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SCR 4008

A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 1 of article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to term limits for members of the legislative assembly; to repeal section 4 of article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to prohibiting the legislative assembly from proposing certain amendments to article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, and to provide for an application.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Mike Dwyer

The measure limits North Dakota legislators to a fixed number of four-year terms and allows the Legislature to propose future term-limit amendments by repealing a current prohibiti

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08
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Bill Summary · SCR 4008

Summary — SCR 4008 (2025)

A concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to change term‑limit rules for members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly and to remove a current prohibition on the Legislature proposing certain term‑limit amendments. If approved by voters, the amendment will be placed in Article XV, Section 1 of the North Dakota Constitution and will apply to persons elected after January 1, 2023.

Purpose / intent

  • The resolution is intended to impose a limit on the number of complete terms an individual may serve in the Legislative Assembly (House and Senate).
  • It also repeals Article XV, Section 4, which currently prohibits the Legislative Assembly from proposing some amendments related to term limits—thereby enabling the Legislature to propose future changes to term‑limit provisions.

Key provisions (as presented)

  • Amend Article XV, Section 1 to set a maximum number of “complete four‑year terms” a person may serve as a member of the House and as a member of the Senate.
  • Repeal Article XV, Section 4 in its entirety.
  • Application clause: if approved by electors, the change applies to persons elected to the Legislative Assembly after January 1, 2023.
  • Submission to voters: the proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the general election in November 2026 (per Article IV, §16).

Important drafting inconsistencies (documented)

  • The resolution text and committee documents contain conflicting language:
    • Some places state the limit is “three … four complete four‑year terms” (typographical/conflicted draft).
    • Other sections and the enrollment/engrossed versions state the measure “provides an individual may not serve more than four complete terms.”
    • Several places retain a reference to a cumulative service period “amounting to more than eight years,” which is inconsistent with a limit of three or four four‑year terms (8 years = two terms).
  • These internal contradictions appear to be drafting errors in the printed amendment language; they could affect interpretation unless clarified before or after voter approval.

Who would be affected

  • Current and future members of the North Dakota House and Senate elected after January 1, 2023 (per the application clause).
  • The electorate: because the amendment must be approved by voters at the November 2026 general election.
  • The Legislature: repeal of Section 4 would remove a constitutional restriction and allow the Legislature to propose future term‑limit amendments.

Procedure & timeline

  • SCR 4008 is a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment; it must be approved by the Legislature and then by voters.
  • Legislative actions: passed both houses (votes recorded in March–April 2025), signed by presiding officers and filed with the Secretary of State on April 8, 2025.
  • Next step: submission to North Dakota voters at the November 2026 general election. If approved by voters, the amendment takes effect for persons elected after Jan 1, 2023.

Legislative history & status

  • Introduced Jan 27, 2025 (Senator Dwyer); committee hearings Feb–Mar 2025.
  • Floor votes included a failed vote lacking a constitutional majority (Apr 1), reconsideration, then passage (Apr 2) and final enrollment/signature (Apr 8, 2025).
  • Filed with the Secretary of State on April 8, 2025 for placement on the Nov 2026 ballot.

Note: Because of the textual inconsistencies in the enrolled/amended language, readers should review any final corrected text or legislative staff analyses to determine the precise term limit proposed before the measure is presented to voters.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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