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PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THOSE HOUSE MEMBERS ELECTED AT THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION OR WHO TAKE OFFICE AFTER THAT DATE, ONCE THESE PERSONS HAVE THEREAFTER SERVED FIVE CONSECUTIVE TERMS, THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A TERM OF OFFICE IN WHICH A HOUSE MEMBER EITHER IS ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR APPOINTED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF A HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TERM FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE MEMBER'S TERM LIMITATION; AND TO PROVIDE BEGINNING WITH THOSE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ELECTED AT THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION OR WHO TAKE OFFICE AFTER THAT DATE, ONCE THESE PERSONS HAVE THEREAFTER SERVED THREE CONSECUTIVE TERMS, THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A TERM OF OFFICE IN WHICH A MEMBER OF THE SENATE EITHER IS ELECTED PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE OR APPOINTED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF A SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TERM FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE MEMBER'S TERM LIMITATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"Beginning with those House members elected at the 2020 general election or who take office after that date, once these persons have thereafter served five consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, they are not eligible to serve as a member of the House of Representatives. However, a term of office in which a House member either is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives or appointed to serve as chairman of a House standing committee does not constitute a term for purposes of calculating the member's term limitation pursuant to this section."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of this State, relating to qualifications of members of the Senate and House of Representatives, be amended so as to provide that beginning with those House members elected at the 2020 general election or who take office after that date, once these persons have thereafter served five consecutive terms, they are not eligible to serve as a member of the House of Representatives; however, a term of office in which a House member either is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives or appointed to serve as chairman of a House standing committee does not constitute a term for purposes of calculating the member's term limitation?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
SECTION 3. It is proposed that Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"Beginning with those members of the Senate elected at the 2020 general election or who take office after that date, once these persons have thereafter served three consecutive terms, they are not eligible to serve as a member of the Senate. However, a term of office in which a member of the Senate either is elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate or appointed to serve as chairman of a Senate standing committee does not constitute a term for purposes of calculating the member's term limitation pursuant to this Section."
SECTION 4. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of this State, relating to qualifications of members of the Senate and House of Representatives, be amended so as to provide that beginning with those members of the Senate elected at the 2020 general election or who take office after that date, once these persons have thereafter served three consecutive terms, they are not eligible to serve as a member of the Senate; however, a term of office in which a member of the Senate either is elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate or appointed to serve as chairman of a Senate standing committee does not constitute a term for purposes of calculating the member's term limitation?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
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