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SCS/SJR 13 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, makes several changes to Article III regulating the members of the General Assembly. HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERSHIP AND APPORTIONMENT (ARTICLE III, SECTIONS 3, 5, and 7) The amendment reduces the membership of the House of Representatives from 163 to 117 and increases the membership of the Senate from 34 to 39. Furthermore, the state shall be apportioned into 39 legislative districts, each of which shall be divided into 3 House districts. House districts shall be apportioned entirely within a legislative district. One Senator will be elected from each legislative district and one Representative will be elected from each House district. This provision is similar to HJR 42 (2017), HJR 65 (2016), HJR 18 (2015), SJR 52 (2014) HJR 53 (2014), HJR 54 (2014), HJR 83 (2014), HJR 2 (2013), HJR 20 (2013), SJR 25 (2012), HJR 60 (2012), HJR 87 (2012), the perfected SJR 10 (2011), HJR 7 (2011), HJR 12 (2011), HJR 13 (2011), HJR 36 (2011), HJR 47 (2010), and HJR 100 (2010). TERM LIMITS (ARTICLE III, SECTION 8) The amendment modifies provisions limiting the number of terms a person can serve in the General Assembly. Under current law, no person may be elected to serve more than 8 years total in any one house of the General Assembly, and 16 years total in both houses. This amendment provides that no person shall be elected to serve more than 16 years total in the General Assembly, regardless of which house. This provision is substantially similar to the perfected SJR 27 (2018), SJR 29 (2018), HJR 14 (2017), HJ 74 (2016), HJR 5 (2015), HJR 43 (2015), SJR 35 (2014), HJR 41 (2014), HJR 50 (2014), HJR 79 (2014), HJR 4 (2013), HJR 13 (2013), HJR 18 (2013), and HJR 21 (2013). The amendment further provides that no person may serve more than 4 years in each of the following positions: 1. Speaker of the House; 2. President Pro Tem of the Senate; 3. Majority or minority floor leader of the Senate or House of Representatives. This provision is similar to SJR 31 (2001) and HJR 1 (2001). COMPENSATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS (ARTICLE III, SECTION 16) The amendment provides that the compensation of members of the General Assembly shall increase at the beginning of each new General Assembly based upon the increase in the cost of living. The Secretary of the Senate is responsible for determining the increase as of September 30 of each even-numbered year. LEGISLATIVE RECORDS (ARTICLE III, SECTION 19) The amendment modifies the definition of "legislative records" to exclude the following: 4. Work product of employees and staff of members of the General Assembly; 5. Employees of the Senate or House of Representatives; and 6. Communications between members of the General Assembly. SCOTT SVAGERA
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