A RESOLUTION to propose an amendment to Article II, Section 3, of the Constitution of Tennessee, relative to term limits.
Summary
House Joint Resolution 133 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit service in the Tennessee House of Representatives or Senate to no more than twelve consecutive years. The resolution would add this restriction to Article II, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution, which governs legislative qualifications and terms.
The proposal also specifies that the new term-limit rule would apply prospectively to current members, beginning after the expiration of their present term. If approved by the General Assembly and ratified through the constitutional amendment process, it would become part of Tennessee’s governing constitution rather than a regular statute.
Impact
If adopted, the resolution would change the Tennessee Constitution by imposing a statewide term limit on state legislators, affecting both chambers of the General Assembly. It would not directly amend an ordinary statute; instead, it would create a constitutional restriction on eligibility to continue serving after twelve consecutive years, with the transition delayed for sitting members until their current terms end.
Sentiment
Based on the available record, the bill appears to be a straightforward reform proposal with no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials. The text itself suggests a clear, policy-driven effort to limit legislative tenure, but there is no documented support or opposition in the supplied context to indicate broader sentiment among lawmakers.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the proposal is the term-limit concept itself: supporters would likely view it as a way to encourage rotation in office and reduce entrenched incumbency, while opponents may see it as limiting voter choice and removing experienced legislators. The bill’s prospective application to current members may also be a practical issue, since it delays the effect of the limit until the end of a member’s current term. No specific objections or endorsements are recorded in the provided transcripts or votes.