Term limit language up for consideration

Repealing certain voided constitutional requirements concerning term limits for United States senators and representatives would be up to voters if House Joint Resolution 1002 is passed.

The resolution would remove certain sections of Article III, section 32 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota that have been deemed unconstitutional.

That section of the constitution limits to two consecutive terms the amount of time U.S. Senators from South Dakota could be elected. U.S. Representatives could be elected to six consecutive terms.

If passed by both houses of the South Dakota Legislature, the measure would go on the 2006 general election ballot.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Matthew Michels, R-Yankton, made it clear that if signed into law, no changes will be made to the term limits for senators and representatives in the South Dakota Legislature.

The bill passed the House, 58-0, Jan 17. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Matthews also sponsored HJR 1001, which is another clean-up of outdated language in the state constitution. It passed the House unanimously Jan. 17 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.