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Bill

SB 118

Imposing conditional term limits on members of the legislature and requiring nomination for office by petition after such term limits have run.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Argabright and 12 co-sponsors

SB 118 limits Kansas legislature terms and requires termed-out members to gain nomination through petition instead of party processes.

Died in Committee
#elections #legislature
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Bill Summary · SB 118

Legislative bill overview

SB 118 would impose term limits on Kansas state legislators and require candidates who have reached those limits to be nominated through petition rather than party nomination processes. The bill establishes conditional restrictions on how long members can serve and creates an alternative pathway for candidacy after term limits expire.

Why is this important

Term limits fundamentally alter how legislatures function, affecting legislator experience, institutional knowledge, and legislative effectiveness. This approach is particularly notable because it doesn't simply bar termed-out legislators from running—it allows them to continue but only through a more demanding petition-based nomination process, which could either democratize access or create barriers to candidacy depending on petition requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional concerns: Kansas courts have previously evaluated term limit measures; legal challenges about whether legislative term limits violate state constitutional provisions may arise
  • Petition requirement specifics: The bill's petition thresholds are undefined in this summary—overly burdensome signature requirements could effectively bar termed-out candidates, while minimal thresholds might undermine the restriction's purpose
  • Legislative capacity and experience: Frequent turnover may reduce institutional knowledge and increase reliance on lobbyists and staff, though supporters argue it encourages fresh perspectives and reduces incumbent entrenchment

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

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