701-566-9300Currently, Section 1 of Article XV of the North Dakota Constitution provides that an individual shall not serve as a member of the house of representatives or senate for a cumulative period of time amounting to more than eight years. HB 1300 would further define these legislative term limits. It introduces a new section to the law, specifying that the calculation of years of service for members of the legislative assembly begins only when an individual is first elected or appointed after January 1, 2023. This bill passed the House and has also passed the Senate with an amendment. It has been referred to the House to concur. If the House concurs and the amended bill passes, it will mean legislators elected in 2022 would not have their time in office count toward term limits until they take office following the 2026 general election.
Legislation providing annual legislative sessions introduced in previous sessions have failed. The merits for annual sessions have included that it allows for more timely legislative action for potential budget shortfalls due to economic downturns such as reduced oil production in the state, etc. or the necessity of increased emergency funding, or even to enact legislation on newly arising important policy matters.
Annual sessions are being considered again this session. HB 1408 establishes rules for annually reconvened legislative sessions. It sets guidelines for when the legislative assembly meets, recesses, and reconvenes each year, ensuring that the total number of legislative days remains within constitutional 80 days limits. The bill also grants legislative management the authority to determine session logistics If enacted, it would take effect on January 1, 2027. The House passed the bill 64 yeas to 24 nays. A Senate committee hearing occurred on March 28, with no new action yet on the bill.