Bill
SC 516
Would amend the state constitution to impose term limits on legislators, requiring voter approval to take effect.
SC 516 — Constitution; place term limits on legislators
Overview
- Type: Concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment
- Purpose: To place term limits on state legislators
- Status: Died in committee
- Introduced: January 20, 2025
- Legislative actions:
- 2025-01-20: Referred to Rules; Constitution
- 2025-02-04: Died In Committee
What the bill would do
- Core aim: The bill seeks to amend the state constitution to impose term limits on legislators.
- Constitutional route: As a concurrent resolution, it would propose a constitutional amendment rather than create a statute. If approved by the legislature and subsequently ratified by voters, the term limits would become part of the state constitution.
- Specifics to be defined in the text: The exact term limits (for example, the number of terms or years allowable in the Senate and House, whether limits apply to incumbents, and any grandfathering provisions) are not provided in the summary. The precise limits and implementation details would be in the full bill text.
Who would be affected
- Current and future legislators: The primary audience is state legislators themselves, as well as individuals seeking election or reelection to the state legislature.
- Legislative staff and operations: Term limits can influence turnover, leadership continuity, and institutional memory within legislative offices and committees.
- Voters: If the amendment were ratified, voters would indirectly determine the allowable duration of service for their state representatives and senators.
Procedural and timeline context
- Introduction and referrals: The bill was introduced on January 20, 2025, and referred to the Rules and Constitution committees on the same day.
- Final disposition: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, meaning it did not advance to the floor for consideration in that session.
- Next steps (if revived): For a similar measure to become law, it would typically need to:
- Receive floor passage in both legislative chambers, often with a specified majority (varies by jurisdiction),
- Be presented for voter ratification as a constitutional amendment (usually at a general election or designated ballot), depending on state rules for constitutional amendments.
- Address any transition rules, grandfathering, and implementation timelines within the amendment text.
Notes
- This summary reflects the information available: a concurrent-resolution measure proposing constitutional term limits that did not advance beyond committee in the cited session. The bill would only take effect if later reintroduced and ratified by voters.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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