Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Term Limits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears bill to define when term-limits clock starts under Article 15
Summary
Representative Ben Koppelman told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee that House Bill 1300 would interpret Article 15 of the state constitution to make term limits prospective — starting after an election or appointment — and the committee voted to give the bill a "do pass."
Representative Ben Koppelman, a member of the House from District 16 in West Fargo, introduced House Bill 1300 on the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee agenda and said the measure would clarify how the term-limits language in Article 15 of the state constitution applies to current and future officeholders. “I represent district 16 in West Fargo, and I'm here to present, house bill 1300 to you today,” Koppelman said.
Koppelman told the committee the amendment to the constitution establishing term limits was written to have prospective effect, and HB1300 would interpret the text so that the eight-year clock begins after an election or appointment rather than counting prior service that occurred before the amendment took effect. He said the bill is not an attempt to amend the constitution but to provide the legislature’s interpretation of how Article 15 should be carried out going forward.
The bill sponsor argued the legislature has precedent and authority to interpret constitutional provisions and that leaving the question to repeated attorney-general opinions or litigation would create uncertainty. “I would stand for any questions,” Koppelman said after outlining his reading of the amendment.
Committee members asked about several scenarios raised by the constitutional language and the bill’s wording, including how appointments and partial terms would be treated. Representative Roehr asked what would happen if the bill did not pass and the member’s term status remained unclear; Koppelman replied that without legislative guidance a candidate could face uncertainty until the secretary of state or courts weighed in.
A supporter from the public, Mike Blessum of Minot, testified HB1300 would bring clarity important to party processes and candidate recruitment. Several committee members said they appreciated a legislative clarification rather than waiting for court or attorney-general rulings.
After questions and brief discussion the committee acted. Representative Steiner moved a "do pass" recommendation and Representative Rohr seconded. The committee took a roll call; the recorded roll-call sequence in the transcript shows members voting in the affirmative and the chair announcing, “Motion passes.”
