HJR 30 -- TERM LIMITS FOR LEGISLATORS

SPONSOR:  Shelton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 8 to 5 with 1 present.

This proposed constitutional amendment repeals the current limit
on the number of years that a person can serve as a member of
the House or Senate (8 years in each) and gives the qualified
voters of the state the absolute right to select as nominees and
members of the General Assembly individuals who have prior
legislative experience.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $41,800 in FY 2001.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the wording of the resolution
frames the issue of repealing term limits in a positive way, as
maintaining a right.  Supporters argue that Missourians do not
need the "let's throw them all out" solution of term limits.
They are unnecessary because there is already substantial
turnover in the General Assembly, and people can always vote
someone out of office.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Leake; and Tom Bauer.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Marty Romitti, Legislative Analyst

HJR 30 -- Term Limits for Legislators

Sponsor:  Shelton

This proposed constitutional amendment repeals the current limit
on the number of years that a person can serve as a member of
the House or Senate (8 years in each) and gives the qualified
voters of the state the absolute right to select as nominees and
members of the General Assembly individuals who have prior
legislative experience.