years
  served eight or more consecutive years as a member of the house.
         (c)  Legislative service before the legislature convenes in
  regular session in 2013 is not counted in determining whether a
  person is disqualified from election under this section.
         (d)  For purposes of this section, it is presumed that a
  member of the legislature who seeks election to a subsequent term of
  office will serve for the full term of office the member is
  currently serving.
         SECTION 4.  The following temporary provision is added to
  the Texas Constitution:
         TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
  to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 82nd Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2011, on the length of legislative terms and
  number of years a person may serve in the legislature.
         (b)  Members of the legislature shall be elected to terms as
  provided by Sections 3 and 4, Article III, of this constitution
  beginning with the election of members of the 83rd Legislature, to
  convene in 2013.
         (c)  This section expires January 31, 2013.
         SECTION 5.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment changing the length of
  legislative terms and limiting the number of years a person may
  serve in the legislature."