Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this legislative bill is to propose an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to introduce term limits for state legislators and executive officers. This aims to restrict the number of terms these officials can serve in order to promote governmental turnover and increase political diversity.

Main Provisions

• Term Limits for State Legislators:

  • House of Representatives members can serve up to four full terms (each term lasting 2 years).
  • Senate members can serve up to three full terms (each term lasting 4 years).

• Term Limits for Executive Officers:

  • The governor and lieutenant governor are limited to two full terms in office (each term lasting 4 years).
  • The same term limit applies to the secretary of state, attorney general, and state auditor, restricting them to two full terms each.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Currently, Minnesota does not have constitutional term limits for state legislators or executive branch officials. This bill, if adopted by a public vote, would amend the state constitution to establish these limits for the first time.

Implementation

• Should the amendment be accepted, it would be enforced starting with terms ending after 2027, meaning that terms completed before or during 2027 would not count towards the term limit.

The proposed amendment is set to be submitted to Minnesota voters during the 2026 general election. The question will ask voters if they approve the implementation of these term limits for both state legislators and executive officers.

Relevant Terms

term limits, state legislators, executive officers, Minnesota Constitution, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, election, amendment, general election