South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024

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H. 3444

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. Blackwell
Companion/Similar bill(s): 172
Document Path: LC-0035HA23.docx

Introduced in the House on January 10, 2023
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Term Limits for Members of the General Assembly

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
12/8/2022 House Prefiled
12/8/2022 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary
1/10/2023 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 170)
1/10/2023 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 170)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/08/2022



A joint Resolution

proposing an amendment to section 7, article iii of the constitution of south carolina, 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 2024 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 2024 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 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 2024 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 the 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 the House of Representatives, be amended so as to provide that beginning with those House members elected at the 2024 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?

Yes      o

No      o

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 2024 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 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 2024 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 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?

Yes      o

No      o

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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